Health Systems Strengthening Advisor (Nairobi) at Centre for Health Solutions - Kenya (CHS)

Health Systems Strengthening Advisor: CHS/HR/HSSA/01/2021

Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Health Systems Strengthening Advisor will provide technical support in building the capacity of the county leadership and Health Management Team (CHMT) towards ownership and utilization of high quality and sustainable HIV prevention and treatment services. The position shall facilitate a seamless link between service delivery interventions and county capacity for systems development, including leadership and governance, Human Resources for health, planning, budgeting, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

1. In conjunction with the technical staff, take the lead in supporting counties to undertake HSS capacity assessments, setting priorities, developing, and implementing capacity-strengthening plans.
2. Develop and implement a robust Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) plan for transition by guiding the process of identifying key performance parameters with clear milestones through the life of the project to track the transition process and objectives outlined in the grant’s proposal towards sustainability.
3. Provide overall guidance and leadership support for HSS interventions, including leadership and management capacity, human resources for health, budgeting/finance, and enhanced supply chain efficiency, among other pillars of health.
4. Provide technical assistance to strengthen the institutional capacity of county health systems management to implement quality health services.
5. Strengthen strategic planning at the county level by supporting the development and implementation of the health component of the five-year strategic plan and the annual operation plan.
6. Work closely with technical staff to provide technical assistance in mainstreaming HSS in their technical service areas – service delivery, laboratory services, and commodity management.
7. Provide expert support in the development and application of HSS tools (gap analysis, supervisory etc.).
8. Oversee health workforce contracting and transition process to county government payroll through close collaboration with the relevant Public Service Boards (PSB).
9. Facilitate high-level engagements within the relevant counties to ensure increased ownership and buy-in towards transition, sustainability, and the journey to self-reliance.
10. Provide strategic oversight and supervision support to the county management in budgeting for essential services.
11. Coordinate identification of training and system improvement needs and support implementation of relevant training modules targeting health workers and CHMTs.
12. Participate in the relevant technical working groups (county transition team) in the respective counties.
13. Support the sharing of lessons learned, promising practices, and effective strategies to enable the county government, particularly the county health management team, to advance toward the desired HSS results.
14. Represent CHS at national, donor, and county-level strategic, policy and program support initiatives to advance CHS brand positioning
15. Lead documentation of key HSS initiatives for dissemination through various channels aligned with the CHS Strategic Plan III.
16. Any other duty as may be assigned by the supervisor.

 Person Specification

1. Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Health Policy and administration, health sector development, public health, or a related field
2. Minimum of 10 years working experience, designing, managing, implementing, and overseeing health systems strengthening initiatives with at least five (5) years at senior supervisory level with Ministry of Health and donor-funded programs, including the US government PEPFAR programs.
3. Solid understanding of Kenya’s devolved health systems, both national and county systems
4. Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, capacity building skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and providing technical assistance.
5. Ability to cultivate, develop, and maintain good relationships with the county government and staff, colleagues and partners
6. Experience in knowledge management, specifically in the area of public health/ healthcare.
7. Good facilitation and writing skills.