Health and Nutrition Technical Advisor

HEALTH AND NUTRITION TECHNICAL ADVISOR Job Title: Health/nutrition Technical Advisor Duration: 3 months contract (September to November) Location: Based in Nairobi with travel to field sties as required Reports: to GOAL Kenya CD

Background: GOAL has been implementing health and HIV activities in Nairobi for over 10 years however in recent years the programme approach has changed from direct service delivery to working through local partners. GOAL works in a variety of informal settlements in Nairobi and targets its health activities toward those living with HIV and vulnerable youth. GOAL’s current strategic plan is coming to an end at the end of this year and GOAL needs to develop its health strategic plan for the next 5 years (2012-2015) which is based on lessons learnt over the past few years and clearly identified current priority health needs in these communities. To date much of the focus has been on support to those affected by HIV and working with vulnerable youth. GOAL implements its work via local partners and with the MoH in selected health facilities in informal settlements across the city. The population of Nairobi is increasing dramatically primarily in the informal settlements as people leave the rural areas in increasing numbers due to the increasing drought of recent years and rising food prices. In the informal settlements, urban food insecurity, high levels of child mortality (particularly in children < 2 years), chronic child under nutrition, early onset of first pregnancy in young women/girls as well as the risk of STIs and HIV are just some of the complex challenges

Overview of the Role: The selected candidate will conduct research on priority health and nutrition needs in GOAL are of operation. S/he will also support the current team to develop the health strategic plan for the next 5 years which is due to begin in January 2012. The Technical Advisor will report directly to the Country Director and will also liaise with GOAL Dublin’s M&E Department and GOAL’s Global Health Advisor. As part of this process the Advisor will also develop a short report on the evidence of change in the current programme as it comes to the end of its current funding cycle in December 2011. This will be a key document to inform the strategic planning process and future direction of the health programme with the GOAL Kenya team.

Outputs: List of key outputs which will be produced by the Technical Advisor by the end of the 3 month timeframe; 1. Draft of GOAL Kenya’s health strategic plan (2012-2015) is produced and disseminated to all stakeholders 2. Develop an M&E framework for monitoring the implementation of the Health Strategic Plan (not detailed but should outline key components which need to be monitored by GOAL over the duration of the current strategic planning phase). 3. Core programme quality themes which should be periodically evaluated with all health partners whom GOAL will work is likely to work within the next strategic planning phase 4. Health baseline research report which addresses the following within GOAL’s area of operation; i) Current health/nutrition actors working in GOAL’s area of operation and key activities with a particular focus on maternal/child health and nutrition ii) Consultation with key target groups: youths, mothers of children < 2 years, Ministry of Health Staff in GOAL’s area of operation, youth groups, current health partners. iii) Develop a database of other recent research, which has been conducted by other NGOs, research institutes and government, which should inform the future direction of the urban health programme. iv) Conduct an Evidence of Change evaluation of GOAL’s Youth Friendly Services intervention and advice on possible expansion of this component of the programme and lessons learnt from the initial pilot 5. Provide a list of possible long term research questions which GOAL could engage with and possible research institutes who may be willing to work with GOAL on this research

Key Tasks 1. Conduct an assessment of nutritional/health services (community and facility based) in current areas of operation 2. Coordinate data collection and analysis 3. With the support of the GOAL Kenya team produce a draft 5-year health and nutrition strategy for the GOAL Kenya programme which is based on underlying research 4. Develop a professional research relationship with a research 5. Develop an agreed work-plan within the timeframe with a set of deliverables for each of the key outputs listed. 6. Prepare and submit monthly progress reports, which update the Country Director, Health Coordinator on progress toward the key outputs.

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience: • A Master’s degree in Public Health or related subject. • Proven ability to conduct health research in development country settings • Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with Microsoft Excel and statistical software packages (STATA, SPSS) • Strong organizational skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines • Good interpersonal and communication skills • At least two years relevant experience in a similar position • Good familiarity with subjects related to reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS and other population activities will be an added advantage.

If you would like to apply for the above role please send your CV and covering letter to applications@goal.ie Thank You

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