Health SRHR Specialist at Cowater International

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

• Cowater International through its FSSP is supporting the Canadian High Commission to recruit a Health SRHR Specialist. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Specialist will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful implementation of Canadian-funded SRHR projects in Kenya and Somalia, as well as Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, when required.
• Canada works to close persistent gaps in SRHR for women and girls and has joined global partnerships that focus on programs and projects that put gender at the heart of the efforts to improve health care. To achieve this goal, Canada supports breaking barriers and facilitate an increased access to a full range of SRHR health services that include family planning and modern contraception; comprehensive sexuality education; safe and legal abortion, and post-abortion care; prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
• The overall objective SRHR and health specialist role is to support and strengthen the delivery of Canada’s SRHR international assistance programs in Kenya and Somalia and the countries that fall under the Canadian High Commission in Kenya when required. This will be through provision of field level advice, technical support and policy input related to Canada's health and SRHR programs.
• The role requires a deep understanding and experience of sexual and reproductive health sector issues in Kenya and Somalia. Due to the multi-sectoral nature of SRHR, a gender-responsive, rights-based approach is needed with linkages to the wider suite of human rights and gender equality issues which can include economic and education status; sexual and gender-based violence; harmful cultural practices such as early forced child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) among others.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Coordination:

• Monitor MNCH and SRHR sector trends and emerging issues and disseminate relevant info to GAC and provide expert advice to GAC on the same in Kenya and Somalia and others when required.
• Provide guidance on synergies and opportunities for further efficiencies in health and related gender equality and women's rights programs.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support on program and project planning and design.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Establish, monitor, and maintain contacts with key stakeholders, partners, donors, civil society organizations, academia, private sector etc. and keep apprised of sector-specific engagements on health.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders, local communities, and government agencies to address mutual challenges.
• Establish and maintain a list of contacts within relevant ministries, development partners, private sector, civil society actors, and other key stakeholders to support advancement of GAC objectives.
• Support to Canada's engagement with relevant stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to showcase and leverage Canada-funded health programs.
• Participate as an observer and provide back to office reports from various sector meetings or other such meetings organized by GAC or implementing partners.

Capacity Building:

• Provide technical assistance inputs and capacity building support to government and partner organizations on national policies, strategies and frameworks related to SRHR.

Reporting and Documentation

• Review and provided comments on project documents including proposals, performance frameworks, reports, etc.
• Prepare and submit preparatory reports for working group committees as required.
• Review and analyze current news, events, trends that impact sector specific GAC programming and interests on a weekly basis.
• Analyse and provide expert advice and guidance on documentations produced by the Ministries of Health, Development Partners and those by other health sector stakeholders that could contribute to the effective implementation of the GAC programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Implement systems for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of GAC programs in the health sector.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on performance and compliance concerning projects and programs.
• Monitor trends and emerging issues and provide expert advice.
• Identify capacity gaps and opportunities for government and partner agencies' engagement.
• Undertake field monitoring visits to assess and conduct technical reviews and audits as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• A master’s degree in health or a health-related field, or an equivalent of 10 or more years of relevant work experience.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the public health sector with at least 5 years’ experience working on SRHR issues in Kenya or Somalia or both.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Specialist is expected to possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Relevant and demonstrable working experience in providing SRHR advice to international donor agencies on large international development projects, including cooperating with key stakeholders in Kenya and Somalia (i.e. donors, UN agencies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), Governments of Kenya’s and Somalia’s line ministries and agencies).
• In-depth knowledge demonstrated experience and understanding of sexual and reproductive health sector issues in Kenya and Somalia, and the human rights violations of SRHR which can include sexual and gender-based violence, early forced child marriages and other harmful traditional practices.
• Experience providing analysis, advice, and drafting reports, briefing materials, speeches and other communication materials for diverse audiences, including senior officials.
• Demonstrable knowledge of how to apply a human rights-based approach and gender equality concepts, analytical and programming tools to international assistance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Capacity to work independently and under tight deadlines.
• Mastery of basic office software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

The following skills and experience will be an asset:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Somali language.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience working with result-based management frameworks.

Language Requirements: Excellent English language skills, as most of the reporting will be written in English.