Job Position: Junior Health Specialist
Job Ref: 5609BR
Job Ref: 5609BR
Job Profile
Mott MacDonald Ltd, is a leading professional services organisation. The Health & Education International Division (HEI) encompasses HLSP and Cambridge Education brands, and specialises in the health and education sectors, working in low & middle-income countries. In collaboration with international agencies & national governments, we work to advance and improve health and education systems.
The HEI Division structures work across 4 Regions: Africa, Global, Asia Pacific and Middle East & South Asia.
The Junior Health Specialist will support HLSP in Australia, where we are working in association with IDSS (part of Aurecon) to manage the AusAID Health Resource Facility (HRF).
The HRF provides consultancy services to AusAID in a broad range of areas including health systems development, human resources for health, communicable diseases, maternal and child health and HIV. Alongside responding to AusAID requests for technical expertise and assistance, the HRF Help Desk also supports requests for technical advice, briefings, knowledge analysis/synthesis, information and professional development.
The post-holder will be a member of the HRF team and will be responsible for the oversight and management of health consultancy assignments being commissioned through the HRF and, as appropriate, responding to knowledge / information requests received through the HRF Help Desk.
This position is based in Canberra, Australia. This is a limited tenure position for 2 years and is not intended to be a permanent position. There may be a possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
Job Description
-Oversight and management of consultancy assignments related to public health and health systems commissioned through the HRF. This work is supported by the HRF operational team. Activities include:
• Liaise with the client to reach a shared understanding of requirements, including timelines for deliverables
• Check TOR are clear and feasible. If necessary assist the client with drafting or finalising ToRs.
• Liaise with HLSP’s Consultancy Services Team and wider networks to identify and source appropriate available consultants
• Ensure prequalification, short-listing and presentation of consultants to AusAID
• Work closely with the Operation Officers responsible for logistical arrangements with consultants, budgeting, contracting and invoicing. Provide the officer with all input information needed for budget preparation.
• Brief/debrief consultants or arrange that an appropriate technical briefing/debriefing takes place as necessary.
• Provide backstopping for consultants during assignments as required.
• Quality-assure HRF products, or ensure quality assurance is undertaken at an appropriate level, and deliver a high quality output to the client.
- Undertake literature searches, knowledge analysis/synthesis work and other activities related to the HRF’s core services, in conjunction with the HRF’s other technical staff.
- Develop and maintain a professional network of contacts, including consultants.
- Ensure good customer relations and liaison with AusAID. Use opportunities to conduct HRF awareness raising with AusAID clients in Canberra and regional offices, including explaining how to access and best use the services, and taking a lead role in communication activities.
- Promote best practice in all HRF work ensuring that all products are evidence-based and reflect up to date knowledge.
- Maintain a database of core literature for the HRF, including country level grey literature.
- Support the process of lesson learning, including identifying knowledge and experience gained through HRF core services and feeding into future work, including professional development and knowledge activities as appropriate.
- Contribute to the general work of the team and of the company as a whole. Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as agreed with the Facility Director.
- On the job support will be given for professional development, as reflected tin the Performance Development Review process, to support the specialist to build competence in technical work and management.
Candidate Specification
Essential academic, professional qualifications and experience
- Educated to degree level, or equivalent.
- Knowledge or expertise in a priority technical area related to international health, i.e. M&E, programme design, health systems, health finance, RMNH, communicable diseases, nutrition.
- Understanding of current development issues at international and national levels, including aid management issues.
Essential competencies/skills
- Good technical writing skills.
- Fluency in the English language (both written and oral).
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Accurate and good attention to detail.
- Ability to think strategically.
- Ability to remain calm when under pressure.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work and priorities.
- Proven ability to undertake research in relevant subject.
- Proactive and able to use own initiative.
- Competent user of MS Office packages, particularly Word and Excel.
- Motivated to engage actively in own continued learning and development
The following skills and experience are also desirable:
- Project management skills i.e. ability to put together and monitor budgets, commercial awareness, negotiation skills, managing resources including people, etc
- Experience of working with UN bodies, other international agencies, and national health and development agencies: understanding their policies, processes and procedures, especially at country level.
- Higher degree (or equivalent) in public health, health policy and systems, or related subject.
- Experience or familiarity with the Asia Pacific region, with an understanding of regional and country health issues.
- Knowledge and experience of AusAID policy, processes and procedures, especially at country level and including the ability to constructively interact with AusAID staff.
- Personal networks and credibility in the development field in Asia Pacific
- Additional language skills
Contract Type: Contract
Work Pattern: Full-Time
Country: Australia
Region / State: All - Australia
Position Location: Canberra, Australia
Recruiter Contact: Hollie Marshall
How to Apply
For a full job description and person specification please visit our website at www.careers.mottmac.com/externalgateway and search openings using the job reference 5609BR.
