Health Specialist (Immunization/Polio) at UNICEF Nigeria

UNICEF Nigeria is supporting the Government of Nigeria to strengthen prevention of and response all forms of violence against children. In particular, assistance will be provided to strengthen the child protection system, including through modelling the system in four States, in order to demonstrate the impact of a well-functioning child protection system, to develop a common model for operationalizing the Child Rights Act at State level and to develop standardized tools, including regulations, working protocols and training manuals to govern the system.

The emergency in the northeast of Nigeria has led to large scale displacement of civilians with the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) estimating 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the six states of the Northeast. The increasing number of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), including children orphaned in the ongoing hostilities, is a growing issue of concern. There is a pressing need for the Child Protection Programme to scale up its interventions in North East to meet the needs of UASC, and in particular to support alternative care for UASC and the establishment and implementation of family tracing and reunification mechanisms.

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Health Specialist (Immunization/Polio)

Vacancy Number: VN-NGR-20-2015
Location: Abuja
Level: NO-C
Type of Appointment: Fixed Term

Purpose of the Post

• The successful candidate will be accountable for professional leadership in and contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Immunization programme in conjunction with Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, Health and Nutrition components within the country programme, to achieve the UNICEF's immunization plus goals and objectives for the country.
• The incumbent will be working specifically within the Polio Eradication initiative to ensure UNICEF's accountabilities are met.
• Accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization programme promotes gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation, gender disparity identification and gender mainstreaming.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze, evaluate and provide technical input into the preparation of Situation Analysis relative to Immunization (EPI).
• Contribute to and collaborate with relevant partners in the identification of new approaches for improving and integrating of the immunization programmes.
• Provide leadership for and participate in the development of result based sectoral work plan consistent with defined project strategies and approaches.
• Plan and organize staff training/development programme to upgrade Country Office staff capacity in the development implementation and management of Immunization programme.
• Collaborate in forming emergency preparedness plan relating to the areas of responsibility.
• Participate in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis and annual reports.
• Coordinate relevant staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities to ensure UNICEF and Government partner accountability.

Qualifications and Competencies Required

• Advanced degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Paediatric Health, Child Development, child Health Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development or other relevant discipline(s)
• Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health/immunization programmes.
• Field work experience, background/familiarity with Emergency.
• Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to child survival & health
• Fluency in English and local working language of the duty station.
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2015.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application, accompanied by an updated CV in English and a completed United National Personal History Form, which can be download below and sent to: [email protected]

Click Here to Download the United Nations Personal History Form

Note:

• Please put the position title you are applying for on the subject line of your email.
• UNICEF, a smoke-free environment, is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff.
• Well qualified candidates, particularly women are strongly encouraged to apply. Zero tolerance of sexual abuse and exploitation is our policy.