Program Officers Job Vacancies at Council of Governors, Kenya

Job Title: Program Officers, Council of Governors, Kenya (multiple positions)

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About the Position

Dexis Consulting Group is recruiting Four Program Officers under the USAID Mission Organization Development Support (MODS) Project and Kenya Council of Governors in the areas of:

  1. Program Officer- Health Supply Chain

  2. Program Officer- Health Financing

  3. Program Officer- Public Health and Health service delivery

  4. Program Officer- Intergovernmental Relations

The four Program Officers will be based and work with the Council of Governors’ Health Committee’s Secretariat; working closely with an existing Team of Experts as they under-study them. They will report to the Director, Health Directorate. 

Functional Skills required on all positions

  1. Ability to write high quality progress reports and work plans

  2. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions and make recommendations

  3. Excellent interpersonal skills to allow for collaboration with other team players

  4. Demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy in a complex, fast-paced Devolution environment

  5. Thorough understanding of national goals, policies, objectives, and ability to relate them to Council’s mandate.

  6. Thorough understanding of Devolution as envisioned in the Constitution.

  7. Demonstrate high levels of integrity

1.    PROGRAM OFFICER – HEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN  
The Program Officer will implement health systems strengthening activities focused on strengthening county health supply chains for effective delivery of quality and affordable health products and technologies. The support provided under the Directorate of Health Services will include initiation of formulation and review of policies, strategies, guidelines, and frameworks on health supply chain; mapping and engaging stakeholders; and following up on implementation of work plans for technical committees in health supply chain. 

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Provide support in the coordination of health supply chain strengthening activities of the Directorate.  

  • Strengthen linkage between COG and stakeholders in the health supply chain, including but not limited to the interagency coordination and technical committees, regulatory bodies, KEMSA and other central procurement agencies.

  • Coordinate tasks in relation to quantification and forecasting of health commodities, order management, warehousing and distribution, health commodities waste management, and quality assurance of health commodities while ensuring quality, timely delivery of work plans.

  • Support COG in capacity building of county governments in strengthening county health products and technologies units and county commodity security committees to deliver their mandate

  • Support the COG health committee in delivery of high-profile events and other knowledge management, learning, communications, and policy advocacy interventions.

  • Prepare background notes, briefs, and other information products for the COG during high-level public engagement related to health supply chain.

  • Support documentation and sharing of emerging issues and best practices geared at improving access to quality health commodities by the citizens.

  • Support the development and implementation of the annual work plan (AWP) and the budgets of the directorate.

  • Any other roles that are assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Pharmacy, Community Health, Public Health, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Sociology, Social Work, Community Development, Nutrition, Health Systems Management, Health Education/Promotion, Population and Health or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution or other relevant field with substantial experience.

  • At least eight years of related professional experience, with technical knowledge and understanding of the Kenya health system.

  • Understanding of Kenya Government planning process, including in context of devolution and experience in supporting preparation of health supply chain policies, strategies, and guidelines.

  • Professional experience in health supply chain, procurement, capacity building and project implementation and reporting.

  • Demonstrable capacity to build relationships, networking and to negotiate with key stakeholders across different sectors in support of health supply chain system strengthening.

  • Ability to build positive working relationships, characterized by mutual respect and professional courtesy, with counterparts and program beneficiaries across cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries.

2.    PROGRAM OFFICER- HEALTH FINANCING 
The Program Officer (Health Financing), reporting to the Director, Health Committee COG, will work closely with the Health Financing Expert supporting the advocacy work around increased resource allocation for health care and streamlining domestic resource mobilization for health at county level.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Support economic analysis of health financing policies and strategies including assessing, costing and designing county health plans in line with the Kenya Health Act and the UHC Agenda.

  • Monitor and evaluate periodically county planning and budgeting processes within the MTEF framework for purposes of Expenditure Reviews, Financing Gaps and preparation of County Health Expenditure Review Reports.

  • Support Operational research and evidence building /generation (budget, expenditure, costing analysis) to influence policy dialogue around value for money, efficiency in resource allocation and use and priority setting.

  • Provide up to date analysis related to health financial transitions in counties including the county transition readiness assessments and co-financing arrangements.

  • Perform any other tasks that may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience 

  • Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or any other related discipline such as Health Economics, Public Finance and Policy, economic and financial modelling, Decision Science or any related Quantitative Social Science field.

  • Eight years of relevant work experience developing health focused econometric models using decision analysis software (eg. SPSS, STATA, TreeAge, Advanced Excel), health systems strengthening, health financing research work done preferably in Kenya.

  • Track record of analytical work in preparation of Health Finance Technical Reports, Policy Briefs and Policy Analysis.

  • Good understanding of the Kenyan Health System at National & County levels particularly on matters financing strategies, UHC, Strategic purchasing, innovative financing mechanisms.

  • Excellent understanding and interpretation of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the tenets of Devolution.

3.    PROGRAM OFFICER - PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY
The program Officer will support the health committee of the COG in strengthening Public Health and Health Service Delivery outcomes. 

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Provide technical support to the Council of Governors and County Governments on Public Health and health services delivery, with the overall aim of improving quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of service provision.

  • Design public health interventions, activities, and campaigns jointly with other critical health stakeholders.

  • Represent COG’s agreed positions at health sector working groups and other dialogue mechanisms forums, meetings and platforms at national and county levels.

  • Prepare technical and programme briefings to be presented to the COG health committee.

  • Contribute to health sector strategic and operational planning processes.

  • Contribute to the COG’s annual planning processes, including the health plans.

  • Review, critique and contribute to health sector frameworks, policies, legislation and other documents and provide feedback to the COG Health Committee.

  • Develop, plan and organize health sector forums, workshops, trainings and events.

  • Stay abreast of developments in Public Health and health service delivery through research and attendance at conferences and/or meetings.

  • Building and maintaining strategic partnerships including with development partners.

  • In coordination with the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning team, ensure effective and efficient monitoring and reporting processes are in place and implemented.

  • Support counties in the development of Public Health best practices, lessons learnt and support cross county learning.

  • Prepare briefing note, speaking points and speeches as required.

Minimum Qualification and Experience

  • University degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Nursing, Medicine or other related health sciences.

  • Eight years’ work experience implementing health or Social Protection programs in Governmental, development partner or non-governmental organizations.

  • Deep understanding of the Kenyan Health systems and structure, including the devolved context.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills both in Swahili and English

  • Experience in compiling, producing, and disseminating health information

  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of team

  • Ability to work independently

  • Ability and willingness to travel within the country and across counties.

4.    PROGRAM OFFICER- INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS 
The program officer for intergovernmental relations, will work under the direction, guidance, supervision, and mentorship of the COG Expert on intergovernmental relations. The program officer will support the Health Committee of the COG in strengthening Intergovernmental Relations between the national and county governments as well as partnerships and coordination with non-state actors such as Development Partners, Faith based health providers, and private for-profit health providers in the counties.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Research on matters relating to intergovernmental relations and how best to improve IGR.

  • Analysis and review of existing policies in the health sector to identify gaps and contradictions that may need to be addressed.

  • Research, analysis, and comprehensive review of existing legislations to determine their constitutionality and alignment to the devolved system of government.

  • Review of draft Bills and development of memorandums for submission on behalf of the COG.

  • Attending IGR meetings to take notes and eventually prepare the meeting reports and minutes.

  • Research and analysis of the technical challenges in functional assignment and implementation of concurrent functions.

  • Research and analysis to identify and suggest solutions to policy and legal barriers that prevent effective management of concurrent and residual functions in the health sector.

  • Research and analysis of emerging jurisprudence on devolution matters, especially cases touching on health matters and development of advisories for the COG Health committee.

  • Development of position papers, policy, and legislative proposals in the health sector.

  • Research and development of guidelines and best practices to enhance collaboration, coordination, and cooperation.

  • Review documents and prepare draft advisories for the COG Committee of Health in preparation for committee meetings and decision making.

  • Development of meeting briefs for meetings with various partners that will address relevant policy issues.

  • Any other assigned tasks.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

  • A master’s degree in law, preferably with a focus on devolution or multi-level governance systems.

  • At least eight years of related professional experience, with technical knowledge and understanding of the Kenyan devolved system of governance.

  • Professional experience working in a research environment touching on legal, policy and legislation making matters and processes. 

  • Demonstrable capacity to build relationships, networking and to negotiate with key stakeholders across different sectors in support of the devolved system generally, and intergovernmental relations, in particular.

  • Ability to build positive working relationships, characterized by mutual respect and professional courtesy, with counterparts and program beneficiaries across the two levels of government, and non-state actors in the health sector.

Location of work: Nairobi, with frequent travel to the identified regions of Kenya

Period of performance: Three (3) months 

Application closing date: May 18, 2022, 5pm East Africa Time (EAT). Consultants will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Submit your application to modsprocurement@dexisonline.com

These positions have no authority to make commitments on behalf of the USAID and the USG.

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today’s most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is “find a way or make a way” — that’s how Dexis goes “all in.” How will you? 

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

 

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