Chief Health and Nutrition, P-4, FTA, Kyiv, Ukraine

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

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

And we never give up.

For every child, every right

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Ukraine is among the 10 countries in the world with the most unvaccinated children: DTP-3 coverage is as low as 23 percent and MCV2 is 31 percent. At the same time, the Government of Ukraine is engaged in several major reforms in the social sector, including in Health. It is a unique moment for UNICEF to strengthen its positioning in the country and ensuring equity for children under the planned health reforms with particular focus on restoring an immunization programme. Results will be achieved by intensifying uptake of vaccines with a focus on resolving the procurement bottlenecks and rebuilding trust among general public and health professionals. Promoting essential health packages for children and women to reduce the high burden of out-of-pocket health costs on families is also a priority, so as the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Purpose of the Post

The Health and Nutrition Manager reports to the Deputy Representative and is responsible for the overall management and administration in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Health, including HIV/AIDS & Nutrition programme in the context of child survival and development within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical leadership, management guidance and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve programme goals and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.  As head of the Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutritional group, leads, manages, develops and enables a competent team of professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition programme. Contributes to create synergy partnerships which reinforce other organizations – including other UN Agencies – SDGs strategic directions in areas where UNICEF has primary responsibility or comparative advantage such as interrelated areas of maternal, new-born, and child health, including HIV/AIDS and nutrition. Works closely, in Humanitarian Action, with the Nutrition and Health clusters within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).

How can you make a difference?

1. Timely and quality sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis, its periodic update, and all programme documents to formulate effective Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition goals, strategy, and project planning and development, in partnerships with key stakeholders and with contribution of knowledge institutions.

2. Integrated Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition strategies, methodologies and new approaches are developed and implemented based on results-based approach within Human Rights framework by broad participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership Partnerships with global funds, multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks, as well as relations with the private sector enhanced and exploited efficiently, in order to formulate common advocacy position and influence allocation of resources, as well as investment decisions on behalf of Health, HIV/AIDS and Nutrition.

3. Technical support is provided to government and non-government organizations at all stages of the programme cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries, including through back-up partnerships with specialists Health, HIV/AIDS and Nutrition organizations as appropriate.  

4. Monitoring and evaluation of programme performance is properly undertaken for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery, capitalizing on joint global monitoring and evaluation frameworks such as the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group for child health and nutrition, including HIV/AIDS related data, and with WFP in the areas of food and nutrition. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the Health and Nutrition programme provided.

5. Work plan and objectives are effectively established, performance is managed, and planned results are timely delivered through exercise of strong programme management leadership; partnership frameworks that pool competencies and resources developed.

6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building programme –  which also build on technical partnerships with collaborating agencies to provide state-of-the-art technical information to staff – in the development, implementation and management of the Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition programme.

7. UNICEF and Government and implementing partners’ accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for the sector; and Government counterparts and implementing partners are orientated and trained in UNICEF supply and non-supply assistance policies and procedures.

8. Effective partnership and collaboration are achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.

9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to relevant stakeholders including in cooperation with knowledge institutions to support the Health, HIV/AIDS & Nutrition Programme by the effective implementation of integrated programme monitoring system.

10. All required programme reports are timely prepared and shared with concerned partners in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.

11. Emergency preparedness is maintained,  and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided and in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, partnerships with the Health, including HIV/AIDS and Nutrition humanitarian actors strengthened within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in Public Health and Nutrition (preferably with specialized training in public health and nutrition planning, health and nutrition education, health care system management, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunization, or epidemiology), Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.

*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.

• Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health and nutrition programmes relevant to child survival, health & nutrition care. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in health, nutrition, and child survival & health care.
• Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO). Background/familiarity with Emergency.

• Fluency in English and another UN language. Russian will be considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional competencies: Leading and Supervising, Analyzing, Deciding and Initiating Action, Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Relating and Networking, Applying Technical Expertise. 

a) Specific technical knowledge required:

•  Expert knowledge of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes (e.g., PMTCT, HIV/AIDS, malaria, WASH, EPI)

•  Expert technical leadership and knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the combination of a number of fields of the following:

Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Child-Neonatal and Maternal Health & Nutrition Care, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Health & Nutrition System  Management, Public Health & Nutrition Preparedness, Health & Nutrition Emergency Preparedness, Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research,  Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care.

• Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, including the Paris Declaration     on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action as well as knowledge of the Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs).

b) Common technical knowledge required:

• Knowledge of theories and practices in:

Child and Maternal Nutrition and Health, Nutrition and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health and Nutrition, Educational Interventions in Health and Nutrition Care, Environmental Health and Nutrition, Knowledge Management, Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages

• General knowledge of:

Methodology of programme/project management, Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Health & Nutrition, Knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches, Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery, Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches, Gender equality and diversity awareness.

c) Technical knowledge to be acquired/enhanced:

Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields, Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes, UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses, UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions, UN security operations and guidelines, UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships, UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.