UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)
KENYA COUNTRY OFFICE
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT“KCO/HLTH/2014-070”
Duty Station – Lodwar
Posts: Health Officer (M&E), NO-B
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Reference # 90646
Date of Issue: 21 October 2014
Closing Date: 03 November 2014
Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Fixed Term position
of Health Officer in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (KCO) based in Lodwar Field Office.
Purpose of the Post: Under the supervision of the Chief, Field Office and additional support
from the Nairobi-based Planning and M&E Specialist and M&E Officer, the incumbent will be
responsible for routine monitoring of maternal and new-born health programs in Turkana
County, including joint monitoring exercises, data collection and verification, and logistical
support for operational research studies.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Programme Performance Monitoring
Provide technical support to ensure that the Country Office has quality information to assess
progress towards expected results established in annual work plans, and to manage financial
and programmatic risks.
Provide technical support to ensure that monitoring systems are in place and accurately
monitoring changes in supplies, demand, coverage and quality of maternal-new-born health
services in Turkana. This task will require both technical assistance to county-based
personnel and direct involvement in periodic data collection and data quality audits;
Conduct spot-checks to verify the correct placement and management of UNICEF-procured
supplies;
Support the collection and verification of quarterly programme reports from partners and
conduct site visits to verify the accuracy of information.
2.
M&E Capacity Building
Provide technical support to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation capacities of Field
Office staff and county partners government and civil society are strengthened enabling
them to increasingly engage in and lead monitoring and evaluation processes.
Contribute to the M&E capacity building strategy for county-level partners and
institutions and corresponding activities for implementation in the context of the MNH
M&E Plan;
Provide technical support for implementation of capacity building strategies as a joint
commitment with other developmental partners.
3.
Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Planning (IMEP)
Provide technical support to ensure that the Lodwar Field Office and county partners use
a well-prioritised and realistic plan of research, monitoring and evaluation activities that
will provide the most relevant and strategic information to manage the Maternal-Newborn Health Component of the UNICEF Country Programme, including tracking and
assessing UNICEF’s distinct contribution to improving maternal and new-born health
outcomes.
Make contributions to and provide technical assistance for the planning and establishing
the research, monitoring and evaluation activities for the UNICEF Health Section, with
particular emphasis on maternal and new-born health programmes operating in Turkana
County.
Ensure that M&E plans and methods are effectively communicated to UNICEF’s
maternal-new-born health partners at county levels, and that these partners are prepared
and supported to contribute appropriately;
In humanitarian response situations, within the first month, support data collection on the
health situation of pregnant women, mothers and new-borns, and draft and recommend a
simple one-month data-collection plan to cover key data gaps as required for the initial
emergency response. After the initial humanitarian response, support management of the
medium-term response with a revised IMEP.
4.
Situation Monitoring and Assessment
Provide technical support to ensure that the Lodwar Field Office and county partners
have timely and accurate measurement of change in conditions affecting the health of
pregnant women, mothers and new-borns to facilitate planning and to draw conclusions
about the impact of programmes or policies.
Support management and improvement of available baseline information on key
indicators through established databases at county levels (e.g., DHIS, community health
information systems and maternal and perinatal death review and response system) for
easy access and use;
Support the preparation of county- level statistical reports on the status of maternal and
new-born health issues, and provide technical support to fulfil donor reporting
obligations;
Support the MOH and partners to use available evidence to draft evidence-based plans
and budgets for MNH programmes towards the attainment of national and county MNH
objectives.
In humanitarian response situations, provide technical support for a rapid assessment
(inter-agency or independently if necessary) to be carried out within the first 48-72 hours,
focusing on the health status and needs of pregnant women, mothers and new-borns.
Provide rapid and accurate information on emergency programme’s coverage,
coordination and coherence.
5.
Evaluation
Provide technical support to ensure that a well-prioritised and strategic selection of
evaluations for maternal-new-born health programmes are carried out with quality and
that evaluation results are useful to the intended audiences.
Provide logistical support for evaluations and operational research;
Ensure that county-level partners, particularly the County Health Management Teams,
are involved in the planning and implementation of evaluations and operational research;
Support effective participatory feedback, including to community and civil society
stakeholders in the focus counties.
6.
Communication and Partnerships
Provide technical support to ensure that all of the above tasks are carried out and
accomplished through effective communication and partnerships, as elaborated below:
Organize and contribute to joint monitoring and evaluation activities with county
partners;
Provide synthesis of M & E results to the Field Office senior management, and to the
Planning and M & E Specialist in the Kenya Country Office;
Ensure that evaluation recommendations are communicated to the relevant county
partners for implementation, with advice on follow-up action for future programming.
Required Qualifications:
University degree in public health or a related social science, with particular emphasis on monitoring
and evaluation and research.
Experience:
Two years of relevant professional work experience, including field work experience, preferably in the area
of maternal, new-born and child health;
Professional work experience in public health programme development and implementation including
monitoring and evaluation activities; and
At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning. Active
involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred.
Language:
Fluency in English and another UN working language required. Knowledge of local working language of
the duty station an asset.
Competencies:
i) Core Values (Required)
Commitment
Diversity and Inclusion
Integrity
ii) Core Competencies (Required)
Communication [Level II]
Working with People [Level I]
Drive for Results [Level I]
iii)Functional Competencies (Required)
Formulating Strategies and Concepts [Level I]
Analyzing [Level II]
Applying Technical Expertise [Level II]
Learning and Researching [Level II]
Planning and Organizing [Level II]
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure they forward their applications along with their
curriculum vitae, P11 (internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation
Reports), to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/HLTH/2014-070” in the email subject.
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT