Fixed Term, Immunization (EPI) Officer, NOB, Lahore, Pakistan # 52328

UNICEF Pakistan is looking for an Immunization (EPI) Officer to join the wonderful team in Lahore.

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!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilizers, communities and families, and of course, the children and adolescents themselves. 

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio, and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. 

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan, and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

The Immunization Officer reports to the Health Specialist for supervision and is accountable for professional technical contribution to project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of Immunization (EPI) program/project activities, including data analysis, program support, delivery, progress reporting, and commitment for expansion of immunization coverage, as well as enhancement of teamwork and capacity building, in support of the achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country program goals, objectives, and strategy.

  To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities, and related duties/ tasks;

1. Accurate, complete, and up-to-date program/project management information is available for effective budget preparation, program/project design, implementation, management, and evaluation.

• Ensures the availability of accurate, complete, and up-to-date information required for effective Immunization program and project design, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation. Drafts sound Immunization program budgets for review by the supervisor, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness of data and coding. Draft updated project status reports.
• Assembles and provides updated data and information on the national immunization program and on financial/administrative status for monitoring, analysis, and analysis.  Analyses the program status and recommends appropriate adjustments as necessary.

2. Project efficiency, effectiveness, and vaccination coverage are enhanced through effective implementation follow-on.

• Enhances project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation follow-on, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and Immunization project status.
• Undertakes field visits to districts and sub-districts for monitoring and supervision of project activities and to improve immunization coverage. Supervises the implementation of the routine EPI activities and the work of the Polio Officer, district field assistants, etc. as required.
• Prepares reports on the results of the field visits and progress of vaccination coverage.

3. Progress reports and project work plans are timely prepared, and effective technical support is provided in the drafting of donor, annual and other reports/project documentation related to EPI.

• Analyses collected data and information and prepare progress reports; drafts changes in Immunization project work plans and in the identification of required supplies and equipment.
• Drafts sections of the donor, annual, and other project documentation related to EPI, ensuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations, and plans of action.

4. Appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation and adherence to established allotments, are ensured.

• Monitors flow of supply and non-supply assistance to local authorities. Records supply and non-supply inventory and quarterly updates on cold chain equipment, distribution, and utilization.
• Ensures the appropriateness of financial, administrative, and supply documentation; verifies that Immunization project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database (e.g., VISION or eZHACT). Follows up on queries or initiates corrective action on discrepancies.

5. The capacities of Country Office staff and teamwork are strengthened through effective capacity-building activities in the development, implementation, and management of the Immunization Programme.

• Supports a staff training/development program to upgrade the capacity of the Country Office staff in the program development, implementation, and management of the Immunization Programme.
• Conducts relevant orientation, workshop, teamwork facilitation, and staff learning/development activities:
• Ensures that vaccination teams (acceleration) are properly trained on the various aspect of EPI; uses the appropriate training guidelines; participates in the Mid-level management training of vaccinators, cold chain managers, mid-level managers; participates in training activities and micro-planning workshops; participates in the training of district field assistants for community sensitization and awareness seminars.

6. Knowledge sharing with donors and media is promoted.

• Compiles Immunization project implementation training and orientation materials and shares useful and appropriate information to promote knowledge sharing with donors and media.

7. Effective communication, networking, and collaboration are achieved with internal and external partners

• Ensures effective communication, networking and working relationships are developed and maintained.
• Collaborates with Operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management.
• Teams with local government counterparts to exchange detail information on Immunization project implementation and status as well as movement and distribution of supplies. Provides technical support in the planning of district EPI micro-plan. Recommends courses of action to supervisor, as necessary.
•  Arranges field visits to project sites for government and other partners, providing necessary information for a briefing on the project. Participates in the study of the project status and evaluation as required.
•  Collaborates with members of the development community, including NGOs, UN, and bilateral agencies, in the exchange of information relating to Immunization sector. 

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Medicine, Health, Public Health, Family Health, Child Development, or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization and Child Survival & Health Care. Candidates with a degree in medical sciences will be preferred.  

• *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.

• Two years of relevant professional work experience. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization (for IP). Field work experience (for NO). Experience in knowledge management. Training and experience in Immunization/health care.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust,  Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are   

Core Competencies  

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)*
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures, Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.

View our competency framework at  Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With an attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive, and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension, etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing program, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security, etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 

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.

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. 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:

• Verified educational certificates/ HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment, process, candidates will be required to present HEC-attested degrees/certificates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.