Sr. Advisor – Family Planning - EngenderHealth

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:   Sr. Advisor – Family Planning

PROGRAM/OFFICE: Bihar TSU

REPORTS TO: Senior Technical Advisor, India Country office

DUTY STATION Patna, Bihar

EngenderHealth works to improve the health and well-being of people in the poorest communities of the world. We do this by sharing our expertise in sexual and reproductive health and transforming the quality of health care. We promote gender equity, advocate for sound practices and policies, and inspire people to assert their rights to better, healthier lives. Working in partnership with local organizations, we adapt our work in response to local needs. 

JOB SUMMARY:

The FP Advisor will have program, managerial, and fiscal responsibility for implementation of the project activities in the project’s districts in Bihar. S/he will have direct responsibility for supervision of designated staff and compliance with donor’s and EngenderHealth’s procedures, regulations and policies. The FP Advisor will work in a complimentary fashion with other key personnel, internal and external stakeholders to effectively lead and manage the FP component of the TSU in Bihar. The position is programmatically managed by the EngenderHealth Senior Technical Advisor / Country Representative.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In coordination with project team, develop an overall strategy for the provision of technical assistance to the FP cell of the Bihar State Health Society on FP issues.
• Lead the successful implementation and monitoring of the project strategy in close coordination with the donor, Bihar State Health Society, NRHM, CARE, and EngenderHealth’s management, project staff, partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinate all communications with the state, division, and district level officials  to ensure the TSU addresses the FP needs of the state in the most effective and efficient way.
• Ensure FP approaches address access barriers to services including inequalities resulting from gender, income, and geography.
• Ensure adoption and use of innovative and effective ways of involving the private sector.
• Assess and analyze challenges faced in implementation of FP policies, programs and activities and develop strategies to overcoming challenges
• Share results of FP activities in the districts with the FP Cell of the Bihar State Health Society, MD – NRHM in order to facilitate and support state-level scale-up.
• Leads  the development of strategies in consultation with state-level officials for scaling up of FP services in all 38 districts of Bihar drawing on strategies developed using EngenderHealth’s Supply-Enabling Environment-Demand generation (SEED) program model. 
• Assess the need for ongoing technical assistance (TA), support and capacity building in FP in relevant partners in the districts.
• Prioritize TA needs in consultation with the state-level officials, and develop and ensure the implementation of realistic and effective action plans for meeting those needs.
• Identify, secure and/or adapt state-of-the-art resources (technical, material, institutional and individual) for use in FP programs.
• Provide, or arrange for the provision of TA, guidance and capacity building in FP utilizing state-of-the-art resources and approaches.
• Liaise with Bihar State Health Society and MD - NRHM on policy issues, providing relevant TA as needed.
• Represent the project at relevant working groups, and inter-agency meetings regarding FP issues.
• Foster organizational learning and cross pollination of promising practices through sharing of information electronically, via workshops, tool kits, compilation documents, etc.
• Network with technical resources, potential partners and collaborators both internal and external to the project.
• Together with the Team leader of the TSU, report to donor on project programmatic and operational matters as appropriate.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & CERTIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree(s) in public health, medical or social sciences, health systems, international development or a related advanced degree
• Minimum of 10 years senior level programmatic and technical experience of implementing health service delivery strengthening projects
• Experience interacting with government agencies, and international donor agencies
• Demonstrated credibility as a leader in health and health systems strengthening in the areas of FP.
• Excellent planning skills with attention to ensuring project deliverables are met on time
• Experience in integrated approaches to quality health service delivery in the public sector and/or with private sector networks, including gender equity and community engagement for health is a plus.
• Strong report writing skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated management and leadership skills working with the staff of complex projects addressing a variety of social and health issues, particularly pertaining to reproductive health and family planning
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of RH/ FP and experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of RH and FP programs
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor, with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of directing and managing change, and inspiring teamwork and high-performing teams
• Demonstrated leadership in working and collaborating with a wide range of partners
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi
• Demonstrated leadership in working with state officials from the public, private commercial, and NGO sectors
• Experience working in Bihar preferred
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

EngenderHealth provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

EngenderHealth complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.