Chief Health and Nutrition – P5  

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, hope

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access essential services and protection, from early childhood through adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential. Following the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, UNICEF is responding at scale with WASH, Nutrition, Health, Child Protection and Multi-Purpose Cash, while preparing for return to learning for children across the State of Palestine to respond to the most precent and critical needs of children, while supporting the restoration of essential services.

Reporting to the Deputy Representative, Programmes, the Chief, Health and Nutrition, is responsible for the overall management and administration in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Health and Nutrition programme in the context of child survival and development within the country programme. You will be accountable for effective technical leadership, management guidance and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve programme goals and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health and Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

As Chief of Section, you will direct, lead, manage, develop and enable a competent team of professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Health and Nutrition programme, with a view to integrating gender equality across all aspects of the country programme. 

You will contribute to create synergy partnerships which reinforce other organizations ? including other UN Agencies ? SDGs strategic directions in areas where UNICEF has primary responsibility or comparative advantage such as interrelated areas of maternal, new-born, and child health and nutrition.

In Humanitarian Action, you will work closely with the Nutrition and Health clusters within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).

 

Your key accountabilities and duties:

1.  Timely and quality sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis, its periodic update, and all programme documents to formulate effective Health & Nutrition goals, strategy, and project planning and development.

– Leads, guides and coordinates to ensure the timely preparation and completion of the relevant components (e.g., Health, Nutrition)) of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate monitoring and analysis, and timely preparation and finalization of sectoral input.  Ensures effective project, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management. Conducts regular consultation and coordinates with key partners at all levels.

– Establishes sectoral programme goals, objectives, and strategies. Supervises preparation of the sectoral inputs to the Area Programme Document and related documents, ensuring coherence of the sectoral programme with National priorities and policies and with United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); and coordinates with other major players in Health and Nutrition including the World Bank, WHO, UNFPA and other UN Agencies ? to accelerate progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4 and 5.

2. Integrated Health & Nutrition strategies, methodologies and innovative approaches are developed and implemented based on results-based approach and Human Rights framework by broad participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.

– As part of the senior management team, ensures the integration of the sectoral programme with other UNICEF sectors in all stages of the programming process. Builds on intersectoral experience and establishes partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, recognizing that health and nutrition outcomes are not the results of action in the health and nutrition sectors alone; hence maintains close working relationships with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Education, Child protection, Social Policy , Social Behanviour Change and WASH, and programme communication to ensure integration of the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors.

– Provides leadership, guidance and direction for the formulation and development of Health & Nutrition goals, strategies and approaches for the UNICEF plan of cooperation, in consultation with strategic partners.

– Participates with UNICEF, government, donors and other partners in the development of integrated strategies, methodologies and identification of innovative approaches for improving programme delivery, with emphasis on advocacy, community participation and social mobilization based on the Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to Programming and Community Capacity Development.

– Brings coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or project management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

– Exploits efficiently the strategic partnerships as well as selective partnerships on specific issues with global funds, multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks and enhance relations with the private sector in order to: formulate common advocacy position, propose new financing mechanisms, and influence investment decisions such as on goods most needed by poor families and new supply solutions.

– Monitors latest Health & Nutrition developments at the international, regional and national levels; identifies/develops new methodologies and approaches for managing and improving programme effectiveness and efficiency of delivery; and expands collaboration with allies, focusing on developing partnership frameworks which address specific needs and have potential to leverage resources and scale up programmes.

– Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programmes/ projects in coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.

– Establishes active and participatory partnerships with key stakeholders (Government, other UN agencies, NGOs, bilateral agencies, donors and national and international academic institutions) and works with them at various stages of Health & Nutrition programme design and implementation.

3. Technical support is provided to government and non-government organizations at all stages of the programme cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.

– Provides guidance and support to government and non-government organizations at the national and provincial levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects. Plans, organizes and oversees training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries and other relevant partners, for the purpose of institutional capacity building and expansion of coverage of services.

4. Monitoring and evaluation of programme performance is systematically undertaken for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery.

– In collaboration with other colleagues, establishes effective information and reporting systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of the Health & Nutrition programme and achievement of targeted goals.

– Monitor and evaluate project implementation in the field. Participates in major review and planning meetings with government partners and key stakeholders on the country programme to assess and evaluate programme effectiveness, identifying problems and adopting remedial measures to accelerate/improve programme delivery.

5. Work plan and objectives are effectively established, performance is managed, and planned results are timely delivered through exercise of strong programme management leadership.

– As head of a large section, Chief Health & Nutrition takes primary responsibility for the development of the results-based sectoral work plan as well as for managerial oversight and implementation of sectoral project activity, consistent with the defined project strategies and approaches. Establishes partnership frameworks that pool competencies and resources.

– Ensures that objectives and targets are timely met and achieved, by providing advice, guidance oversight, coordination, and support to professional and support staff.

6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building programme in the development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition programme.

– Guides and coordinates a staff training/development programme with Regional and HQ Advisers to upgrade the capacity of UNICEF Country Office staff enabling them to progressively engage in and lead in the programme development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition programme.  – Oversees relevant orientation, workshop, training and staff learning/development activities, including relying on technical partnership with collaborating agencies to provide state ?of the ?art -technical information to staff.

7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for the sector.

– Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring UNICEF and Government and implanting partners accountability.  Approves disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures. Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.

– Ensures programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. Submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8. Effective partnership and collaboration are achieved and maintained in the advancement of advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.

Exercises leadership for technical cooperation, programme coordination and advocacy in the areas of Health & Nutrition, ensuring knowledge networking and experience sharing with other programmes for identification of new strategies and approaches to accelerate delivery of programme results and promote effective advocacy.

– Participates in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to: support advocacy and community participation; and to widen partnership with all stakeholder at national , regional , district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Health and Nutrition related MDGs goals.

– Develops partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on programme/project development and implementation. Ensures exchange of knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.

9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to support the Health & Nutrition Programme by the effective implementation of integrated programme monitoring system.

– In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and program communication colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated programme monitoring system, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

– Provides technical support to ensure that a set of programme performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary. Coordinates with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance monitoring.

– Participates in major evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings with Government counterparts and all other relevant partners. Analyses and evaluates data to ensure achievement of objectives and recommends corrective measures as appropriate.

– Drawing on monitoring and analysis of key program performance and management indicators, provides expert input to management reports, including relevant sections of the annual reports. Provides technical advice to programme staff, government counterparts and other partners on planning and management of integrated monitoring and evaluation.

10. All required programme reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.

– Oversees and ensures the timely preparation of annual sector status reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.  Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, and provides guidance and assistance in programme related reporting; and shares the information with relevant partners as required.

11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with                      

effective coordination are provided.

– Collaborates in forming emergency preparedness plan relevant to Health & Nutrition. In case of emergency, participates in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area. Coordinates and provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required in terms of immediate response as well as long-term strategy and plan.  In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthens partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors s within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

– Assumes any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required.

 

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

Education:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field.

Experience:

A minimum of ten years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of health and nutrition programmes including those relevant to child survival and development in a mix set of country context (including humanitarian, fragile, developing) is required.

Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a strategic technical leadership position in health, nutrition, and child survival and development.

Experience in health/nutrition programme development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Background/familiarity with Emergency is an asset.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, in particular Arabic, is considered as 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, or is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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.

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

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

This is required for all posts requiring a higher education degree. ?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

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

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

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.

 

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