Health Specialist (Routine Immunization Strengthening), P-4, Temporary Appointment (364 days), Nairobi, Kenya, Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO)

A challenging and exciting opportunity has arisen within ESARO Regional Health Emergency Section, for a passionate and committed Health Specialist-(Routine Immunization Strengthening) P-4 level. The Health Specialist- (Routine Immunization Strengthening) is a position embedded within the health team of UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office requiring dedicated capacity for this area of work. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Immunization Coordinator, the incumbent will ensure UNICEF ESARO’s effective contribution to global and regional commitments and priority interventions for the ‘Big catch up4’, COVID -19 vaccination integration on other Primary Health Care services, and new vaccine introductions with a focus on HPV and Malaria Vaccine

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, health.

For more information about our programme, please visit our website: www.unicef.org/esaro/

How can you make a difference?

The position will require a good understanding of current global, regional and UNICEF’s vision and strategies for the introduction and scale-up of new vaccines, the continuation of the Zero-dose agenda to reach marginalized communities, integration of vaccine delivery with primary health care strengthening the touch points for vaccination beyond infancy.

The incumbent’s responsibilities will include:

• Implementation of cross-cutting activities in the 4-must wins agenda and emerging priorities (e-g introduction of Hepatis B birth dose):
  • Enhance coordination and partnership with WHO, GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and other partners supporting the 4 must-wins agenda: ‘Big catch up’, COVID -19 vaccination integration in other Primary Health Care services, and new vaccine introductions with a focus on HPV and Malaria Vaccine.
  • Maintain communication with ESAR Regional Working Group (ESAR RWG) on Immunization to ensure linkages between ESARO support to country offices and ESAR RWG support to the country teams.
  • Develop and implement monitoring and learning agenda.
  • Support resource mobilization activities
  • Prepare donors reports.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must-win 1 agenda: Zero dose and Routine Immunization recovery:
  • Monitor country performance and devise strategies to enhance support to countries behind targets on Big Catch-up indicators.
  • Support documentation and evidence-generation to prioritise TA in critical aeras and aligned with ESARO framework for the operationalization of the UNICEF Immunization Road Map.
  • Work with Immunization supply chain on vaccine forecasts, shipment schedules, coverage of target population assess bottlenecks and gaps and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must- win 2 agenda: HPV relaunch and revitalization.
  • Ensure each priority country has a road map and milestones.
  • Provide assistance to ESARO priority countries on the implementation of the UNICEF’s HPV+ programme.
  • Collaborate with global and regional partners on HPV advocacy and policy setting.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must-win 3 agenda: Malaria vaccine introduction.
  • Ensure each priority country has a road map and milestones.
  • Collaborate with global and regional partners to ensure multisectoral approach to the malaria vaccine introduction and roll-out.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to country offices on the Must- Must-win 4 agenda: COVID 19 vaccination integration into routine services.
  • Coordinate actions related to the implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine integration into basic health services.

Key Expected Results

1. Countries provided with regional oversight and technical support towards progress of the 4 must-wins and UNICEF priority objectives.
2. ESAR countries have enhanced national capacity of in coordination planning and monitoring of the 4 must-wins that will translate into efficient delivery strategies.
3. UNICEF ESA RO and CO visibility in partnerships initiatives is enhanced and UNICEF contribution towards countries access to funding and technical support is documented.
4. Regional and country offices have a learning agenda d to identify and document enabling factors, good practices, challenges /bottlenecks, and lessons learnt from actual activities implementation.

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

Education:

Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

Work Experience:

At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in all aspects of immunization.

Work experience in the East and Southern Africa region is highly desirable.

Previous experience working with the UN is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second UN and/or local working language of the duty station 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

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.