Health Systems Analysis Advisors Jobs in Kenya


Health Systems Analysis Advisors, 

Multiple positions
Department/office:  AFO, Kenya
Duty station:  Nairobi, Kenya
Contract type:  International ICA
Contract level:  IICA-2
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Application period: 01-Oct-2012 to 15-Oct-2012
 
Background Information - UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

UNOPS mandate is to act as a project delivery platform for UN system agencies, funds and programmes, international and regional financial institutions, intergovernmental organizations, donor and recipient governments, and non-profit non-governmental organizations. 


As a self-financing entity within the UN system, UNOPS must ensure that the projects it delivers meet client expectations in terms of cost, quality and time, while at the same time ensuring that these projects collectively meet a broader array of success criteria.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Kenya

The Kenya Operations Centre (KEOC), under the Africa Regional Office, is responsible for projects entrusted to UNOPS in East Africa; its main clients include UNDP, UNICEF, UNEP, World Bank, African Union and Governments.

Background Information - Job-specific


UNOPS is recruiting health system experts to be part of a multidisciplinary team (Health Systems Analysis Team - HSAT) aimed at strengthening Somali health systems through provision, analysis, management and dissemination of information to guide policy making and strategic planning. 

The information generated will be used by  Ministries of Health, donors and implementing partners for making evidence-based decisions while simultaneously increasing accountability for results. The HSAT has as its objectives:
  • Strengthening health sector management, monitoring and evaluation
  • Improving communication and dissemination of information on health and nutrition
  • Supporting coordination, harmonisation and alignment, and mutual accountability
  • Promoting capacity building within the Somali Health Sector
The foreseen composition of HSAT is a mix of health professionals with expertise in the following areas:  Public Health; Health Economics or Financing; Epidemiology; Health Policy and Planning; Human Resources Development and Management; Pharmacy; Medical Anthropology; and/or  related subjects.

HSAT members, in their respective competency areas, are expected to conduct situation analyses of the Somali health systems, identify the key issues to be addressed, identify need for and coordinate further studies/researches, propose alternative courses of action, lead consensus-building processes and provide assistance to health authorities and partners in formulating, implementing and monitoring health policies and strategies.

The duty station is in Nairobi with frequent travels to Somalia. The incumbent will report to the Health Systems Analysis Team Leader who is also based in Nairobi.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Functional Responsibilities

Below are some of the functionalities.

HSAT team members, each in their respective area of competence, and in collaboration with the local Health Authorities and other health sector partners, are expected to:
  • Analyze the health sector. Collect and review existing information (studies, reports, etc.), interview key informants, study trends, identify gaps;
  • Identify areas needing further investigation and conduct/ coordinate relevant studies; steer and coordinate interventions of short-term international and local consultants;
  • Prepare and disseminate situation reports highlighting major issues to be addressed;
  • Conduct discussions with partners on findings and agree on priorities to be addressed. Suggest possible actions to be taken, highlighting implications, pros and cons of proposed actions;
  • Advocate for congruent action. Lead a consensus building process on actions based on the intelligence made available;
  • Advise partners upon request on policy and programmatic issues;
  • Strengthen counterparts’ capacity in health system analysis linked to policy decision-making;
  • Support the MOH to develop essential evidence-informed polices and strategic plans; provide assistance in their implementation and monitoring at the national and sub-national levels;
  • Assist counterparts in ensuring a fit between strategy and structure and reducing duplication and fragmentation;
  • Work with health partners to promote greater harmonization of health interventions and alignment with national health policies;
  • Assist counterparts in formulating sector strategies; defining goals, directions and spending priorities across services; identifying the roles of public, private and voluntary actors and the role of civil society;
  • Mentor development of HSAT counterparts embedded within MOHs of respective zones;
  • Prepare analyses, recommendations, briefing notes, and assessments for internal and client use;
  • Facilitate stakeholder consultation and meetings at the national and sub-national levels;
  • Provide technical assistance to relevant Health Sector Committee working groups.Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
  • Strong team working predisposition; capacity to work collaboratively with HSAT colleagues and health partners
  • Ability to build and cultivate strong productive relationships with internal and external clients
  • Ability to interpret, analyze and resolve problems
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills targeting high-level policy audiences
  • Strong knowledge building and sharing skills; openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
  • Ability to conduct capacity assessments and support capacity-strengthening initiatives
  • Proven facilitation and training skills
  • Ability and willingness to travel in Somalia
  • Appropriate computer skills necessary to analyze data
  • Knowledge of Somali history, health systems and language
  • Demonstrated drive for continuous improvement and incorporation of lessons learned and best practices into business process routines
  • Demonstration of professional behaviour and personal ethics, transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behaviour from colleagues in the workplace
Education/Experience/Language requirements
  • Masters Degree in Health Economics or Financing/Health Policy and Planning/ Human Resources Development and Management/Medical Anthropology; or related subjects. 
  • Additional years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant Bachelors degree may be considered in lieu of the Masters degree.   
  • Bachelors degree in Public Health/ Economics/ Pharmacy or related subjects   
  • Minimum 8 years of relevant and progressively responsible working experience in developing countries
  • Experience in working successfully with a variety of health sector stakeholders, particularly governments and development partners, but also private sector
  • Working experience in disrupted health sectors                              
Certifications
  • Prince2  or similar project management certification an asset  
Contract type, level and duration
  • Contract type: International ICA
  • Contract level: I-ICA 2
  • Contract duration: 1 year, renewable
Additional Considerations
  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
To Apply:
https://gprs.unops.org/pages/ViewVacancy/ApplyVacancy.aspx?id=1241