Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI): Private Sector Advisor

The Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project headquartered in Abuja. seeks applications from suitably qualified individuals to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of improved maternal health and reduced child mortality through increased contraceptive prevalence rates in selected 1I1'ban areas in Nigeria.

NURHI is looking for dynamic, hardworking individuals to join our team for the following positions in Abuja:

Private Sector Advisor

The Private Sector Advisor (PSA) will be part of a dynamic, innovative and multi-disciplinary team of professionals working to improve the quality, utilization and sustainability of family planning (FP) services.

The PSA will provide 1echnicalleadership and assistance in identifying groups, associations and organizations working in the private sector and in civil society who are key providers of health and consumer products and services to urban communities where family planning services and or products could be added or increased. The PSA will work to foster productive relationships between the private sector, the public sector, and civil society.

The PSA will focus her his time to providing direct technical support and guidance to Program staff and NURHI network members. The PSA will also work to strengthen and maintain linkage with key stakeholders at the national, state and LGA levels.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
�Assist in the identification, and assessment of the capabilities of private sector providers. Private sector includes the formal sector as well as the informal sector (e.g. private midwives and drug shop vendors. for-profit and not-for profit stakeholders. civil society groups, associations and organizations (NGOs, FBO. CBOs).
�Assist in building capacity within the private sector in the delivery of quality services in FP.
�Assist in building effective two-way referral systems between private sector health care providers (particularly those working in the informal sector) and public sector health care facilities.
�Work closely with other project staff to identify training needs and to develop training strategies and materials to build capacity within the private sector.
�Work closely with the Grants Manager to identify selection criteria and provide appropriate mentoring and other support for private sector grant recipients.
�Assist Program partners to identify and test innovative public-private partnerships.
�Ensure synergies and collaboration with the communication and quality assurance project components in the achievement of the overall project objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires flexibility to travel throughout Nigeria as needed in the project.
�Post-Graduate Degree in a related field, with five years experience in the health sector.
�At least three years of professional experience working either exclusively with the private sector, or in public-private sector partnerships.
�Familiarity with current policies regulations and trends regarding public-private sector partnerships in Nigeria.
�Solid analytical background and ability to communicate data and analysis to broad audiences, and particularly program managers, policy-makers, private sector providers and decision-makers.
�Demonstrated ability to work with program managers and administrators, commercial entities, as well as with urban communities.
�Strong skills in teamwork, networking, facilitation, strategic thinking, verbal communication, and writing.

Application Deadline
30th March, 2010

Method of Application
To apply send resume, cover letter and three professional references to:
[email protected]