UNOPS Health Systems Analysis Team Leader Job in Nairobi Kenya

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development.

UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe.

In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Vacancy Code: UNOPS/2011/AFO/KEOC/PRJ/043

Post Title: Health Systems Analysis Team Leader

Post Level: International ICA 3 (Individual Contractor Agreement)

Org Unit: Kenya Operations Center

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya with travel to project sites

Duration: 1 Year (renewable subject to performance and availability of funds)

Closing Date: 20th January 2012

Background

The HSAT aims to contribute to the provision of information that guides both policy making and strategic planning in the Somali health sector.

By strengthening institutional systems and processes through management and dissemination of information, HSAT aims to improve analysis, health sector development and nutrition interventions.

With this information for evidence-based decision-making in strategic planning and service delivery, HSAT aims to coordinate knowledge management and information sharing to best equip donors with priority areas for investment while simultaneously increasing accountability on results

The Somali Health Systems Analysis Team (HSAT) is being supported to:

• Promote capacity building within the Somali Health Sector
• Strengthen health sector management, monitoring and evaluation
• Improve communication and dissemination of information on health and nutrition
• Support further coordination, harmonisation and alignment, and mutual accountability.

Composition :

The HSAT will require a strong team of experts with a range of technical expertise on the six health systems building blocks: Governance and Leadership, Human Resources, Health Care Delivery, Health Information, Health Financing, Medicines and Technologies

In its full composition the HSAT will include:

• The Team Leader, based in Nairobi.
• 3 senior Somali speaking public health experts, based in the Ministries of Health in South Central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland.
• 3 senior experts, based in Nairobi

Duties and Responsibilities

The HSAT Team Leader will report to the health sector Performance Management Committee, comprised of representatives of the Somali Health Authorities, Somali Civil Society, UN, NGO and Donor constituencies.

This committee will report twice a year to the Health Advisory Board (HAB), the higher and policy making level of the Somali health sector coordination mechanism. Members of the HAB are the Ministers of Health for South Central Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland; Heads of Agencies of the UN; Heads of Agencies or high level representatives of the NGO, Somali Civil Society and Donors constituencies.

Specific Responsibilities

The scope of work of the Team Leader will entail responsibility for the overall performance and management of team members, coordination of inputs for team members and management of high quality evidence-based communications across the health sector and for nutrition services; as well as presentation of necessary information and support to UNOPS on finance, accounting and reporting on behalf of donors.

In addition, specific responsibilities will include the following:

A. Develop the capacity of health authorities and partners in the collection, analysis and use of information

i. The TL should proactively support the building of capacity to use evidence based information in the development of policy, in planning and practice in all three zones.

ii. The TL will mentor the HSAT members based in the three Ministries of Health, promoting their own capacity development and ensuring they are supporting the development of the capacity of the health authorities and other partners.

iii. Over the medium to long term, ensure that responsibility is steadily transferred from Nairobi-based operations to country level operations.

iv. The TL should advise on the use of additional short or long-term human resources, for example specific expertise in HMIS, communications or public financial management. This will include preparation of Terms of Reference and engaging in the selection process. The TL will lead on coordinating all the various consultancies/ researches conducted by the different partners, and will work closely with the Health Sector Coordinator on this.

B. Strengthen analysis of evidence based health and nutrition information

i. Lead team members in establishing the evidence base regarding the Somali health sector and nutrition services, applying a ‘WHO health system building blocks’ approach appropriate to a fragile and conflict affected state. This will include analysis of the social determinants of health, as well as of community dynamics and stability.

ii. In agreement with the relevant health authorities and in consultation with wider stakeholders, prepare a prioritized agenda of new analysis needed.

iii. At all times the Team Leader will ensure the team applies a principle of unified and transparent data provision to guide both the collection of new data and HSAT’s approach towards data currently collected or held by other stakeholders.

C. High quality communication and dissemination

i. The TL should, in agreement with HSAT colleagues and the relevant authorities, and in consultation with other stakeholders, devise and implement a communication strategy of information dissemination through publications, seminars and workshops,video-conferencing and virtual document libraries. Wherever possible information should be disseminated in both English and Somali. This information will be critical for use in joint donor reviews of programmes in the sector, and will assist in guiding donor funding decisions.

ii. Provide analysis and policy advice to senior staff within the relevant health authorities and to other partners as required, based on the work of HSAT.

D. Coordinate the HSAT with relevant organizations within the sector

i. Through the health sector coordination structure and mechanism, the TL will establish close institutional links and working relationships with the relevant health authorities and other actors active in the health sector, such as other relevant ministerial bodies, including those related to planning and finance; relevant non-state actors, including national NGOs, academic institutions and private health care providers; representatives of communities at regional and wherever possible local levels, including groups that may otherwise be marginalized, such as women and minority clans; the Diaspora and non-traditional donors.

ii. The TL will play a strong role in the existing health sector coordination mechanisms, including through participation in the quarterly Health Sector Coordination meetings as well as working groups and task forces (i.e. the Health Systems Strengthening Working Group, the Reproductive Health Working Group, and the Health Finance and HMIS Task Forces).

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

• Ability to work to meet tight schedules under stressful environment, multicultural context and challenging physical conditions.
• Ability to work in demanding cultural context with government partners, under poor national infrastructure.
• Highly motivated with a positive attitude and pro-active problem-solving approach.
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Ability to interpret, analyze and resolve problems
• Advanced Computer Literacy and knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications

Education/Experience/Language

• A higher degree in a relevant health / policy-related course of study and at least 11 years experience within health policy / governance in developing countries
• Proven experience of health sector analysis in developing countries, with a preference for significant experience in fragile states.
• Proven experience in innovative communication and dissemination of complex information using verbal, written and other media.
• Strong team leadership, people and financial management skills
• Experience of working successfully with a variety of health sector stakeholders, particularly governments and development partners, but preferably also non-state and private sector actors.
• Proven ability to oversee and undertake action research and analysis, and distil the results of analysis for use by policy makers and practitioners at all levels.
• Ability to conduct capacity assessments and support capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Proven facilitation and training skills
• Willingness to travel regularly into Somali areas and to work closely with government, civil society, private sector and communities
• Prince2 or equivalent project management qualification is an asset

Submission of Applications

Candidates are strongly requested to carefully review the application guidelines below, incomplete documents and/or submissions not meeting the application guidelines will not be considered.

Interested candidates must submit their applications, including

1. Letter of interest

2. Complete Curriculum Vitae

3. Complete, updated and signed United Nations P.11 form

All of the above required documents must be sent via e-mail to keocvacancies@unops.org.

Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

The body of the email must include the table below with responses in the exact format.

• Last name:
• First name:
• Highest completed educational qualification:
• Exact years of experience relevant to the assignment
• Experience with the United Nations (Yes/No). If yes, specify name of agency, Fund or Programme and exact years of relevant experience:
• Professional qualification and/or experience

UNOPS reserve the right to reject any application without the above format in the submission email.

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.