OVC Vacancy January 2017: Social Services Strengthening Advisor

Description

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.

The Advisor will ensure technical excellence through contributions made to project implementation, delivery and monitoring and evaluation. S/he will support the implementation of learning agendas, tool development and relevant strategic initiatives. As a member of senior leadership technical team, the Advisor for Social Service Systems Strengthening will provide technical assistance to the program, SC and partner offices and relevant country programs in order to build the capacity of staff and partners. With SSSS’s interdisciplinary focus, the Advisor will liaise closely with technical advisors from other sectors to ensure seamless quality programming. Finally, the Advisor will ensure that organizational know-how, information, and experiences in vulnerable children programming and SSSS are shared within and outside the Agency, as well as incorporate a broad-based approach for the overall well-being of those impacted. This position is contingent on the issuance of USAID funding and the selection of applicants is subject to USAID approval.

This key project, Getting to ZERO, is a fiveyear program aimed to reduce HIV impact, vulnerability and risk, as well as increase high impact HIV services among orphans and vulnerable children and adolescents in targeted communities. The goal for this program is improved health, nutrition, psycho-social well-being and educational outcomes; and reduced abuse of children affected by HIV. The program seeks to advance ownership at the local level of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based AIDS response to mitigate the impact of HIV on orphans and vulnerable children.

Role Purpose:

• Support program efforts by providing guidance and hands-on support in conducting assessments, advising on partnerships and strategies.
• Liaise with technical advisors to ensure seamless and comprehensive support to country programs seek out growth opportunities.
• Stay abreast of state-of-the-art developments in quality and innovations related to OVC programming and social service system strengthening and share relevant information as appropriate.
• Advise project staff on technical issues related to OVC and SSSS programs such as financing of social services, strong coordination and referral mechanisms, social service workforce development, and service delivery with an emphasis on parenting, early childhood development, and household economic strengthening.
• Participate in the recruitment of country program staff with OVC/social service programming responsibilities.
• Support OVC/SSSS project implementation through communications with project staff, site visits and training workshops as necessary.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation efforts of OVC/SSSS projects by conducting on-site monitoring during field visits or participating in monitoring and evaluation team meetings.
• Collaborate with relevant international development, donor and research institutions through relationship building, information sharing, and representation.

Contract Duration: TBC

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degrees in social work and public health or related fields
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in international development either as a technical advisor or social services/health program manager, preferably in Zimbabwe
• Preferred area of expertise may include household economic strengthening, positive parenting interventions, early childhood development, social service workforce, and/or coordination/referral mechanisms and/or case management
• Experience working with and/or managing OVC projects
• Understanding of OVC programming priorities, strategies and monitoring and evaluation tools and systems
• Track record of designing and writing successful funding proposals in public health or areas related to social services systems strengthening.
• Technical expertise in principals, theories, concepts and techniques in the area of social service systems strengthening, including knowledge of and ability to integrate across related disciplines
• Knowledgeable of social service professionals and resources in country a plus
• Ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues at headquarters, regional office and country programs
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (professional level).
• Zimbabwean candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents