SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
JOB TITLE: Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Advisor
TEAM: Nigeria Country Office
LOCATION: Kano, Nigeria
GRADE: 3
POST TYPE: National (international
experience)/International
DURATION: 5 years from May 2014 to April 2019
BACKGROUND:
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of
children in over 120 countries around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability,
innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help
children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits
and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or
religious orientation. Save the Children’s mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world
treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Save the Children is looking for an experienced development professional to work within the
Nigeria Country Programme. This role will be critical for the delivery of results for children.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3- The responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with
children or young people and, in the overseas context all posts are considered to be level 3 posts
in view of potential situations which may allow staff unsupervised access to vulnerable children
and young people.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Advisor will provide technical support and
advice to other national programme staff, staff in the programme states and Ministry of Health
officials at state and LGA level in the area of maternal health. S/he is responsible for strategic
planning, coordination and monitoring & evaluation of programme activities in relation to
strengthening of maternal, neonatal and child health service provision and for supporting the state
programme teams in strategic and operational planning and programme implementation. S/he
supervises and works closely with related sector specialists.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: TBC
Staff directly reporting to this post: TBC
Budget responsibility: TBC
RESPONSIBILITIES
The MNCH Advisor will:
a) Take the lead in strategic planning, coordination and monitoring and evaluation of programme
activities related to strengthening of MNCH service provision.
b) Draft Terms of Reference for national and international consultants providing short term
technical assistance to the programme in the area of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
c) Write quarterly progress reports about the MNCH component of the programme.
d) Prepare and present powerpoint presentations for review and planning meetings or any
relevant programme dissemination events.
e) Ensure that internationally agreed best knowledge and practice is brought into the programme.
f) Provide mentoring and capacity-building for programme teams at state level and for
implementing partners in relation to MNCH.
g) Support staff to prepare, implement, follow up and monitor plans for all training and capacity
Date: November 12 2013
SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
building efforts and to organise programme activities.
h) Promote coordination among local stakeholders.
i) Ensure that project activities are in line with the local law and international standards, laws,
and policies, in all activities
j) Support the development of Quality Improvement systems for MNCH, such as Maternal &
Peri-Natal Death Reviews, as well as client satisfaction surveys in collaboration with related
sector specialists
k) Ensure active collaboration, information sharing and joint meetings between the programme
and local authorities and other stakeholders to identify and strengthen support for project
activities and avoid duplication.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our 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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
Essential skills requirement:
 At least 5 years of relevant clinical experience in obstetrics & gynaecology and participation in
public health programmes in Nigeria, especially in Maternal and Neonatal and Child Health
(MNCH)
 Post-graduate qualification in public health, maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), or a
closely related field.
 In-depth knowledge and understanding of current evidence-based obstetric care and
internationally agreed global strategies and interventions for the reduction of maternal mortality
and how to operationalize these
 Proven experience in health programme planning, coordination and monitoring & evaluation.
 Expertise in project leadership and management, including organizational development and
staff management.
 Demonstrable expertise in capacity building, including facilitation of training and coaching of
health care providers through supportive supervision.
 Excellent reporting and analytical skills.
 Excellent communication, interpersonal and advocacy skills.
Date: November 12 2013
SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
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Computer literate (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
Ability to work in a team.
Experience in quality assurance of MNCH services and in conducting Maternal Death Reviews
(Audit) and Criterion Based Audit will be of added value.
Willing and able to work in a challenging environment and have the ability to adapt to changing
circumstances and to respond with flexibility and creativity.
Experience of working in Northern Nigeria will be of added value.
Experience in working with NGOs, CSOs, FBOs will be of added value.
Date: November 12 2013