Deadline: 01 August, 2021

Location: Dakar, Senegal

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the post of Health Specialist.

Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

Responsibilities

• Contribute towards the preparation of situation analysis by overseeing collection, analysis and evaluation of information, and providing the technical guidance and input
• Ensure the timely preparation of situation analysis relative to immunisation interventions and MNT elimination activities
• Make quality contribution to other related interventions as part of the integrated immunisation activities
• Ensure quality sectoral input to the countries programme documents, and all related documents of the immunisation programme
• Collaborate with other UNICEF sectors, particularly health, nutrition, HIV and programme communication to ensure integration of the immunisation programme and MNT elimination activities with other interventions
• Participate with UNICEF, COs, governments, non-government organisations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of immunisation strategies and approaches
• Ensure achievement of strategic results in line with the WCAR key result for children agenda and corrective actions to meet programme/project objectives
• Contribute to the identification, development and dissemination of new strategies, methodologies, approaches and tools for improving programme delivery with emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention and community participation based on human rights framework and cross sector approach in collaboration with other partners
• Provide technical leadership for, and participate in the development of results-based sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for implementation, monitoring and follow-up of sectoral project activities consistent with the defined project strategies and approaches
• Ensure objectives and targets are timely met and achieved, meeting the requirements and quality standards, through full coordination between activities by leading and supporting a team of professional and support staff
• Meet with national and international agencies overseeing the management of programmes/projects
• Participate in meetings with ministries responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements, and integration of gender mainstreaming across sectors
• Undertake country visits to monitor programmes, as well as participate in periodic programme reviews with COs and government counterparts and other partners
• Identify necessary action for programme adjustments
• Provide technical advice and assistance to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the immunisation programme and ensure sustainability of interventions
• Provide expert guidance and technical support to COs, governments and NGOs at the national and provincial levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects
• Identify training needs, and coordinate, develop, organise and oversee training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and promotion/expansion of coverage of services
• Guide, coordinate and organise a staff training/development programme with regional and HQ advisors to upgrade the capacity of UNICEF country offices staff, enabling them to progressively engage in and lead in the programme development, implementation and management of immunisation programme and MNT elimination activities
• Oversees the conduct of relevant orientation, workshop, training and staff learning/development activities
• Coordinate activities and exchange information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives
• Participate in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems such as JRF, to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data and contribute to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for the immunisation programme
• Maintain close working relationships to establish partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on programme/project development and implementation
• Ensure a significant exchange of knowledge, information, experience and lessons learnt

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Public Health, Paediatric Health, Global/International Health, Health Policy and Management, Family Health, Socio-medical Sciences, Health Education, Epidemiology, or a related field
• Eight years, minimum, of professional work experience at the national and international levels in development, planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and managing of health/immunisation programmes
• Professional work experience in a managerial position or a technical expert position in child survival and health care
• Developing country work experience and background/familiarity with emergency
• Fluency in English and French

To apply and for more information, click here.

Photo source: NCDC