Overview
Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of MNCH health related programmes. Oversee the implementation and monitoring of MNCH programmes, ensuring timely delivery of results and achievement of set objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of MNCH health related programmes.
- Support the planning process and necessary revisions of the work plan based on the need using the EQUIST analyses / model to guide actions toward achieving the targeted effective coverage .
- Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of MNCH health programmes.
- Formulate, design and prepare a sector of the health programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, as well as coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, and national priorities, plans and competencies.
- Establish specific programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).
- Prepare required documentations for programme review, progress report and approval.
- Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
- Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of MNCH programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
- Provide technical coordination support between the MNCH unit and other units in health
- Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish MNCH monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in health programmes.
- Oversee the implementation and monitoring of MNCH programmes, ensuring timely delivery of results and achievement of set objectives
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews at ACO level as well as with the zonal health team.
- Coordinate and facilitate annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
- Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation and validating the reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
- Coordinate the MNCH implementation plan with Zonal health teams by conducting and facilitating the regular reviews, documenting action points and ensuring necessary follow-ups.
- Manage MNCH database to ensure data quality and timely availability of information for programme management and conduct routine analysis to identify gaps trends and inform projections
- Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
- Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
- Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
- Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, concept notes, presentations for donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
- Conduct field visits to health project sites, review third party monitoring and extender reports to provide technical support to the project
- Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices and approaches on health-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
- Participate in discussions with the Government, national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development.
- Participate in technical meetings at the MOPH.
- Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration.
- Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated.
- Contribute to technical discussions and provide inputs to expand MNCH services to underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
- Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia.
- Through active networking, advocacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on child rights, social justice and equity.
- Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for health programmes (maternal, neonatal and child survival and development).
- Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.
- Build relationships between with other sections to maintain great health in UNICEF’s inter-sectoral platforms
- Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
- Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting edge practices in health.
- Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
- Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health-related programmes /projects.
- Support the heath section’s effort to strengthen the use of data for decision making
Required Experience
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, demonstrated experience in data management, maternal neonatal and child health care.
- A good, demonstrated understanding of the primary health care and community-health care system in Afghanistan is required.
- Previous experience in implementing large-scale MNCH projects, particularly within UN system agencies, is considered an asset.
- Experience working with International Financing Institutions, international organizations, and public or civil society sectors is desirable.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
Qualifications
• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Epidemiology, public health/nutrition, pediatrics health, family health, epidemiology or any other related fields.
