Newborn Health Advisor at Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in over 20 countries around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.

We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation. Save the Children’s mission is to Inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Newborn Health Advisor
Job Location: Kogi
Length of Contract: Only valid till 30th September, 2018

Role Purpose

• The aim of this position is designed to contribute to the management and implementation of the programme in  Kogi  states and to lead in the provision of technical assistance to the State  Ministry of Health, State PHCD/Board, LGA  and working in collaboration with State Chapters of , PAN, NISONM & SOGON and the MCSP Maternal Health team as relevant.

Key Areas of Accountability
Newborn Health Policy & Programming:

• To be responsible for the provision of technical assistance  on new-born health within the MCSP programme   and support to strengthen capacity for essential new-born care and management of the three major killers of new-borns – intrapartum related complication, new-born infections and preterm births in health facilities at state level.
• Ensure care for new-born health services at all levels of the SMOH is data driven
• Identify and advocate for and leverage additional resources for maternal and new-born health within the state working with partners.

Primary Health Care & Child Health:

• To be responsible for the implementation of  MCSP/USAID programme  linking it with  primary health care development  in the state within the context of the IMNCH and Saving One Million Lives Initiatives and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Strategies.
• Provide overall leadership for MCSP new-born health activities at state level.

Cross cutting:

• To contribute to achievement of the overall MCSP programme objectives working with the MCSP Deputy Director ,  the Senior  Newborn Health  Advisor  and other senior staff members.

Representation:

• To represent Save the Children’s values and mission, as well as the Nigeria programme experience, at strategic state, national, selected regional fora especially in MNH. Understand relevant Save the Children policies and procedures & comply with them.
• Other strategic duties as agreed by the MCSP State Team lead / Senior Newborn Health Advisor .

Documentation and Reporting:

• To prepare and submit quarterly reports  to the Deputy Programme  Director and the Senior  NH Advisor 

Others:

• Provide mentorship and capacity building  for health workers on essential new-born care, sick new-born care, kangaroo mother care, bubble continuous positive airway pressure and possible severe bacterial infection
• Contribute to development of quarterly progress reports about the new-born health activities in Kogi State
• Contribute to development of new-born health technical documents
• Represent the programme and it’s interests with key stakeholders (government, implementing partners, manufacturers, etc.) in Kogi State
• Other strategic duties as agreed by supervisors and senior advisors
• Other strategic duties as agreed by supervisors and senior advisers.

Qualifications Skills & Experience
Administrative & General Skills:

• Medical qualification (MD or M.B.B.S.). A post-graduate qualification in paediatrics, neonatology, midwifery and/or public health is preferred
• Substantial experience in facilitating clinical trainings. Certified trainers on the national Essential Newborn Care Course, sick new-born care and possible severe bacterial infection strongly preferred.
• Experience in providing technical support to partners and in particular government at senior levels.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels. Presentation and training skills, along with tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Proven capacity to deliver results against objectives, reporting schedules and work plans.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills and the proven ability to translate these into concise high quality reports and lessons learnt documents,
• Confidence in using word processing and spreadsheet computer packages

?Desirable:

• Experience in health systems development and primary health care management.
• Technical expertise in new-born health
• Proven capacity in strategic planning and long term positioning.

Skills and Behaviours (Our Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Accuracy and timeliness in all areas of responsibility
• High level of accuracy in work, and ability to analyse complex sets of relationships and situations
• Holds self and others accountable

Ambition:

• Creating best-in-class EA function
• Future-orientated, thinks pro-actively

Collaboration:

• Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with the health team, colleagues, members and external partners

Creativity:

• Willing to take disciplined risks
• Be willing to implement Save the Children’s ‘Theory of Change’ to innovate, advocate, and strive to achieve MNH results at scale in target areas.

Integrity:

• Be honest, encourage openness and transparency, demonstrating highest levels of integrity.