Health Specialist (Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination), Nairobi

Health Specialist (Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination), Nairobi
Closing Date: Monday, 06 September 2010

Health Specialist (Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Closing date: 06 Sep 2010
Location: Kenya - UNICEF-ESARO, Nairobi, Kenya

BACKGROUND

Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) kills the poorest of the poor in the developing world. The disease is often prevalent in rural areas where there is difficulty in accessing health services, and where the health care seeking behaviour is skewed towards traditional health care providers and not health facilities. Globally, about 3.72 million newborns die each year, and 4% of these deaths are due to neonatal tetanus. The condition develops when a bacterium, Clostridium tetani, infects a cut or wound. Unclean delivery or abortion practices can result in maternal tetanus, while neonatal tetanus is caused by the unhygienic care of the umbilical cord or umbilical stump in babies. In the absence of intensive hospital care, neonatal tetanus is nearly always fatal.
There are currently eight countries in Eastern and Southern Africa that are still at high risk for MNT, and at-least six of them are conducting TT campaigns in 2010. The eight countries include Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda. This has necessitated the need to have a specialist to provide support with programme reviews and facilitation of high quality TT campaigns.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. To review core and surrogate data for maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination in any of the eight remaining high risk countries as may be required, and make recommendations on programme adjustments to ensure the attainment of elimination by end of 2011.

2. To provide support to countries implementing TT campaigns as part of the high risk approach through supporting good micro planning and monitoring campaigns implementation as part of the quality control mechanisms.

3. Examine the existing routine TT2+ immunization status and propose means/strategies to strengthen and sustain achievements.

4. Explore and propose ways on how to improve clean delivery and cord care practices.

5. Provide information on the MNTE validation requirements to countries to prepare for validation.

6. To support surveillance and EPI reviews as may be decided.

7. To support routine immunization strengthening as applicable to the countries.

Under the general guidance of the Health Specialist, CSD/EPI, Health Specialist (MNTE) is responsible for the provision of support to Eastern and Southern Africa Region countries on data review and validation of elimination for maternal and neonatal tetanus, with due consideration to reaching the Millennium Development Goals on reduction in child deaths.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work closely with country offices to facilitate efforts to attain the World Health Assembly and World Summit for children's goal of eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus through:

    * 30% Undertaking visits to targeted countries to review the status of MNT elimination and propose recommendations to accelerate/improve the MNT elimination agenda.

    * 35% Support countries conducting TT campaigns in preparing good micro plans, conduct quality SIAs and also assist in monitoring the implementation of the campaigns.

    * 15% Liaise with Regional Communication Officer on development of a social mobilization plan for MNT elimination and the production of IEC materials appropriate to the specific countries.

    * 10% Support countries claiming elimination in the preparation and implementation of the Lot Quality Assurance survey to validate their MNT elimination status

    * 10% Support NT surveillance activities and surveillance and EPI reviews and make the necessary recommendations based on the findings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Advanced university degree in Medicine and/or Public Health

2. At least five years work experience relevant to the ToR at national and international levels in planning, programme management, monitoring, and evaluation of health including immunization and nutrition programmes.

3. Competencies : Commitment , Communication , Working with People, Drive for Results, Leading and Supervising , Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing , Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action, Applying Technical Expertise

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Position is office-based, with frequent travel within the ESAR countries and occasionally out of Eastern and Southern Africa region. At least 40% of the time will be spent on travels to the countries.

How to apply

Interested candidates should forward their application, including a completed P-11, to:

esarohrvacancies@unicef.org

Reference Code: RW_88MATJ-49