Requisition ID: req38430

Job Title: CG-GHS Coordinator

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job Description

 

Background:

The USAID-funded Core Group Partners Project (CGPP) project supports a multi-lateral, multi-sectoral approach to strengthening local and global health security by strengthening capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats whether occurring naturally or accidentally or being deliberately spread.  Achieving global health security requires an inclusive and collaborative effort that builds on the interdependencies among communities, civil society, the private sector, and governments. Specifically, the work performed within the auspices of Global Health Security Agenda is designed to help member countries fulfill their obligations to the meet targets identified by the International Health Regulations (2005) as measured through Joint External Evaluations.   One of the core activities within the GHS project is disease surveillance and community engagement.

The CGPP project is implementing community-based surveillance and community engagement as part of its ongoing polio work.  The CGPP project in Kenya will coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders and line ministries addressing livestock and wildlife health, as well as environmental health, through a “One Health” approach.  This new approach provides the opportunity to record those unusual events and report them up so they may be investigated and triaged quickly before they could become outbreaks or worse, epidemics.

CORE Group Partners Project coordinates and expands the work of organizations in the CORE Group NGO network.  The CORE Group-GHS project NGO network in Kenya is implemented by 4 PVOs, World Vision-Kenya, Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA), Catholic Relief Service (CRS-Kenya) and International Rescue Committee (IRC)) dedicated to addressing infectious disease threats through community programming.

Position summary

The GHS coordinator provides coordination and technical support for the implementation of interventions related to Global Health Security Agenda (GHS) portfolio of CGPP in Kenya, specifically focusing on technical areas of zoonotic disease detection, prevention and response. He/she will ensure that the work is of the highest quality. As required, the GHS coordinator will work with the implementing NGO staff, headquarters-based and country GHS partners and stakeholders in strengthening community-based disease surveillance in five project counties. He/ She will meet regularly with USAID Mission and other GHS partners to disseminate information on activities, learn about new developments within the GHSA space and meet with relevant stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and facilitate the planning, implementation, and reporting of CGPP project activities in Kenya.
  • Under the guidance of the CGPP Secretariat Director, provide on-site technical and organizational development support to the NGO implementing agencies/County One Health mechanisms to strengthen multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration on community-based zoonotic disease outbreaks.
  • Work closely with the CGPP technical lead, USAID Kenya GHS advisor and Secretariat team to help develop, review, implement, and monitor technical approaches and strategies for strengthening the response to community-based zoonotic diseases surveillance and response as related the GHS deliverables, reporting, knowledge management, and learning.
  • Work closely with Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI), and other GHS stakeholders at the national and County level and implementing partners to process, analyze and use of One Health/GHS information to improve management, make necessary adjustments, and assess trends.
  • Contribute to the analysis of public health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental services to identify vertical and horizontal linkages useful to support community-based zoonotic disease field surveillance, and work collaboratively to maximize efficiencies and cooperation.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders for the development, deployment, and implementation of appropriate GHS -CBS tools necessary to improve community-based zoonotic disease surveillance.
  • Interface with national USAID implementing partners conducting related GHS work, and global and regional technical USAID GHS Mission team to ensure alignment between country and global GHS activities.
  • In coordination with the M&E Manager, ensure the collection and organization of GHSA information in accordance with USAID GHSA M&E Framework. 
  • Liaise with the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU), relevant government officials and partners, on a continuous basis to ensure awareness, coordination, buy-in, and cooperation for the successful planning and implementation of One Health approach in the project counties.
  • Represent CGPP at national, regional, and international outbreak preparedness and response planning activities.
  • Participate in developing/ reviewing the project log frame/ performance frameworks for evidence-based program decision and USAID reporting and detailed M&E implementation plans for the Core Group Partners project in Kenya.
  • Conduct quarterly and ad hoc field monitoring visits for all implementing partners to verify data and program activities and make recommendations.
  • Coordinate and facilitate all evidence gathering activities including program evaluations, research activities, and case studies/success stories.
  • Track performance on established input, activity, output, effect, and impact indicators to measure achievement and track progress towards intermediate results and overall program strategic objectives.

 

Qualifications

 

  • A Degree in Veterinary medicine with an advanced degree in public health/ animal health/ epidemiology and with experience in working hard to reach and hardship areas like northern Kenya.
  • At least 5 years addressing animal and human health threats with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership position (with practical experience in preparedness and response planning and systems)
  • Good knowledge of One Health Concept, GHSA, OIE-PVS, and IHR-2005 principles
  • Demonstrated experience in applying One Health approaches to address community-based disease challenges.
  • Strong understanding of the Kenya national One Health & community health Strategy.
  • Experience with public health programs in developing country context supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID, CDC, and international agencies such as the FAO, OIE, and WHO preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team.
  • Possession of analytical, problem- solving and strategic planning skills
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills, including in cross-cultural settings.
  • Previous experience working in a consortium and a team player with the demonstrated professional maturity to work with a multi-sector team to deliver combined results.
  • Proficiency in MOH, KWLSS information management system, EPI Info, MS Excel, SPSS, GIS, and other data management software and MS Office
  • Fluency in English
  • Willingness to travel frequently to Northern Kenya especially border sub-counties.
  • References will be required.

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