Senior Immunization Specialist - COVAX Planning (P-5), # 00120231, PG-Health, NYHQ (Temporary Appointment 364days)

The incumbent will lead UNICEF’s work on enhancing planning and review processes for immunization programmes, with a particular focus on integrating COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunization and facilitating health systems strengthening. The incumbent will provide technical assistance to regions and countries on immunization reviews, strategic and operational plans, and cPIEs.

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.

UNICEF Program Group is currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may be required to commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to New York, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period. When working remotely, the candidate will be required to agree on working hours with the Hiring Office, which may require the inclusion of all or some of the NYHQ core working hours (10AM-4PM).

UNICEF is a key implementing partner of COVAX, the Vaccines Pillar within The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A). ACT-A was launched in April 2020 and brings together governments, scientists, businesses, civil society, philanthropists and global health organizations with the aim of accelerating development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. UNICEF is a delivery partner for COVAX, procuring and supplying COVID-19 vaccines, and is using its existing infrastructure to help facilitate the logistically demanding delivery. UNICEF is co-leading the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership together with WHO and the GAVI Secretariat. Some of the most important support provided by UNICEF for COVID-19 vaccine delivery relates to cold chain expansion, supply chain management, social mobilization and implementing digital innovations for COVID-19 vaccine monitoring.

National immunization programmes are routinely developing strategic and annual operational plans to guide implemention. Strong strategic and operational plans may be particularly important in coming years if there is a need to integrate COVID-19 vacicne into routine immunization services. For countries receiving Gavi support, the strategic plan should be closely linked to Gavi’s Full Portfolio Planning. UNICEF has worked on enhancing planning processes for immunization since 2018. Objectives are to streamline the strategic planning process and to increase usability and impact of Annual Operational Plans and budgeting processes. UNICEF country offices are often directly involved in formulation of strategic and annual operational plans and Technical Assistance to the process is provided by regional offices and HQ. Planning processes should be closely linked to programme reviews and monitoring systems.

During 2022, several COVID-19 Post Introduction Evaluations (cPIE) will take place in countries. The cPIEs are a good opportunity to assess ways for enhancing integration of COVID-19 vaccine delivery with routine immunization services. Findings from the cPIEs should be integrated into future National Immunization Strategies and Annual Operational Plans. 

For every child, a healthy life…

The incumbent will lead UNICEF’s work on enhancing planning and review processes for immunization programmes, with a particular focus on integrating COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunization and facilitating health systems strengthening. The incumbent will provide technical assistance to regions and countries on immunization reviews, strategic and operational plans, and cPIEs. The incumbent will also play an integral part in developing and implementing the strategy for expanding UNICEF’s work on immunization in Middle-income countries. The incumbent will work closely with global immunization partners, including WHO, the Gavi Secretariat and Centers for Disease Control.

How can you make a difference?

Lead UNICEF’s work for strategic planning, operational planning and budgeting for immunization, including Gavi Full Portfolio Planning (FPP) and COVID-19 vaccine integration

• Provide technical assistance and guidance on strategic planning, operational planning and budgeting for immunization, including COVID-19 vaccination integration
• Support selected countries in developing their National Immunization Strategy (NIS)
• Support selected countries in developing Gavi Full Portfolio Planning (FPP)
• Support countries and regions on immunization programme reviews and monitoring
• Ensure that lessons learned are documented and used for improvement of processes
• Represent UNICEF in multi-agency working groups related to immunization planning processes

COVID-19 vaccine Post Introduction Evaluations

• Establish a portfolio of work on COVID-19 vaccine Post Introduction Evaluations (cPIEs) within UNICEF
• Plan and undertake cPIEs in a selection of countries
• Identify key aspects to focus on during cPIEs, depending on needs and country context
• Ensure that cPIE findings are used in strategic and operational planning processes for immunization
• Represent UNICEF in multi-agency working groups on cPIEs
• Co-ordinate cPIEs with UNICEF regioinal offices

Other tasks related to planning of immunization services

• Involvement in strategy development and implementation of UNICEF’s strategy on immunization in Middle Income Countries
• Provide technical assistance to selected countries on National Legislation on immunization
• Provide technical assistance to selected countries on Leadership, Management and Co-ordination

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience at international levels in immunization programme management, leadership, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of immunization programmes is required.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries on immunization planning processes is essential.
• Excellent communication skills, multitasking, and result-driven as well as ability to manage competing priorities, are required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. 
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here and Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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