Senior Newborn Health Adviser at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in over 120 countries around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation. Save the Children's mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Save the Children is looking for experienced development professionals to work within the Nigeria Country Programme. These roles will be critical for the delivery of results for children expected by this programme.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Senior Newborn Health Adviser

Location: Abuja
Course of Study: Medicine

Role Purpose

• The overall aim of the position is to provide technical leadership for the implementation of the newborn health component of the Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP).
• The position will support and supervise the work of the two MCSP Newborn Health Advisers located and working in Kogi and Ebonyi states.
• The adviser will also support Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and State Ministries of Health and partner organizations to improve the quality of care for pregnant women, mothers and newborn infants within the framework of the National Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (IMNH) strategy, the child survival call to action road map in the context of the Saving One Million Lives Initiative of the government, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) and the Midwifery Service Scheme, providing technical inputs with respect to maternal & newborn health and technical leadership on this work for the MCSP Program Nigeria.
• S/he will provide technical support and work closely with the Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the Nigeria Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM) in the two States - Ebonyi and Kogi - and when appropriate in other states in Nigeria where the Helping 100,000 Babies Survive and Thrive Initiative have activities.
• Also to work with other provisional associations including Nigeria Association of Nurses and Midwives, and the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) and other implementing partners to improve policy environment for the implementation of maternal & newborn health interventions; galvanise partner support for policy change for women and children in areas where there may be gap/s.

Qualifications
Essential:

• Medical qualification (MD or M.B.B.S.) with a post graduate qualification in paediatrics with public health, neonatology/newborn health or related field.
• Substantial experience in a clinical, managerial, administrative and advisory capacity.
• Experience in providing technical support to partners and in particular government at senior levels.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels. Presentation and training skills, along with tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Proven capacity to deliver results against objectives, reporting schedules and workplans.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills and the proven ability to translate these into concise high quality reports and lessons learnt documents,
• Confidence in using word processing and spreadsheet computer packages
• Fluency in written and spoken English and ability to make compelling technical presentations.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children's values and mission.
• Intimate knowledge of the policy and programme context of Nigeria.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop a network of contacts with key players from amongst government, donors, international agencies and NGOs, to maintain these relationships over time and to support mobilization of significant funding from donors.

Desirable:

• Experience in health systems development and primary health care management.
• Technical expertise in newborn health
• Proven capacity in strategic planning and long term positioning.

Application Closing Date
26th January, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested candidates should send their C.V. and covering letter on or before the Closing date explaining why you are suitable to: [email protected] State position clearly in the subject field as applications without appropriate subject will be disqualified. Also, applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Please note that applications will be treated as they are received and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.