Child Health Specialist NO3

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 large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, emphasizing a culture of belonging and growth, alongside an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Child Health Specialist position is crucial for ensuring that disadvantaged mothers, children, and adolescents have access to high-quality primary healthcare and nutrition services. This role aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and aims to address equity gaps in health services. The specialist will support the Department of Health in enhancing care quality, expanding early detection of developmental delays, and improving immunization and health services. The position involves strategic planning, financing, and capacity building for community health workers, focusing on pandemic preparedness and response. The specialist will also work on strengthening adolescent-responsive services, ensuring that the government has the necessary evidence and partnerships to improve health access and quality for adolescents, particularly those with disabilities. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve sustainable health outcomes for mothers and children, contributing to the overall health and well-being of communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Child Health Specialist will be responsible for supporting program development and planning, managing and monitoring program implementation, providing technical and operational support, and building partnerships. Key functions include facilitating the administration of the Child Health Program, ensuring effective delivery of health services, and promoting innovative approaches to health challenges. The specialist will also be involved in data collection and management, ensuring that health programs are responsive to the needs of the community and aligned with UNICEF's strategic goals. The role requires a focus on integrated health systems, epidemic control, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with an emphasis on reducing child mortality and morbidity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in Public Health, Nutrition, Environmental Science, Epidemiology, Pediatrics, Global Health, or related fields. A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in health, nutrition, humanitarian assistance, and program management is required. Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs, particularly in immunization and health systems strengthening, is essential. Strong emergency preparedness and stakeholder engagement skills are also necessary to support effective health outcomes.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a Master's degree or an advanced university degree in fields related to health, nutrition, or public health. This advanced education is critical for understanding the complexities of health systems and the specific needs of children and mothers in various contexts.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in health-related fields, including child health, maternal and newborn health, and program management. Experience in humanitarian contexts and fragile settings is considered an asset, as is familiarity with emergency preparedness and epidemic response initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable and can enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and background checks. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must comply with UNICEF's vaccination requirements and are subject to medical clearance. The role may involve deployment to support humanitarian responses, reflecting UNICEF's commitment to resilience and capacity building in communities.