Posted on: Mon 12-10-2020

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: COVID-19 Advocacy and Accountability Officer

Reference: LAFIYA

Location: Kaduna

Contract type: Full time, fixed-term contract

Details

Options Consultancy Services seeks a COVID-19 Advocacy and Accountability Officer in Kaduna State to provide support and guidance on accountability issues relating to COVID-19 and health security more broadly in collaboration with the Advocacy and Accountability Coordinator and in partnership with the PERL focal person in the state.

Responsibilities

The summary purpose and objective of the role is to:    

• Deliver guidance and innovative approaches towards COVID-19 community preparedness and response to strengthen health systems resilience.
• Engage directly with high-level political actors at federal and state levels to encourage increased public health spending as means to tackle Covid-19 and kick-start UHC reforms
• Provide strategic guidance to CSO coalitions at the state level and other CSOs for effective and efficient performance on accountability relating to COVID-19

Main Duties

Facilitate the implementation of prioritized activities as agreed with stakeholders and in line with the COVID-19 approved 2nd concept note such as:

• Strengthen the capacity of CSO situation rooms to serve as key accountability platforms for effective stewardship by government actors
• Engage existing community structures such as CHIPS, WDCs, FHCs, SLAMs and CSOs in community-based surveillance with clear communication at ward and village levels.
• Support the ongoing advocacy at national level to review the NH Act, including provisions for robust health security funding as part of UHC financing reforms.
• Support tracking of funds from all sources into the state for Covid-19 and how it is being spent (in partnership with PERL).
• Support CSOs to undertake spot checks for PHCs, secondary facilities and isolation centres to assess how Covid-19 funds are being used as well as the main funding gaps.
• Engage directly with high-level political actors at federal and state levels to encourage increased public health spending as means to tackle Covid-19 and kick-start UHC reforms.
• High-level targeted advocacy for financing a PHC-driven UHC reform that can deliver equitable access to public health services.
• Amplify demand from civil society, SLAMs and WDCs for faster implementation of BHCPF alongside the Covid-19 response in order to increase access to the basic health package.
• In collaboration with PERL, support and strengthen the capacity of CSO situation rooms across States for effective monitoring and reporting.
• Engage and advocate to state legislatures and Ministries of Finance to establish dedicated budget line for public health emergency preparedness and response

Provide guidance on accountability issues relating to COVID-19 and health security more broadly to be taken up by the Civil Society advocacy groups/platforms in collaboration with the Advocacy and Accountability Coordinator and in partnership with PERL:

Support the ongoing advocacy at state level including provisions for robust health security funding as part of UHC financing                                       nto the lafiya programme knowledge and learning platform

Person Specification

Qualifications:

An MSc or relevant qualification or related comparable experience in health economics, public health, community / primary health care, social sciences or in a relevant field.

Experience:

At lea  you will have:

• Strong understanding of the Nigerian health system
• Good connections with state and non-state actors in the health sector in the state
• Experience of working with the media to communicate advocacy messages.
• Technical background in health security, community health systems and accountability of health results
• Proven skills in capacity building and analysing data and packaging it for targeted advocacy

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Application Closing Da                                 te

16th October, 2020.                                                                                                                                                                       

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should:

Click here to apply online

Click Here for more Information (PDF)

Note

• Only shortlisted applicants will b t to work verification (where appropriate).

Other information:

• Options is an equal opportunities employer
• 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, energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.

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