Background and Justification
Kenya has made impressive gains in reducing child deaths, with a 30% decline in under-five mortality (from 115 to 74 per 1,000 live births) in the last decade (KDHS 2003 and 2008/9). The decrease in under 5 mortality rate is largely attributable to increased immunization coverage, success of malaria interventions especially increased ownership and use of (ITNs) and access to treatment against malaria using ACT in endemic, access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The nutritional status of children under five, however, improved only slightly between 2003 and 2008/9 and 35% of children under five are stunted. In spite of this progress, majority of children still die from preventable causes: neonatal causes (35%), diarrhea (21%), pneumonia (16%), malaria (11%), HIV/AIDS (5%) and malnutrition. Maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high with no progress over the past decades.
As the country implements devolution of health services, an opportunity to improve access to and utilization of health services exists if the changes are well managed. There is however an inherent risk of decline in service delivery that is largely dependent on how effectively the national and county governments and its structures develop and implement an accountability system for delivery of quality health services. To realise the benefits of devolution and meet the demands of the constitution, all levels of government must focus resources on priority interventions based on epidemiology and the needs of its population. This can only happen if there is a robust program monitoring and feedback system in place. In addition, Communities must have the required information to not only hold the County and National government accountable but to also take necessary actions to improve their own health with particular focus on the health of women and children in line with global and national policies, initiatives and guidelines.
The US Fund for UNICEF, co-funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting UNICEF Kenya Country Office to initiate a project “Institutional Strengthening to Improve Program Monitoring and Response”. The project seeks to identify and promote promising practice at country and district level related to:
(1) Making quality data on intermediate results in the delivery of health, nutrition, HIV, water and sanitation services available on a near real time basis in in selected Counties;
(2) Enhancing prioritization of essential services and timely program adjustments through local planning and decision-making mechanisms as well as in-country learning forums;
(3) Strengthening the links between social accountability mechanisms and actual delivery agencies for improved feedback and learning; and
(4) Establishing and refining knowledge exchange mechanisms for peer-to-peer learning about program monitoring within and among all country offices and country partners in Kenya.
Objectives:
The overall goal of the proposed program supported by Gates foundation is aimed at contributing to increased demand for and utilization of priority high impact Maternal and Child Survival and Development interventions in selected counties (Siaya and Homabay)
Overall program Outcomes:
a) Improved availability and use of quality data including data on priority health systems bottlenecks and CRVS
b) Improved system for accountability and citizens participation in health sector
Indicators:
• Percentage point increase in health facility reporting rates (baseline TBD; target 90% for all parameters)
• Proportion of identified service delivery bottlenecks that are routinely tracked (baseline TBD; target 100%)
• Proportion of births and deaths of infants recorded and certificates issued to caregivers.
• Number and Proportion of sub-counties and counties that have adopted and use RMNCH scorecard
• Availability of functional county social intelligence reporting system
Specific Outputs and activities:
1. Enhanced capacity (knowledge, skills and practice) of key rights holders in Human Rights and gender Based approach to planning, monitoring and evaluation including use of MoRES approach
Indicators:
• Availability of Quality County and sub-county Annual Work Plans (AWP) and M&E plans that identify and track priority interventions and bottlenecks
Activities:
• Advocacy with county governments to adopt, model and roll out a holistic approach to monitoring results for equity (MoRES)
• Training of county and sub county multi-sectoral teams ( health, civil registration, community volunteers, local service providers) on basic Planning, M&E principles; gender analysis and human rights based approaches, monitoring results for equity;
• Review and or updating of county and sub-county integrated plans, Annual Work Plans (AWP) and M&E tools that takes into consideration monitoring of existing priority bottlenecks and providing innovative options to address those
1. Enhanced availability of quality data through adoption of best practices, strategies and technology (data quality assessment, Knowledge Exchange, mobile phones and DHIS)
Indicators:
• Percentage Positive change in DHIS Data Quality assessment scores
• Proportion of health facilities implementing MCH strategy for birth registration
• Availability of county Database(s) to address information gaps
• Real time reporting system established in the 2 Counties
Activities:
• Establish and support to the county and sub-county multi-sectoral and multi-partner M&E Technical Working Group
• Joint Assessment of available sources of information and county information requirements (TA, stakeholder meetings)
• Joint mapping of existing mechanisms for Knowledge Exchange
• Training of county and sub-county data quality assurance team
• Conduct Half yearly data quality audits
• Introduce MCH strategy for birth registration
• Introduce mobile data collection platforms based on outcome of information needs assessment
o Design of data program for mobile phone applications and usage
o Procurement of mobile phones for health facilities in Siaya county
o Programming of mobile phones
o Training on data collection mobile phone users
• Support Quarterly sub-county and county Performance Review meetings
• Support KE sessions between the two counties to share best practice
• Establishment of a simple database to manage quantitative and qualitative data collected by CHVs during half yearly household registration, dialogue days and studies, Human resources etc
1. Improved citizens participation and social accountability for maternal and child survival and development through use of RMNCH Scorecards and social intelligence reporting system
Indicators:
• Functional County scorecard (presence of up to date scorecard, disseminations and plans of action)
• Functional county Social accountability and intelligence and real time reporting system
• Functional system of collection, analysis and action of information from community
Activities:
• Advocacy with county governments on RMNCAH Scorecard, Social accountability and social intelligence reporting system
• Development of framework on social accountability for each county
• Establishment of community level social accountability teams (health, local service providers, community members)
• Community engagement and orientation on Scorecard and social accountability framework;
• Adoption/development of RMNCAH including Community scorecards;
• Implementation of activities defined in the social accountability system
• Quarterly dissemination of scorecard (to communities, mothers groups, and opinion/local leaders)
Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of the Health Planning and Information Management Specialist, KCO, the incumbent will be expected to support the country and counties improve collection; availability and use of data in the priority Counties as well as design and roll out a social accountability system in consultation with the stakeholders to facilitate citizen engagement to enable the project realize the set objectives and targets. This would involve:
• Joint Assessment of available Knowledge Exchange mechanisms and sources of information and county information and KE requirements
• Ensuring stakeholder agreement at county level on data requirements for Real Time Monitoring
• Identification of key stakeholders for citizen engagement and agreement on modalities for participation in reference to the national social accountability guidelines
• Customisation of social accountability guidelines to cater for country level the different Counties citizen engagement requirements
• Provide technical support to the roll out of the RMNCH Score card, as an accountability, management and advocacy tool for the health management teams at the County and Sub-county levels
• Training and orientations at Country level for strengthening County quarterly review meetings and identification of key tools to be utilised in quarterly programme progress review
• Establishment of knowledge sharing platforms across the different sub-counties in the 2 Counties
• Dissemination of data from Routine and programmatic monitoring and Citizen Engagement
• Document lessons emerging from the project and with support from the other UNICEF specialists and facilitate dissemination forums at the sub-national for peer to peer learning and national level for possible scale up
• Support inter-county learning forums between the two selected Counties, Homa Bay and Siaya
Key considerations towards the completion of above tasks include:
• In-country program monitoring capacity programs – for use/scaling up use of feasible tools, especially for data collection, validation, analysis and dissemination, and for social accountability. N/B: Capacity assessments will be undertaken by the UNICEF Regional Office at the inception phase of the project, on the basis of which partners will be identified. The main partners will be government departments responsible for the delivery of health, nutrition, HIV and WASH services and other stakeholders
• Direct technical support staff to the County Health Management teams to facilitate reprioritization and program adjustment based on evidence collected
• Feedback and learning for continual program adjustments with a focus on replicating and adapting successful approaches, or to finding new ideas and access to technical advice to help remove the program monitoring bottlenecks. The main partners will be government departments responsible the delivery of health-related services
• UNICEF-facilitated discussions at the national level on lessons emerging from the project with a view to scaling up. There shall be need to share the project outline at the inception with the relevant Governments Units at the national level as well as other stakeholders like World Bank, DFID, UN Agencies and other major potential partners
The Specialist will be expected to work very closely with the UNICEF Partnerships and M&E Officer and respective County and Sub-county Health Management teams plus the other health stakeholders in Siaya and Homa Bay Counties in consultation with the Health Informatics Units at the national level on the laid down deliverables
Key Tasks
****1.****Conceptualize, and work with the respective CHMTs with the guidance of the Division of Health Informatics and M&E (at the national level) to identify additional data/information needs, develop and implement an appropriate system for collecting monitoring and evaluation data to enable the project to report to stakeholders and use data to assess achievement of goals and objectives.
****2.****Design and direct data collection systems, and ensure that all necessary information from routine reporting is collected, analyzed and used to guide internal planning, and to inform stakeholders and external partners about project activities and accomplishments. This includes standard operating procedures for all M&E activities.
****3.****Create/ Adapt RHIS data collection tools, as appropriate, including monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview schedules, facility assessment and supervision tools, and training materials.
****4.****Work with CHMTs and counterparts to determine priority areas to be addressed in strengthening the M&E systems by supporting technical working groups, advising counterparts and participating in the implementation of key activities
1. Design and implement a series of practical training courses for partners on how to monitor and evaluate RMNCAH programs, use M&E data, and report progress to key stakeholders.
2. Produce annual work plan and budget development, and results reporting; and oversee management and capacity building of M&E staff and partners
3. Instrumentally lead the development of the quarterly reporting tools for the sub-national level-provide technical guidance in designing, development and use of data capture tools to meet program requirements, make recommendations for information systems improvement and assist in testing and implementation of data capture systems and process modifications and improvements
4. Facilitation of the quarterly review meeting
5. Contextualization of the national social accountability guidelines to the focus Counties and the roll out to strengthen citizen engagement in the health sector
6. Strengthen knowledge management for health and development by working with UNICEF Health Section program staff to discuss data needs with partners and staff, develop statistical analyses to guide efforts around repositioning of data demand and information use both at program and sub-national levels; and develop information products to be used by program
7. Strengthen data audit processes at the sub-national level for routine data-assure the integrity of programincludingdata extraction, storage, manipulation, processing and analysis, collection, tracking, validation, cleaning, and accurate entry into DHIS database of complete program data
8. Assist in the compilation and coordinate Data Demand and Information Use (DDIU) with Sub-County Health Records Information officers and respective CHMTs
UNDAF Result areas covered
SRA 1 Governance – Outcome 1 (Evidence and Devolution)
SRA 2 Human Capital – Outcome 2 and 3 (Health, Nutrition and WASH)
Desired background and experience
Education: Advanced university degree in Health System Strengthening, Monitoring and Evaluation, Population studies, Statistics or other related field.
Work Experience:
• Five (5) years progressive, hands-on professional experience in strategic information/research and metrics (monitoring and evaluation, analytics, health informatics, and knowledge management) for population health, environment and nutrition programs (PHE) /health related programmes, at the national and sub-national levels in with a demonstrated experience and understanding of stakeholder consultations, requirements analysis, indicator harmonization, data quality improvements and information use
• Minimum five years of progressive field-tested experience in developing and implementing M&E plans and results-based management for complex programs, including experience in a supervisory capacity
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance per the objectives of this project
• Demonstrated familiarity with international indicators and standard measurement tools in the areas of reproductive health/family planning, maternal and neonatal health, HIV/AIDS and other relevant technical areas.
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing data bases; capacity building of partners in data management; data analysis and presentation of statistical reports.
Languages:
• Fluency in English and another UN language required.
• Knowledge of the local working language of the 2 focus Counties would be an asset
Desired profile:
• Current knowledge of development issues, policies as well as programming policies and procedures in the Ministry of Health as well as other related social sectors
• Proven technical skills in monitoring and evaluation, and a clear understanding of the health sector monitoring and evaluation systemincluding at least four of the following:
• Design and implementation of program monitoring systems;
• Design and implementation of evaluation and/or research protocols;
• Development and field-testing of data collection instruments for M&E indicators;
• Data collection planning and implementation (routine or survey);
• Timely data analysis, synthesis, and communication of results;
• Translation of complex data into understandable lessons learned and action priorities for programmatic and other technical staff.
• Documented success and experience working with various constituencies including GOK, MOH and local partners.
• Experience working with national level stakeholders in strengthening systems including knowledge and experience with routine data collection, quality control, utilization and capacity building
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Excellent management and organizational skills suitable for a complex environment with multiple competing priorities, short deadlines, and performance pressure; tact and diplomacy in dealing with implementing partnersand in-depth ability to manage several major multidimensional activities simultaneously
• Strong capacity building skills (training, mentorship, facilitation, supportive supervisionand presentation skills) including the ability to present to donors and other key stakeholders
• Ability to work in a team and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, in simple clear language including during formal public speaking
• Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources
• Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments
• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities
Competencies:
i. Core Values (Required)
• Commitment
• Integrity
• Diversity and Inclusion
ii. Core Competencies (Required)
• Communication [Level II]
• Working with People [Level II]
• Drive for Results [Level II]
iii. Functional Competencies (Required)
• Analysing [Level II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [Level II]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (II)
• Planning and Organizing [ III)
Conditions (Important)
The contract will be a Temporary Appointment. Salaries and benefits will follow UNICEF regulations for NOC level positions.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure they forward their applications along with their curriculum vitae, P-11 form (visit : http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) – (Internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation Reports), to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenhrvacanciesC@unicef.org
Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/HLTH/2015-022” in the email subject.
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT