Health Specialist, NOC, Temporary Appointment at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

• Under the supervision of the Health Specialist (Immunization), the Health Specialist (Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) 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), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
• Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
  • Support to programme development and planning.
  • Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
  • Technical and operational support to programme implementation.
  • Networking and partnership building.
  • Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Support to Health/ Immunization ((Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) programme development and planning

• Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for the development, design and management of health-related programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery to ensure alignment with global and regional strategies (Immunization Agenda (IA) 2030, GAVI 5.0) and UNICEF Immunization Road map 2018-2030
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of health (Vaccine Management) programmes. Formulate, design and prepare a sector of the health programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, as well as coherence/integration with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), regional strategies, and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results in Vaccine Management.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Health/ Immunization (Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the immunization (Vaccine Management) sector in health programmes.
• Participate in adaptation and operationalization of the monitoring and accountability framework Immunization (Vaccine Management) component of the IA2030 to inform programme design and priorities
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results,
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in Immunization (Vaccine Management) programme management, identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Health/ Immunization (Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices and approaches on Health/ Immunization (Vaccine Management)-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information, and consideration.
• Participate in Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) outbreak preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or response to VPDs outbreaks in the country or where designated

Health/ Immunization ((Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for health programmes (Health, Immunization, Vaccine Management)
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) on health programmes to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of health programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fundraising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply and 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 Health/Immunization programme results.
• Keep abreast and conduct implementation research to provide evidence for improved and sustainable programme performance
• Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health Health/ Immunization/ Vaccine Management related programmes/projects.

Impact of Results...

• The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Health Specialist (Vaccine Management Systems - VMS) to programme preparation, planning and implementation facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results that directly impact the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to protect the rights of children, and to promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

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

• Master’s degree in public health or any other relevant field of Immunization supply chain
• A minimum of 5 years of experience supporting the Immunization program and specifically in the areas of the immunization supply chain (EVMA, Cold chain management and other aspects highlighted in these terms of reference)
• Demonstrable experience working with government (preferably at the national and county level), development partners and other stakeholders. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization 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.

Deadline: 28 Jun 2023 E. Africa Standard Time