Regional Health Technical Advisor (Sub-Saharan Africa

Regional Health Technical Advisor (Sub-Saharan Africa) Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Remuneration: Competitive salary will be offered Closing date: This position will remain open until filled Starting date: asap Reference: ARK-RHTA-RSA

About Absolute Return for Kids ARK is an international children’s charity whose purpose is to transform children’s lives. Founded in 2002, ARK delivers high social returns on philanthropic investment. ARK brings together passionate experts with the best talent from business to deliver its vision on the ground under the leadership of its Board of Trustees. Employing c. 1,200 staff directly and through partners, ARK’s programmes are currently focused on strategic themes of Health (Mozambique, Zambia), Education (UK, India, Uganda) and Children in Care (Eastern Europe).

About ARK Sub-Sahara ARK is currently supporting the implementation of health programmes in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and cover child survival, maternal and new born health, and HIV/AIDS. ARK is also launching an education programme in Uganda in 2011. In addition, ARK has exited its South Africa programme, ending its programmes built on a large direct implementation model. Moving forward, programmes will have a light footprint on the ground, focused on coordination and thought leadership and using smart partnerships to deliver programmes with other entities that leverage and maximise our respective core competencies. Country leadership will liaise with ARK’s HQ, delivering programmes on the ground with overall management, thematic, finance and HR support from ARK HQ. In the light of this approach, and bearing in mind the significant size and diversity of the Health portfolio ARK is seeking to appoint a Regional Health Advisor, based in Southern Africa and preferably in one of our core countries, to support the delivery of health programmes. ARK has exclusively retained the services of Mission Talent to search for the Regional Health Technical Advisor.

Purpose of the new role

To provide high quality programme and health-related input in the funding, design, delivery and monitoring of ARK’s health programmes in Africa.
This role, reporting to the Head of International Health, will provide roving support working with Country Leads and other colleagues at ARK HQ such as the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (ME&R) Lead and the Policy and Research Lead.
Key Duties and Responsibilities

Provide high quality, expert programme design input to the development of programme ideas, drawing on deep experience of successfully implementing health programmes
Support the design and delivery of robust ME&R, especially bringing strong public health knowledge and approaches to the key areas of our work – offering constructive input and critique to ME&R plans from baseline through to design of indicators, collection of outcomes and reporting.
Provide strong experiential input and support into the implementation of maternal child health and HIV programmes with country teams and partners – including robust M&E, developing strong programme implementation plans and supporting ARK teams and partners to implement these effectively
Help to identify advocacy opportunities and support the design of advocacy and influencing strategies for the delivery of ARK’s programmes – acting as a credible ambassador on public health issues and representative with key stakeholders and working with the International lead to join local and regional advocacy to global efforts
Identify gaps and increase the depth of ARK’s technical knowledge (sometimes directly but also through leveraging expertise ‘in-and-out’ of the programme nimbly and cost-effectively) in key areas where our teams and partners potentially have gaps
Develop and maintain a network of linkages with a range of stakeholders involved in the delivery of programmes in the key areas of our work at regional level – across UNICEF, WHO, PEPFAR , Global Fund, DFID other UN actors and with NGOs and governments at regional level and connect these to efforts at country level and internationally
Engage relevant institutional donors and foundations at regional level to pursue existing opportunities for co-funding as well as use expertise, experience and learning from ARK’s work to influence funding priorities of donors.
Specific accountabilities
To operate at regional level, building strong and relevant networks for ARK in the countries where we currently, or may potentially, operate
To ensure ARK has access to relevant health expertise in a nimble, cost effective way
To work with country teams and partners to support effective and efficient programme delivery
To advise on key technical appointments in the region, ensuring that on the ground competencies are closely linked to the thematic areas of our work as well as ME&R and policy influencing
To support health programme design and reporting, including sophisticated health related ME&R
Contribute to specific fundraising opportunities – both identifying opportunities, liaising credibly with potential donors and partners, and supporting the development of new proposal and funding opportunities with the Innovation and Development Lead
Skills, knowledge and experience required

Demonstrable health expertise with particular emphasis on maternal, newborn and child health, obstetrics care, and HIV
Sound understanding of programme design and delivery gained through the implementation and development of successful programmes in the area of public health
Strong and demonstrable specialist network and professional credibility to contribute to and draw from those networks
Knowledge and experience of developing and implementing advocacy and influencing plans
Significant experience working with both public and NGO sectors in the public health arena
Experience of fundraising with institutional donors
Outstanding relationship building skills including excellent communication (written and oral) skills
Demonstrable evidence of a reputation for integrity and effectiveness
At least master’s level qualification in public health, and ideally medically qualified
Minimum of 10 years relevant experience

How to apply:
Since ARK has tasked Mission Talent to undertake this search, all applications must be sent directly to Katja: applications@missiontalent.com stating ARK-RHTA-RSA in the subject line. Kindly attach your relevant CV (in English) and a suitability statement (not more than 350 words).
Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration can be contacted.