Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health Specialist, (P-3), Ndjamena, Chad

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a champion

Chad is one of the poorest countries in Africa and in the world, with 61.9% of the population below the income poverty line and 55% of its population living on less than one dollar a day – it was ranked 185th out of 188 countries in the 2015 UNDP Human Development Index.

Chad is a landlocked country located in Central Africa with a population of around 13 million with an annual average growth rate of 3.6%, which is one of the highest in the world. Infant and child mortality rates are very high with 72 and 133 deaths per 1,000 live births respectively; and the maternal mortality rate is also unacceptably high at 860 deaths per 100,000 live births with only 24% of deliveries are assisted by qualified health staffs.

The main direct causes of mortality in under-five children in Chad include malaria, pneumonia, neonatal causes and diarrhea, while malnutrition, micro-nutrient deficiencies and low exclusive breastfeeding practices are underlying causes of the deaths. Additionally, 1.6% of population between 15-45 years are HIV positive. Several programme/initiatives are being supported by UNICEF (Global Funds, MUSKOKA, GAVI etc. in order to achieve the SDG # 2 & 3 in a context marked by limited technical and management capacity of implementing partners.

How can you make a difference? 

Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health programme within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and expansion of UNICEF assisted Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda

The incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results:

1.  Timely sectoral analysis, input and support contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management.

2. Quality technical contributions are made to the development and implementation of Integrated Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.

3. Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through application of technical expertise.

4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.

5. Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at various stages of the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries. 

6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health programme.

7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health.

8. Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are kept maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.

9. Relevant and strategic information is kept available to support the Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health Programme by the effective implementation of an integrated monitoring system.

10. Required programme/project reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.

11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.

12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

Qualifications of Successful Candidates

• Education: Medical Doctor with advanced university degree in Public Health/Nutrition, Pediatric Health, Family Health, Health Research, Global/International Health, Health Policy and/or Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, Socio-medical, Health Education, Epidemiology or other health related science is required. 
• Work Experience: Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health is required. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and nutrition care is an asset. Developing country work experience and background/familiarity with Emergency is required.
• Language: Fluency in French and in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our 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 qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.