Accountability and Health Budget Advisor at Options Consultancy Services Limited

Options Consultancy Services Limited was established in 1992 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We are a consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors to governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Accountability and Health Budget Advisor

Location: Yobe
Contract type: Fixed Term until February 2024
Hours: 40 hours
Department: Evidence for Action
Reporting to: Senior Transformation and Sustainability Advisor
Responsible for: None
Liaison with: Country Lead, E4A-MamaYe Nigeria Senior Advisors, State Advisors, E4A-MamaYe Kenya and London. State Ministry of Health and other local government bodies; Relevant partners from the health sector

Main Purpose of Job

• As the State Accountability and Health Budget Advocacy Advisor, you are responsible for the overall progress of E4A-MamaYe programme objectives in Yobe.
• You will lead the capacity building of coalitions and other strategic partners within the state, provide technical support on maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) systems, link health systems data to health budget processes and engage in state-level project management.
• You will provide technical guidance, training and mentorship on health budget and resource tracking and advocacy for the coalitions E4A works with, and support coalitions develop their transition plans and ensuring progress in the sustainability of E4A’s accountability model.
• The role of the Health Budget Advocacy Advisor is to lead the implementation of the technical strategy on health budget advocacy. This will include working with colleagues to deliver the objectives of our HBA strategy, determining how we can achieve this, and providing technical guidance, training and mentorship on health budget and resource tracking and advocacy for the E4A team in Nigeria.

Responsibilities
The Accountability and Health Budget Advisor will be responsible for:

• Delivering technical support on RMNCAH and evidence to advocacy coalitions for Yobe State
• Delivery of E4A-MamaYe work plan in Yobe State
• Sustainability of the E4A accountability model
• Building capacity on health budget advocacy toolbox at national and subnational levels
• Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and communications

Requirements

• Degree in Health Economics or a related subject is Essential
• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Health Management or a related field is Desirable
• Considerable experience in RNMCH program implementation at facility and community levels
• Significant experience of engagement with government at the State level and/ or a background working within the government
• A solid understanding of Public Financial Management (PFM) including annual budget cycles, Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs) and the principles of transparency and accountability, particularly health budget tracking and advocacy
• Strong budget analysis skills with experience in analysing and interpreting annual budgets, particularly health budget tracking and advocacy
• Experience delivering pieces of training
• Experience designing capacity development activities and training
• Experience in facilitating evidence-based planning processes to track progress on health indicators and commitments

Person Specification:

• The post-holder will have significant experience in health budget advocacy and working within complex health systems. They should also be able to critically appraise data and evidence on Health Systems and RMNCAH.
• You will have at least 5 years of work experience in a highly competitive and busy work environment, with significant experience in the provision of technical assistance for health budget advocacy
• Solid understanding of the health sector, including the relationship between national and sub-national levels and specifically on RMNCAH
• Understanding of the linkage between quality-of-care data and how this should feed into prioritisation, planning and budgeting processes
• A solid understanding of Public Financial Management (PFM) including annual budget cycles, Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs) and the principles of transparency and accountability, particularly health budget tracking and advocacy
• Strong budget analytical skills with experience in analyzing and interpreting annual budgets, particularly health budget tracking and advocacy

Benefits
Options offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave allowance, medical insurance and 13th month pay.

Deadline: 5th December, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be held week commencing 19th December 2022
• Please note that this role will be subject to full pre-employment background checks including criminal record check, identification check, employment references and right to work verification (where appropriate).

Other Information:

• As an equal opportunity employer, Options Consultancy Services is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage or civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Options Consultancy Services.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Nigeria.