Job Vacancies at Save the Children

The MCSP Senior Newborn Health Specialist will be responsible for providing technical leadership and support to Federal and State Ministries of Health as well as partner organizations on national level advocacy efforts for newborn health interventions, including the finalization and implementation of a national scale up plan for chlorhexidine.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Facilitate implementation, track, and report progress on the Chlorhexidine Scale-up Plan by providing technical support to FMOH and implementing partners at national and state-level. This work could include:
• Facilitate a mapping of the landscape of the current status of chlorhexidine implementation in Nigeria
• In collaboration with USAID’s Center for Accelerating Innovation and Impact (CII), contribute to the development and implementation of a national scale up plan for chlorhexidine
• Assist FMOH and SMOH to develop and institute a national monitoring and evaluation plan for chlorhexidine implementation within the context of newborn health programming
• Work with FMOH to strengthen the coordinating mechanisms for chlorhexidine implementation within existing FMOH  structures
• Participate in and support the integration of chlorhexidine programming into key relevant national health technical working groups and/or steering committees
• Work with relevant FMOH/NPHCDA teams to generate national demand for the use of chlorhexidine through the adaptation and development of key BCC messages and other communication tools
• In collaboration with FMOH and partners, lead the planning  and conduct of advocacy visits to the  remaining states and firm up plans to provide support to the states for the development of their action plans to implement  the new chlorhexidine policy
• Facilitate the finalization of the review of federal-level Essential Medicines lists (and those of selected states) ensuring the inclusion of chlorhexidine gel and other newborn health lifesaving commodities and  the establishment of a national chlorhexidine procurement and distribution mechanism in the context of newborn health
• Support FMOH and SMOH in increasing awareness of the policy change for care of the umbilical stump using 4% chlorhexidine gel through the engagement of Tertiary Institutions, Pre-service training institutions, Professional Regulatory bodies, MDAs, Pharmaceutical Council, community pharmacies, and Patent Medicine Vendors associations, on the distribution of chlorhexidine.   
• Support FMOH and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to integrate chlorhexidine application knowledge and competency in all relevant MNCH training and counseling materials
• Work with NAFDAC to ensure the final certification of the manufacturers to provide additional sources for the gel.
• Participate in regular global Chlorhexidine Working Group meetings in order to be up to date on global level information and activities as they relate to the Nigeria context
• Support the ongoing advocacy within the national TSU for the adoption of simplified antibiotics for neonatal sepsis management
• Facilitate and participate in regular Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Review (MPDSR) Steering Committee Meetings        
• Collaborate with Saving Newborn Lives (SNL) to ensure approval of the integrated MPDSR guidelines by the National Council of Health and support national review of MDR and PNDA implementation in Nigeria.
• In collaboration with SNL, contribute to the development of the national KMC operational guidelines and advocate for the adoption of the guidelines in non-MCSP states

Knowledge/Skills:

• Healthcare and management experience (MBA, MD, MPA, MPH, MD, or MBBS) with a post graduate qualification in public health, business, pediatrics or related field preferred
• Substantial experience in public health program management administrative and advisory capacity.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop a network of contacts with key players from amongst government, donors, international agencies and NGOs, to maintain these relationships over time and to support mobilization of significant funding from donors.  Existing public and private health relationships strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with existing national policies, guidelines and programs in the context of newborn health in Nigeria.
• Technical expertise in newborn health and experience in providing technical support to partners, particularly government at senior levels preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels. Presentation and training skills, along with tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Proven capacity to deliver results against objectives, reporting schedules and work plans.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills and the proven ability to translate these into concise high quality reports and lessons learnt documents,
• Confidence in using word processing and spreadsheet computer packages
• Fluency in written and spoken English and ability to make compelling technical presentations.

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Role Purpose

• Work closely with some, SEMA, NEMA, UNICEF, local implementing partners, members of the Education sector working Group, UN-OCHA and other UN agencies, to ensure that the programme goals are achieved.
• Specific areas of concern are the provision of temporary learning opportunities in IDP camps and host community.
• He/She provides overall leadership at a strategic and programme level for the sector, and ensures that SC vision and overall program goals related to the sector are met. He/She provides managerial, technical, and administrative support to the project officers.
• He/She is responsible for designing programmes and writing proposals for new or ongoing projects in line with SC goals and strategic directions.
• For purposes of ensuring healthy collaboration between the sector’s work and other projects or initiatives in North Eastern region, the coordinator will actively participate in education-related activities and meetings, and will also seek active collaboration with other players working in the education sector.

Key Areas of Accountability
Under the direct supervision of the Field Manager, and in close coordination with the Education in Emergency Advisor in Abuja:

Programe development and Implementation:

• With the support and guidance of FM and EiE Advisor, lead the implementation of Save the Children’s education project activities within the IDP camps and host communities through provision of EiE and ECCD services to the children
• Identify critical program gaps and vulnerabilities, and clarify roles, responsibilities and accountabilities to effectively address those gaps
• Ensure quality in the programme by building capacity of the local staff through trainings, and providing trainings in pedagogy, psychosocial support, life skills etc. to teachers.
• Provide guidance to field-based education team on common standards, innovative strategies and approaches which ensure a capacity to address SC Commitments for Children in Emergencies, and reflect good practice in emergency education responses

Human Resources:

• Line management of the education project staff
• Prepare performance objectives together with program staffs and give the necessary feedback, follow up and support to improve staff performance.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Contribute to the development of appropriate and effective program monitoring systems to enable assessment of both the emergency response process and impact and to ensure delivery of results for children
• Prepare implementation reports, weekly, monthly or other periodical reports for SCI and funding partners
• Reporting on progress and documentation of best practices
• Support in development of communication materials, case studies and blogs.
• Spend at least 40% of time in the field to support project activities[CK1]

Coordination and Networking:

• Working closely with the FM and EiE Education Advisor, develop partnerships to leverage resources, ensure adequate coverage in the emergency response and early recovery phases, and ensure adequate funding consistent with SC resource mobilisation strategy and emergency response plans
• Advocate for, and support, the development of sustainable, child-friendly and hazard-resistant standards and designs for learning centres, the integration of life skills into both formal and non-formal education, with a particular focus on Disaster Risk Reduction( DRR)
• Represent SCI programme in the coordination at state levels; represent SC at the State Education Sector Working Group meetings, working closely with UNICEF, SEMA, UNOCHA among others, to address issues related to strategic planning, roles and responsibilities of sector partners, and joint advocacy

Qualifications and Experience

• University Degree in Education, Social Sciences or related technical field.
• Three year progressive experience in Education in Emergencies, programme design, administration, monitoring and evaluation or related field.
• Previous experience in working with capacity building/training facilitation is desirable.
• Excellent Computing and data management skills.
• Ability to adapt and work effectively in remote areas, work in a challenging work environment with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to take personal responsibility for completing tasks to a high standard and to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work flexibly and professionally in a dynamic and fast-moving environment.