Deputy Chief (Polio Eradication), P5, FT, Islamabad, Pakistan #94734, Req#507271

The Deputy Chief supports and advises on the overall management of the Polio programme, development of polio policies and strategies; and under delegated authority, for coordinating and managing all phases of the Country Office Polio Program from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

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, make a difference!

Pakistan is one of three polio endemic countries in the world harbouring the wild poliovirus (WPV). Despite the efforts of the Pakistan National Polio Eradication Programme, the virus remains in the core reservoirs that have sustained the infection for many years, and periodically reseed the virus across the country. In the National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP), the main objective is to stop transmission in these core reservoirs and maintain or increase population immunity against polio in the rest of the country. To achieve this, the programme has set up a multi-pronged strategy to ensure all children are vaccinated and any circulating virus is detected quickly and responded to immediately. The goal is simple and ambitious. Stop transmission in Pakistan by the end of 2017 and sustain gains made until the 2020 certification goal.
UNICEF contributes to the national Polio Eradication Programme in Social Mobilization, Communications, vaccine supply and procurement, and Operations (Community Based Vaccination with around 18,000 workforce). The national programme is led by the Government under the National Emergency Operations Centre and all the partners including WHO and UNICEF work together as one team under one roof.

 

How can you make a difference?

The Deputy Chief supports and advises on the overall management of the Polio programme, development of polio policies and strategies; and under delegated authority, for coordinating and managing all phases of the Country Office Polio Program from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

 

The key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks are:

1- Country office and National Emergency Operation Centre polio program planning and development

•          Under the National Emergency Operation Centre for polio in Pakistan working with government and partners as ‘one team under one roof’ coordinate planning and conduct situation analysis by the various sectors in the polio programme to establish a comprehensive and current data and information for program development planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.

•          Provide advice to the Polio Team Lead on strategies, direction and planning of programs and projects to translate analytical data/information (from situation analysis) and national priorities and goals into concrete country programs and projects that advances UNICEF goals in the country on polio eradication.

•          Guide and advise the various polio sub-teams (in Islamabad and the Zonal Offices teams throughout the process of program formulation, planning and preparation of the Polio Annual Work plans ensuring harmonization of approaches and alignment with the UNICEF and Partners GPEI, corporate guidelines, policies/procedures and regional and national priorities.

•          Provide technical and operational guidance to the heads of sub-units and their team, as delegated by the PTL, throughout all stages of the programming process to ensure cooperation, collaboration and harmonization of programs and projects.

•          Coordinate necessary technical programming support from Regional Office and UNICEF HQ.

•          Effective resource mobilization, advocacy, communication and networking are achieved through partnership and collaboration

 

2- Support to the Polio Team Lead on managing the country-wide Polio Eradication Programme for Pakistan

•          Serve as office in charge in the absence of the Polio Team Effective leadership and managerial guidance and coordination under supervision of Polio Team Lead is provided to the polio team to ensure the achievement of UNICEFs commitment to NEAP programme goals including oversight and management of UNICEF polio team approx. 15,000 front-line vaccinators and approx. 1,500 social mobilistaion network.

•          Implementation of the UNICEF area of focus in the NEAP and its activities.

•          Monitor and assess programs and operations and provide advice on best and innovative programming and management practices to enhance programming and operations.

•          Advise the Polio Team Lead on Polio Section annual work planning, setting priorities/targets and establishing performance measurements. Monitor implementation and progress of work plans at NEOC; collaborate with colleagues to assist, advise and guide to ensure achievement of results according to targets and performance standards. Take timely decisions to achieve results and/or alert the PTL for timely action.

•          Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to his/her team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance planning, management and assessment.

•          Work collaboratively with the PTL and the various sub-units and Field Offices to facilitate/contribute to the preparation of CO AWP. Monitor critical issues to resolve problems and/or recommend to the PTL appropriate action to ensure appropriate and optimum use of resources.

•          Coordinate donor proposal and report input for polio sub-units and zonal offices.

3- Monitoring and quality control of programs

•          Participate in meetings/events and annual/mid-term reviews with government and other counterparts/stakeholders (WHO and principle donors) to contribute to strategic program discussions, planning and assessments.

•          Evaluate overall program progress; identify weaknesses, bottlenecks and potential problems. Collaborate with the sectors and/or other partners and stakeholders to resolve issues and/or advise the PTL on resolutions to ensure delivery of results as planned and allocated.

•          Monitor the optimum and appropriate use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) and verify compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Approve disbursements and allocations in accordance with delegation of authority established by the PTL.

•          Coordinate and/or provide advice on the preparation of mandated program and operational reports. Confirm accuracy of reports prior to approval by the PTL.

4- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

•          Advise the PTL and other internal colleagues in the CO on the conceptualization, development and implementation of policies and procedures, use of latest information technology and introduction of innovation and best practices in the CO to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy in programming and operations.

•          Coordinate the collection, institutionalization and sharing of lessons learned to enhance performance and to use lessons learned in development/policy planning.

•          Promote learning and development through planning and organization of training events, activities and other capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members.

 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, business management or other related fields, is required.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in a developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

 

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.

 

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

 

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