Reproductive Health Officer Job in Lodwar, Turkana County, Kenya (KShs 65K)


Position: Reproductive Health Officer

Functionally Responsible To:MNCH, Family Planning and Nutrition Project Lead
 
Technically Responsible To:Deputy PHC and PHC

Working With:Kenya district health authorities, health facility staff, Merlin field team, Community unit structures

Location: Lodwar, Turkana County

Salary: Kshs  65,000 per month
 
Benefits: Insurance cover, 15% of Basic Salary as House Allowance, and annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Merlin International Profile
 
Merlin is the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters, conflict, disease and health system collapse. 

Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.

Context and Background
 
Merlin has been working in Kenya since 1998.  Merlin is currently operational in two geographic regions: Nyanza Province and Turkana in western Kenya. 

In addition to the country office in Nairobi, Merlin maintains offices in Kisii in Nyanza Province and Lodwar in Turkana.  

Merlin is currently implementing three projects based in Kisii: two addressing HIV/AIDS and TB, and one aimed at reducing malaria incidence.

The overall objective of Merlin’s work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and to a reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators. 

Merlin does this by responding to emergency needs as well as continuing to build on lasting working relationships with communities and local partners; supporting the strengthening of the Kenyan health system; approaching health problems with innovative interventions; developing answers to key practical questions through operational research; and using the lessons learned at local levels to feed into national-level programming and planning.
            
The Purpose of the Job

Merlin is an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to reduce needless loss of life in fragile contexts caused by a lack of effective health care. 

Merlin is planning to implement a two year EC funded project  that aims to deliver quality MNCH, family planning and nutrition services in Turkana County.
 
This position will be responsible for overall management and implementation of a multifaceted programme that includes capacity building of partner agencies and district health authorities with a focus on expanding access to quality MNCH and family planning services for reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity. 

Program activities include but are not limited to addressing unmet need for family planning services (reaching youth and other vulnerable populations, provision of new and underused contraceptive methods, and the abandonment of female genital mutilation/ cutting) and the delivery of comprehensive MNCH services.

Responsibilities:
  • Implementation and monitoring of MNCH and family planning program  in Turkana County.
  • Participation in the development of proposals to donors to fund new and innovative program efforts for Turkana in conjunction with local partners and Merlin colleagues.
  • Assist the project Lead in ensuring the project goals and milestones are met efficiently and effectively, in accordance with project budgets and work plans.
  • Develop the implementation capacity of counterparts and partners by providing technical assistance.
  • Assist the project lead in compiling and writing donor reports, papers of publishable quality, summaries, and related products that efficiently enhance the exposure of project.
  • Contribute to the improvement of MNCH and family planning services in Turkana County through liaison with the Ministry of Health, related agencies, relevant donors, and other partner institutions.
  • Ensure the integration of program efforts on important and relevant issues by collaborating with program colleagues and other county staff.
Requirements:
  • BSC in Nursing and 3 years of relevant experience in the field of reproductive health.
  • Must be registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya
  • A satisfactory combination of experience and educational background will be considered.
  • Extensive experience in family planning, reproductive and maternal health programming in Kenya and/or Turkana region.
  • Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills on reproductive Health.
  • Excellent representational, communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Fluency in English, including both verbal and written.
  • Experience working with donors, including governments and foundations, and managing donor requirements.
  • Cultural understanding of Turkana and the region combined with thorough and current knowledge of issues in family planning and maternal health in Turkana. 
  • Ability to work and live in conditions of limited comfort
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
  • A team player
  • An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
To apply for this position
 
All applications including cover letter and cv should be sent to:

HR Department,
Merlin, Nairobi Office,
P.O Box 3350 – 00200, 
Nairobi, Kenya

OR

Email to: recruitment@merlin-kenya.org

Application deadline is 5:00pm on Friday, 4th January 2013. 

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Data Protection
 
Please note that in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act, Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purpose of recruitment and employment. This information can be stored in manual and/or electronic form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act.  

In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.