The Regional Programme Specialist for Health leads on the development, implementation and monitoring of Plan’s thematic strategy for health in West Africa. S/he ensures that Plan gains regional reputation as being a thought leader in the area of health in West Africa and beyond. S/he manages regional initiatives to partner with, influence and advocate towards regional, Pan African and global institutions engaged in the area of health. S/he provides technical input into Plan’s global campaigns where adequate to ensure they are technically sound in regard to their health components/links. S/he provides technical leadership to regional internal and external health networks; and generates and shares knowledge for and from Plan’s health work in the region.
Dimensions of Role:
- A member of the WARO Regional Program Team and leader of the regional technical network for health
- Responsible of the development, implementation and monitoring and knowledge management of the regional thematic strategy for health and its alignment with Plan’s global strategy and principles and strategies of its Child Centred Community Development Approach
- Acts as Plan’s most senior spokesperson for health at regional level and represents the organization in key meetings & conferences in health at regional and global level
- Technical oversight and support to Country Programmes for designing, implementing, evaluating and resourcing programs and advocacy initiatives related to health
Main Responsibilities:
Strategic planning and delivery
A relevant and up-to-date Regional Thematic Strategy for Health is developed, delivered and monitored taking into account global and emerging regional priorities for development and integration opportunities with other thematic priorities for Plan in West Africa:
- Plan West Africa’s regional thematic strategy for health adds value to country operations and global strategy. It’s implementation is monitored and adequately documented
- Plan country offices have sound country programs for health and PULTPs that respond to country realities, put child centered community development into practice, and meet sector standards for health
- Plan West Africa’s health programs have an efficient knowledge management system in place that helps learning, sharing, scaling up, and innovationRegion-wide projects in the area of health are being designed implemented, and monitored for the purpose of complementing country programs with meaningful regional advocacy and program work, fostering innovation, scaling up of best practice, and effectively engaging regional level and Pan African decision makers in Plan’s work
- Plan’s health programs are sensitive to Disaster Risk Management needs. In particular, there is a sound programmatic continuum from child nutrition programming to food crisis response.
Network Leadership and Knowledge Management
Regional internal and external technical networks for health exist and are professional managed, maximizing opportunities for knowledge management, learning and sharing.
Indicators will include:
- A regional internal technical network for health exists, has clear terms of references, meets regularly and efficiently shares information and knowledge
- Plan WARO’s PlaNet site for health is established and regularly updated with high quality information
- Plan’s health programs in West Africa are adequately documented and lessons learnt shared within the region as much as with other parts of the organization and external partners
- Country technical staff are being kept up to date with newest developments from the health sector and knowledge and information from other organizations is being efficiently shared and integrated into country and regional programs
- There is a close collaboration between thematic specialists to ensure programs are integrated at regional as much as at country level
- There is a fruitful collaboration between WARO and technical specialists for health at NO, IH and other ROs level
Advocacy and Organizational visibility and profile
Plan West Africa is known for the quality and reach of its health programs; it’s organizational visibility in the area of health is enhanced by developing and managing partnerships with regional and global institutions with a remit in West Africa, and by running regional advocacy initiatives related to health
Indicators will include:
- Plan West Africa has engaged in strategic partnerships with civil society, academic, inter-governmental and governmental institutions working in the area of health
- Plan West Africa is engaged in key networks, alliances and movements in the area of health and particularly for combatting malaria and improving child nutrition
- Partnerships with regional and pan African institutions working on health are professionally managed responding to corporate standards
- Regional and Pan African level advocacy initiatives in the area of health are designed and implemented
- Quality papers and publications in the area of health are being produced and effectively disseminated
- The organization is professionally represented in regional and global conferences and meetings on health, as well as in the media
Resource Mobilization
Between 2012 and 2015 Plan mobilizes US $30 million for health programmes in West Africa
- Country offices are supported to produce high quality grants in the area of health
- Regional proposals are being developed that add value to country operations
- WARO is closely working with national organizations to identify funding opportunities for health, with a particular focus on under five health including nutrition and rolling back malaria
Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve role’s objectives;
Knowledge
- Sound understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
- Sound understanding of links between children rights to health and development in West and Central Africa
- In-depth knowledge of child-rights programming
- Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning processes
- Masters in public health or nutrition, or equivalent and relevant work experience in the sector.
Skills
- Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Good negotiation and influencing skills
- Solid experience in resource mobilization with a variety of donors
Behaviours
Performance:
- Creates strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders
- Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
Strategic thinking and delivery
- Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
- Balances future vision with practical delivery
Influencing
- Can reach out and influence large groups of people
Learning
- Supports learning and sharing and knowledge management
Self Awareness
- Humble and service oriented
Aware of different levels of capacity and respectful and supportive of local knowledge
Language: Fluency in English and good working knowledge of French required.
Location and Travel: This role will be based from the West Africa Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal. Regular travel within and outside of the region will be required.
Type of Role: Three year contract
Reports to: Deputy Regional Director Programmes
Salary: US $49,000 - $63,000 per annum plus full expat benefits.
Closing Date: Wednesday 4thJuly 2012
This is an accompanied position and a full relocation package will be available.
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