Health Specialist (Routine Immunization and New Vaccine Introduction) at UNICEF

The Health Specialist reports to the Health Manager Immunization for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the health program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of program progress of the sector of routine immunization strengthening, immunization system strengthening, new vaccine introduction and supplementary immunization operationalization program/s within the country program. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Support to program development and planning

Guide and contribute to conduct periodic situation analysis for the routine immunization sector/s to develop a strategic plan for coverage improvement and design & management of immunization strengthening programs with a focus towards zero dose children reduction. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery. Formulate, design and prepare zero dose reduction program, new vaccine introduction program, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.

Program management, monitoring, and delivery of results.

Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.

Technical and operational support to program implementation

Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO & CSO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors to promote health & immunization and development issues especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness and maternal, neonatal and child survival and development focusing on health & immunization systems strengthening at health facility and community level.

Networking and partnership building

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity and exchange knowledge/expertise to facilitate the achievement of program goals on children rights and social justice/equity.

Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results. Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting-edge practices in health and immunization interventions.

 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An Advanced University Degree in public health/nutrition, paediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or other health-related science.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of routine immunization & new vaccine introduction, maternal and neonatal health care, and health emergency/humanitarian preparedness at the national and international level some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in health/nutrition program/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English. Working knowledge in the national language of the duty station is an asset.