TA: Health System Strengthening Specialist, (P-3), Bangui, Central African Republic

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, Hope

The humanitarian crisis in Central African Republic since December 2012 with escalation in 2013, 2014 and 2015, led to a quick and brutal deterioration of political stability, life conditions and security of communities, families and individuals, as well as resources and assets through which these communities ensure their survival. This crisis has had an impact on the already weak health system with the destruction of health facilities, the looting of equipment (vehicles, cold chain) and the displacement of qualified health workers. According to 2015 Health Resource Availability Mapping System (HeRAMS) Survey, only 55% of the 814 heath facilities are functional and only 46% of functional health facilities offer immunization services.

The impact of this situation is the collapse of the immunization coverage between 2013 and 2015 at less than 50%. In this context, the country has received a new allocation from the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) for 3 years (2017 – 2019) to support the strengthening of the health system using immunization as entry point. This allocation, channeled through UNICEF aims to strengthen the health system with an emphasis on institutional capacity strengthening, integration of services and the community engagement. To achieve this, UNICEF is recruiting, a Health System Strengthening (HSS) specialist to ensure the management of this allocation and support the Ministry of the health in the implementation of activities planned in the GAVI/HSS project.

The HSS Specialist reports to the Immunization Specialist/P-3 for guidance under the general supervision of the Chief of Communication for Child Survival and Development (CSD) Section.

The purpose of this position is to:

• Support the implementation of GAVI-HSS2 project by monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress.
• Provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to the GAVI/HSS2 plan, allocation, results based-management approaches (RBM) and organizational Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to program development and planning

• Contribute to the preparation and the update of situation analysis for the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) Unit to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of the HSS project.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of health/EPI program.
• Contribute to the formulating, designing and preparation of EPI program proposals, ensuring alignment with the CSD Annual Work Plan and the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans.
• Contribute to the preparation of required documentations for EPI program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine EPI program priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring mechanisms, performance indicators and other UNICEF indicators and measurement to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the immunization program.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare or assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor HSS project through field visits, and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues or refer to supervisors for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of Immunization program resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular program reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

 3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, GAVI partners and other country office partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on health and related issues to support Immunization program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners and stakeholders to promote Immunization and other health issues especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness and maternal, neonatal and nutrition.
• Contribute to the drafting policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use and information.

 4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with the Ministry of Health (MoH) counterparts, GAVI alliance members, national stakeholders and other global partners/allies/donors through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of Immunization program goals.
• Prepare communication and information materials for EPI program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for health programs.
• Participate and represent UNICEF in appropriate coordination committee discussions, such as the inter-agency steering committee for EPI (CCIA) and the Expanded Program on Immunization Support Committee (CTAPEV), and planning on immunization and related issues.

 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply or introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting edge practices in health.
• Assess 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 CSD program and HSS project.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on Immunization related program.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Education: An Advanced University Degree in public health, pediatric health, family health, health research, international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, health education, epidemiology or other health related science is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health planning and management, specifically in immunization or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the international level some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in health system strengthening and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Language: Fluency in French and 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.
• Functional Competencies: Building Trust, Managing Resources, Communication, Influence, Judgement, Technical Knowledge, Team Leadership, Planning, Setting Standards and Monitoring Work.

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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Remarks

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

* Please note that Bangui 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.