Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator Vacancy at The Maternal, New-born and Child Health Programme (MNCH2)
Options Consultancy Services Limited is seeking for an Evidence and
Advocacy Coordinator to be based in Kaduna State to contribute and work
within a dynamic five (5) year programme called MNCH2.The Maternal,
New-born and Child Health Programme (MNCH2) 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 states in northern
Nigeria: Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Zamfara States
Job Title: Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator
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 efficiency. 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 society groups and leveraging
on pressure points through CSO and FHC coalitions. Evidence on MNCH
services will need to be strengthened and used by government and 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 Coordinators 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 policymakers) 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 platforms and
media in effectively using data for advocacy for enhanced effectiveness,
equity and efficiency in the provision of health services for women and
children
- ·
Develop tactful strategies to promote the effective use of evidence
into action (policy, programme, advocacy, accountability) among
different stakeholders
- · Work with advocates and those working to
strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure they have the evidence
required to be more effective
- · Use evidence to support the development and populating of accountability tools to track MNH progress and commitments
- ·
Package complex scientific information for a range of stakeholders in
an easily understandable and appropriate format for non-scientists, and
disseminate as appropriate
- · Develop advocacy materials (i.e. stories, campaign materials) for delivering the advocacy strategy.
- ·
Liaise with stakeholders, 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
coherent and coordinated way, in line with logframe targets.
- · Support government in using evidence for informed planning, budgeting and decision making on MNCH services
- ·
Identify the information needs of target audiences and package/tailor
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 contributions
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
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
- · Understanding of advocacy principles and approach
- · 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 context of Northern Nigeria.
- ·
At least 3 years' experience providing expertise in the area of
advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and/or institutional strengthening
- · Experience working effectively with government authorities and CSOs
- · Demonstrated management, programme planning competency and effective communication skills
Desirable:
Fluency in Hausa Language
How to Apply
To apply, send your CV with a brief cover letter to
[email protected] specifying
the position on the subject line. For example “Evidence and Advocacy
Coordinator – Kaduna” the advert will only be open for a period of two
weeks from the date of publication. Only shortlisted applicants will be
contacted.
Note: There is no relocation allowance available for this position.