Systems Strengthening / Advocacy Advisor at the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN)

The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research - An indigenous, non-profit organization registered in Nigeria in 2010 to promote best practices in health care delivery, medical training and research using locally adapted models of health systems strengthening. CCCRN implements projects through a team of experienced health and allied professionals that include clinicians, laboratorians, community workers and health information specialists. CCCRN has established footprints in 14 states of Nigeria with offices in Abuja and Benue, where it has implemented quality public health initiatives and contributed to the global knowledge of effective health solutions in Nigeria.

CCCRN is the recipient of the Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award (ICHSSA) to increase access to high-quality comprehensive services and strengthen the capacity of families and communities living in target communities to care for and protect the children in their care. The project is implemented in 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State and in 7 LGAs of Cross River State.

We require qualified candidates to fill the under-listed position through an external recruitment process:

Job Title: Systems Strengthening / Advocacy Advisor

Location: Uyo, Akwa Ibom

Project Summary

• The USAID/Nigeria funded Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award (ICHSSA) is to ensure that Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are cared for, and protected by their households, communities, and local and state government to reduce their vulnerability to HIV. CCCRN urgently require the service of skilled, competent, and seasoned specialist in the field of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program who understands the recent development in PEPFAR programming for Children and households susceptible to HIV.

Job Description

• The Systems Strengthening/Advocacy Advisor will provide technical leadership on all aspects of health and social systems to improve the quality of service delivery in both the public and private health sectors using OVC as the entry point into the health system at State and Local Government levels
• He/she will lead the design and oversight of interventions with the use of WHO Health Systems framework and CCCRN approach to systems strengthening to facilitate changes required to embed and institutionalize OVC Case Management and Sustainability into the health and social systems at the State and LGA levels.
• He/She will harness and coordinate expert inputs from into strategy development, oversight and implementation. He/she will support project team members to adapt the strategy into all streams of work and build capacity of project teams and implementing partners to deliver the project’s systems strengthening strategy
• The position holder will serve as a resource for up-to-date technical information on how OVC program can strengthen health systems including providing technical support to SMOH, SACA, SWASD and other key stakeholders. He/She will supervise the ICS team of four specialist and support them to implement work plans in a coherent and harmonised manner.
• He/She will support SMWASD in its efforts in harmonisation, partner coordination and donor alignment. He/she will also look to engage with broader health issues such as achieving the HIV 95-95-95 goals. The position holder will lead the projects efforts towards the institutionalization of specific OVC interventions and integrated community case management
• Contribute to the development and improvements in the projects OVC costing approach, in particular related to effectiveness and impact optimisation. This should include financing for sustainable programme impact and alignment with the HIV 95-95-95 goals.
• Provide strategic technical support to the SMWASD and Local Government Social Welfare Departments including support in the coordination of partners, harmonisation of tools and approaches, and donor alignment.
• Provide technical support to the state and local government in the development of State OVC plan, budgets and advocacy papers for public sector financing.
• Periodically carry out sustainability capacity assessments, working with the Senior MEAL Expert in this regard.
• Contribute to the use of information management tools such as dashboards to support decision-makers at State and local levels to make better use of data, include data from ICHSSA 1
• Work with the MEL team to spearhead the use of a learning agenda approach including accountability within the project and amongst key stakeholders
• Establish and foster meaningful relationships with various partners, both in the private and public sector.
• Practice, promote and facilitate child protection systems and ensure the implementation of standards in every course of action using community structure.
• lead the development and implementation of a harmonized and integrated community strategy to ensure that all community-based interventions achieve seamless community-facility linkages

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Development Studies, Social Work or other health related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in senior program management implementing international development activities in Nigeria, with preference given to OVC and HIV/AIDS/ Health activities under a USG funded award in Nigeria.
• At least 5 years’ experience in implementing integrated Community based health and referral programs
• S/he must have excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent analytical skills; and demonstrated experience in the strategic design and implementation of OVC and HIV/AIDS programs.
• Strong track record of HIV/AIDS programming, understanding of the PEPFAR 95-95-95 goals and proven ability to produce demonstrable technical and program results
• Knowledge and understanding of OVC issues, Child Protection and Adolescent challenges and policy for HIV Care for Children, and OVC Case Management, in addition to extensive knowledge of key actors in these fields

Application Closing Date
30th January, 2020.