Health Specialist (Immunization) at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

• Under the general guidance of the Regional Adviser, Health, the incumbent is accountable for supporting countries on policy formulation, planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the Immunization Programme and integration with other child survival interventions in the Region.
• Lead and supervise a group of professional and support staff to develop and administer the immunization and integrated programmes with a view to ensuring equity in access to services across all countries of Eastern and Southern Africa Region.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Timely and regular preparation of the Situation Analysis of EPI activities in the Region and its periodic update.
• Prepare EPI input to the Regional work plan and all related documents including providing guidance to all UNICEF supported immunization programmes (Mainly Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination, Measles Control and Polio Eradication) with focus on results-based management.
• Technical leadership and guidance provided to government and other EPI stake holders in collaboration with WHO and other partners in the development of EPI strategies, methodologies and identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on advocacy, community participation based on Human Rights Approach to Programming and Community Capacity Development.
• This includes emergency preparedness and response with a particular focus on vaccine preventable disease prevention and control.
• Technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of EPI programmes reviewed and evaluated in co-ordination and collaboration with Governments and other EPI partners. Countries assisted in resource mobilization and countries ensured prioritization of EPI in PRSP and other sector wide approaches.
• Technical and operational leadership, guidance and coordination provided to key government and non-government partners on the use of EPI as an opportunity of scaling up tailored packages of maternal, neonatal and child survival interventions including implementation of detailed EPI work-plans and budgets.
• Programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting carried out in a timely manner, efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Supply and non-supply assistance in support of EPI provided to countries in coordination with operation / supply sections as per approved plan of action.
• Government and non-government recipients accountable for UNICEF supply, non-supply and financial assistance.
• Effective knowledge management through documentation and dissemination of lessons learned; development and implementation of appropriate capacity building strategies in new technologies and new approaches; and technical leadership, guidance and coordination of operational research.
• Integration of rights-based approaches and humanitarian principles in routine EPI and in accelerated disease control and eradication programs such as polio eradication, measles and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination through advocacy & community participation.
• EPI program Monitoring and evaluation conducted through country visits, remedial action undertaken for identified gaps and problems for accelerated and improved EPI program delivery.
• UNICEF’s global goals, GIVS goal & targets, and Immunization-related MDGs effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Health sector.
• Effective communication, networking and leveraging achieved in coordination with other programs contributing to the achievement of overall regional program through partnership and collaboration with government, UN and non-government partners.
• Effective guidance and supportive supervision provided to the professional and support staff in the EPI team of the regional office in compliance to the planned objectives and targets.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) inone of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Public Health, Pediatrics Health, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology, or related field. A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional work experienceat national and international levels in EPI programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation. Field work experience. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.