UNICEF Jobs. M & E Consultant Job

UNICEF Somalia Careers
REF: UNSOM/2013/047
Title:Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant
Type of Contract:Special Service Agreement (SSA)
Length Of Contract:Six (6) months
Organization Unit:Programme
Duty Station:Nairobi
Closing date of Application:4 November 2013
If you are qualified and looking for a chance to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable Somali children while gaining opportunities for career growth, you are invited to apply for the above consultancy with UNICEF Somalia.
If successful, you’ll be part of a dynamic and passionate team in Somalia and Nairobi that works together to improve the health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and basic education of Somali girls and boys and protect them from violence, exploitation and abuse.
Background:
UNICEF as part of its overall mandate to promote child survival, advocates, mobilizes resources and builds capacity in government systems and communities to improve the health, nutrition and wellbeing of children and mothers and provide quality health services which are pivotal to addressing many underlying causes of neonatal, child and maternal mortality.
UNICEF is a core partner in implementing the Joint Health and Nutrition Programme (JHNP) which is a comprehensive multi-donor, multi-partner programme aimed at improving maternal and child health and reducing mortality, while strengthening the systems that support improved quality and access to health care. It is the flagship programme supporting the development of the Somali health sector.
In 2009, the zonal Ministries of Health (MOPH) along with UNICEF had developed a set of cost-effective and high impact interventions called the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) that would be available to all Somalis with special focus on those living in remote and underserved areas and is the prime mechanism for strategic service provision of public health services under JHNP.
The emphasis of the EPHS is to improve the quality of service provision and access to health services with a particular focus on maternal new born and child health, thereby contributing to Somalia health sector strategic plan.
Purpose:
The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop and strengthen EPHS monitoring and evaluation system in Somalia.
The Monitoring and Evaluation consultant will develop M&E framework, build capacity of UNICEF, health authorities, implementing partners and other stakeholders; and oversee all monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities in the EPHS Project, with an eye to meeting the performance-based target indicators set by EPHS and JHNP.
This consultancy will create linkages with M&E framework under development by WHO for JHNP as well as National Health Management Information System (HMIS).
Main Duties / Responsibilities:
Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Health and daily supervision of the Maternal & Child Health Specialist, the consultant will work in close collaboration with relevant Ministries, UNICEF zonal offices and relevant sections, UNFPA, WHO Somalia and other partners. The consultant will undertake the following key tasks as part of the overall assignment.
Tasks to be performed:
Develop monitoring and evaluation framework and standard M&E tools based on JHNP and EPHS result frameworks in close collaboration with UNICEF health/nutrition/wash sections, Global Fund/GMU and the M&E department of respective zonal health authorities.
The M&E framework should take into consideration existing HMIS systems and ensure cross linkages
Contribute to the development of M&E system and updating of the monitoring database which compiles data from the standard monitoring tools, which assist UNICEF in monitoring monthly progress based on performance-based target indicators set by EPHS and helps implementing NGOs to develop proper action plan for overcoming the findings.
Provide technical and operational support and guidance to key government and EPHS implementing partners and UNICEF zonal offices in performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting carried out in a timely manner, efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established EPHS guidelines and procedures.
Conduct regular monitoring missions to EPHS districts (once per quarter), using Ministry of Health (MoH) standard monitoring tools with the Monitoring and Evaluation department, other relevant departments of the MoH, or independently to ensure that regular monitoring and supervision of NGOs’ service delivery activities take place in EPHS districts.
Provide assistance to EPHS implementing NGOs on the use of data from HMIS, standard MOH monitoring tools, interpreting data into actions and etc.
Provide necessary information, supported from different sources (HMIS, Score Card, or any adapted Quality Assurance tool, etc.) for EPHS contract performance improvement. This includes compiling data from the mentioned sources for routine and ad-hoc reports.
Provide quarterly reports based on review of UNICEF zonal staff monthly monitoring reports, NGOs’ quarterly technical reports, HMIS reports, identify existed discrepancies, analyse progress against output indicators and provide feedback to implementing NGOs and follow it up.
Recommend remedial actions to UNICEF and the MOH in keeping with signed Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) against NGOs found not to be performing well or in breach of important EPHS, MOH policies or agreed activities in PCAs.
Provide evidence and data/statistics through conducting analysis to convince the MOH, UNICEF and other stakeholders to develop and/ or revise different parts of EPHS program policies and Strategies.
Deliverables
Detailed EPHS monitoring and evaluation framework and standard M&E tools developed (35 days inclusive of 4 days for SSAFE training).
EPHS implementation guidelines on M&E developed (10 days)
Continuous capacity development including initial trainings of EPHS implementing partners and MOH staff on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework and M&E tools (60 days)
First quarterly report submitted based on field visits and reviews of reports (5 days)
Zonal review of EPHS implementation conducted (15 days)
Final report submitted (7 days)
Time Frame and Remuneration
This consultancy will be for six months, and fees will be negotiated. Consultancy fee will be paid on submission of deliverables.
For non-residents in Kenya, USD 3,000 per month subsistence allowance (on prorated basis) will be paid irrespective of the consultant being in Nairobi or inside Somalia. During missions in Somalia, the consultant will get DSA as per current rules.
Qualification and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, statistics, planning development, and/or related field is required. Degree in epidemiology or biostatistics will be an added advantage.
Experience:
Essential:
Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree from recognized University/College or equivalent experience; 5-7 years of work experience in multinationals or development projects with international organizations in M&E field preferably with significant experience in conflict and post-conflict countries;
Strong skills in designing, monitoring, and evaluating health interventions:
Experience in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other organizations, governmental agencies, public and private sector organizations;
Good interpersonal and communication skills and very good analytical skills and solid experience with Windows, Word, Excel, Power Point, and Microsoft Office. Statistical analysis applications (SPSS, Stata) desired, but not required.
Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and capacity to promote consensus and establish positive working relationships.
Integrity, tact, discretion and demonstrated sensitivity to cultural differences.
Desirable:
Familiarity with the work of UN agencies in the area of health system strengthening.

Skills:
Strong skills in project management and ability to facilitate the involvement and collaboration of a broad range of external partners involved in the humanitarian response in the field of sexual and reproductive health.
Excellent coordination, communication, cross-cultural and negotiation skills; ability to convene and work with all relevant national and international stakeholders; ability to build, motivate and lead a team; gender sensitivity and understanding of cultural diversity issues; awareness of cultural and social factors particularly as related to the sexual and reproductive health situation; capacity to work under pressure and with a high degree of independence.
Conditions of Work
The consultant will be based in UNICEF Somalia Support Centre in Nairobi; however, planned field missions will be made into Somalia according to an agreed work plan to be developed at the beginning of the consultancy. This position does not support relocation expenses.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, updated CV and copies of academic certificates.
UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please quote the vacancy number in your application.
email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
UNICEF IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT