JOB DESCRIPTION
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.
And we never give up.
For every child, health
UNICEF Cuba Country Program
The program is aligned with three of the four results of the United Nations Framework for Cooperation on Sustainable Development 2020-2024 and with the goals and objectives of the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.
The program will be implemented through strategic partnerships with the Government at the national and territorial levels, academic institutions, civil society organizations and other United Nations organizations, under the direction and coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.
Cuba has achieved universal health and education coverage and its indicators for children are above the regional average. Therefore, the objective of the program is to help the country increase the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health, education, culture, and protection services. Given that the sense of identification and sustainability are integral aspects of national policies that give priority to children, UNICEF will act as a catalyst partner by bringing up-to-date vision and expertise, generating knowledge, modernizing capacity, providing the necessary tools and supplies, helping to improve the protection environments of children, adolescents, families and communities and promoting participation.
The program will focus on three priority areas, identified in consultation with national entities and which will be aligned with the National Plan for Economic and Social Development until 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals and three of the five goals of the UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2018-2021: each child survives and thrives; each child learns and each child is protected from violence and exploitation.
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The component related to Health and Nutrition will address the obstacles that stand in the way of the quality of maternal and child health and nutrition services and adolescents in support of well-being and the development of children and adolescents and their families in priority territories, including in emergency situations. It will collaborate with other sectors, especially to maintain achievements in maternal and child health care in survival and to expand work aimed at a better quality of life and greater well-being during the life cycle, from the first years to adolescence. Support the improvement of the knowledge, skills and positive practices of professionals, children and adolescents, families and communities in relation to gender, social norms,cultural beliefs and parenting guidelines.
Once the health system provides quality integrated services and children and adolescents and their families identify with their rights, have access to integrated health care and adopt positive practices and healthy behaviors that take into account gender equality, children and adolescents will be better able to survive and prosper, even in emergency situations.
How can you make a difference?
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Health & Nutrition Officer provides professional technical assistance and support for program / project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of program / project activities, including data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with Health & Nutrition program goals and strategy.
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KEY END-RESULTS
one. Accurate information, data analysis, and documentation are timely made available to support situation analysis, sectoral input and reporting.
2. Technical assistance are provided to the development and implementation of integrated Health & Nutrition strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
3. Work plan and objectives are effectively established and planned results are timely delivered through technical support and coordination in consultation with all relevant partners.
4. Project efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced through effective implementation follow-up.
5. Project implementation progress is monitored for adjustment and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Gender / sex disaggregated data and inputs provided relevant to the Health & Nutrition program.
6. Transparency is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of program funds for Health & Nutrition.
7. Effective partnership and working relationships are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
8. Up-to-date program information is kept available and reports prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders as required to support the Health & Nutrition program by the effective implementation of integrated monitoring system.
9. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with
effective coordination are provided and in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors strengthened within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
10. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS
one. Accurate information, data analysis, and documentation are timely made available to contribute to situation analysis, sectoral input and reporting.
Assists the preparation and periodic update of the Situation Analysis by compiling Health & Nutrition data, analyzing and evaluating relevant information and providing the technical input in a timely and accurate manner. Drafts chapters, prepares statistical data reports, and assists with preparation of sectoral input to the program documents as required. Contributions to the consultation and coordination with key partners at all levels.
2. Technical assistance are provided in the implementation of integrated Health & Nutrition approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
Provides technical assistance in the integration of the Health & Nutrition program with other sectors in collaboration with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, CSD, HIV / AIDS. WASH, and program communication.
Contributions to build on intersectoral experience and establish partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, recognizing that health and nutrition outcomes are not the results of action in the health and nutrition sectors alone.
Assists in the design, planning, monitoring and evaluation of the Health & Nutrition program to be implemented in the locality.
Supports the improvement of program delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development.
3. Work plan and objectives are effectively implemented and planned results are timely delivered
through technical support and coordination.
Assists in the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for administration, implementation and monitoring of sectoral project activities. Analyzes data and information, and drafts progress reports; drafts changes in project work plans, as required. Monitors to ensure objectives and targets are timely met and achieved, through effective coordination and collaboration, by participating in a team of professional and support staff.
Assists in the planning and organizing training / development activities to upgrade the capacity of the Country Office staff as well as government and NGOs in the program development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition program. Assists in Identifying training needs and conducts relevant orientation, workshop, training and learning / development activities for the staff as well as for government personnel and beneficiaries, in collaboration with knowledge institutions.
4. Project efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced through effective implementation follow-up.
Provides timely implementation follow-up, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance, and project status to build on project efficiency and effectiveness.
Assists in identification and selection of Health & Nutrition supplies and equipment. Follows up on delivery of cash assistance and liquidation of advances and proper planning, delivery and use of supply component of the project. Ensure that activities are in accordance with plans of action. Records information on use of resources and distribution of supplies.
5. Project implementation progress is monitored for adjustment and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Gender / sex disaggregated data and inputs provided relevant to the Health & Nutrition program.
Participants in the field visits to UNICEF project sites for monitoring project activities and local conditions, and follows up with local government counterparts and other partners on project implementation. Assists in identifying necessary action for program adjustments, acceleration, improvement and sustainability. Assists government counterparts and other partners in the planning and management of Health and Nutrition Program. Reports to supervisor and / or Head of Office the outcome of program monitoring and review meetings with Government counterparts and all other relevant partners. Drafts changes in program work plans as required. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender / sex disaggregated data.
Transparency is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of program funds for Health & Nutrition.
Coordinating with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities, ensures UNICEF and Government partner and all implementing partners accountability. Liaises with local authorities to ensure timely submission of financial requests and reports. Monitors disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and program budget allotments; and to guide and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures. Drafts financial status reports for management as required.
7. Effective partnership and working relationships are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
Exchanges information and knowledge with other programs to contribute to achievement of overall country program objectives. Assists in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database / network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate program information / data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for Health & Nutrition; and to widen partnership with all stakeholders at national, regional, district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Health and Nutrition related MDGs goals.
Keeps close contacts with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on program/project development and implementation. Shares knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.
8. Up-to-date program information is kept available and reports prepared to support the Health & Nutrition program by the effective implementation of integrated monitoring system.
In consultation with monitoring and evaluation colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated monitoring system, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders..
Assists with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardized across programs to feed into to program performance monitoring.
Analyzes monitoring data, and provides feed-forward or recommends adjustment as appropriate to ensure achievement of program objectives.
Assists in the timely preparation of annual sector status reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Assists in the drafting and preparation of program reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, program analysis, and annual reports, as required.
9. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses are
effectively provided.
Assists in the implementation of emergency preparedness plan relating to Health & Nutrition. In case of emergency, assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area. Provides assistance to the Country Office as required In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthens partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors s within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
10. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Education: University degree in Public Health and Nutrition, Child Development, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
- Work experience: A minimum of One year (1) of professional work experience in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health programs. Professional work experience in a program management function or a technical expert capacity in child survival & health care. Developing country work experience and / or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. Fieldwork experience. Background / familiarity with Emergency.
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability ( CRITAS ) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
( 1 ) Builds and maintains partnerships ( 2 ) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness ( 3 ) Drive to achieve results for impact ( 4 ) Innovates and embraces change) Thanks and acts strategically ( 7 ) Works collaboratively with others. 8th competence ( Nurtures, leads and manages people ) for supervisory role ]
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competence framework. Familiarize yourself with our competence framework and its different levels: competence framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race / ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including parental leave paid, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.
Remarks:
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates and persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential (s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.