Health Specialist (Routine Immunization Strengthening), P-4 at UNICEF

• The position will require a good understanding of current global, regional and UNICEF’s vision and strategies for the introduction and scale-up of new vaccines, the continuation of the Zero-dose agenda to reach marginalized communities, integration of vaccine delivery with primary health care strengthening the touch points for vaccination beyond infancy.

The incumbent’s responsibilities will include:

• Implementation of cross-cutting activities in the 4-must wins agenda and emerging priorities (e-g introduction of Hepatis B birth dose):
  • Enhance coordination and partnership with WHO, GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and other partners supporting the 4 must-wins agenda: ‘Big catch up’, COVID -19 vaccination integration in other Primary Health Care services, and new vaccine introductions with a focus on HPV and Malaria Vaccine.
  • Maintain communication with ESAR Regional Working Group (ESAR RWG) on Immunization to ensure linkages between ESARO support to country offices and ESAR RWG support to the country teams.
  • Develop and implement monitoring and learning agenda.
  • Support resource mobilization activities
  • Prepare donors reports.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must-win 1 agenda: Zero dose and Routine Immunization recovery:
  • Monitor country performance and devise strategies to enhance support to countries behind targets on Big Catch-up indicators.
  • Support documentation and evidence-generation to prioritise TA in critical aeras and aligned with ESARO framework for the operationalization of the UNICEF Immunization Road Map.
  • Work with Immunization supply chain on vaccine forecasts, shipment schedules, coverage of target population assess bottlenecks and gaps and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must- win 2 agenda: HPV relaunch and revitalization.
  • Ensure each priority country has a road map and milestones.
  • Provide assistance to ESARO priority countries on the implementation of the UNICEF’s HPV+ programme.
  • Collaborate with global and regional partners on HPV advocacy and policy setting.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must-win 3 agenda: Malaria vaccine introduction.
  • Ensure each priority country has a road map and milestones.
  • Collaborate with global and regional partners to ensure multisectoral approach to the malaria vaccine introduction and roll-out.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must- Must-win 4 agenda: COVID 19 vaccination integration into routine services.
  • Coordinate actions related to the implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine integration into basic health services.

Key Expected Results

• Countries provided with regional oversight and technical support towards progress of the 4 must-wins and UNICEF priority objectives.
• ESAR countries have enhanced national capacity of in coordination planning and monitoring of the 4 must-wins that will translate into efficient delivery strategies.
• UNICEF ESA RO and CO visibility in partnerships initiatives is enhanced and UNICEF contribution towards countries access to funding and technical support is documented.
• Regional and country offices have a learning agenda d to identify and document enabling factors, good practices, challenges /bottlenecks, and lessons learnt from actual activities implementation.

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

Education:

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in all aspects of immunization.
• Work experience in the East and Southern Africa region is highly desirable.
• Previous experience working with the UN is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second UN and/or local working language of the duty station an asset.

Deadline: 22 Apr 2024