NGO Opportunities in Kenya – AMHF

Background: Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) is a non-governmental organization whose main mandate is to conduct mental health and substance use research to inform policy, practice, and the provision of innovative, appropriate, affordable, available and accessible mental health and substance use services to all.

Vacancy:Statistician, Biostatistician or Epidemiologist
 

Position Summary: Africa Mental Health Foundation is looking for a biostatistician to be engaged FULL-TIME in data analysis for a period of 11 months at our head office in Nairobi.

Number of posts: 1
 

Responsibilities

1. The successful candidate will primarily work on data from a 3-year grant on capacity building in mental health and addiction in the health care and the school system in three sub-counties in Kenya.
 

2. The successful candidate will collaborate with qualitative research staff as the overall program of research includes qualitative methods and developmental evaluation
 

3. He/she will be working with the principal investigator, the research staff, graduate students, and will be engaged in supervision of research assistants and data entry clerks to ensure quality data stewardship and analysis.
 

Basic Qualifications

• Masters level qualification in statistics is required, PhD level is an added advantage.
• At least 4 years experience in biostatistics or epidemiological research, including longitudinal data analysis.
• Experience in mixed-methods and qualitative research analysis is an added advantage.
• Experience in grant writing, research report preparation, and peer-review scientific publication is needed.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines
• Self-motivated
• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in computer use, knowledge of SPSS and NVivo softwares are an added advantage
• Good communication skills

Vacancy: Health Economist Consultant
 

1.0 Introduction: Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF): Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) licensed to work both locally and regionally. 

AMHF has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Kenya to undertake mental health and substance use research to inform policy, practice, and the provision of innovative, appropriate, affordable, available and accessible mental health and substance use services to all. 

The Foundation was founded in 2004, and has offices in Gakuo Court building, 1st Floor, Lower Hill Road off the Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi and within the Education Offices in Machakos sub-County.
 

2.0 Project Description

In November 2012, AMHF received a grant from Grand Challenges Canada to implement a project entitled, The Kenya Integrated Intervention Model for Dialogue and Screening to Promote Children's Mental Wellbeing (KIDS). 

The project, being implemented in Machakos and Makindu sub-Counties in the former Eastern Province over a period of three years, aims to promote the mental well being of school children through prevention and development of appropriate pathways to care.

The goal of the project is to reduce the negative consequences of mental illness through improved mental well-being of primary school children guided by AMHF’s dream of creating a generation that achieves their social-economic and cognitive potential and passing it along to the next generation, thus breaking the vicious cycle of the interaction between poverty and mental illness. 

The project has three objectives: 

1. To promote mental well being and prevent mental ill health and disorders in 5,740 primary school children (6-13 years) in 12 primary schools in Machakos and 12 primary schools in Makindu sub-Counties;
 

2. To facilitate interventions for children with mental illnesses identified from the 5,740 primary school children and;
 

3. To evaluate the efficacy of the KIDS Model.

The main stakeholders for this project are school-going children, parents, teachers and lay and trained health professionals. 

Other stakeholders include the Ministries of Education and Health and donor and civil society organizations in health and education. KIDS interventions include:
 

a) Peer clubs in 24 schools in Machakos and Makindu sub-Counties. As at now peer clubs have been either established or reestablished in 12 schools in Machakos (Kimutwa, Katumani, Kwa Kavoo, Kathi, Makakoi, Love, Kamweleni, Mang’auni, Mbembani and Kyanzau Primary Schools) 12 more will be started in Syumile, Kilongoni, Yiani, Muundani, Makusu, Tunguni, Ndonguni, Sekeleni, Ngiwa, Nguumo, Mutaantheu, Kwambae and Muundani Primary Schools in Makindu sub-County by January, 2015.
 

b) Training of teachers on life skills administration and peer clubs establishment and management. The life skills for this assignment are: decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal communication, self awareness, coping with emotions, coping with stress, and self awareness. So far four instructors from each of our 12 target schools in Machakos have been trained on how to establish and manage peer clubs. The four are currently running clubs and teaching life skills in their schools.
 

c) Psychoeducation training sessions targeting parents, village managers, church leaders, and other stakeholders in the area. Training sessions are ongoing in Machakos sub-county.
 

d) Training of formal and informal health workers on identification, treatment and follow up of children with mental ill-health and mental illnesses. Formal and informal health workers from five facilities in Machakos sub-County have been recruited to participate in the training.
 

3.0 Consultancy Purpose and Objectives

The Foundation wishes to recruit the services of a Health Economist Consultant to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the components of the project and also establish the cost of scale up. 

The consultant will assess:

1. The cost-effectiveness of KIDS interventions;
2. The burden of mental ill health and/or mental illness (individual, family and government with a view to generalizing to the entire country);
3. The cost benefit analysis and/or savings of KIDS interventions;
4. The opportunity cost.

3.1 Tasks, Responsibilities and Outputs of the Consultancy

1. Review relevant literature related to the assignment;
 

2. Suggest appropriate methodology to assess different dimensions of the cost-effectiveness of each of the various components of the projects: the peer clubs, assessment of children’s mental health, interventions in health facilities, life skills training, psychoeducation training, and training of teachers amongst the other components related to the study;
 

3. Develop tools for data collection to establish the cost-effectiveness of the various KIDS components;
 

4. Present a draft and within a month the final report to AMHF clearly showing the cost-effectiveness of all the components of the KIDS Project. The report should have a minimum of the following (it is advisable that this is done in consultation with relevant stakeholders):
 

i. Recommendations for improvement
ii. Policy and practice implications
iii. Realistic and actionable recommendations to relevant national and county governments for purposes of scale up
 

5. Prepare and submit to AMHF a final report (incorporating AMHF recommendations) in two hard-bound copies and a soft copy. (The contents of the report will be agreed upon together with AMHF before the final submission);
 

6. Draft and within one month finalize a scientific paper on the cost effectiveness of KIDS targeting an impact-rated journal on health economics.
 

3.2 Duration of the assignment

The assignment is expected to run for six months starting November 2014. 

The consultant selected will be required to have the personnel and other resources ready to start the assignment then.

3.3 Approach

This shall be participatory with envisaged knowledge transfer to the staff at AMHF. 

The consultant will work jointly with AMHF and her partners/collaborators in the implementation of the project.

4.0 Expected Profiles of the Consultant(s)

The suitable consultancy firm should possess;

• A good understanding of the health and education sectors. 
• Experience in mental health work and interventions will be an added advantage;
• Proven and extensive experience in economic evaluation of health projects;
• Post graduate training in health economics, economics or related disciplines;
• Consultancy experience;
• Proficiency in data management and report writing.

5.0 Response Proposal Specifications

Those interested in the consultancy must include in their application a detailed technical and financial proposal with the following components:
 

1. Technical proposal

• Understanding and interpretation of the TOR;
• Methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment;
• Proposal work plan; showing realistic timelines, qualifications, roles and responsibilities of the proposed personnel (curriculum vitas of all proposed personnel must accompany the proposal) and the cost;
• Relevant experience related to the assignment.

2. Financial Proposal - showing the cost estimates of the assignment

• Consultant’s daily rate in Kenya shillings;
• Activity costs;
• Other costs e.g.travel and printing.

5.1 Submission of Proposals

Proposals should be emailed to Jane Kimani via jane.kimani@amhf.or.ke so as to reach her by 17th October 2014.

6.0 Evaluation and Award of Consultancy

AMHF will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility as well as experience. 

AMHF reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder.

Project Officer
 

Background: Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) is a non-governmental organization whose main mandate is to conduct mental health and substance use research to inform policy, practice, and the provision of innovative, appropriate, affordable, available and accessible mental health and substance use services to all.
 

Position Summary: Africa Mental Health Foundation is looking for a project officer to be engaged FULL-TIME on an 18 months contract with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funds. 

The Project Officer will be part of the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Foundation’s projects. 

The projects are in schools, health facilities and communities both in Nairobi and other counties.

Number of Posts: 1
 

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will serve as a member of a team involved in: 

• Engaging relationships with project stakeholders for all of the Foundation’s projects.
• Planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects.
• Preparing field budgets and submitting expenses to the accounts office in good time.
• Drafting of field reports;
• Preparing donor reports and documentation of project stage and progress;
• Participating and at times leading project meetings on projects’ status and progress

Basic Qualifications

• A Bachelors Degree in sociology, social work and community development, psychology or related disciplines;
• At least three years of experience in implementing health projects in a similar position;
• Ability to draft high quality project status reports;
• Able to travel on short notice.

Additional Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Able to work as part of a team;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to adhere to strict timelines;
• High level of competence in using Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project and Endeavour project management software;
• Stakeholder management skills;
• Good organizational skills.

Application Instructions

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send applications including a detailed CV as an attachment to info@amhf.or.ke. 

Applications should be received by 17th October, 2014. 

Kindly do not attach your testimonials. 

For any additional clarification before the deadline, call: +254750775142.

NB: Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
 

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.