Health Specialist ,P-3 Temporary Appointment (364 days), Libya Country Office outpost Based in Tunis, Tunisia.

If you are a committed , creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference in children's health ,UNICEF would like to hear from you.

• BACKGROUND:

 Close to five years after the fall of the previous regime in Libya, heightened uncertainty, political rifts, conflicts, displacement and insecurity continued to mark the political and economic transition in Libya. The UN strived to support the country with its transition to the democracy and establishment of a Government of National Accord (GNA). The health situation has deteriorated rapidly since 2014, with the crisis compounded by the fact that the health system has been weakened over the years by numerous crisis in Libya and overall decreasing level of investment in the health sector.

While the information about the health and nutrition needs of the populations is incomplete, the health sector has identified 1.2 million (60 per cent of the people in need) to be targeted by emergency health programmes. A particular focus will be placed on addressing the needs of the most affected groups: IDPs and surrounding vulnerable host communities, 340,000 women at reproductive age and 430,000 children 0-5 years.

The conflict has damaged vital infrastructure and led to the closing down of hospitals and shortages in staff and essential medicines and supplies.

Major health service issues include: i) a debilitated primary healthcare network, especially in the main cities (Benghazi and Tripoli), ii) high dependence on foreign health workers, especially in the southern part of the country, iii) a substantial proportion of public health expenditure being spent on Libyans for treatment abroad, iv) the neglect of healthcare provision in southern part of Libya (Al Kufra, Sabha, Ghat and Awbari)

  Justification:  

 In March 2016, UNICEF developed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the National Centre of Disease Control and WHO to enhance the national capacity to deliver improved quality of services for child survival and development in Libya, with main focus on the above mentioned six strategic areas. Subsequently, a funding proposal was approved by the German Foreign Office to support the implementation of key areas stipulated in the Memorandum of Cooperation.

With the strategic guidance of Special Representative and under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Health Specialist will be responsible to spearhead the health programme that will include collecting, verifying and updating data from the MoH, reporting on the progress of UNICEF supported health project, identifying bottlenecks and challenges and suggesting the best ways to address them.

 UNICEF IN LIBYA:

UNICEF Libya has scaled up its programme to respond to the humanitarian needs of conflict- affected children and their families.

Despite the temporary evacuation of all UN agencies and most of the international NGOs from Libya in 2014, UNICEF has succeeded to maintain a presence in the country with national staff and with qualified national consultants to monitor the on-going programmes. If the security situation remained the same, UNICEF will continue implementation remotely, mainly relying on national staff, consultants, cooperation agreements with NGOs and Memorandums of Understanding signed with municipalities to deliver results for women and children. 

 UNICEF has put in place a monitoring system to overview the programme activities and results for women and children by contracting an international NGO to undertake independent monitoring, quality assurance and reporting. Regular review processes are in place together with partners to review the programme results and address the bottlenecks.

 PURPOSE:

• Spearhead the implementation of health programme in Libya in line with the Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the National Centre of Disease Control – a technical department within the Ministry of Health and WHO in six strategic areas of cooperation related to the child survival and development;
• In collaboration with WHO and UNICEF MENA Regional Office , complete the situation analysis of health and nutrition needs in Libya and suggest a niche for UNICEF health programming;
• Identify in coordination with MoH, WHO and main partners, areas for future cooperation in health and nutrition in line with the country context and situation analysis.

The Health Specialist will contribute to achievement of results according to results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

• MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Under the strategic guidance of UNICEF Special Representative, and technical guidance of RO and supported by Deputy Representative, the incumbent will;

1. Spearhead the implementation of health programme framework in line with six strategic areas described in the Memorandum of Cooperation with MoH and WHO in March 2016 namely: cold chain and vaccine management, information sharing systems, middle level managers training on immunization, procurement policies and procedures, strategic communication for expanded programme for immunization, new born and under five mortality and morbidity reduction;
2. Consolidate UNICEF network of health partners for collection of information and its analysis;
3. Plan and implement nutrition assessment in coordination with WHO and MOH to identify the main nutrition emergency needs and plan for the proper interventions in consultation with UNICEF regional office;
4. Design a comprehensive health framework, with the support of the MENA Regional Office, for future utilization and identify the main areas for technical assistance, in order to address the MNCH and position UNICEF Libya as a leader in newborn health;
5. Facilitate resource mobilization efforts in support of LCO for health and nutrition programmes;
6. Support the LCO with proposal writing and donor reporting for health and nutrition projects; and provide input for the situation reports, annual report and other technical report as needed.
7. Represent UNICEF at health coordination sector meetings;
8. Undertake any other relevant technical assignment as instructed by the Deputy Representative and the Special Representative.

 IMPACT OF RESULTS: 

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and implementation of health and nutrition program/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to create a protective environment for children against childhood killer diseases and ensures their survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in health and nutrition program and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country. This will also contribute to the achievement of the regional health priorities related to maternal and new-born health.

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

 Academic qualifications:

Advanced university degree in Medicine, Public Health or related discipline.

• Work experience:

 At least 5 years of practical experience in developing countries in immunizations and primary health care, MNCH with strong experience working in emergency context.

• Language experience:

 Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required, Arabic in as asset.

 Competency Profile: (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)

Core values: Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity

1. i) Core Competencies (Required)

                Communication (II)

                Working with People (II),

                Drive for Results(II)

 Functional Competencies (Required)

1. Formulating Strategies and Concepts (II)                      
2. Deciding and Initiating Action (II),
3. Applying Technical Expertise (III)    
4. Analysing, Relating and Networking (III)                  
5. Leading and Supervising(I),

  Technical knowledge (Required)

Knowledge of UNICEF immunization programme guidelines, every new-born action plan ENAP, emergency policies, and financial, supply and administrative rules an advantage.

• TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

 UNICEF Libya international staff temporarily operates from Tunis, Tunisia. The Health Specialist will be based in Tunis, Tunisia and may be requested to travel on missions to Libya for programmatic visits and meeting the partners and counterparts.