Health Specialist, Child Survival and Development (EPI)

Purpose of the Position

Under the general guidance of the Regional Adviser, Young Child Survival and Development, you will be accountable for supporting countries on policy formulation, planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the Immunization Programme and integration with other child survival interventions in the Region.

As head of the unit, you will lead and supervise a group of professional and support staff to develop and administer the immunization and integrated programmes with a view to ensuring equity in access to services across all countries of Eastern and Southern Africa Region.

Key Expected Results

1. Timely and regular preparation of the Situation Analysis of EPI activities in the Region and its periodic update. Prepare EPI input to the Regional work plan and all related documents including providing guidance to all UNICEF supported immunization programmes (Mainly Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination, Measles Control and Polio Eradication) with focus on results-based management.
2. Technical leadership and guidance provided to government and other EPI stake holders in collaboration with WHO and other partners in the development of EPI strategies, methodologies and identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on advocacy, community participation based on Human Rights Approach to Programming and Community Capacity Development. This includes emergency preparedness and response with a particular focus on vaccine preventable disease prevention and control.
3. Technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of EPI programmes reviewed and evaluated in co-ordination and collaboration with Governments and other EPI partners. Countries assisted in resource mobilization and countries ensured prioritization of EPI in PRSP and other sector wide approaches.
4. Technical and operational leadership, guidance and coordination provided to key government and non-government partners on the use of EPI as an opportunity of scaling up tailored packages of maternal, neonatal and child survival interventions including implementation of detailed EPI work-plans and budgets.
5. Programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting carried out in a timely manner, efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
6. Supply and non-supply assistance in support of EPI provided to countries in coordination with operation / supply sections as per approved plan of action. Government and non-government recipients accountable for UNICEF supply, non-supply and financial assistance.
7. Effective knowledge management through documentation and dissemination of lessons learned; development and implementation of appropriate capacity building strategies in new technologies and new approaches; and technical leadership, guidance and coordination of operational research.
8. Integration of rights-based approaches and humanitarian principles in routine EPI and in accelerated disease control and eradication programs such as polio eradication, measles and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination through advocacy & community participation.
9. EPI program Monitoring and evaluation conducted through country visits, remedial action undertaken for identified gaps and problems for accelerated and improved EPI program delivery.
10. UNICEF’s global goals, GIVS goal & targets, and Immunization-related MDGs effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Health sector.
11. Effective communication, networking and leveraging achieved in coordination with other programs contributing to the achievement of overall regional program through partnership and collaboration with government, UN and non-government partners.
12. Effective guidance and supportive supervision provided to the professional and support staff in the EPI team of the regional office in compliance to the planned objectives and targets.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Advanced degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Public Health, Pediatrics Health, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology, or related field.

Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in EPI programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation. Field work experience. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset.

Knowledge of latest theories, principles, methods and technology in one or more of the following areas:

• Child, neonatal or maternal health care
• Public Health, International Health, Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Family Health
• Health Research, Biostatistics, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology
• Health Education, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health Care
• Knowledge Management
• Inter-sectoral programme linkage and coordination
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan.

Fluency in English and another UN language.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

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 gender equality in its workplace. Women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

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-2010-002258. Applications must be received by 05 November 2010.

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.