Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator at Options

We are seeking an Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator to be based in Katsina State to contribute and work on the dynamic Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme (MNCH2), funded by the UK government.

Responsibilities: 

As Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator, you will work on the MNCH2 programme to ensure maternal, newborn and child health evidence is used for improving performance of health services focusing on the areas of effectiveness, equity and efficiency. You will work with the team to strengthen advocacy for better health services for women and children, through the effective use of evidence by civil society groups and leveraging on pressure points through Civil Society Organisaton (CSO) and Facility Health Committee (FHC) coalitions.

You will be expected to identify the information needs of target audiences in their State (e.g. Non-governmental organisations, advocates, accountability structures, district health planners, national policy makers) and help them to connect with researchers and others to better inform maternal and newborn health (MNH) programmes, policies and planning.

The Evidence and Advocacy Coordinator will be responsible for providing technical inputs and support on MNH evidence, which includes support on maternal death audits/reviews and helping ensure MNH evidence is robust, of high quality, timely and that it is reaching the right people. For this, you will be concerned with synthesising, packaging and disseminating existing evidence, conducting secondary analysis of existing data and making sure evidence is communicated effectively to different stakeholders.

Person specification: 

Qualifications               

• An advanced degree in public health or a relevant field

Experience                   

• 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
• Demonstrated management, programme planning competency and effective communication skills;
• At least 3 years’ experience providing expertise around advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and/or institutional strengthening
• Experience working effectively with government authorities and CSOs
• Excellent written and spoken Hausa and English is a must
• Understanding of advocacy principles and approaches
• Experience in mentoring and training for different cadres of staff and partners     

Skills and attributes                  

• Excellent attention to detail and experience of quality assurance
• Excellent written and spoken English and Hausa
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including but not limited to Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Excellent leader and team player, with excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary team          

Other requirements                   

• Commitment to achieving effective and efficient delivery of essential health care for pregnant women, new-borns and children, alongside routine immunisation
• 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           

Benefits: 

Options offers a comprehensive benefits package including 25 annual leave allowance, medical insurance, accident insurance and group life assurance.