Health Officer - MI Project at Save the Children

Role Purpose

The Health Officer will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of the health components in the Malnutrition Initiative Project (MI). MI Project’s main objective is to generate evidence that will inform development of policy and practice regarding the integration of management of acute malnutrition into iCCM. It is a five years cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) with two parallel arms - an intervention arm where CHVs are trained to screen, diagnose and treat moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and control arm where CHVs are only screening and referring MAM/SAM cases to the nearby health facility for treatment by healthcare professionals. The role holder will play a critical role in promoting delivery of quality life-saving interventions in collaboration with health and nutrition teams within Save the Children and with key stakeholders. In close liaison with MEAL, support in collection, processing and verification of reports/forms and maintains programme/projects databases. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Contract Duration: 5 months renewable subject to funding availability and performance.

Reporting to: Health Coordinator.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Programme.
  • Provide technical assistance to MoH towards implementation of integrated community case management.
  • Support training and mentorship for Community Health Volunteers on Integrated Community Case management implementation (ICCM).
  • Support water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related activities on the MI project
  • Organize and coordinate trainings in consultation with County health authorities.
  • Consolidate activity reports and ensure timely submission to supervisor for onward submission.
  • Work with MOH to strengthen Community Health Service delivery and the community – facility linkage.
• Monitoring and Evaluation.
  • Participate in the design, development and implementation of an M&E framework for health related activities.
  • Document the process of implementation, lessons learnt, case studies and good practice to ensure information is widely disseminated.
  • With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.
  • Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards
  • Ensure the compilation of quality and timely activity and monthly reports for the project.
  • Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team.
• Supervision
  • Develop a comprehensive plan for supervision of all the field health activities to ensure implementation adheres to develop monthly work plans.
  • Support regular review meetings with the Sub County community strategy focal person and community health assistants.
  • Development of health education training and counselling materials.
  • Participate in the design/adaptation of appropriate health education and promotion methods and tools, and pre- testing them with the team and community members.
  • Liaise with the health education department at the Ministry of health to adapt and produce appropriate health education materials
  • Network and coordinate with the relevant sectors and agencies implementing health activities at national and community level.
  • Identify areas of synergy in the field with the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies working with communities.
  • Come up with a comprehensive plan of activities within the identified areas of synergy with the actors named above.
• Implement Community Mobilization Activities.
  • Liaise and establish strong links with existing community structures including mother to mother support groups, community units, youth groups, village elders and religious leaders.
  • Support community dialogue and action days.
  • Strengthen Community – Health Facility Referral system and Linkage
  • Work with Ministry of Health to strengthen a referral system at community level and implement activities to strengthen the community –facility linkage.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree health sciences / health systems (Nutrition, Nursing, Public health) or equivalent.
• At least two (3) years’ work experience in health programming including monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in community mobilization within the development context.
• Experience working with the Kenya Community Health Strategy is an added advantage.
• Good understanding and experience working with MOH and county health departments, health stakeholders, opinion leaders and integration of donor funded programme into county plans.
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations.
• Experience of and commitment to utilizing participatory approaches.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathise with children.
• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field.
• Good presentation and persuasion skills.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions.
• Prepared to live and work in an uncertain security environment.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel and stay at the field
• Strong research and data analysis skills
• Strong report writing and computer skills
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.

The Organization We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better

healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

1. No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
2. All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
3. Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.