Options Consultancy Services Limited was established in 1992 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We are a consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors to governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children. We provide information, expertise and influence to governments, health workers, NGOs and businesses to catalyse change so that health services can be accessed by the people who need them most.

Evidence for Action–MamaYe (www.MamaYe.org) is a programme managed by Options Consultancy Services aiming to improve reproductive, maternal, new born, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) outcomes through a combined focus on evidence, advocacy and accountability in several sub-Saharan African countries.

E4A-MamaYe acts as a catalyst for action, using evidence strategically to generate political commitment, strengthen accountability and improve planning and decision making at sub-national and national levels.

In Kenya, we support civil society coalitions, Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Committees, and Technical Working Groups, to strengthen their capacity to use evidence to advocate and make decisions that improve Reproductive, Maternal, New born, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) outcomes in Bungoma and Nairobi counties, as well as at the national level. The focus of the current implementation is to build sustainability of our approaches so that coalitions, committees and working groups are equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to operate independently, identify priorities and develop strategies to achieve progress.

Options Consultancy services seeks a Health Financing and Sustainability Advisor to lead the implementation of strategies to increase domestic resources in MNH and contribute to the sustainability of efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya. 

As a Health Financing and Sustainability Advisor you will be responsible for designing, leading and coordinating the implementation of strategies to improve government investments to MNH in E4A focus counties of Bungoma and Nairobi and engaging at national level as necessary. You will lead the team in achieving set performance milestones and indicators around improved MNH resources in the programme results framework.

You will support and provide technical assistance to civil society coalitions, MPDSR committees and technical working groups to engage in ensuring resources are availed for evidence based MNH priorities and mobilise resources to ensure their own organisations’ sustainability

This position is line managed by the E4A Kenya Country Lead and will be based in Options’ office in Nairobi, Kenya.

To succeed in this role: 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in health financing projects, providing direct expert policy advice and technical assistance to governments and CSOs at national and decentralised levels
• Demonstrated experience in managing engagements with Kenya's national and county institutions involved in health financing including ministries of health and finance and proven track record to knowledgably and effectively interact with these key actors
• Possess demonstrable knowledge of Public Financial Management (PFM) policies and processes including annual planning and budget cycles, Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs) and the principles of transparency and accountability, particularly health budget tracking and advocacy
• Knowledge on national and county governments budgeting processes, and current opportunities and challenges for health financing within Kenya • Experience in analysing financial and epidemiological data and preparing quality technical reports, investment cases, policy position papers, blogs, policy briefing materials and presentations for diverse audiences
• Sound knowledge and experience of developing and using methodologies to conduct (for example) public expenditure reviews, cost-effectiveness analysis, and analysis on return on investment
• Experience leading or supporting successful budget advocacy initiatives (with a focus on improved public investment for health) • Strong written and oral English and Swahili communication skills for high-level policy audiences
• Ability and willingness to travel within Kenya and/or externally as may be required in the course of duty

• Options is an equal opportunities employer
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment
• We seek people who are pro-choice, energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision
• You must have the right to work in country to be considered for the role