Health Officer EPI (TA-NOB; 364 days)-Dhaka, Position #102159 - Only for Bangladeshi

Under the guidance of the Chief of Health Section and direct supervision by the Health Specialist (Immunization), Health Officer EPI (Equity and EVM) will provide technical support to Ministry of Health in implementation of the Health System Strengthening for Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance and Effective Vaccine Management grant, supported by Gavi Alliance.

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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

 Purpose of the Position

Under the guidance of the Chief of Health Section and direct supervision by the Health Specialist (Immunization), Health Officer EPI (Equity and EVM) will provide technical support to Ministry of Health in implementation of the Health System Strengthening for Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance and Effective Vaccine Management grant, supported by Gavi Alliance.

The incumbent will be based in Health Section of BCO, however would spend 30 percent of his/her time in the field dedicated for field level activities as per the TOR. The incumbent will report to Health Specialist (Immunization), and also coordinate with Health Manager (Health System Strengthening) and other staffs in health, nutrition, WASH section as part of overall Health System Strengthening efforts of UNICEF.

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Improve coverage and minimize equity gap in urban and low performing area:
2. • Coordinate with the DGHS, MoH, WHO, and other relevant stakeholders and provide technical support in equity analysis, including soci0-economic and cultural inequities, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of program.
   • Engage partners and stakeholders in identification of bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
   • Actively support program implementation through field visits, and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress.
   • Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective programme implementation.
   • Prepare regular program reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
3. Coordinate with the DGHS, MoH, WHO, and other relevant stakeholders and provide technical support in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Objectives 2 of Health System Strengthening project for Effective Vaccine Management, as supported by Gavi Alliance.
4. Provide technical assistance to the EPI MIS unit for establishing an effective immunization supply chain & logistics management information system. Provide support at national and sub-national level in the process of transition from existing system to real time data management system
5. Provide technical assistance to MoH in conducting operational study/research related vaccine/cold chain management,  in revising and developing regulatory framework and support in conducting training of technical personnel in selected areas of EVM (in accordance with the EVM improvement plan) at central, district and upazila levels
6. Provide technical assistance to Government and other partners in developing the guidelines, training materials and conduct the trainings/ meetings/ workshops and program review meetings/workshops.
7. Collects and analyses data for the situation analysis, project planning, management, and monitoring and evaluation purposes. Prepares tables, graphs and other statistical data. Reports outcome of analysis and proposes corrective actions
8. Closely work with other health colleagues both at BCO and Zonal offices for timely implementation, oversight, financial management, achieving results and reporting of UNICEF supported activities of different MNCAH projects as per the Rolling Work-Plan 2018-2019. Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and timely liquidated 
9. Provide technical assistance and support technical agency in conducting surveys, researches and process documentation related to improve vaccine and logistics management under the project 
10. Collaborate with the relevant UNICEF programmes involved in Gavi HSS activities, as well as other partners, to ensure that the programme needs are identified and goals achieved.  Maintain necessary and adequate liaison with government counterparts and institutions to ensure good cooperation and communication.  Collaborate with the Operations, government programmes and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls.
11. Provide support in updating immunization strategy, new vaccine introduction guideline, processing the sales orders and monitoring the supply plan; provide inputs in donor reports and fact sheets, develop case studies, briefing notes, projects presentations and other reports when necessary.
12. Any other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience/competencies required for the assignment:

Education:

A University Degree in public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or other health related sciences is required.

Work experience:

A minimum of 2 years of professional work experience in public health planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and child health programmes preferably in immunization programme or cold chain management. Working experience and familiarity with the health programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, international organization or any other agencies will be an asset. Preference would be given to candidate who has knowledge and experiences of implementation and monitoring of Effective vaccine management & new vaccine within the government health system of Bangladesh.

Language requirements: Fluency in English and very good working knowledge of Bangla

Competencies/skills: Good knowledge of MS office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Competency Profile

i)  Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication (II),
• working with people (I),
• drive for results (I)

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Formulating strategies and concepts (I),
• analyzing (II),
• applying technical expertise (II),
• learning and researching (II),
• planning and organizing (II)

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all Bangladeshi national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.