Options Consultancy Services Limited is seeking for an Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator to be based in Kaduna State to contribute and work within a dynomic five (5) years programme called MNCH12

 

The Material New-born and Child Health Programme (MNCH12) is a country led programme which aims to reduce maternal and child mortality in Northern Nigeria and it is funded by the Department for international Development (DFID). The MNCH2 programme is being implemented in six state in northern Nigeria: Jigawa, Kaduna. Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Zamfara States.

 

In return We Offer:

.  A friendly and team-based working environment

.  Opportunity to work with national and international colleagues

.  Vital contribution to improving maternal and newborn services in Northern Nigeria

.  The opportunity to "make a difference"

.  A competitive salary with benefits

 

POSITION: EVIDENCE AND ADVOCACY COORDINATIOR (1) 

 

LOCATIONS KADUNA STATE

 

Main Purpose of the Role

The Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator will ensure MNCH evidence is used for improved performance of health services in the area of effectiveness, equity and effciency. Under the guidance of the Accountability and Advocacy Advisor and State Team, they are expected to strengthen advocacy for better health services for women and children through effective use of evidence by civil socity groups and leveraging on pressure points through CSO and FHC coalitions. Evidence of MNCH service providers for planning and decision making through the development of processes which facilitate data use, and highlights gaps in service provision.

 

Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator will be expected to identify the information needs of target audiences in their State (e.g Non-governmental organisations, advocates, accountability structures.district health planners. national policy makers) and helping them connect with researchers and others to better inform MNH programmes, policies and planning 

 

 

The Main Responsibility

•  The Evidence and Advocacy Coordinators will be expected to provide perform the following duties at State, LGA and facility levels

•  Support and enable CSOs, FHCs, activists, advocacy platfroms and media in effectively using data for advocacy for enhanced effectiveness, equity and efficiency in the provision of health services for women and children

•  Support government in using evidence for informed planning budgeting and decision making on MNCH services

Identify the infromation needs of target audiences and package/tailor the evidence according to formats which are most relevant and meaningful to each one 

•  Ensure systems are strengthened so that data findings are reported back to service providers to enable them to make informed decisions on the effective delivery of services, contributing to increased performance of health services 

•  Ensure the implementation/strengthening/expansion and effective use of information resulting from MDAs, Community Score Cards and facility Score Cards

•  Develop tactful strategies to promote the effective use of evidence into action (policy, programme, advocacy, accountablity) among different stakeholders 

•  Work with advocates and those working to strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure they have the evidence reqired to be more effective.

•  Use evidence to support the development and populating of accountablity tools to track MNH progress and commitments

•  Package complex scientific information for a range of stakeholders in an easily understandable and appropriate fromat for non-scientists, and disseminate as approtriate 

•  Develop advocacy materials (i.e stories, campaign materials) for delivering the advocacy strutegy.

•  Liaise with stakehelders, including State/LGA government, service providers, CSOs, FHCs, civil society coalitions, and other development programmes 

•  Work closely with other programme staff in their State team to make sure that MNCH2 strategies and approaches are delivered in a coharent and coordinated Way, in line with logframe targets.

 

Requirement:

Essentials:

•  An advanced degree in public health or a relevant field 

•  Minimum of 6 years of consulting and/or management experience in international health programmes for key health development partners, including, but not Limited to DFID, USAID, AusAID and the European Union 

•  At least 3 years' experience providing expertise in the area of advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and/or institutional strengthening

•  Experience working effectively with government authorites and CSOs

•  Demonstrated management, programme planing competency annd effective communication skills

•  Understanding of advocacay principles and apprach

•  Experience in mentoring and training for different cadres of staff and partners

•  Excellent written and spoken English

•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work to deadlines 

•  In depth understanding of the political, social, economic and cultural contect of Northern Nigeria.

 

Desirable:

Fluency in Hausa Language is desirable 

 

How to apply

To applu send your CV with a brief cover letter to [email protected], specifying the position in the subject line. For example "Evidence and Advocacy" Coordinator-Kad.ma" the advert will only be open for a period of two week from the date of publication.

 

THe closing date for applications is Thursday, August 13th 2015.

 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

 

Note: There are no relocated allowances available for these positions.