Health Specialist (MNT & Routine), P-4, Dakar

Purpose

Under the general guidance of the Regional Adviser Health/Immunization, the Health/MNT & Routine Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the regional support to immunization programs implementation, with emphasis on Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination and Routine Immunization strengthening within the polices and strategies agreed at global level in line with the 2006-2013 UNICEF Mid Term Strategic Plan, the Global UNICEF Health and Nutrition Strategy and the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS).

Key expected results

1. Prepare and periodically update the Regional Situation Analysis and the development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of Regional goals, strategies and approaches for Immunization programmes, with emphasis on Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) Elimination and Routine Immunization Strengthening.

2. Formulate and provide technical support to country offices, in the development, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of country goals, strategies and approaches for Immunization programme with emphasis on MNT Elimination and Routine Immunization Strengthening.

3. Coordinate with other partners, mainly WHO and UNFPA, the formulation and provision of capacity building support to government and non-government organizations at regional and national levels in planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of Immunization programme, with emphasis on MNT Elimination and Routine Immunization Strengthening.

4. Formulate and provide human resources strengthening activities to country offices, ensuring their training needs are met in order to achieve the regional goals related to Immunization, with emphasis on MNT Elimination and Routine Immunization Strengthening.

5. Actively collaborate with PMTCT Unit to support the offer an integrated package for Mother and Newborn including Maternal and Neonatal tetanus elimination activities.

6. Develop and disseminate, with other partners, mainly WHO, on the basis of country experiences, new strategies, methodologies and tools for improving immunization services delivery and Maternal and Neonatal tetanus elimination.

7. Prepare all programme reports required by management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc with emphasis on MNT Elimination and Routine Immunization Strengthening related matters and prepare proposals to donors, as necessary.

8. Actively participate to regional activities and exchange of information/ideas with other programme/projects within and outside child survival & development sector, related to the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring evaluation of overall regional strategies and support to country offices.

Qualification

Advanced university degree in Medicine and/or Public Health*.

Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, in Health and Immunization.

Fluency in French and English.

*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies

Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.

Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-001695. Applications must be received by 21 October 2011.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.