Accountability Coordinator at Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme - MNCH

Job Description

• Options Consultancy Services Limited is seeking for an Accountability Coordinator to be based in Jigawa State to contribute and work within a dynamic five (5) year programme called MNCH2.

Key Responsibilities
The Accountability Coordinator in Jigawa will be responsible, under the guidance of the Accountability and Advocacy Advisor and their State Team Leader (STL), for ensuring that accountability mechanisms are strengthened, ensuring government and service providers deliver quality MNCH services through active public and broader stakeholder engagement.

Specific Responsibilities
The Accountability Coordinator will make sure that:

• Accountability structures on MNCH will be strengthened and will be the primary means through which resources at facilities and progress on maternal and newborn health care are tracked and acted upon
• Ensure that Options? successful FHC model will be scaled up significantly, covering all MNCH2 states
• Ensure on-going monitoring through monthly FHC reports, self-assessment reports and community scoring cards.
• This includes quality assuring data and reports, highlighting key issues that need to be addressed to ensure good performance of and impact made by FHCs and ensure these are acted upon
• Provide focused mentoring support, informed by individual FHC needs, both directly to FHCs or via CSOs/consultants who have been contracted to provide mentoring to FHCs
• Ensure the facility scorecards will be shared through the accountability mechanisms and other forums at state level to facilitate data for decision making, encourage transparency on progress and advocate for improvements in the quality of services
• Strengthen or establish State level accountability mechanisms including FHCs and existing networks and consisting of members who have the power to influence change beyond just the health sector
• Liaise with stakeholders, including State and LGA level Government, CSOs, FHCs, civil society coalitions, and representatives of relevant development programmes
• Ensure close and effective cooperation with other programme staff in their State team to make sure that MNCH2 strategies and approaches are delivered in a coherent and coordinated way, in line with logframe targets.

Requirements

• An advanced degree in public health or a relevant field
• Minimum of 6 years of consulting and/or management experience in international health programmes for key health development partners, including, but not limited to, DFID, USAID, AusAID and the European Union
• At least 3 years? experience providing expertise in the area of accountability and/or advocacy programmes in Nigeria, with a particular focus on strengthening communities
• Demonstrated management, programme planning competency and effective communication skills
• Understanding of accountability and advocacy principles and approaches
• Experience in mentoring and training for different cadres of staff and partners
• Excellent written and spoken English and Hausa
• 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.

Remuneration
In return we offer:

• A friendly and team-based working environment
• Opportunity to work with national and international colleagues
• Vital contribution to improving maternal and newborn services in Northern Nigeria
• The opportunity to truly "make a difference"
• A competitive salary with benefits