National Consultant- Child and Community Health

Context:


In light of the global initiative to institutionalize community health within the framework of Community System Strengthening, the Community Health Delivery Partnership (CHDP) effort aligned with UNICEF Executive Director's key priorities, and the national focus on community health, with the President of the Federal Republic appointed as the Champion for Community Health Delivery Partnership (CHDP) and Human Resource for Health (HRH) for the continent, the Nigeria Country Office has prioritized community health by supporting the government in strengthening the community as a central platform for delivering MNCAH + Nutrition interventions.
The Nigerian Government's strategic direction for the health sector is the sector-wide approach (SWAP), and the NPHCDA's primary health care (PHC) strategic objective is "Every Nigerian has equitable access to quality PHC services they need through a system that they trust." UNICEF Nigeria has committed to continuing support for the government agenda along these lines.
Furthermore, the CHDP, being central to and part of the priority agenda set by the UNICEF Executive Director, has been adopted by UNICEF Nigeria's health program as a program priority as well. With Nigeria at the forefront continentally and globally, the President of the Federal Republic was appointed the Champion for CHDP and Human Resource for Health for the continent.
UNICEF, as co-chair of the RMNCEAH+N Working Group of the SWAP, will provide support to the Nigerian government within the SWAP context, addressing the child and community health program area.


Purpose of Assignment:


To assist the Child and Community Health portfolio in the MNCAH + HIV cluster in strategically positioning and delivering guidance and support for implementing the national child and community health agenda within the SWAP context, as part of the support to the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA.


How can you contribute?

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Child and Community Health Specialist and the Health Manager MNCAH, this seven-month contract will focus on key deliverables that will ultimately result in increased access to high-impact, cost-effective interventions for children under five, including mothers and newborns, through various delivery platforms, including the community. These deliverables will include supporting the implementation of the recently launched national child survival action plan by the FMOH and the implementation of the revised Community health worker program to align with the SWAP. The consultant will support the Child and Community Health portfolio within the MNCH cluster. Key areas of the assignment include:


Implementation of the revised Community health program
Training of community health workers (CHWs)
Community health data management (CHMIS)
Implementation of oxygen system strengthening activities related to child survival
Implementation of the Child Survival Action plan in selected States


The consultant will provide technical advice to the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and UNICEF field offices on child and community health programs. The consultant will ensure that child health care interventions leverage other ongoing initiatives such as oxygen system strengthening, MAMII, 1000 days, etc.

Work Assignment/Overview:


Community Health Program roll-out for implementation


Deliverables/Outputs


Comprehensive and clear strategy for UNICEF to implement the remodeled CHW program in UNICEF-supported states
Data management systems for Community health systems
Evaluation of the CHMIS pilot in 9 states, plus roll-out of CHMIS reporting in UNICEF focus states
Technical and operational support for community health program implementation


Deliverables/Outputs


Support roll-out of the remodeled community health program in UNICEF-supported states.
Child health program management, monitoring and delivery of results, including scaling up oxygen-related work.


Deliverables/Outputs


Support the roll-out of the National Child Survival Action Plan at the sub-national level
Finalized IMCI guidelines incorporating Pulse oximetry.
Roll-out of the revised IMCI program in UNICEF-supported states


To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…


An advanced university degree in Public Health, medical science, development area, or related field
A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in community and/or child health, including strategic and/or decentralized planning and monitoring and evaluation of community-level interventions.
Expertise in Community health and child health programming.
Strong analytical report writing, documentation, and presentation skills
Ability to work with and coordinate a multisectoral team
Good understanding of the community health system in Nigeria
Self-driven, able to deliver under tight schedules and meet strict deadlines.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency situations is considered an asset.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an advantage.