Description
Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
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. This is why 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.
Purpose for the job:
The MNCH Specialist reports to the Chief Field Office, Zanzibar and has
direct technical links to the Chief of Section Health based in Dar Es
Salaam and the Health Section for technical guidance and supervision.
The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the health
program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring,
evaluating and reporting of program progress of the overall health
sector (with particular focus on maternal, neonatal, child
survival/development) program in Zanzibar within the country program.
The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support
throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration
and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans,
allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM)
and organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance
and accountability framework.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Support to program development and planning
Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
Technical and operational support to program implementation
Networking and partnership building
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to
establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other
UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen
performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and
sustainable results for the assigned sector in health programs.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and
annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to
assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to
achieve results.
Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps,
strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned
and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely
intervention to achieve goals.
Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or
exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress,
identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to
resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely
resolution.
Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral program
resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming
compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor
commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring
timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
Technical and operational support to program implementation
Provide technical guidance and operational support to government
counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office
partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of
UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches
on health and related issues to support program development planning,
management, implementation and delivery of results.
Participate in discussions with national partners/clients/stakeholders
to promote health and development issues especially in the areas of
gender, emergency preparedness and maternal, neonatal and child survival
and development.
Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives program development
and contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or
where designated
Support inter sectoral collaboration in the delivery of the programme in Zanzibar, especially for early childhood.
Networking and partnership building
Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health
sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global
partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and
effective communication to build capacity and exchange
knowledge/expertise to facilitate the achievement of program goals on
children rights and social justice/equity.
Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy
to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund
raising for health programs (maternal, neonatal and child survival and
development).
Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT)
discussions and planning on health and related issues to collaborate
with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation
of health programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests
and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process
in development planning and agenda setting
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the
capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation
and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting edge practices in health.
Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and
procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable
programs and projects.
Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the
competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on
health related programs/projects.
Impact of Results
The efficiency and efficacy of program preparation planning and
implementation of health programs/projects contributes to the delivery
of concrete and sustainable results for the Health/Country Program that
directly impacts the improvement of the health of the most marginalized
and vulnerable women and children in the country, and this in turn
contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of
UNICEF to continue to provide program services to protect the rights of
children, promote greater social equality to enable children to survive,
develop and reach their full potential in society.
Competencies and level of proficiency required
Core Values
Commitment
Diversity and inclusion
Integrity
Core competencies
Communication (II)
Working with people (II)
Drive for results (II)
Functional Competencies:
Leading and supervising (I)
Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
Analyzing (III)
Relating and networking (II)
Deciding and Initiating action (II)
Applying technical expertise ((III)
Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
An Advanced University Degree in 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 other health related
science is required.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health
planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and
neonatal health care, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the
international level some of which preferably in a developing country is
required. Relevant experience in health/nutrition program/project
development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an
asset
Application Instructions
Online application, click APPLY NOW below
