Vacancies at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Health and Nutrition Officer will provide technical leadership in day-to-day implementation of the UNICEF ICCM-CMAM project in Turkana County.  He/she will play a critical role in promoting integrated service delivery across the continuum of care through the health system, in collaboration with the research team, quality assurance nurses, research coordinator, MEAL and child protection teams in Turkana field office. The position holder will coordinate with the sub-county health department to strengthen health system support for improved quality of care at health facilities and in the community. He/she should be knowledgeable and skilled in carrying out operational research in health and nutrition and with practical experience in implementation of nutrition specific strategies/activities to allow effective demand creation and quality service delivery at community and facility levels. 

S/he will ensure that all health and nutrition activities are interlink to support the achievement of project targets. S/he will be responsible for strategic planning, coordination and monitoring & evaluation of strategies and interventions for the project’s activities. The position holder will provide a technical leadership role at the sub-county in coordination with all project staff and partners to adhere to available policies in health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, WASH. S/he will be technically supported by the research coordinator. 

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Research Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: 0

Budget holding responsibility;

Complexity: requires skills for collaborative work within the team as well as with different support functions, technical staff of institutional stakeholders and partners

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Technical leadership and Innovation

• Community mobilization and sensitization: In collaboration with the research team, conduct meetings with key opinion and community leaders, including the Community Health Committees, village elders, and clergy in the project area. Inform the community about the project's existence, purpose, and benefits to their communities, as well as the broader county, country, regional, and global impact.
• the Ministry of Health, carry out ICCM training for Community Health Promotors in the study arms. Provide ICCM (quadrant 1 & 3) based on the standard ICCM curriculum package.
• SAM and MAM treatment training: Work closely with the lead researcher (KEMRI) and MOH to conduct training for CHPs providing Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition services (quadrant 1 & 2). Follow simplified protocols for treating Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition using the training guide developed by the researchers.
• Control arm training: Collaborate with the lead researcher to conduct refresher training on the Basic CHP Module and Nutrition module 8 for CHPs in the control arm. Focus on sharpening their skills in screening and referral of malnutrition and routine promotion of positive key messages on health and nutrition.
• Training of health workers: Support in identifying training needs and execute refresher training, such as on Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, ICCM, and Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), among others.
• Training of CHAs and QA nurses: Provide training on iCCM-CMAM and supervisory monitoring and evaluation to Community Health Assistants (CHAs) and Quality Assurance (QA) nurses.
• Drug and commodity supply and management: Work closely with partners to strengthen the Ministry of Health's supply chain. Orient health workers on quantification, forecasting, and ordering using the Logistics Management System (LMIS).
• CHP supervision and performance monitoring: Support CHAs in carrying out monthly field-based supportive supervision of CHPs. Conduct facility-based supervision, inviting CHPs to linked health facilities to check on SCRF, SAM and MAM registers, documentation, and logistical issues.
• Data review and analysis: Review and analyze data for performance monitoring. Utilize the data to take corrective actions.
• Mainstream quality benchmarks: Promote the utilization of quality benchmarks within Health and Nutrition programming in Turkana.
• Field monitoring visits: Undertake field monitoring visits to ensure health programs meet defined quality standards.
• Lesson learning and program incorporation: Ensure lesson learning is incorporated into relevant program plans and technical policy guidance.
• Supportive supervision and on-job training: Conduct regular supportive supervision and on-job training in iCCM and CMAM at community health units to build staff technical capacity and enable quality service delivery.

Representation and advocacy

• Represent Save the Children in relevant internal and external fora including donor meetings (as appropriate) 
• Work with partners to further Save the Children’s mission for children
• Be fully aware of how far the project fulfils child rights in terms of SCI’s strategic and thematic plans.      Ensure that Child Rights programming is effectively incorporated into all aspects of SCI’s work.

Knowledge management.

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team and other project staff in monitoring and evaluation of project activities including preparation of monitoring reports, documents and lessons learned. 
• Provide mentorship/OJT on ICCM-CMAM and IMNCI/IMAM to facility staff.
• Liaising with the quality assurance nurses, M&E and other Project Officers in development of weekly reports, monthly and quarterly progress reports and ensure timely submission reviewing with team and final submission to Project Coordinator.
• Share case studies, human-interest stories, documentaries and other related materials with MEAL Unit.
• Carry out regular monitoring to health and nutrition outreaches and attend review meetings both at facility and sub-county level to provide support.
• Participate in milestone meetings for monitoring of the progress of the programme such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.
• Ensure exchange and sharing of experience, lessons learnt, best practices and new methods to county officials, programme staff, other SCI partners in matters regarding implementation of humanitarian response.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• University degree in health sciences / health systems (Nutrition, Nursing, Public health).
• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional work experience in health programming. 
• Experience in training and capacity building. 
• Experience in community mobilisation within the development context. Experience working with the Kenya Community Health Strategy is an added advantage
• Effective working relationships with stakeholders from government agencies, international organisations, donors, academics and opinion-leaders.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations
• Good understanding of the MOH and county health departments, particularly integration of donor funded programmes into county plans.
• Extensive experience in health systems strengthening approaches used to improve quality of health service delivery at all levels
• Good understanding of the health system and policy processes; health sector programs and significant players in the community health, community mobilization and Malaria programming in Kenya
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity building of systems, partners and staff
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Fluent oral and strong analytical, written English communication skills is required
• Good computer skills (particularly Word, Excel, database)
• Demonstrates Save the Children’s core values of accountability, collaboration, integrity, ambition, and creativity.

go to method of application »

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Quality Assurance Nurses will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of ICCM+ CMAM operational research project aiming to investigate the implementation of iCCM-CMAM in Turkana, Kenya. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate the capability of trained, supervised, and well-equipped Community Health Providers (CHPs) in correctly executing iCCM-CMAM. The study is expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of iCCM-CMAM in improving access to appropriate care for acutely ill children in remote areas. The findings will inform the Kenyan Ministry of Health and county health management team in guiding practical implementation steps. The role holders will play a critical role in promoting delivery of quality implementation research in collaboration with CHPs, health and nutrition teams within Save the Children, the research consultants and key stakeholders including Turkana county department of health.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Health Officer

Technical Report : Research coordinator, Save the Children

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme.

• Provide technical assistance to CHPs towards implementation of integrated community case management and integration with uncomplicated acute malnutrition.
• Support training and mentorship for Community Health Promotors on Integrated Community iCCM, Basic modules, uncomplicated CMAM.
• Supervise routine data collection and commodity accountability by the CHPs and Community Unit CHEWs
• Consolidate activity reports and ensure timely submission to supervisor for onward submission.
• Ensure quality of programme data by interacting often with project data base.
• Closely work with the principal investigator(s) and provide the necessary requirements they need to successfully implement the research.
• Work with MOH to strengthen Community Health Service delivery and the community – facility linkage and referrals.
• Help to provide evidence that a trained CHP can classify, diagnose and treat Pneumonia in children under 5 years by review Pneumonia cases identified by CHPs at house hold level to a certain the Diagnosis.
• Follow-up visits of all children treated by CHPs at home

Monitoring and Evaluation.

• Participate in the design, development and implementation of an M&E framework for health related activities.
• Document the process of implementation, lessons learnt, case studies and good practice to ensure information is widely disseminated.
• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.
• Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs and project MEAL focal person to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards.
• Ensure the compilation of quality and timely activity and monthly reports for the project.
• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team

Supervision

• Develop a comprehensive plan for supervision of all the field health and nutrition activities to ensure implementation adheres to develop monthly work plans. 
• Support regular review meetings with the community health promoters, sub county community strategy focal person and community health assistants. 

Network and coordinate with the relevant sectors and agencies implementing health activities at national and community level.

• Identify areas of synergy in the field with the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies working with communities. 
• Come up with a comprehensive plan of activities within the identified areas of synergy with the actors named above.

Implement Community Mobilization Activities.

• Liaise and establish strong links with existing community structures including mother to mother support groups, community units, youth groups, village elders and religious leaders.
• Support community dialogue and action days.

Strengthen Community – Health Facility Referral system and Linkage.

• Work with Ministry of Health to strengthen a referral system at community level and implement activities to strengthen the community –facility linkage. 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse
• At least two (2) years’ work experience in health and nutrition programming including monitoring and evaluation. 
• MUST be registered with Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Fluency (written and verbal) in English, Swahili, and Local dialects in Turkana County.
• At least two year working experience in a health facility.
• Willing to work in a rural set up and perform house hold visits on a daily basis
• Good inter-personal, report writing and communication skills
• Strong capacity to work with initiative, flexibility and without close supervision
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• Strong research and data analysis skills. 
• Experience in community mobilisation within the development context. 
• Experience working with programmes on community health strategy and community health services delivery is an added advantage.
• health stakeholders, opinion leaders and integration of donor funded programmes into county plans.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations.
• Experience of and commitment to utilizing participatory approaches. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathise with children.
• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field.
• Proficiency in intermediate computer skills especially basic office applications including MS office (word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook) is a MUST