SENIOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST – Nairobi, Kenya

Pursue a Career with Impact

A key part of Canada’s foreign policy efforts, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting solutions that aim to improve lives and livelihoods. Join our team to put your ideas and knowledge to work to help solve some of the developing world’s most critical challenges.

SENIOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST – Nairobi, Kenya

Centre for Excellence for Strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems

Term Position until September 2020

The Governance for Equity in Health Systems (GEHS) Program supports research in low- and middle-income countries to contribute to saving lives of women and children. It strives to develop solutions that will promote the quality and accountability of health services for the most vulnerable. The GEHS program anticipates implementing a CA$16 million, five year partnership initiative entitled, Centre of Excellence for Strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems (CoE-CRVS), in support of the Global Financing Facility’s overall goal of improving the health and quality of life of women, adolescents and children. The CoE-CRVS aims to promote and improve effective, universal, and integrated CRVS in low- and middle-income countries by providing timely access to evidence, resources, and expertise. This initiative will be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and IDRC.

As the Senior Program Specialist, reporting to the Program Leader in Ottawa and the Regional Director in Nairobi, you will play a leadership role in developing and implementing the Centre of Excellence for Strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems within the broader Global Financing Facility. Given the prominence of African countries within GFF priorities, you will focus on critical issues in CRVS systems in the region and provide intellectual leadership to identify and create strategic synergies and programing to deliver on the successful implementation of the CoE-CRVS.  You will take the lead in engaging with regional and international institutions, to ensure that the Centre of Excellence adds value to and strategically strengthens existing platforms and systems for CRVS. You will also be responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluating a portfolio of CRVS related projects in the Africa region.

Overview of Qualifications

• PhD or a Masters with significant work experience (i.e. more than eight years), and a record of research in a relevant health or social science discipline such as public health, international development, or health informatics.
• Minimum of eight years’ relevant experience, which includes: leading, managing and conducting research projects on issues related to health systems research, health information systems, primary health care, or maternal and child health in Africa, involving multiple stakeholders; assessing and strengthening research capacities through mentoring and supervising; establishing and building partnerships with research organizations, funding agencies, and end users; consulting and building bridges between researchers, decision-makers and policy actors to influence public policy; and working in low/middle income countries.
• English and French language skills at an intermediate level.
• Knowledge of the global public health arena, donor landscape, and regional institutions, including health and social policy issues, especially as they relate to the Africa region.

For more information about this rewarding career opportunity and to apply, please visit our website at idrc.ca/careers.

Application Deadline: September 9, 2015

Beyond the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about their work, we offer competitive salaries and extensive benefits including opportunities for professional growth, flexible work hours, employer-paid leave, a pension plan, and medical, dental, and life insurance coverage.

IDRC is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from qualified women, Aboriginal persons, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.