Health Specialist (Immunization & Emergency Progamme -P4), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Re-advertised)

If you are looking to help Ethiopia achieve the health related SDG’s taking a multi sector approach and are interested in working with a team and government on the move, bringing new approaches and innovation linking development and humanitarian responses for equitable results, then the Ethiopia P4 Immunization and Emergency specialist assignment is for you.

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, a healthy future

UNICEF Ethiopia has been working in Ethiopia for the last 65 years supporting the national and regional efforts towards the progressive realization of the rights of children and women.

We do this by supporting the achievements of the Growth and Transformation Plan II as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our programmes in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection, Education and Social Policy and Evidence on Social Inclusion.

In addition, UNICEF Ethiopia has been leading the support in humanitarian programmes relentlessly working towards responding to emergency needs.

How can you make a difference?

As Health Specialist (Immunization & Emergency),  you will be accountable for the  professional leadership and management of  of all aspects of UNICEF’s immunization and health emergency portfolio, including  development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation . YOu will work in conjunction with the  Maternal, Newborn, Child and adolescent Health (MNCH) specialist, within the overall Health systems strengthening framework of the UNICEF  Ethiopia’s  Health and Nutrition teams. The specialist will lead UNICEF Ethiopia’s systems strengthening for Immunization approach, bringing innovation to the sub-sector

You will be responsible for leading UNICEF’s emergency early warning, preparedness, response, monitoring and evaluation. Strengthening government systems to prepare for, respond to and monitor and evaluate both natural disaster and conflict affected emergencies. You will contribute to the Health Teams portfolio on strengthening government systems resilience at all levels to plan for, innovatively finance, and cope with shocks, and build community resilience through evidence based behaviour change interventions . You will also be responsible for supporting the routine government systems to provide improved and quality health services to both refugee and host community settings in line with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. Ensuring a gender lens to the policy and programme implications will be a significant responsibility.

Specifically you will ensure:

1. Timely and quality sectoral analysis contributes to the Situation Analysis, its periodic update; informing effective support to government system strengthening strategy, planning and implementation ; supporting community resilience and ; ensuring that a resilience  building approach underpins humanitarian support, including in refugee/ host community settings

• Lead and provide technical support to ensure the timely preparation and completion of the relevant components of the situation analysis for the sector/s to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of Immunization and Health Emergency programs (and other communicable and non-communicable diseases as needs arise), comprehensive refugee response programmes and support systems building for planning and responding to health emergencies. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery, including reforms in the humanitarian sector which aim for a closer alignment with development programming and systems..
• Formulate, design and prepare a sub-sector sectoral programme goals, objectives, and strategies   as the sectoral inputs to the Country Programme Document and related documents and ensure coherence and 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 programmes ensuring  a gender lens .
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of health emergency and immunization and any other communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Establish specific program goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
• Work 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.
• Provide 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.

1. Integrated Immunization and Health emergency 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.

• Ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other UNICEF sectors in all stages of the programming process. Maintains close working relationships with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Nutrition and WASH, and programme communication to ensure integration of Immunization and Health emergency programme with other sectors.
• Participate with UNICEF, government, donors and other partners in the development of integrated strategies, methodologies and identification of innovative approaches for improving programme delivery, with emphasis on advocacy, community participation and social mobilization based on the Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to Programming and Community Capacity Development.
• Monitor latest Immunization and Health emergency developments at the international, regional and national levels; identifies/develops new methodologies and approaches for managing and improving programme effectiveness and efficiency of delivery.
• Facilitate and promote active and participatory partnerships with key stakeholders (Government, other UN agencies, NGOs, bilateral agencies, donors and national and international academic institutions) for collaboration at various stages of Immunization and Health emergency programme design and implementation, including health system strengthening and refugees response.

2. Program planning, management and delivery and monitoring and evaluation of results for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.

• Plan and/or collaborate 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 Immunization, comprehensive refugee response framework programming,  and    health emergency   programs.
• 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 in the areas of Immunization and health emergency (and other communicable and non-communicable diseases).
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation health emergency 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 Immunization and health emergency programs/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.
• Monitor and verify 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.
• Prepare immunization, health emergency (and other communicable and non-communicable diseases) regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
• Participate in quarterly and annual reviews and planning meeting on the country programme to assess and evaluate programme effectiveness, identifying problems and adopting remedial measures to accelerate/improve programme delivery.  
• Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data

3. Technical and operational support to government and NGOs at all stages of the programme cooperation to program implementation including  capacities of Country Office staff

• Provide expert guidance and operational and technical support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors at both national and decentralized levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects. Identifies training needs; coordinates, develops, organizes and oversees training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries, for the purpose of capacity building and skill transfer, sustainability of programme/projects and promotion/expansion of coverage of services.
• Support partners for the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on health emergency and immunization to support program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate, guide and organize staff training/development programme in collaboration with the program Section, Co, RO and HQ to upgrade the capacity of country office staff to enable them to progressively engage in and lead in the development, implementation and management of immunization and emergency programme.
• Participate in discussions with national partners/clients/stakeholders to promote  Immunization and Health Emergency, resilience for managing health emergencies through routine systems and  reforms in policies, planning and programming for refugee and host communities’ issues especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness and maternal, neonatal and child survival and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, for information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness, system strengthening initiatives program development and contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain 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 and Health Emergency program goals on children rights and social justice/equity.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for Immunization and Health Emergency and any other communicable and non-communicable diseases programs
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health emergency and system resilience 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.
• Coordinate with the Operations/Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and government accountability. Certify disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to the supervisor or section chief, as required.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable health emergency and immunization program results.
• In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and programme communication conducts accurate and timely monitoring  and data collection  and supports an integrated monitoring system support, including innovative field monitoring and problem solving at decentralized level, including ensuring analysis and evaluation of data to measure progress and recommend corrective measures as appropriate.
• Participate in major evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings
• Keep abreast and conducts research and studies to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting edge practices in Immunization and Health Emergency and any other communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Assess, institutionalizes and shares best practices and knowledge learned.
• Ensure timely preparation of annual reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Oversee and prepare all donor reports for management, board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis and annual reports.
• Collaborate and contribute to the development and implementation of emergency preparedness plans, including participating in monitoring and assessment of  the nature and extent of the issues and identifying areas of needs
• Support the development of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable health emergency response including innovative health system strengthening and resilience building approaches context adapted strategies.

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 and Health Emergency preparedness and response, Health System Strengthening. Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields. *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 8 years of professional experience in public health planning and management and/or in relevant areas at the national and international levels in relevant areas of Immunization, and health emergency/humanitarian preparedness is required.
• Relevant experience in health program/project development and management 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…

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

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.