Programme Officer - Digital Health and Rights at MAL Consultancy

JOB SUMMARY 

• Our client, an NGO advocating for human and health rights, is seeking to recruit a Programme Officer—Digital Health and Rights.
• The Programme Officer will report into the HIV, TB & Key and Affected Populations (HIV, TB, KAPS) thematic area and will be based in Nairobi with frequent field travels to identified programme locations across Kenya.
• S/he will be responsible for implementing digital health and rights interventions and projects within the thematic area and will undertake substantive duties and responsibilities that are focused on developing and implementing programmes, projects, and activities in the thematic area.
• The Programme Officer – Digital Health and Rights will work as part of the team, developing and implementing a range of programmatic activities, leading advocacy and policy advisory work, developing and maintaining strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization. S/he will also represent the organization in technical discussions and thematic meetings of relevance to the portfolio. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Reporting to the Senior Programme Manager, HIV, TB & KAPS duties and responsibilities will include but not be limited to;

Lead Advocacy and Offer Policy Advisory Support on Digital Health & Rights

• Be familiar with both national, regional, and global digital health and rights frameworks and human rights standards. 
• Lead advocacy initiatives aimed at safeguarding the protection of individuals’ rights in digital health spaces, protection of the right to privacy, protection of health data as well as strengthening laws, policies and practices in the health sector
• Lead sensitisation and training programmes on digital literacy for Key and Affected Populations (KAPs) and communities
• Collaborate with legal, policy, and research teams to ensure rights-based approaches in digital health and rights programs
• Lead the review of e-health systems for rights compliance, contribute to national/regional digital health strategies and guide on data governance/AI in health
• Organize strategic policy dialogues, workshops, or seminars and contribute as a key thematic area resource person. Prepare policy briefs and papers for debate and adoption
• Build key and relevant alliances for policy reforms and development in the areas of digital health and rights amongst national, regional and global actors and 
• Contribute to policy reforms that will benefit people living with HIV, key populations, and other key and vulnerable populations.

Programme Development & Implementation

• Support the operationalization and implementation of assigned programmes within the thematic area of HIV, TB & KAPS
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the approved annual results-based work plans and result frameworks
• Identify strategic and innovative project areas of cooperation, collaboration and partnerships
• Prepare programme strategic frameworks while documenting best practices, covering concepts, strategies and implementation approaches
• Support the thematic area Manager in streamlining thematic programmes policies and practices
• Prepare project proposals and project documents to effect the implementation of assigned thematic area projects. 

Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Analyse and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and identify opportunities for cost-sharing
• Mobilize and network with the experts of international development and human rights community, government partners, UN Agencies and prominent think tanks.
• Build and maintain excellent relations with partners
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector
• Mobilize resources to support the achievement of programme outcomes.

Communication and Advocacy

• Support management in creating a positive atmosphere for team-based work and be an advocate for the work of the organization
• Disseminate information on best practices and be an active member of the organization’s regional networks
• Through the communications and PR team, ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of project assistance and experience
• Prepare professional articles and papers on the thematic area as applicable
• Expand the thematic area advocacy and outreach to the national government, local authorities, the private sector, non-government organizations, and international development organizations.

Project Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual progress reviews. 
• In collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation Department, ensure regular monitoring of progress, preparation of progress reports and organization of regular evaluations and reviews
• Use Results Based Management (RBM) / monitoring and evaluation techniques, methods and their applications while effectively applying RBM tools, and establishing management targets and monitoring achievement of results
• Report on the thematic area programmes activity and work plan to ensure that it attains its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible
• In collaboration with the Finance department, ensure programme expenditures conform to the Financial Policies and Procedures Manual
• Adhere to assigned thematic area programme and project spending as per organizational policies and procedures.

Any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Senior Programme Officer - HIV TB & KAPS from time to time.

EDUCATION SKILLS & COMPETENCIES DESIRED 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Public Health, Health Policy, IT, Social Sciences or any other related fields 
• Master’s Degree in Law or in any other relevant field such as Project Management, Programme Management, Organization Management or related field from a recognized university, would be an added advantage
• An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya is an added advantage
• At least five (5) years of work experience focused on implementing digital health and rights interventions, or HIV/ Key Populations Programmes
• Experience working in health and human rights programmes within the NGO environment with demonstrable experience in managing a diverse range of stakeholders while providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Familiarity with digital health platforms, data protection and cybersecurity basics, and practical experience engaging MoH/ICT regulators on digital policy
• Experience in managing funding from a diversity of sources including governments and aid agencies, and private sector donors. 
• Proven experience working with government agencies and research institutions. 
• Understanding of human rights-based approach to development and programming issues and policy work at state, national and international levels. 
• Knowledge of relevant privacy and data protection laws, digital health and rights frameworks etc
• Familiarity with global digital health frameworks and human rights standards.
• Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques
• Demonstrated understanding of gender issues in development and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality in programme work
• Sound knowledge of the political, social, economic and historic environment in which digital health and human rights programmes are operating, at communities, national regional and global levels
• Understanding of project cycle management
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Ability to remain calm and in control even under immense pressure
• Ability to remain open to change while managing complexities
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, trust and dependability with a strong sense of urgency
• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial, self-motivated, self-starter, who is flexible and adaptable to rapid change and has the ability to work in a fast-paced, high demand environment.