Maternal Newborn Child Health State Lead Consultant at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) - Adamawa and Bauchi

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments

We are looking for qualified candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Maternal Newborn Child Health State Lead Consultant

Job Number: 522662
Locations: Adamawa and Bauchi
Work Type: Consultancy
Duration of this assignment: 11 months

Background
Nigeria represents less than 1% of the world's population, yet accounts for 10% of the global burden of infant, child and maternal mortality. Under 5 mortality in the Northeastern Zone of Nigeria is high at 115 deaths per 1000 children (MICS 2016) with Adamawa and Bauchi states at 83 and 161 respectively. The poor health and Nutrition indices in Nigeria may be attributable to four main problems identified within Nigeria's health System which include:

• Governance and Stewardship: Autonomy of the 3 tiers of Government (Federal, State and Local Government Administration (LGAS) has led to duplication of efforts, weak governance and lack of accountability;
• Human and Financial Resources: Inappropriate allocation of human and financial resources with greater support to Tertiary and specialized care, instead of to Primary Health care where over 80% of the health care can be addressed
• Coverage: Low coverage of core Maternal, newborn, child Health and Nutrition Interventions 4
• Limited access to health and Nutrition services due to financial and socio-cultural barriers.

To reduce the childhood illnesses and death from vaccine preventable diseases and as well as improve uptake of health services at Primary Health Care centers and thus reduce morbidity and mortality in these States, in 2016 European Union through UNICEF supported Adamawa and Bauchi into partnership to address this through the project titled European Union Support to Strengthening Primary Health Care and Community Resilience for Improved Maternal, New-born, Child Health & Nutrition (MNCHN) Outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States of Northern Nigeria .The goal of the project is to assist the Governments of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States in line with the State Strategic Health Development plan (SSHDP II) to reduce maternal, Newborn and child Deaths by Significantly improving the health and Nutrition status of women, children under 5 years by ensuring an equitable and strengthened Primary Health Care System. For that a multi -prong approach that will strengthen primary Health care systems, build resilience and strong Governance is needed. Systematic Interventions in health Nutrition including HIV/AIDS, complemented with water sanitation, social protection initiatives, and strong governance are bound to be more effective and efficient than single or vertical initiatives.

In order to support the co-ordination and management of Project Implementation of that approach at State level and deliver appropriately UNICEF in 2017 recruited State 2 Consultants to support State level co-ordination in collaboration with SMOH, SPHCDA and Communities to ensure provision of these services at Health facilities and Community levels and support decision makers to lead, coordinate and manage Implementation of the MNCHN Project in these respective States. The project which runs from 2016 to August 2020 will increase coverage of basic maternal, newborn and child primary health care interventions. The baseline and end line assessments, with an end-of-project evaluation, will show the cost-benefits of using a the one Main PHC per ward s linked to community structures such as Community Health Influencers and Promotors (CHIPS), Ward Development Committees strategy to provide basic primary health care services.  All the above are successfully ongoing.

Rationale

• In ensuring the successful implementation of the above intervention UNICEF needs the continuing quality oversight of a State coordinator to support implementation of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health services in Adamawa and Bauchi States including supply monitoring of all commodities associated with this project. 
• The consultant will work with the respective SMOH, SPHCDA and other partners, including WHO in the continued implementation of the project at state level and co-ordinate other Child Survival Consultants.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• The state coordinator will work across all sectors (including Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection, PME, WASH and Communication) to ensure co-ordination and technical support on the EU-MNCHN project as well as other related Health projects in their State ensuring the quality and timeliness of all project components and report to the Health Specialists at the Field office in Bauchi and the Chief of Field office.
• The state coordinator will track project implementation and ensure completion of planned activities as per approved EU-MNCHN State operational plan
• Oversee distribution and utilization of equipment and supplies; related to EU-MNCHN
• The consultant will supervise the work of the other Child Survival Consultants and be responsible for providing guidance for implementation of the state specific work-plan linked to the One Main PHC and other Community structures
• The consultant will be expected to prepare presentations for monthly EU-MNCHN TWG at the Field office and State level and provide all required summaries,
• The consultant is expected to travel up to about 15 days in a month to the clusters, settlements and health facilitates for the purposes of monitoring implementation of the project's programme, supply and human resources.

Minimum Qualification

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Social Sciences, or Public Health and a university degree or related technical field.
• Eight years experience working on child survival issues or health projects.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN working language an asset. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station, an asset.
• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
• Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions and very good training skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Willingness to travel to remote settlements within the state
• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values.

Additional Information

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Application Closing Date
4th June, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should quote an all inclusive fee in their cover letter
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.