Project Development Specialist - Health Needs Assessment - Nairobi, Kenya (IOM)

[Admin]

Functional Title: Project Development Specialist - Health Needs Assessment Grade: Consultant (International) Post of Duty: IOM Mission with Regional Functions (MRF), based in Nairobi, Kenya Duration of Assignment: 45 days (July 2011 – September 2011)

Background Information:
International Organization for Migration (IOM) is currently implementing HIV prevention projects in Somalia, funded by Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) Round 8 HIV Grant. The on-going projects primarily target vulnerable and most-at-risk populations (MARPs) in hot-spots or “spaces of vulnerability” as defined by IOM. With the existing health/medical expertise and capacity, IOM is scaling up its migration health programme in Somalia, as well as Djibouti, in the areas of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), Maternal and Child Health (MCH), emergency medical service and psychosocial support to vulnerable migrants and mobile populations (MMPs) and their host communities. In this context, IOM is mobilizing resources by identifying programmatic gaps, stakeholder interests, and funding opportunities in Somalia and Djibouti.

Objective of the Assignment:
Working under the direct supervision of the Health Programme Officer for Somalia based in Nairobi, Kenya, and in close coordination and consultation with the IOM Mixed Migration (MM) Project Manager based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Somalia, along with other IOM Somalia units, and relevant governmental counterparts (AIDS Commissions, Ministry of Health, etc), the incumbent will:
1) conduct a rapid health needs assessment in three locations (Hargeisa, Somaliland; Garowe Puntland; and Djibouti); and based on the outcomes of the assessment and existing project data,
2) identify programmatic gaps;
3) recommend potential interventions;
4) identify funding opportunities; and
 5) assist IOM MHD Somalia team to formulate evidenced based programming.

The specific tasks and responsibilities (estimated consultancy days) include:

Rapid Health Needs Assessment (30 days)
• Develop detail interview protocol, workplan and tools for the assessment focusing on health needs of the target beneficiaries, quality of the existing healthcare/medical services, access to the services, barriers to access, responses by other agencies and gaps in response including those within the national health strategy and other relevant policies;
• Assist with recruitment of a National Consultant/Assistant based in Somalia (specific duty station to be decided);
• Review project documents and key strategies and policies;
• Conduct the field assessment at Migration Response Centers (MRCs), surrounding communities, and MHD project sites particularly in Hargeisa, Bossaso, and Djibouti;
• Compile and analyze data collected from MM projects at MRCs in order to make use of data for project development;
• Present the outcomes of the assessment to stakeholders and reflect the feedback in development of the project as well as the MHD Somalia’s country strategy;
• Draft a brief report identifying programmatic gaps and recommended interventions.

Project Development (15 days)
• Analyze IOM’s comparative advantage in health/medical services in terms of its expertise and capacity with regards to the project development strategy;
• Brainstorm with MHD Somalia and MM Project Manager to identify potential and realistic funding opportunities, and provide guidance based on the assessment;
• Assist MHD team in formulating evidence based programming that includes donor funding guidelines, key data and information, and drafting concept notes and proposals.

Timeline Key activity Deadline (estimated days of consultancy) Rapid Health Needs Assessment
Preparation including development of detail interview protocol, workplan and tools for the assessment 11 July, 2011 (5 days) Review the project documents and key strategies and policies 13 July (2 days) Field data collection in Hargeisa, Bossaso and Djibouti 02 August or before Ramadan (A total of approximately 15 days or 5 days on each location) Analysis of data and presentation of the outcomes of the assessment to the stakeholders (mostly internally) 10 August (5 day) Submit a brief report on the assessment, identified programmatic gaps and recommended interventions 15 August (3 days) Project Development
Analyze IOM’s comparative advantage in health/medical services in terms of its expertise and capacity with regards to the project development strategy 18 August (2 day) Brainstorm with MHD Somalia and MM Project Manager 22 August (1 days) Assist to formulate evidence based programming by drafting concept notes and proposals. 30 September (12 days or certain days a week during the month of September)
Expected Outputs and Reporting Deliverables
• Presentation of the assessment outcome
• Finalization of the assessment report
• Two draft concept note(s) and/or proposal(s)
Qualifications
Languages Skills
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Proficiency in French and Somali an asset

Education • Postgraduate degree in public health or related health field

Experience • A minimum of five years experience in the field of migration health, with work experience in Somalia and/or Somali context an asset • A minimum of three years experience in health needs assessment and/or operational research including developing research methodology and leading field research team • A minimum of three years experience in project development

Skills and Competencies • Computer use including Microsoft Office and data analysis tools such as SPSS and Epi Info • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal • Exceptional writing skills • Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills • Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines in challenging settings • Ability to work in multicultural and multiethnic environments • Demonstrated ability to identify, approach, and coordinate with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise • Ability to work independently, with flexibility • Ability to work in a team with good interpersonal skills

In addition, the incumbent should have interpersonal communication skills to work with multinational staff and understand the religious, cultural and traditional context of Somalia and Djibouti.

Reporting
The incumbent will directly report to the Health Program Officer-Somalia on a regular basis to assess progress.

Mode of Application: Submit Cover Letter and CV including daytime telephone and email address to: International Organization for Migration (IOM), Human Resources Department, PO Box 55040-00200 Nairobi – or – send by email to hrnairobi@iom.int Closing Date: 7th July 2011