Health Specialist (HEPR)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF has a strong focus on equity, prioritizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential. The organization employs a large workforce dedicated to its mission and operates in various regions, providing technical assistance and support to countries in need.

Job Overview:
The Health Specialist (HEPR) position at UNICEF is critical for protecting the health and survival of children in emergencies. The role involves providing technical leadership and hands-on support to governments, UNICEF Country Offices, and partners to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery for all-hazard health emergencies. The specialist will deliver technical advisory support on health emergency preparedness and response, including the development of National Action Plans for Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and emergency preparedness planning. This position also includes capacity development, strengthening systems, institutions, and workforce readiness at both country and regional levels. The Health Specialist will contribute to strategic planning and coordination, support multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration, and engage in surge deployments during emergencies as required. Through knowledge management, strategic communications, and partnerships, the specialist will help position UNICEF as a trusted leader in health emergency preparedness and response globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health Specialist (HEPR) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on support for health emergency preparedness and response initiatives.
• Develop and implement National Action Plans for Health Security in collaboration with governments and partners.
• Conduct emergency preparedness planning and support the implementation of Pandemic Fund-supported programming.
• Strengthen systems and institutions to enhance workforce readiness for health emergencies.
• Engage in strategic planning and coordination efforts to ensure effective health emergency responses.
• Support multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration to optimize health emergency preparedness and response efforts.
• Participate in surge deployments during health emergencies as required.
• Facilitate capacity development initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in health emergency preparedness.
• Manage knowledge sharing and strategic communications to position UNICEF as a leader in health emergency preparedness and response.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the Health Specialist (HEPR) position, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• A Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in public health, medicine, global or international health, health research, health policy and/or management, environmental health services, biostatistics, epidemiology, disaster management, international development, public policy, or social policy.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the international level in coordinating health emergency preparedness and response, public health emergencies, or humanitarian health programming.
• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or high-risk settings is required.
• Familiarity with managing and delivering health or public health emergency responses in developing countries is essential.
• Training in emergency response management and knowledge of children's rights in the context of health emergency preparedness and response are required.
• Experience working with the United Nations system and international non-governmental humanitarian organizations is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in relevant fields such as public health, medicine, global or international health, health research, health policy and/or management, environmental health services, biostatistics, epidemiology, disaster management, international development, public policy, or social policy. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to health emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the international level. This experience should include coordinating health emergency preparedness and response, public health emergencies, or humanitarian health programming. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in fragile, conflict-affected, or high-risk settings, as well as familiarity with managing and delivering health or public health emergency responses in developing countries. This level of experience is crucial for effectively navigating the complexities of health emergencies and ensuring the delivery of essential health services during crises.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered desirable. Proficiency in multiple languages can enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in health emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of UNICEF's commitment to promoting the rights of every child and ensuring that the organization reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. The organization offers a wide range of benefits to its staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware that 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, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and adherence to UNICEF's standards and principles is expected.