Technical Officer/Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Health (RMNCAH)

1. Area of expertise:

Technical Officer/Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Health (RMNCAH)

2. Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and National Health sector stakeholders in the development and implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) policies and strategies for progressive attainment of Universal Health Coverage in South Sudan

3. Background

Integrated delivery of women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health services using a health system and life cycle approach are lacking. This is compounded by lack of effective coordination among different agencies supporting the health sector as well as inadequate capacity at the Ministry of Health (MoH) to align partners with government priorities. Although there have been improvements in key maternal and child health indicators over the past decade1,2 a lot remains to be done to meet national and global targets. In 2015, infant mortality rate was estimated at 60/1000 live births, under five mortality at 93/1000 live births, neonatal mortality rate at 39/1000 live births and maternal mortality ratio at 789/100,000 live births. In addition malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea remain the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children and DPT3 coverage stands at 45%3.

To address some of the above issues and ensure improvements in provision of health services for women, children and adolescents, the Ministry of health is in the process of developing a national strategic plan for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, and has requested technical assistance from WHO. As a starting point, a rapid assessment of the current situation and challenges of the RMNCAH services was conducted and results are to be shared at national level. The findings will in addition inform the development of the strategic plan to accelerate improvements in the health of women, children and adolescents in South Sudan.

To provide technical support to the government in the development and implementation of evidence-based RMNCAH policies and strategies, in order to provide access and quality health services to women, children and adolescents in an equitable manner. Guide in the harmonization of national and international efforts to ensure strengthening and improving RMNCAH programme. Guide in promotion of national RMNCAH programme with appropriate government commitment and support for RMNCAH programme in collaboration with national and international organizations responsible for strengthening and improving RMNCAH.

4. Deliverables and duties

1. Provide technical and managerial leadership in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health ensuring that the activities in this area are established and carried out efficiently and effectively.

2. Provide technical leadership and policy advice to the country to advocate for and strengthen the national health systems from development, implementation and monitoring of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health interventions in partnership with other collaborating partners.

3. Lead the development of new national strategies and policies through collaboration with the national authorities and recommend health development initiatives in the areas of health systems strengthening, partnership building and improvements in the planning and management of existing health systems for reduction of maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in the countries.

4. Establish and coordinate effective partnership with key stakeholders and donor agencies involved in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health including family Planning, promote making Pregnancy Safer and behavior change and develop and establish reproductive health policies.

5. Review and analyze national Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health policies, strategies, plans and guidelines, programmes and related legislation.

6. Coordinate programs for capacity building in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and other related areas.

7. Promote and establish a variety of new community outreach activities to facilitate the expansion of current and new health-care networks for improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health systems.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health-related field (medicine, public health) with a specialization in reproductive health, pediatrics, obstetrics or other related field from an accredited/recognized institute

Desirable: Post-graduate degree in public health. Degree or Training in any one or more of the following areas: Reproductive Health, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Adolescent Health, Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, Health Programme Management, Epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in reproductive health developing capacity and policies linked to high quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health care programmes. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to national counterparts, Ministries of Health, and other external partners on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health health programmes.

Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; Experience managing diverse teams; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations

6. Skills/Knowledge:

1. Excellent knowledge and expertise of country level situations with regard to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health systems development, strategic frameworks, management, innovations, with good understanding of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.

2. Extensive knowledge and skills in problem solving, planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, negotiation, and resource mobilization.

3. Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in Countries

4. Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.

5. Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.

6. Demonstrated ability to understand and work on complex policy and programme issues related to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health care systems and safety regulations.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) with an emphasis on Excel or a similar workbook application.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Other UN Language.

7. Location

Juba - WCO South Sudan

State WHO offices – 40%

8. Travel

There will 40 % travel to the field

9. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level

B

Daily rate

USD 350

Monthly rate

USD 7,500

1. 1. Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): DSA rate 128 USD

   2. 2. Expected duration of contract: 3 Months

Additional Information (For HR use only):

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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