Evidence Advisor at MamaYe (Evidence for Action)

MamaYe is about making life-saving changes for Africas mothers and babies. It is a campaign to change fatalism to hope; apathy to action; maternal survival from side-issue to political priority; and best guesses into hard facts. We know change is possible because every day, African men and women like you take action that makes a change, and saves lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:


Job Title: Evidence Advisor

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Main Purpose of Role

• Technical leadership on E4A-MamaYe work-streams on state level accountability mechanisms, maternal and perinatal death reviews, monitoring & evaluation, donor reporting and evidence based advocacy.
• Manage and quality-assure the work of state coordinators in supported geographical areas.

Scope of Work
Reporting to the E4A-Nigeria Country Director and liaising with members of the country team and the E4A Technical Team (TSUs and Core Team), the Evidence Advisor for E4A-MamaYe will be responsible for the following:

• Lead Technical and Management Inputs:
  • Lead on technical inputs and support on MNH evidence and accountability related strategies/activities implemented through E4A-MamaYe
  • Oversee and quality assure work of Lagos, Bauchi, and Gombe state coordinators and provide technical and management backstopping support to ensure deliverables are met
  • Contribute to the generation, analysis and packaging of evidence to inform and influence the MamaYe campaign at national and state level and to further strengthen accountability efforts
  • Support relevant ministries, health care providers and others in strengthening maternal and perinatal death review processes with a focus on the use of findings to improve quality of care
  • Ensure regular meetings of the state level accountability mechanisms including support to the production of MNCH Scorecards, Budget scorecards and any other relevant MNH related score-cards (e.g. MgSO4 scorecards); their use in strategic plans and budgeting cycles as well as to spur advocacy initiatives
  • Collaborate with stakeholders committed to strengthening MNH evidence and its use to facilitate data for decision-making, advocacy and accountability in Nigeria
  • Conduct quality assurance of programme technical outputs, in collaboration with the
  • Country Director and TSU lead In collaboration with the Communications specialist, help to collect, compile and record data sources and publications on MNH in Nigeria, and ensure the MamaYe website is up to date with information/publications on Nigeria
  • Represent the programme at key national, regional and international meetings and conferences as required

Delivery of Operational Plan:

• Lead on the country operational plan in focus states, coordinating activities of the programme team and consultants in focus states (and engaging in trouble-shooting where necessary) to support the smooth implementation of the programme
• Provide technical input to the overall E4A-MamaYe strategy, using best practice from the sector
• Ensure sound technical implementation of the operational plan and quality assure state led outputs and deliverables
• Proactively anticipate and participate in identifying technical assistance/subcontracting needs relating to work in focus states, in conjunction with Options, and management of TA including development of TORs, contracting of TA and monitoring of TA outputs
• Actively look for opportunities to drive forward and expand E4A-MamaYes work in focus states, and opportunities to collaborate with other in-country stakeholders and add value to the E4A programme
• Lead on institutionalization of accountability mechanisms including maternal and perinatal death reviews with key partners

Information Packaging and Dissemination, and Sharing of Lessons Learned:

• Identify the information needs of target audiences and package/tailor evidence according to formats which are most relevant and meaningful to each one
• Develop tactful strategies to promote the effective use of evidence into action (policy, programme, advocacy, accountability) among different stakeholders
• Work with advocates and those working to strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure they have the evidence required to be more effective
• Use evidence to support the development and populating of accountability tools to track MNH progress and commitments
• Package complex scientific information for a range of stakeholders in an easily understandable and appropriate format for non-scientists, and disseminate as appropriate
• Prepare scientific papers and reports using findings from the programme to document and publicize issues pertaining to the programmes work, as required
• Identify opportunities for sharing lessons learned and tools, and dissemination within and beyond E4A-MamaYe
• Prepare case studies and relevant documentation articulating E4A-MamaYe results and impact

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor progress of operational plan to ensure it is on track, and regularly report on progress to the Country Director and TSU leads
• Responsibility for routine tracking of deliverables and development of quarterly monitoring reports; on-going oversight over state level activities so that the programme is able to achieve agreed milestones as per the Results Framework
• Co-ordinate implementation of the data collection required to implement the MamaYe M&E strategy, including oversight and implementation of surveys for collation of outcome level data, analysis and communication of survey data, development of case studies both at the state and country level.

Requirements
Criteria Qualifications:

• MPH/MSc in relevant area.
• PhD in relevant area

Experience:

• Substantial experience working on quantitative/qualitative research on maternal and newborn health related issues.
• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluating MNH programmes
• Strong experience on communicating evidence effectively to different stakeholders to better inform MNH planning, decision making, advocacy and accountability efforts
• Experience of close working relationships with partners and consortia
• At least 5 years’ experience working in health development management/oversight.
• Experience in quality assuring programmes
• Experience of writing and editing donor reports
• Experience and understanding of advocacy for improved MNH and a track record of bringing about MNH change and impact in-country
• Experience working on programmes funded by international donors

Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid understanding of the maternal and newborn health landscape in-country
• Awareness of how to apply political economy analysis or stakeholder analysis
• A key advocate for improved maternal and newborn health,
• Proven leadership and people management skills

Attributes:

• Well-connected with key stakeholders in maternal and newborn health (programmes, policy, advocacy and/or accountability) to help drive E4A forward
• Self-starter, can work independently and as part of a team
• Fluent in English
• Based in Nigeria and with the right to work in Nigeria

Application Closing Date
11th January, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Applications to: s.devos@options.co.uk

Click Here for full Job Decription (Pdf)

Note

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Also note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.