Save the Children has been working in Tanzania for more than 30 years. We are working with the government, local organizations and other international agencies to reduce child malnutrition, improve new-born and maternal health, support and strengthen early childhood development and primary education systems. We strengthen child protection systems for vulnerable children, promote children’s participation and contribution to policy and resource allocation for services which concern them, support, and respond to emergencies.
Our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Role Purpose
Save the Children is seeking a New born and Child Health (NCH) Technical Advisor for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded project in Tanzania. The purpose of the project is to facilitate government-led leadership and enhance sustainable coordination to accelerate gains in reproductive, maternal, new born, child and adolescent health outcomes. This position will provide strategic direction in the design, management, implementation, and monitoring of high quality new born and child health interventions, working closely with relevant units at all levels of the MOH and with respective partners at national level and within target regions. The NCH Technical Advisor will represent the project at various new born and child health national technical working groups and committees, and ensure deliverables within these technical areas are implemented according to the set work plan with necessary adjustments as required based on learning and best practices while capturing key lessons learned.
Contract Duration: 1 Year, renewable
No of Vacancies: One (1) Position
Reporting to: Associate Technical Director
Location: Dodoma/Dar es Salaam
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
- Working under the Associate Technical Director, and in collaboration with the Technical Director, the NCH Technical Advisor will take the lead in executing the strategies and plans of the NCH component in the Project.
- Working in collaboration with the SCUS NCH technical advisors for the implementation of state-of-the-art strategies, lead new born and child health related technical assistance and capacity building within the project. S/he will lead the design of technical assistance and capacity building for globally recommended state-of-the-art high impact evidence based new born and child health interventions that help children survive and thrive through prevention and treatment of neonatal and child illnesses. This will include national level policy leadership and ownership for new born and child health.
- Ensure the recruitment and training of health program staff in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities
- Oversee the NCH activities and ensure strong coordination with the other thematic areas of the Project.
- Will work alongside the MOH to ensure national priorities are considered during implementation, to strengthen the quality, access, efficiency and sustainability of NCH programs in the context of integrated MNCH care in Tanzania
- Will lead desk reviews and facility assessments activities to determine needs at the beginning of the project and as the project activities are being implemented.
- Working with the MOH team and will be responsible to implement NCH high interventions in project supported regions
- Will be responsible to target implementation support to the low performing regions and councils based on data review, supportive supervisions findings, data analysis and consultations.
- Work with council health management teams and will collaborate on microplanning to improve comprehensive council health planning and program budgets to increase coverage of NCH services in a sustainable way.
- Provide technical support to ensure linkages and synergies at service delivery level from community to facility level including facilitating community engagement and outreach services.
- Coordinate and provide new born and child health technical support to central MOH and Regional and Council Teams to address identified gaps and rolling out activities to improve quality of new born and child care
- Collaborate with the MOH staff to ensure technical integrity, quality, and measurement of new born and child health program implementation at all levels.
- Build capacity of targeted regional MOH staff in new born and child health, using proven training approaches, mentorship and quality improvement methodologies strategies to improve service delivery and quality.
- Incorporate new born and child health best practices into strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of activities to improve health services.
- Maintain strategic relationships with targeted MOH regional and district teams and other relevant stakeholders for the smooth implementation of program activities.
- In collaboration with the regional and national teams, strengthen the existing technical platform on new born and child health learning, co-facilitate the periodic review of new born and child health to inform programming within the project, national guidelines and policies.
- In collaboration with Advocacy colleagues, lead on new born and child health-focused advocacy initiatives and serve as a neonatal and child health technical resource for the Advocacy department.
- Contribute to policy briefs and position papers to articulate key advocacy messages as and when required related to the program in coordination with other sectoral technical advisors
- In collaboration with Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning team and other technical colleagues, develop and utilize data capturing and reporting tools ensuring donor and MOH compliance as well as ensuring data quality and assurance systems for RMNCAH are up and running.
- Actively participate in national and broader organizational New born and Child Health Technical Working Group (TWG), ensuring that all project aspects coordinate and collaborate effectively, promoting the sharing of technical resources, learning and mutual support.
- As necessary, participate in the development of research protocols and tools related to neonatal and child health, support child health-focused research activities, ensure research dissemination, and enhance learning and knowledge management.
- Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer and take a lead in ensuring that the project has robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines. Recommend the inclusion of new program indicators as needed.
- Regularly analyze the data in the indicator performance tracking table (IPTT) and take appropriate actions to support program implementation is on track for achieving the agreed targets;
Qualifications and Experience
- Clinical Medical doctor, with a post graduate degree or public health degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Paediatrician is highly preferred.
- At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in successful implementation of a new born and child health program.
- Previous working relationships within USAID programs and with key multilateral agencies, bilateral donors, academic institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted health development program in collaboration with national MOH personnel and local and international partners
- Familiarity with MNCH programming and policies in Tanzania.
- A demonstrated track record in providing mentorship and supervision to strengthen healthcare services; training and use of quality improvement approaches
- Familiarity with evidence-based neonatal and child health interventions and best practices that are the focus of this project.
- Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
- Ability to work independently and also as a team leader/member with diverse team of partners and counterparts.
- Ability to lead and oversee teams.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral, written and presentation).
- Excellent computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office applications.
- English fluency (verbal and written) required.
- Ability to travel within Tanzania.
How to Apply.
Please read the full details of the position at and apply as instructed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for Interview.
Application closing Date: 31st March 2021
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best-qualified talent.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Please note:
Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process
The deadline for submitting the application is 31 March 2021