Senior Health Specialist, P-5 at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Health Specialist, P-5

Job no: 571839
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Abuja
Level: P-5
Categories: Health

Job Description

• The GPEI Outbreak Deputy Coordinator will act according to the NPHCDA's new blueprint, which focuses on boosting the quality of the Polio campaign, reaching missed children, and increasing community vaccine acceptance.

GPEI Deputy Coordinator Core Functions

• Represent the GPEI in-country and liaise between the GPEI and partners at the county and regional level; provide direct feedback to the GPEI about outbreak response progress, challenges, and potential solutions.
• Support the UNICEF and WHO representatives with strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, ensuring that they address the needs of the population and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies.
• Foster close coordination with the EOC MOH, WHO in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in the organization of regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
• Work with the EOC / WHO teams to develop a national outbreak response plan, including a budget, chronogram of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan. Periodically adjust and adapt the plan as needed.
• Collaborate with THE EOC / WHO teams to establish outbreak response structures that include all components of outbreak response:
• Collaborate with the EOC / WHO teams to produce updates on outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners.

UNICEF Core Functions

• Provides oversight to ensure that UNICEF’s contributions to polio eradication are of the highest possible quality and conform to UNICEF commitments and agreements with other agencies. Ensures that UNICEF positions itself appropriately to engage in polio eradication at both National and subnational levels.
• Acts as the main UNICEF focal point for all UNICEF activities related to polio eradication, as per delegated tasks and accountabilities of the Chief of health.
• Oversees the coordination with the SBC section, the Supply section, the Vaccine management and logistic team, and other critical units within UNICEF on issues about vaccines, supplies, and operational costs for polio eradication activities.
• Oversees close follow-up of program activities through appropriate monitoring systems, regular contacts with and feedback to/from States, and other mechanisms. Ensures high-quality implementation of UNICEF’s critical contributions to polio eradication.
• Guides selected states on activities to eradicate polio and improve the delivery of routine vaccination and linked interventions, including monitoring and following up on such activities.

The Following Minimum Requirements

• Education: An advanced University Degree in Public Health / Pediatric Health / Child Development / Nutrition / Epidemiology / Public Administration / Social Policy / Social Development / Social and Behavior Change / Community Development, or other relevant disciplines and / or experiences is required.
• Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in polio eradication, planning, programming, implementation monitoring, Social and Behavior Change, and evaluation of Vaccination programs and professional work experience in a technical position related to Immunization and Social and Behavior Change.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English

The following Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and / or familiarity with emergency. 

The UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others 
• Nurtures, leads, and manages people 

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024 W. Central Africa Standard Time.