Immunization Specialist-NOC-FT-Post No 12514, Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA.

This is National Professional Position and is an Internal Advertisement Strictly Open for Internal UNICEF Staff Only. The Immunization Specialist, under the guidance of the Health Specialist (Immunization and Emergency , P4) is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the immunization program and project activities in UNICEF Ethiopia CPD, including team work and capacity building. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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,

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 favoritism. 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 fulfill 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Immunization Specialist under the guidance of the Health Specialist (Immunization and Emergency, P4) is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the immunization program and project activities in UNICEF Ethiopia CPD, including team work and capacity building.

ACCOUNTABILITIES, DUTIES & TASKS 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

 1. Program development and planning

• Supports/contributes to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for the sector/ to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of immunization program. Prepares sectoral inputs to the Country Programme Document, and all related documents. Keeps abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery

• Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of the Immunization strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Participates in strategic program discussions on the planning of immunization program. Formulates, designs and prepares a sector proposal, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establishes specific program goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepares required documentations for program review and approval.
• Works closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provides technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

•  Ensures relevant and strategic information is provided to support the immunization programme by the effective implementation of the monitoring system
•  Plans and/or collaborates with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the immunization program.
• Participates 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.
• Prepares/assesses monitoring and evaluation of immunization interventions 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 monitors immunization program/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. 

• Monitors and verifies the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral 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.

• Prepares immunization regular/mandated program/project proposals and reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress and for budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.

  3.  Technical and operational support to program implementation 

• Provides technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on health emergency and malaria to support program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results. 

• Contributes to the identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development 

• Drafts policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration. 

• Participates in program- related initiatives, innovations and other related tasks and designated including immunization in emergencies.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Builds and sustains effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity and exchange knowledge/expertise to facilitate the achievement of immunization program goals on children rights and social justice/equity.

• Prepares communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establishes partnership/alliances and support fund raising for immunization.

• Participates and/or represents UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on immunization issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of health programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

• Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to the supervisor or section chief, as required.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Applies/introduces innovative approaches and good practice to improve the immunization system-  build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable immunization program results, including narrowing the gaps in services coverage and utilization by the most vulnerable groups using equity oriented approaches
• Keeps abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting edge practices in immunization.
• Assesses, institutionalizes and shares best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable immunization program and projects.
• Organizes and implements capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on immunization program/projects.
• Ensures the timely preparation of annual sector status reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.

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

• Advanced university degree in Health: Public Health, Medicine, Health Administration, Field Epidemiology, and related fields with extensive working experience in immunization. *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 5 years of relevant professional experience in public health planning and management and/or in relevant areas at the national levels in immunization. Relevant experience in health program/project development and management in any UN agency or other international organization is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered a strong asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN or local language is 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.

The technical competencies required for this post are; Leading and Supervising, Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Relating and Networking, Persuading and Influencing and Creating and Innovating.

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:

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