Evidence and Advocacy Coordinators at Options Consultancy Services Limited

Options is a leading provider of technical expertise, short-term consultancy and long-term management services in the health and the social sectors. Established in 1992, Options has evolved into a dynamic organization with a broad portfolio of work that includes over 900 assignments in 50 countries. We work with a wide range of clients that includes donors, national governments, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator

Location: Kaduna

Job Description

• Options Consultancy Services Limited is seeking for an Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator to be based in Kaduna State to contribute and work within a dynamic five (5) year programme called MNCH2.
• The Maternal, New-born and Child Health Programme (MNCH2) is a country led programme which aims to reduce maternal and child mortality in Northern Nigeria and it is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
• The MNCH2 programme is being implemented in six states in northern Nigeria: Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Zamfara States.

Main Purpose of the Role

• The Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator will ensure MNCH evidence is used for improved performance of health services in the area of effectiveness, equity and efficiency.
• Under the guidance of the Accountability and Advocacy Advisor and State Team, they are expected to strengthen advocacy for better health services for women and children through effective use of evidence by civil society groups and leveraging on pressure points through CSO and FHC coalitions.
• Evidence on MNCH services will need to be strengthened and used by government and service providers for planning and decision making through the development of processes which facilitate data use, and highlights gaps in service provision.
• Evidence and Advocacy Coordinators will be expected to identify the information needs of target audiences in their State (e.g. Non-governmental organisations, advocates, accountability structures, district health planners, national policymakers) and helping them connect with researchers and others to better inform MNH programmes, policies and planning.

The Main Responsibility
The Evidence and Advocacy Coordinators will be expected to provide perform the following duties at State, LGA and facility levels:

• Support and enable CSOs, FHCs, activists, advocacy platforms and media in effectively using data for advocacy for enhanced effectiveness, equity and efficiency in the provision of health services for women and children
• Support government in using evidence for informed planning, budgeting and decision making on MNCH services
• Identify the information needs of target audiences and package/tailor evidence according to formats which are most relevant and meaningful to each one;
• Ensure systems are strengthened so that data findings are reported back to service providers to enable them to make contributions to increased performance of health services
• Ensure the implementation/strengthening/expansion and effective use of information resulting from MDAs, Community Score Cards and Facility Score Cards
• Develop tactful strategies to promote the effective use of evidence into action (policy, programme, advocacy, accountability) among different stakeholders
• Work with advocates and those working to strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure they have the evidence required to be more effective
• Use evidence to support the development and populating of accountability tools to track MNH progress and commitments
• Package complex scientific information for a range of stakeholders in an easily understandable and appropriate format for non-scientists, and disseminate as appropriate
• Develop advocacy materials (i.e. stories, campaign materials) for delivering the advocacy strategy.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including State/LGA government, service providers, CSOs, FHCs, civil society coalitions, and other development programmes
• Work closely with other programme staff in their State team to make sure that MNCH2 strategies and approaches are delivered in a coherent and coordinated way, in line with logframe targets.

Requirements
Essentials:

• An advanced Degree in Public Health or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 6 years of consulting and/or management experience in international health programmes for key health development partners, including, but not limited to DFID, USAID, AusAID and the European Union
• At least 3 years' experience providing expertise in the area of advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and/or institutional strengthening
• Experience working effectively with government authorities and CSOs
• Demonstrated management, programme planning competency and effective communication skills
• Understanding of advocacy principles and approach
• Experience in mentoring and training for different cadres of staff and partners
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work to deadlines
• In depth understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of Northern Nigeria.

Desirable:

• Fluency in Hausa Language.

In return we offer;

• A friendly and team-based working environment.
• Opportunity to work with national and international colleagues.
• Vital contribution to improving maternal and newborn services in Northern Nigeria.
• The opportunity to truly “make a difference”.
• A competitive salary with benefits.

Application Closing Date
13th August, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's with a brief cover letters to: [email protected] , specifying the position on the subject line. For example "Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator - Kaduna" the advert will only be open for a period of two weeks from the date of publication.

Note: There is no relocation allowance available for this position. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.