Chief Child Survival & Development (P4) FT, Dakar Senegal #7761 ( Non Senegalese Nationals Only)

The Chief, Child Survival and Development reports to the Deputy Representative and is responsible for the Programme addressing child survival and development with an important focus on early childhood development.

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, Health

For 75 years UNICEF has been an unstoppable force for change in children’s lives. From short-term relief to long-term development programmes, we have been working tirelessly to save children’s lives, protect their rights and secure their futures.

In Senegal, the past years have been an exceptional journey for UNICEF. The country has made significant progress in advancing children’s and women’s rights.

Today, children in Senegal have a greater chance of reaching their fifth birthday than ever before. Child deaths have significantly declined over the past decades, a victory for children and women. Being able to go to school is now a reality for many more children.

UNICEF and its partners have led intensive advocacy efforts in the country, resulting in substantial progress in legislations, policies, strategies and national programming.

However, much more needs to be done to create a supportive and protective environment for children and future generations. Not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Still, too many young lives are cut short. The journey from a mother’s womb to the vulnerable adolescent years is fraught with risk and challenges. 

How can you make a difference?

The Chief, Child Survival and Development (CSD) is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of the child survival and development -related program/projects (maternal and neonatal health, child survival, nutrition, early  child development, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, WASH), within the country program, from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of results, and for leading and managing the CSD team including establishing plans of action to achieve concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Managerial leadership

• Establish the annual work plan with the CSD team, set priorities/targets and performance measurement. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines, and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the Team.

Program development and planning

• Plan and provide technical and operational guidance to the preparation/design and conduct update of situation analysis to establish a comprehensive/updated strategic plan for development: design and management of CSD-related programs. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management. efficiency and delivery.
• Prepare, coordinate, and supervise the formulation/design of CSD program recommendation and related documentations as a component of the Country Program establishing clear program goals, objectives. strategies and results based on results- based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• 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 in CSD programs.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual CSD reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.

Advisory services and technical support

• Collaborate/consult with key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies and best practices and approaches on health and related issues to support prog ram development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in program strategic discussions/planning to provide technical advice/contribute policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and development issues especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, WASH, and maternal, neonatal and child survival and development.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with health, nutrition, and WASH sector government counterparts. National stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve program goals on children rights and social justice/equity.
• Prepare communication and information materials to highlight program goals, achievements and/or needs to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for the CSD program (maternal, neonatal and child survival and development).

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable CSD program/projects initiatives.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best and cutting-edge practices in health management and information systems. institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

For more information on this role, please review the full Job description by clicking on the link  Chief CSD L4 SCO.pdf

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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in 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.

A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in  in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care, nutrition, ECD, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the international level some of which preferably in a developing country is required Relevant experience in health/nutrition program/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Fluency in French and professional working level of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Female Applicants are encouraged to apply.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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