Senior Health Specialist – Implementation Research, PHC-HSS (P5), FT, PG – Health (MNCAH), outpost in Nairobi – Kenya # 00053197

Senior Health Specialist – Implementation Research, PHC-HSS (P5), FT, # 0053197, Programme Group – Health (outpost in Nairobi – Kenya)

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

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall direction of the Sr. Health Advisor, PHC-HSS unit the incumbent is responsible for coordination, planning, management, and evaluation of implementation research to produce data and evidence to influence policy towards achievement of the health-related SDGs focused on strengthening Primary Health Care. Support the Sr Health Advisor in development and implementation of creative strategies so that data and evidence obtained from these studies and from international literature is successfully disseminated to field staff and policy decisions can be informed by the best possible evidence.

Technical guidance for specific implementation research projects.

• Provides leadership and guidance for specific implementation research projects, including the elaboration of research plans and protocols, and monitoring the quality of the studies and their application within policies and programmes.
• Responsible for development and overall management of research projects at the international, regional, and country levels.
• Guides development of methodologies and new approaches for improving research projects. Develops and participates in research workshops and consultations at regional and country levels to exchange knowledge, ideas, and approaches.
• Coordinates preparations for funding proposals related to implementation research, monitors the overall planning and disbursement of implementation research funds, and monitors utilization of funds.
• Prepares and submits timely progress/status reports for management, board, donors, budget reviews, programme monitoring and evaluation, annual reports, etc.

Development and operationalization of implementation research strategy

• Supports Senior Manager and acts as focal point to guide development and operationalization of UNICEF implementation research strategy to produce evidence and influence policy towards achievement of health-related SDGs, with a focus on implementation strategies and community-based approaches for maternal and child survival activities.
• With input from various units and sections within Health, WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection, Social Policy programmes as well as regional counterparts, identifies priority strategic implementation research projects of interest to fill the gaps and improve implementation strategies and community-based interventions aimed at reducing child mortality.
• Supports Senior Manager in fundraising for implementation research and in leading key partnerships with other global institutions leading on implementation research.
• Makes decisions on implementation research projects, capacity, and international collaborations. These decisions will affect the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme policy and evidence. Recommendations are made regarding policy and the implementation of UNICEF’s health programmes and data worldwide.
• Recommendations include contributions to policy development, programme design and other technical and organisational advice. Recommendations are also made on programme/project activity feasibility and implementation, linkages with other aspects of UNICEF intervention, reprogramming and rescheduling of activities, and external technical assistance and requirements. These recommendations impact directly on the effectiveness of UNICEF’s programmes and the image of the organization.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, epidemiology, infectious disease, maternal and child health, health promotion or any other related field and a Medical Degree (MD) is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in health research design and execution, including management of research projects is required.
• Experience in data management, analysis, dissemination and expertise and experience in child survival programme management is a definite asset.
• Proven record as evidenced by published research as the main author in peer reviewed journals in the field of implementation research and data in relevant topics (at least 10 publications) is desired.
• Knowledge of academic institutions, international health organizations and partners in implementation research is a definite 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 (CRITA), and sustainability

Please click Here to view UNICEF’s core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
• 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)

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 including 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, 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 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, therefore, 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, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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 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 http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service