Job Description

Title: Research & Learning Advisor - Health Systems
Location: Kenya
State date: September 2024

Background

Founded by a group of committed Kenyans, Lwala unlocks the potential of communities to advance their own comprehensive well-being and improve health outcomes. We support communities to design, implement, and evaluate solutions to their most pressing health challenges. To address systemic inequities in health outcomes–and a health system that often leaves communities out of decision-making–Lwala deploys a community-led health model that has 4 pillars: professionalized community health workers (CHWs), community health committees, health facilities, and data. Lwala is an organization rooted in the communities we serve. When it comes to improving health outcomes, we believe that communities should be in the driver's seat–no one can identify challenges and solutions better than communities themselves. Our model centers communities as leaders and change-makers breaking cycles of inequity.

The Role

Lwala’s 2028 Strategy has a key focus on systems change with the goal of driving gender-equitable community-led health systems in Kenya.

The Research & Learning Advisor - Health Systems Impact will work closely with the External Affairs and Research & Learning teams to develop a framework for tracking and assessing health systems strengthening and policy change, as well as support the implementation of key research and learning activities.

Key Responsibilities

As the Research & Learning Advisor - Health Systems, the position will play a critical role in driving the delivery of our model by providing high-quality technical support to both external affairs, program teams and Research and learning throughout the program cycle to include assessments, program design, implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation. Working closely with the external affairs, communication, program teams and research and learning, s/he will be a thought leader, designer, and planner for health systems development across the organization. S/he will will provide technical and programmatic oversight and direction in the areas of health systems strengthening.

1. Lead research, learning and evaluation study design and deployment for health systems evaluations (40%)

• Support research study design and implementation. This includes ensuring alignment with Lwala’s systems change strategy and government priorities.
• Provide thought leadership in measuring progress toward policy and systems change, as well as capturing the impact of Lwala's systems change work for external audiences.
• Conduct background research and literature reviews on health systems strengthening with particular focus on community health systems.
• Lead the development of protocols, submission of applications to IRBs and management of protocol requirements.
• Manage research activities such as surveying, monitoring, data entry, data cleaning and data analysis.
• Lead in the creation of papers, memos, and articles that synthesize findings and key points for a global audience and national policymakers.
• Oversee analysis of research results and deliver actionable insights to relevant stakeholders through reports, presentations, and interactive dashboards.
• Work closely with the External Affairs team to identify research requirements, devise research strategies, and effectively execute projects.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of research processes, data sources, and analytical approaches for future reference.
• Offer guidance and mentorship to junior members of the research team, including providing training and reviewing their work.
• Facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations.

2. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation framework (40%)

• Develop an M&E Framework for Lwala’s health systems strengthening strategy including indicator selection, target setting, data collection, Logic Models, Performance Measurement Frameworks (PMFs), Theory of Change (TOC), reporting, database management, and developing M&E and/or performance monitoring plans.
• Monitor implementation of learning agenda for identification of best practices and lessons learned and for adaptive management.
• Contribute to the development of quantitative and qualitative tools and implementation of robust context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting on activity outputs/outcomes and program quality.
• Lead establishment of data reporting systems and processes in collaboration with the External Affairs team.
• Coordinate response to information and data requests across organization departments.
• Support the program’s periodic review of performance metrics, and support use of data for decision making to enhance service delivery to beneficiaries.
• Collaborate with R&L team members in making departmental presentations on program performance related to Key Performance Indicators.
• Collaborate with external affairs team members in storytelling and enhancing Lwala’s advocacy efforts for systems change through writing policy briefs and position papers.

3. Support strategic planning and team development (20%)

• Participate in strategic thinking about Lwala’s long-term research and evaluation strategy and measurement design, alongside Lwala leadership and academic researchers.
• Mentor and train other Research and Learning team members.
• Undertake other roles as may be so assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in a relevant field such as global health science, medicine, public health, health administration or related development discipline. Public health training is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years of senior-level experience in an advisory role, preferably in the field of community health, public health or international development with knowledge of health systems strengthening and or policy advocacy.
• Proven track record of successfully designing, implementing, tracking, monitoring and evaluating complex health systems strengthening or policy advocacy programs in Kenya.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Attention to detail, highly methodical and ordered, and high affinity for maintaining standards and consistency in program implementation.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a results-oriented approach.
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated commitment to community development, the communities that we serve, social justice, and health equity.
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of the Kenyan Health landscape and programming.

How to Apply

Please send your application letter and CV as one attachment to: >>> Research & Learning Advisor -Health Systems

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an application deadline of 31st August 2024

Lwala Community Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not ask for fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Successful candidates must abide by Lwala’s Anti Fraud & Bribery Policy and Safeguarding Policy, including protection of children and vulnerable adults.