JOB DESCRIPTION
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, [hope]
Job organizational context and purpose for the job
The incumbent is accountable for professional leadership and innovation in the development, planning, implementation, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and oversight management of the Immunization programme in conjunction with other Health and HIV, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health section components, Gender, SBC, Adolescent development, Protection and Nutrition sections within the Regional Office programme, to achieve the UNICEF WCARO support to Country offices immunization programmes goals and objectives.
Accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization programme promotes gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation, gender disparity identification and gender mainstreaming. He will also support in-country activities to ensure successful introduction and roll out and optimal uptake of new vaccines.
How can you make a difference?
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
- Technical support and guidance are provided to country offices and governments, including capacity building and experience sharing on the COVID-19 vaccination integration into routine immunization and primary health care (PHC).
- Effective introduction and scale up of malaria vaccines in WCA countries is achieved as part of malaria control package.
- Technical support and guidance to the relaunch and revitalization of the HPV vaccination programme in WCA region with consistent integration of gender and adolescent health interventions provided.
- Quality contributions are made to the planning and introduction of other new vaccines (Hepatis B, PCV and rotavirus vaccines, TCV…)
- Strong partnership/networking, coordination, capacity building, and knowledge management on new vaccines introduction and relaunch are achieved
- Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively performed,
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- Technical support and guidance are provided to country offices and governments, including capacity building and experience sharing on the COVID-19 vaccination integration into routine immunization and primary health care (PHC).
- Provide guidance and technical support to Country Offices and governments in planning, and monitoring integration of C-19 vaccination into routine and primary health care (PHC).
- Identify training needs and support training and orientation activities with targeted countries and government staff on the C-19 vaccination integration package.
- Monitor performance of C-19 vaccination to ensure high-priority populations are reached through a life course approach.
- Effective introduction and scale up of malaria vaccines in WCA countries is achieved as part of malaria control package.
- Regularly update on malaria situation analysis including the trend of case and deaths as well as on control strategies.
- Support high and moderate malaria transmission countries to develop malaria vaccine introduction plan and road map with key milestones.
- Collaborate with other colleagues and partners to ensure multisectoral approach and support the identification of bottlenecks and solutions promoting equity, demand, gender, and integration opportunities as part of the malaria vaccine introduction and roll- out.
- Support country and capacity building as well as timely forecasting and procurement of malaria vaccines and immunization supplies.
- Provide guidance and Support in implementing and coordinating of comprehensive malaria control interventions at country and regional level for Highest impact. This include applying a mix of available interventions: i. Case management, ii. Vector control: ITNs, indoor residual spraying/IRS, Larval Source Management (LSM), iii. Chemoprevention: seasonal malaria chemoprevention(SMC), intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy (IPTp), perennial malaria chemoprevention(PMC), mass drug administration (MDA), and iv.Vaccines : RTS,S, R21
- Technical support and guidance to the relaunch and revitalization of the HPV vaccination programme in WCA region with consistent integration of gender and adolescent health interventions provided.
- Contribute to the Situation Analysis update and provide technical guidance to the HPV vaccination revitalization programme in the region.
- Contribute to planning, implementation, and monitoring of the HPV+ programming) with other Adolescent health and development, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Gender, Sexual based violence, and SBC interventions.
- Support countries to identify and reach the adolescent girls missed, and use of HPV vaccination as an entry point to strengthen life course immunization and to integrate other adolescent health interventions.
- Support social and behavior change strategies to build awareness, confidence, and demand for the HPV vaccine among the adolescents, caregivers, schools, communities, and the front‐line health workers.
- Support identifying the gender‐related barriers in accessing HPV vaccine and the application of a gender lens in developing, implementing, and monitoring of HPV vaccination strategies.
- Facilitate adolescent development and participation, strengthen partnerships with the education sector for school health, with other adolescent health initiatives, and CSOs and other institutions involved in women’s and girls’ health, gender, and cancer control.
- Advocate with policy makers at country and regional levels for prioritizing HPV immunization and cervical cancer elimination.
- Facilitate country planning, preparedness, and capacity building as well as timely procurement of vaccines and immunization supplies for the HPV vaccine relaunch and revitalization.
- Quality contributions are made to the planning and introduction of other new vaccines and switch (Hepatis B, PCV and rotavirus vaccines, TCV…),
- Support partners including academics and NITAGs to generate evidence of burden of Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Pneumococcal diseases, cholera, diarrhea to guide decision making for new vaccines introduction.
- Collaborate with other UNICEF sectors, particularly other Health, and HIV and MNCAH section components, Nutrition, Supply, SBC, and programme communication sections to ensure quality support of other new vaccines introduction (Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Pneumococcal diseases, cholera, diarrhea….)
- Contribute to identification, development and dissemination of new strategies, methodologies, approaches, and tools for improving immunization programme delivery with emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach, in collaboration with other partners (e.g., WHO).
- Develop and implement monitoring and learning agenda with Regional Working Groups for country offices.
- Strong partnership/networking, coordination, capacity building and knowledge management on new vaccines introduction and relaunch are achieved.
- Support the documentation and peer-to-peer learning experience sharing between WCA countries as part of the integration of C-19 vaccination into routine EPI.
- Share information’s and new developments on new vaccines with other internal UNICEF Sections (SBC, Supply, Communication, Community Health) and external partners (WHO, Gavi, USAID, CDC, AfCDC, PATH, PMI…) t to achievement successful introduction and revamp of new and underused vaccines.
- Establish effective monitoring, database and reporting systems to ensure the availability of up-to-date data on new vaccines and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community engagement.
- Strengthen working relationships with main partners and collaborate with external counterparts (MVCT, AMVIRA), including those of the UN and national partners, to improve data collection, track progress.
- Set up a peer-to-peer learning and capacity development process involving country Offices, HQ, regional platforms, and other relevant partners.
- Document regional and country experiences on new vaccine introductions and lessons learned through the Regional Working Group, National Interagency Coordinating Committees, National and Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Groups, National EPI managers meetings and other relevant forums.
- Guide and organize training/capacity development programme with Regional and HQ colleagues targeting UNICEF Country Offices staff and relevant partners to manage new vaccines.
- Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively performed.
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of the WCARO annual work plan.
- Prepare and submit timely required proposals and donor reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
- Participate in major evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and pre-review meetings.
- Analyze and evaluate data to ensure achievement of objectives and recommends corrective measures as appropriate.
- Support resource mobilization activities.
- Contribute to the implementation and the monitoring of ‘Big catch up’ campaign reach zero dose and unvaccinated children.
- Participate in implementation of the Regional Working Group on Immunization plan including on relevant sub thematic groups activities.
Impact of Results
| Action | Impact |
| Decisions: Makes decisions on coordination, technical assistance, consortium building and partnerships | Decisions will affect the overall efficiency and effectiveness of UNICEF’s programme results at regional levels. |
| Recommendations: Makes technical recommendations contributing to UNICEF’s policy development, programme design and other technical and organisational guidance in relation to immunization. | These recommendations impact directly on the UNICEF’s positioning within the broader health community, with Govenrment and national partners, and the effectiveness of UNICEF’s programmes. |
| Quality Assurance: Provides technical guidance to field programme/project activities, alignment with government health programmes, and partnerships. | Given the danger of poor immunization programme performance to UNICEF’s larger health activities and national systems, quality technical assistance will reduce both programme and reputational risk to UNICEF and partners. |
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education: Advanced degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Public Health, Pediatric Health, Global/International Health, Health Policy and Management, Family Health, Socio-medical Sciences, Health Education, Epidemiology, or other fields relevant to immunization.
Work Experience:
- Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in development, planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and managing of health/Immunization programmes. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & health care.
- Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO)
- Background/familiarity with Emergency.
Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English 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
The 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
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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. 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, 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.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.