New Vacancy at Options Consultancy Services Limited

The Accountability and Advocacy Coordinator will be based at the programme headquarters in Kano with regular travel to MNCH2 States, to monitor and oversee the Accountability, Advocacy and Evidence strategy, and make sure it is developed and rolled out successfully to achieve indicator outputs.

The Accountability and Advocacy Advisor will:

• Support the development of the accountability, advocacy and evidence strategy; ensure the strategy contributes effectively to the MNCH2 programme outcomes. Ensure the strategy is appropriately adapted for each State context, and effectively translated into State level work plans
• Oversee and give direction to the implementation of the strategy by Accountability Officers and Evidence & Advocacy Officers, in a way that effectively merges evidence, accountability and advocacy interventions for MNCH together under one approach to ensure improved effectiveness, equity and efficiency of MNCH services and outcomes. Ensure that the approach will support, link with and leverage initiatives under other programme outputs, and will liaise strategically with other outputs, stakeholders and MNCH2 programme partners
• Oversee and quality assure processes as performed under Options’ led programme indicators, and make sure interventions are sustained beyond the life of the programme, for example through the institutionalization of FHCs across all states
• Ensure that impact is well documented and fed into the programme’s knowledge management strategies
• Support the preparation for, and participation in, output-to-purpose reviews
• Draw on expertise available among a team of national and international advisors.

Education and Experience

• An advanced degree in public health or a relevant field
• At least 10 years’ experience of working on large international development programmes in the area of accountability, governance and advocacy in the health sector.
• Experience with the development of accountability and advocacy strategies, and in having a leading role in the implementation of these strategies.
• A sound understanding of core social development concepts, such as voice, accountability, rights-based approaches, gender, equity and social inclusion and/or citizen participation.
• Extensive knowledge and experience working with existing accountability mechanisms (especially at community level) in Northern Nigeria.
• Experience of working in complex political environments, and a sound knowledge of the Nigerian context in terms of MNCH data generation, and use of MNCH data for advocacy and planning processes.
• Experience working effectively with LGA, State and Federal level authorities.
• Fluency in Hausa Language is desirable

Key competences

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work to deadlines
• In depth understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of Northern Nigeria.
• A commitment to achieving effective and efficient delivery of essential health care for pregnant women, newborns and children, alongside routine immunisation
• A commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian citizens, including women, the poorest and other marginalized groups, are able to have equal voice and participate in holding government accountable in the delivery of public services.
• Being both an excellent leader and team player, with excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary team.

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The Accountability and Advocacy Coordinator will be based at the programme headquarters in Kano with regular travel to MNCH2 States, to monitor and oversee the Accountability, Advocacy and Evidence strategy, and make sure it is developed and rolled out successfully to achieve indicator outputs.

The Accountability and Advocacy Advisor will:

• Support the development of the accountability, advocacy and evidence strategy; ensure the strategy contributes effectively to the MNCH2 programme outcomes. Ensure the strategy is appropriately adapted for each State context, and effectively translated into State level work plans
• Oversee and give direction to the implementation of the strategy by Accountability Officers and Evidence & Advocacy Officers, in a way that effectively merges evidence, accountability and advocacy interventions for MNCH together under one approach to ensure improved effectiveness, equity and efficiency of MNCH services and outcomes. Ensure that the approach will support, link with and leverage initiatives under other programme outputs, and will liaise strategically with other outputs, stakeholders and MNCH2 programme partners
• Oversee and quality assure processes as performed under Options’ led programme indicators, and make sure interventions are sustained beyond the life of the programme, for example through the institutionalization of FHCs across all states
• Ensure that impact is well documented and fed into the programme’s knowledge management strategies
• Support the preparation for, and participation in, output-to-purpose reviews
• Draw on expertise available among a team of national and international advisors.

Education and Experience

• An advanced degree in public health or a relevant field
• At least 10 years’ experience of working on large international development programmes in the area of accountability, governance and advocacy in the health sector.
• Experience with the development of accountability and advocacy strategies, and in having a leading role in the implementation of these strategies.
• A sound understanding of core social development concepts, such as voice, accountability, rights-based approaches, gender, equity and social inclusion and/or citizen participation.
• Extensive knowledge and experience working with existing accountability mechanisms (especially at community level) in Northern Nigeria.
• Experience of working in complex political environments, and a sound knowledge of the Nigerian context in terms of MNCH data generation, and use of MNCH data for advocacy and planning processes.
• Experience working effectively with LGA, State and Federal level authorities.
• Fluency in Hausa Language is desirable

Key competences

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work to deadlines
• In depth understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of Northern Nigeria.
• A commitment to achieving effective and efficient delivery of essential health care for pregnant women, newborns and children, alongside routine immunisation
• A commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian citizens, including women, the poorest and other marginalized groups, are able to have equal voice and participate in holding government accountable in the delivery of public services.
• Being both an excellent leader and team player, with excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary team.