Job Description

Health Technical Specialist - Open to Somali nationals and Internationals

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises. Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with 15,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We're changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Health Technical Specialist (HTS) takes overall responsibility for the strategic direction and coordination of Save the Children International’s work on health in the Somalia/Somaliland programme. As a senior member of the Technical Support Team in the programme, the HTS is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of high quality, innovative, cost effective programmes in Health both in emergency as well as long-term development, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children with specific focus on health system strengthening  The HTS is also responsible for initiating and taking technical leadership in Health focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working together with quality programmes team; leading on policy research and advocacy on Health through networking and collaboration with Government specifically MOH, donors,  relevant civil society organisations and other institutions; playing a leading role in establishing, maintaining and expanding donor relations for the sector.         

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Head of Health and Nutrition

Staff directly reporting to this post: None 

Budget Responsibilities: None 

Primary Technical area: Climate resilient health system strengthen, Maternal, New-born and child health 

Secondary Technical area: Health Research, and SBCC/BCC 

Dimensions: 

The HTS will work closely with Health Technical Specialist/Immunization/ICCM , and the Health Program Managers. HTS will assume the technical leadership of the health programmes being implemented by Area Offices of SCI Somalia/Somaliland Programme. Hence the HTS shares with Area Head of Program Operation and Quality the direction and overseeing of the performance of Health Program Managers responsible for managing Area Health programmes focusing on their technical responsibilities.   

Experiences and Qualifications

Degree in medicine/ Public health or Master of public health; Health Service management with training and experience in and project planning and management techniques.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Recommended a minimum of five (5) years of relevant technical experience including at different level
• Knowledge of current global and regional public health debates especially with reference to “child and newborn health” and emergency obstetric care 
• Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical Health projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs
• Proven experience and skills in research and advocacy and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors and writing up high quality donor reports
• Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity building of systems, partners and staff
• Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
• Commitment to Save the Children values.

Skills Required

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