Program Associate

Organization

Health NGO’s Network (HENNET)

Title

Program Associate

Reports to

Program Officer

Location

In the undersigned county of operation with frequent travelling to other counties within the HENNET regional chapter.

Job Level

Intermediate

Background

The Health NGOs Network (HENNET) was founded in 2005 and registered in 2007 as an NGO to coordinate and network the CSOs in the health sector. HENNET has a membership of over 112 members as of 2023 which comprises both local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and Research Institutions working in all 47 Counties in Kenya but all focused on health and health-related issues. HENNET boasts of an unbiased mandate that enables the network to coordinate capacity building, strategic partnerships, collaborations, networking, representation in policy and decision-making processes, articulating and sharing policies, and facilitate information sharing among Civil Society Organizations.

Vision: Vision: A healthy and empowered Kenya Society.

Mission: We promote civil society’s roles and engagements to transform Kenya’s health sector.

HENNET abides by its Zero Tolerance Policy on Corruption and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment.

Overall, Purpose of this role

The Regional Program Associate will be responsible for coordinating activities in their designated region, focusing on Health CSO coordination, engagement with key stakeholders, data synthesis for informed decision-making, and involvement in policy review, development, and implementation. The role also includes driving evidence-based advocacy efforts.

The primary objective is to enhance health outcomes by effectively implementing the Primary Health Care (PHC) policy and advocating for increased domestic health resources at both the county and national levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate Health CSO activities in the assigned region:
  • Convene Health CSOs and other key stakeholders at the county level to promote health advocacy and facilitate data-driven decision-making for effective Primary Health Care (PHC) and increased Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health.
  • Coordinate and facilitate the participation of Health CSOs in various health forums at both county and national levels, in collaboration with HENNET’s national office.
  • Monitor the implementation of county-level activities, ensuring Health CSOs are engaged and represented in decision-making processes at the sub-county and county levels.
  • Assist in conducting capacity gap analyses and provide support to Health CSOs in joint fundraising efforts, in coordination with HENNET’s national office.
• Engage with duty bearers and stakeholders to promote health sector improvements.
  • Oversee the engagement of county-level Health CSO leaders with key duty bearers, including Governors, County Executives, and County Assemblies, to ensure evidence-based advocacy efforts are prioritized.
• Analyze and synthesize data to support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Foster partnerships between HENNET’s county chapters to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices.
• Contribute to policy review, development, and implementation.
• Lead advocacy efforts grounded in evidence to improve health outcomes.
• Support Grants Management
  • Collaborate with the grants team to oversee the implementation of activities aligned with approved grant applications.
  • Supervise HENNET sub-recipients and oversee PHC advocacy projects to ensure successful execution.
  • Monitor the implementation of county-level activities, ensuring Health CSOs are engaged and represented in decision-making processes at the sub-county and county levels.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by HENNET leadership.

HENNET operates across 8 Regional Blocs, namely:

• Nairobi Metropolitan
• Mt. Kenya and Aberdares Region Economic Bloc
• South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc
• Jumuia ya Kaunti za Pwani (Coast)
• Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) 1
• Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) 2
• North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB)
• Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC)

Note: For this role, the Program Associate will be tasked with coordinating activities across various counties within specific regional blocs as follows:

• Cluster 1: Baringo, Laikipia, Isiolo
• Cluster 2: Kakamega, Kisumu

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must reside in one of the counties within the cluster they are applying for. When applying, please clearly indicate the specific cluster you are interested in.

Application Instructions: To apply, submit your resume along with a cover letter specifying the cluster you wish to coordinate.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• A degree in either of the following fields: – Public Policy, Community Development, international affairs, Health and policy development studies, social sciences, or related field.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in Kenya County level health policy and advocacy work /or influencing the policy and practice of governments and institutions.
• Knowledge of current health policy trends and frameworks.
• Experience in networking with stakeholders from civil society, governments and/or other relevant bodies.
• Ability to create partnership and respectful engagement with county governments as opposed to an ‘adversarial’ approach.
• Experienced in developing health advocacy objectives and influencing tactics.
• Excellent skills in developing policy and advocacy brief preparations and report writing.
• Must be living and operating at the county within any of the identified HENNET Regional blocs

Desirable:

• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan and implement strategic initiatives within the context of health sector and/or other related fields.
• Experience in Primary Healthcare and one disease vertical such as RMNCAH+N (Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescence Health and Nutrition), HIV/TB and Malaria.
• Demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn – open to learning new ways of doing things.
• Strong Planning, coordination and interpersonal skills.
• One who will work with minimal supervision.
• Honesty and strong ethics are required to be successful in this position.

Working Relations

Internal: Interacts regularly with the Program Officers, S/He is peer to other program associates, procurement officer, finance assistant, and communication and media officer.

External: Interacts HENNET members, Relevant County departments including Department of of Health, County Treasury, l The County Assembly, parliamentarians, Civil Society Organizations, Private sector, Community Actors, Health Regulatory Bodies and Other likeminded organizations.