Child Health Senior Technical Advisor and Immunization Capacity Building & Communication Technical Officer-(USAID MCHIP)- Jobs in Kenya

The Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) is USAID’s flagship award for maternal, newborn and child health.

MCHIP aims to accelerate the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality in Kenya through the introduction, development and scale-up of high-impact interventions.

MCHIP is implemented by Jhpiego and its partners including; Save the Children, John Snow, Inc., Johns Hopkins University/Institute for International Programs, Macro International, Inc., Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, Broad Branch Associates, and Population Services International.

MCHIP is currently looking for experienced individuals with excellent technical skills who are dedicated, hardworking, highly motivated and able to work in a high pressure environment requiring multi-tasking.

Child Health Senior Technical Advisor

The Child Health Senior Technical Advisor will manage the MCHIP Child Survival and Development (CSD) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in Kenya.

S/he will work with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) divisions and partners intervening in CSD/WASH and the Community Strategy by providing technical assistance and assisting to coordinate the MOH planned activities and inputs.

S/he must be available to travel to provinces and districts at least 30% of the time.

Position Responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of DD activities of the MOPHS, DCAH and partners to improve national coverage of DD curative and preventive interventions, data analysis and reporting
• Work with MOPHS and partners to develop tools and strategies to improve access to and delivery of services to prevent and treat DD leveraging on existing MCH programmes
• Contribute in the preparation and implementation of project’s work plans, budgets and technical quarterly and annual reports to the project and its funding agencies
• Compile and analyze data for performance monitoring and evaluation of the project and utilize data to take corrective actions
• Serve as a technical advisor to the DCAH and respond to MOPHS policy development impacting on DD programming, including integration of WASH and DD case management
• Contribute to the development of the Integrated Community Case Management approach in management of Diarrhea, Pneumonia and Malaria in Kenya, in collaboration with partners
• Participate in trainings, meetings and workshops that support Child Survival and Development (CSD) activities
• Strengthen support supervision by forming a working team at the provincial level and with select DHMTs
• Forge partnership with UNICEF, WHO and any other partner organizations that have the potential to work on interventions supported by MCHIP.

Qualifications:

• Medical Degree and Masters degree in Public Health or equivalent
• At least five years of experience in public health, particularly in child health management in a senior position at national, provincial and/or district level in Kenya
• Up-to-date knowledge and experience in implementing CSD activities, including Diarrhea, Pneumonia and Malaria.
• Experience with the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) is a must; trainers or supervisors in IMCI preferred
• Experience in working in a fast-paced multi-agency/organizational environment
• Experience of work at community level required
• Computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint.
• Legally authorized to work in Kenya

Immunization Capacity Building & Communication Technical Officer

The Immunization Capacity Building & Communication Technical Officer will provide technical assistance in capacity building and communication to the Ministry of Public Health’s Division of Vaccines and Immunization (DVI).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in training and communication activities to the DVI immunization subcommittees
• Contribute to strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of immunization activities of the DVI
• Support the design, revision of tools and implementation of immunization capacity building and communication activities
• Work with DVI, sub-committees and partners to implement vaccines introduction plans and ensure routine immunization system preparedness
• Participate in trainings, meetings and workshops that support immunization strengthening
• Collaborate with DVI, PHMTs, DHMTs, and the APHIAs and conduct immunization situational assessments in selected poorer performing districts and assist in designing appropriate interventions
• Work with provincial and select DHMTs to build their capacity on immunization supervision and district/facility review meetings to improve immunization quality and feedback, including for new vaccine introduction
• Support select districts to improve the use of permanent registers and outreach services for defaulter tracing and tracking of pregnant women and children due for immunization
• Assist with polio prevention activities in priority districts, notably capacity building and monitoring of SIAs, identifying gaps, and improving linkages of polio activities with routine immunization strengthening
• Collaborate with the MCHIP partners in the preparation and implementation of work plans, budgets and technical quarterly reporting

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Health (Degree or diploma in communication, clinical medicine preferred)
• At least five years of work experience in a management position in the field of public health specifically maternal and child health or with EPI
• Experience in designing and conducting immunization training and child health programs at provincial and/or district level
• Skilled in capacity building and innovativeness in addressing communication interventions
• Experience in working with MOPH systems and personnel
• Experience in working in a multi-agency/organizational environment
• Computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Office.

Interested applicants should send a CV with three referees and detailed cover letter to HR-Kenya@jhpiego.net not later than 11th December 2011. 

Please indicate how your education and experience qualifies you for the position. 

A competitive remuneration package will be offered according to qualifications and experience.

Only those selected for interview will be contacted.