National Professional Officer -SRMNH Officer at World Health Organization

Purpose of the Post:

• The position is to provide technical support at the national level, the incumbent will manage sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health (SRMNH) and healthy ageing activities, and would include prevention and management of violence against women; provide technical guidance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and partners on the managerial, organizational and operational aspects of SRMNH and healthy ageing; the improvements in the integrated SRMNH) interventions, ensuring the alignment with the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health  2016–2030, and the WHO recommended standards throughout the life course, with special focus on affected and vulnerable populations.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

• Contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity of women in general, and mothers and newborns specifically, and the promotion of their health and wellbeing, and development by strengthening the national capacity in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions to improve their health status, through building of effective partnerships with health development partners and stakeholders for an integrated approach to Primary Health Care.

Organizational Context

• The incumbent will work within Universal Health Coverage/Life Course Cluster. The incumbent will work in collaboration with other specialists at Multi-Country Assignment Teams (MCATs), Regional Office and Headquarters to provide technical support to planning and implementation, reporting of activities, and advocacy of for family and reproductive health interventions, together with all partner agencies operating in the country (comprising UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, counterparts, and local authorities).

Summary of Assigned Duties

• Serve as the primary liaison for SRMNH between the Ministry of Health and WHO;
• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and its technical departments in the development, review and implementation of sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal and newborn health interventions policies, strategies, plans, including training, supportive supervision and research.
• Support the national adaptation of global and regional evidence-based policies, strategies, plans, research and standards for sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal, newborn health and healthy ageing to fit the context of the country, with a view to reducing risk, morbidity and mortality and improving health across the life course.
• Provide technical assistance in the development of operational plans and tools for SRMNH, and facilitate the dissemination of sexual, reproductive (including family planning) maternal and newborn health strategies, plans and relevant tools.
• Build national capacity for improved health service delivery of quality sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal and newborn health interventions at facility and community levels and monitor progresses in health status at national and subnational levels.
• Act as the WCO focal point and collaborate and support the MoH and partners in respect of all gender rights and gender mainstreaming issues as well as gender-based violence and female genital mutilation.
• Work with other clusters in the Country Office, MCAT and AFRO in addition to other relevant international, regional and national counterparts to advocate for WHO's work on national sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal, newborn health and healthy ageing.
• Establish and coordinate effective partnerships with key stakeholders and donor agencies involved in the national agenda on sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal and newborn health, and healthy ageing.
• Participate in resource mobilization and contribute to proposal development and implementation of, but not limited to sexual, reproductive (including family planning), maternal and newborn health, and healthy ageing.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation of reproductive (including family planning), maternal and newborn health, and healthy ageing programmes.
• Compile periodic reports and provide relevant programmatic information for internal and external reporting purposes.
• Perform any other work requested by the supervisors.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies:

• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond.
• Ensuring the effective use of resources.
• Teamwork
• Communication

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Proven knowledge of SRMNH management within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Ability to conduct research and analyse results, identify issues, formulate opinions, and make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Good knowledge of SRMNH health services and safety regulations.Ability to prioritize, organize, manage and adapt management style according to needs.
• Ability to build and motivate teams and work under pressure.
• Ability to work with partners proactively, including effective chairmanship of stakeholder meetings.
• Ability to monitor and communicate progress, write concise reports.
• Skills in programme and proposal development, project management and promotion of national capacities.

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: A university degree in Medicine and a postgraduate degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or other related field from an accredited/recognized institution.
• Desirable: Training in Public Health;

Experience:

Essential:

• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the planning, implementation, organization, and management of Public Health programmes in areas of SRMNH at National Level.

Desirable:

• Experience in policy development and strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation and supervision at national, county or local government area in SRMNH; Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Languages:

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of the English language.
• Desirable:  Working knowledge of local languages (eg Swahili),

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

• Proficiency in all MSOffice software applications