Health Programme Officer

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, and it emphasizes a culture of inclusivity and growth, supported by an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Health Programme Officer position at UNICEF involves supporting the development, planning, and management of health-related programs, particularly focusing on immunization. The role requires conducting situation analyses, researching development trends, and providing technical and operational support throughout the programming processes. The officer will work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to monitor and evaluate health programs, ensuring effective delivery of results. This position is crucial for enhancing the health and immunization strategies in the Pacific region, particularly in fragile states, and requires a proactive approach to program management and stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support program development and planning by conducting situation analyses and updating health-related program designs.
• Research and report on political, social, economic, and health trends to inform higher management.
• Provide technical support throughout programming processes, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
• Monitor and evaluate program implementation, including field visits to assess vaccination coverage and health service delivery.
• Collaborate with government counterparts and stakeholders to enhance program implementation and build capacity.
• Prepare regular reports on program progress and resource utilization, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Conduct training and capacity-building initiatives for health workers and partners.
• Engage in networking and partnership building to promote health and immunization programs.
• Identify and share lessons learned to enhance knowledge management and program effectiveness. 1
• Support the implementation of digital health tools to optimize immunization tracking and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in public health, immunization, pediatric health, health policy, or a related field. A minimum of two years of professional experience in public health or immunization planning and management is required. Experience in a developing country and relevant UN agency experience is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
A university degree in public health, immunization, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field is required for this position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in public health or immunization planning and management. Experience in maternal, neonatal, and child health care, as well as health emergency preparedness, is also valuable. Fieldwork experience and relevant experience in a UN system agency are considered advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset, and knowledge of a local language is highly desired to facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve field visits to outer islands and districts. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must undergo background checks and medical clearance, and compliance with vaccination requirements is necessary for employment.