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

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

The Health Specialist reports to the Chief of Health for general guidance and supervision. S/He is responsible for supporting the Chief in managing the health section and leading the management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the health programme (e.g immunization, gender, maternal, neonatal, child survival/development, adolescents, service delivery platforms, environmental health) within the country programme. S/He provides technical guidance and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches, and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development and planning for immunization.

• Plan and provide technical support and guidance for 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. especially immunization. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Prepare, coordinate, and/or supervise the formulation of health programme recommendations and related documentation as a component of the Country Programme, especially immunization, establishing clear programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).
• Ensure alignment of the sectoral programme with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies as well as national priorities, plans, and competencies.
• Consult and collaborate with colleagues and partners to provide technical and operational support on programme planning, management, and implementation, and to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors throughout all stages of programming processes.

2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results for immunization.

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in health programmes, especially immunization.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and 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.
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys, and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and potential problems, and make timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, monitor, and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Advisory services and technical support for immunization

• Collaborate and consult with key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies, best practices, and approaches on health-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results, especially for immunization.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice and contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development, including immunization.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use, information, and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development and contingency planning and/or respond to emergencies in the country or where designated.

4. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building for immunization. 

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on child rights, social justice, and equity.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for health programmes (maternal, neonatal, and child survival and development, adolescents, service delivery platforms, and environmental health). Support government for advocacy for increasing immunization financing, ensuring sustainable immunization programs in urban and rural areas in light of the Gavi transition.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects, ensuring organizational position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated with the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building for immunization

• 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.
• Contribute to the development of 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…

• Education: An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution 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.

• Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience in one or more of the following areas is required: immunization, public health planning, and management, maternal and neonatal and child health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness and working with Primary health care and service delivery platforms.
• Experience in immunization programming is required.
• Experience in influencing policies and their implementation by the government is required.
• Experience in leading a team is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.

• Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Bangla 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 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.

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 are encouraged to apply.

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.

Visa residence requirements: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions in the national officer and general service category.

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.