Local Health Expert at Options Consultancy Services Limited

Options seeks a Local Health Expert will provide long-term technical assistance to FCDO country-based teams in one or more selected countries to support the implementation of the UK Ending Preventable Deaths (EPD) approach, including health systems strengthening, primary health care, sexual and reproductive health, and nutrition and WASH.

Responsibilities: 

• Providing flexible support on EPD and EPD-related matters to FCDO country teams sharing knowledge on EPD approaches, best buys and cutting-edge evidence, as well as supporting coordination and prioritisation of interventions, and where needed, providing support to policy development and advocacy in-country.
• Provide in-depth technical support to FCDO country teams and local partners on public health, health system strengthening, and sexual and reproductive health, as well as related issues such as nutrition and WASH.
• Manage proactive and responsive relationships with FCDO in close collaboration with Options staff and the EPD Support Programme team.
• Develop local networks and where possible using local expertise.
• Foster long-term EPD partnerships with FCDO, government and partners to tackle deep and complex ‘bottleneck’ issues.
• Coordinate with other health sector projects and implementing organizations to ensure alignment and harmonisation with other programming where appropriate.
• Work closely with the wider EPD Support Programme team and Options’ global team to support the delivery of the project.
• Support Options in developing an overarching log frame for monitoring progress and evaluating successes of the EPD Support Programme.

Person specification: 

• Strong understanding of the UK government’s development strategy, EPD Plan, HSS paper and related strategies (e.g. Women and Girls strategy, etc)
• Proven track record in working in international development and excellent understanding of the international development system.
• Expertise and experience working on health system strengthening, primary health care and a good knowledge of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.
• Experience in providing TA to government and other institutions working in the health sector.
• Proven ability to represent organisations and programmes at the highest levels internationally, regionally and nationally.
• Strong external liaison and negotiation experience fostering partnerships between Government and other stakeholders. Familiarity with government practice and protocol.