Jobs at UNICEF

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• Under the overall supervision of the Regional Advisor (RA) Nutrition, the position will be responsible for technical support and strategic direction on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), including micronutrient supplementation, first foods and food fortification. The work of the Specialist is guided by the UNICEF global nutrition strategy and its regional contextualization, notably the multi-system approach. The Nutrition Specialist provides substantive support to the RA for the work of the Nutrition Section, in terms of authoritative technical assistance, oversight on implementation of multi-country grants and initiatives and quality assurance to the MIYCN aspect of nutrition programs in countries, contribution to the regional aspects of the nutrition section’s work on MIYCN, including development of tools and guidance, innovation, evidence generation and knowledge development and exchange. The position oversees partnerships with regional economic communities (RECs) in the region, as well as with other stakeholders including UN agencies, NGOs, donors, academia and others on MIYCN.

Management and advisory support to the Regional Adviser

• Provide advice to the RA in establishing, implementing and monitoring the MIYCN components of the annual work plan.
• Ensure results for MIYCN are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and report to RA critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the section on the MIYCN aspects of programming and implementation to enable them to achieve results.

Programme development and planning

• Provide technical support and guidance on the preparation, design and updating of regional and country situation analyses on MIYCN, to inform the regional and country agendas.
• Provide technical and strategic assistance to country offices to formulate, design and prepare the MIYCN components of nutrition programmes across multiple systems and develop implementation plans.
• Provide support for country offices to develop the MIYCN components of humanitarian response plans, HACs, appeals, proposals and other relevant emergency documents, as well as resilience strategies.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in other UNICEF sectors, particularly ECD, Gender, Disability Inclusion, Emergency, SBC, Health, WASH, Social Policy, Supply and Communications and with HQ. Act as focal point of the Nutrition Section for ECD and for Disability Inclusion.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support on MIYCN throughout all stages of programming processes.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability and results for MIYCN.
• Provide quality assurance and review of country office annual reports, NutriDash, RAM, CSIs and results related to MIYCN and review of RO/CO technical assistance compacts.
• Serve as focal point of ESARO and of the Nutrition Section for selected country offices.
• Supervise the outposted nutrition colleague (TA) in the SADC Secretariat and oversee the development and implementation of UNICEF-SADC workplans and the development and implementation of policy decisions, guidance documents, tools and resources.
• Contribute to the design of assessments, evaluations and research related to MIYCN and review reports. Identify lessons learned and disseminate and use knowledge.

Advisory services and technical support

• Provide advice to key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on MIYCN-related issues.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice, contribute to policy discussions, and promote appropriate MIYCN interventions across multiple systems.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials on MIYCN for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives in countries, assessments and response to emergencies in country (surge) on MIYCN. Coordinate and provide assistance to the 21 Country Offices in identifying where support is required.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships on wasting & NiE with relevant UN agencies, RECs, government counterparts, NGOs, national stakeholders, global and regional partners, allies, donors, and academia.
• Build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve programme goals on MIYCN.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on MIYCN -related issues.
• Contribute to design and implementation of strengthened resilience programming for nutrition with a focus on the MIYCN components.
• Contribute to design and implementation of the UNICEF agenda on climate and nutrition, including mapping, analysis, research, recommendations, investment cases and advocacy for climate-sensitive nutrition actions, fundraising, technical assistance and documentation.
• Contribute to designing and implementing of the UNICEF agenda on food systems for children, especially the first foods component, including mapping, analysis, research, recommendations, investment cases and advocacy for child-sensitive food system actions, fundraising, technical assistance and documentation.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable and high coverage MIYCN programmes in relevant systems in all contexts.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems for MIYCN.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices on MIYCN strategies and programmes across multiple systems.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of country office Nutrition staff, Government counterparts and other stakeholders to promote and deliver results on MIYCN. The successful individual will be responsible for the following key accountabilities:

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

• Advanced university degree in Public Health or Nutrition (preferably with specialized training in public health and nutrition planning, health and nutrition education, health care system management, or epidemiology), Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programmes. Professional work experience in a managerial/leadership position, or a technical expert position in nutrition.
• Background/familiarity and specific work experience on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (including micronutrients) programmes
• Developing country work experience and familiarity with emergency is 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.

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• Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, Child Rights and Business, the Programme Specialist (Digital CRB) will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, policies and programs that promote and protect the rights of children in the digital environment.
• The position supports UNICEF National Committees, Regional, and Country Offices to engage industry, policy makers, and other stakeholders on the government duty to protect and business responsibility to respect children’s rights, specifically in the context the digital environment. The position works closely with relevant teams across UNICEF Divisions including PG/Child Protection, Office of Research, Office of Innovation and ICTD in developing evidence, policy guidance, technical support and capacity building as it relates to children’s rights in the digital environment.
• The position will strengthen knowledge management and lead external stakeholder engagement, including for resource mobilization as relevant, including in support of CO programme implementation.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Deliver on existing commitments relevant to the CRB/Digital work plan, internally and externally.

• Including but not limited to managing the ongoing Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) and disclosures project on child rights in the digital environment, Responsible Digital Marketing Project, the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) project as well as oversee and ensure strategic roll-out of the UNICEF Interdivisional COP Framework, the ITU/UNICEF Training modules, and the B-Tech Paper on Child Rights. This also involves the provision of strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF colleagues in relation to engagement with the tech industry, regulators and relevant business stakeholders.

Further programme integration and provide wider organizational support

• Provide technical support to HQ Divisions, ROs, COs, National Committees and other HQ teams to further drive momentum on digital CRB and programme integration. This requires liaising and working closely with programme teams in HQ, ROs and COs to embed CRB approached in programme strategies and including advocacy messaging on child rights in the digital environment. This includes existing priority areas (e.g., digital CRB, CO model strategy on industry engagement) and advancing emerging themes (e.g. Generative AI, etc.), as relevant.

Facilitate internal capacity building and knowledge exchange.

• Duties include coordinating regular information exchange and experience sharing meetings (e.g., CRB Digital Working Group); regularly liaising with ROs and relevant COs; responding to requests for technical support; and capturing case studies of impactful UNICEF programming, partnerships and advocacy work and initiatives at country-level.

Supports the positioning of UNICEF and child rights in relevant external agendas and events on business, human rights, and technology.

• This involves engaging with relevant stakeholders including governments, regional bodies, decision makers, industry, foundations, civil society organisations in support of advancing child rights in the digital environment through research. publications, events, corporate benchmarks, reporting frameworks etc.

Support resource mobilization and strengthen UNICEF’s engagement with donors.

• Drive content development, proposal writing and donor engagement (incl. follow-up) to support resource mobilization in support of digital CRB and programmatic work at CO-level. This requires working closely with relevant Natcom and HQ, ROs, and COs to develop tailored and targeted proposals, and engaging with relevant UNICEF colleagues before and during donor engagement.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution is required in social sciences, development, business, international law, human rights, child rights or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience:
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in business and human rights, children’s rights and business, sustainability or related area including at the international level.
• Skills (required):
  • A technical background in child rights or human rights approaches to business impact.
  • Demonstrated experience of leading and coordinating advocacy efforts.
  • Experience and demonstrable skills in producing, editing, and uploading online content.
  • Ability to work independently and to meet tight deadlines.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Experience of UNICEF & UN.
• At least two years of experience with a focus on child rights or associated programming.
• Experience of advocating with industry platforms, investment institutions, governments and NGOs or within the corporate sector, including coordinating advocacy with others, would be additional assets.
• Experience of developing or implementing practical human rights reporting and due diligence mechanisms for children, especially for business.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

Deadline: 19 Apr 2024 

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• 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

• Countries provided with regional oversight and technical support towards progress of the 4 must-wins and UNICEF priority objectives.
• ESAR countries have enhanced national capacity of in coordination planning and monitoring of the 4 must-wins that will translate into efficient delivery strategies.
• UNICEF ESA RO and CO visibility in partnerships initiatives is enhanced and UNICEF contribution towards countries access to funding and technical support is documented.
• 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.

Deadline: 22 Apr 2024

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• The Chief Health reports to the Deputy Representative, Programmes for general guidance and direction. The Chief is responsible for managing and leading all stages of health programmes/ (e.g., gender, maternal, neonatal, adolescent, Child Immunization, child survival, HIV, and Emergency Preparedness) from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of results. S/he leads and manages the health team including establishing plans of action to achieve concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework, and does so in consultation with the Regional Health Adviser.

Summary Of Key Functions/accountabilities

• Managerial leadership
• Programme development and planning.
• Programme management, monitoring, and quality control of results.
• Advisory services and technical support.
• Advocacy, networking, and partnership building.
• Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building.
• Managerial leadership
• Establish the section’s annual work plan with the health team and set priorities and targets. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards aligned to National Health Policy/Strategies, UHC/PHC agenda, and Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (RMNACH)
• 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.
• Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives, goals, direction, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
• Programme development and planning
• Lead the preparation, design, and updating of the situation analysis to establish a comprehensive and updated strategic plan for the development, design, and management of health-related programmes. Keep abreast of national, regional, and global development trends and priorities to determine the strategies, approaches, and priorities for programming to address the country’s health needs.
• Lead, coordinate, and supervise the development of health programmes (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF programmes) and establish plans of action, programme goals, and results using results-based planning methodology and terminology (RBM).
• Oversee and ensure UNICEF Corporate Priorities across immunization/zero-dose children, Public Health Emergency and community-based Health Delivery Partnerships or community-based Primary Health Care, Adolescent HPV acceleration, etc. are taken forward.
• Oversee the timely preparation of the health programme recommendation and related documentation for inclusion in the Country Office Programme recommendation ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, regional strategies, and national priorities, plans, and competencies.
• Consult and collaborate with colleagues and partners to provide technical guidance and operational support on programme planning, management, and implementation, and to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of programme/project initiatives with UNICEF Strategic Plans and priorities.
• Ensure that the Health program design incorporates the status of Kenya as a middle-income country, govt. policies, devolution of the health sector, and its resolve on UHC/PHC.
• Ensure that the program design links with and benefits from the high importance of innovation and the use of digital space for the promotion of the sector.
• Programme management, monitoring, and quality control of results.
• Coordinate, plan, and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in health programmes.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sector reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths, and/or weaknesses in programme management; identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor programmes/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, approve, monitor, and control the use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative, and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.
• Advisory services and technical support
• Advise key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices, and approaches to health and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal, neonatal, and child survival and development.
• Advocacy, networking, and partnership building
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, and regional and global partners (African Medical and Research Foundation - AMREF, GAVI, Global Fund, etc.). allies, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication of UNICEF’s mission, goals, programmes, and resource mobilization needs.
• Develop communication strategies as well as implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for UNICEF and Country Office health programmes (maternal, neonatal, and child survival).
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-related issues to ensure organizational position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated into the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners and colleagues in UNDAF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to developing donor proposals for resource mobilization.
• Solid experience/understanding of Public Financing for Children and influencing govt. decisions towards key areas of health sector financing for children.
• Promote and seek active collaboration with key stakeholders on the prominent advocacy agenda identified by the office.
• Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building
• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices for sustainable health programmes/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.
• Lead and/or develop policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Lead, plan, and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health-related programmes/projects.

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

• A medical or advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas, at the international level, is required: public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness with experience managing and guiding teams. Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

The Following Desirables

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language.