Health Specialist (Vaccine Preventable Disease Control)

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. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Health Specialist will report to the Senior Adviser Health, Accelerated Disease Control, and will work within the frameworks of the Measles and Rubella Partnership (M&RP), Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) by 2026 platform, and Defeating Meningitis by 203

• The role focuses on strengthening immunization delivery in priority countries by providing technical assistance for the planning, execution, and evaluation of high-quality Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) and Outbreak Response Immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases. The incumbent will develop a monitoring framework to assess the impact of Measles and Rubella activities on vaccination coverage, particularly in underserved populations, and will support post-campaign coverage surveys. The position also involves coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure sustainable and equitable health systems contributions that align with UNICEF's Health Strategic Plan and the SDG 2030 targets.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance for disease elimination and control initiatives, focusing on immunization strategies for vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Engage in outbreak preparedness and response activities, ensuring effective coordination with regional partners.
• Monitor, document, and learn from immunization campaigns, identifying best practices and challenges.
• Strengthen capacity and support health systems to ensure equitable access to immunization services.
• Collaborate with country offices to align interventions with UNICEF's strategic goals and ensure effective implementation of health programs.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Development, or a related technical field is required. A Bachelor’s degree combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted for internal candidates.
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in immunization and public health program implementation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is required.
• Familiarity with outbreak preparedness frameworks and coordination with global health partners such as WHO and Gavi is essential.
• Strong skills in strategic analysis, program management, stakeholder coordination, and written communication are necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, Social Development, or a related field. For internal candidates, a Bachelor’s degree with additional relevant work experience may suffice. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in public health principles and practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of relevant professional experience in immunization, public health program implementation, or emergency response, with a focus on vaccine-preventable diseases. Experience in low- and middle-income countries is particularly valuable, along with familiarity with emergency settings and health system strengthening.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a re-advertisement, and candidates who have previously applied do not need to re-apply. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must comply with medical clearance and vaccination requirements.