Health Specialist (Immunization)

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 worldwide, emphasizing a culture of belonging and growth.

Job Overview:
The Health Specialist (Immunization) position at UNICEF Ethiopia focuses on improving measles vaccination coverage and enhancing program efficiency through the transition from a 10-dose to a 5-dose measles vial (M5D). This role requires strong coordination across various levels of health service delivery and demands robust technical guidance, continuous monitoring, and proactive risk mitigation. The specialist will work closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure effective implementation of immunization strategies, particularly in response to the complex emergencies faced by children and families in Ethiopia. The position involves strategic planning, capacity building, service delivery support, cold chain management, monitoring and evaluation, demand generation, and communication efforts to promote vaccination.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for national and subnational planning and coordination of the M5D switch through Technical Working Groups and regional taskforces.
• Facilitate detailed microplanning at regional, woreda, and health facility levels.
• Ensure alignment of the M5D switch with broader routine immunization strategies.
• Support cascade trainings on M5D eligibility, delivery model, scheduling, and documentation.
• Promote daily measles vaccination at all eligible health facilities and strengthen integration with other child health services.
• Oversee cold chain readiness and monitor vaccine distribution and stock management.
• Support integration of M5D indicators into DHIS2 and facilitate performance reviews.
• Strengthen communication skills of health workers to reduce missed opportunities.
• Ensure health workers are trained for timely AEFI detection and reporting. 1
• Prepare comprehensive monthly progress reports and document best practices and challenges during the M5D switch.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Reproductive Health, Health Systems, or a related discipline.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in immunization and health systems.
• Strong quantitative skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Relevant experience in coordinating immunization initiatives and working in development or humanitarian contexts is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Epidemiology, or Health Systems. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health systems and immunization strategies.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant work experience is required, particularly in immunization and health systems. Experience at national, sub-national, and health facility levels is highly valued, as is familiarity with coordinating immunization programs and new vaccine introductions.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of other official UN languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse teams and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments due to the humanitarian context in Ethiopia. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and persons with disabilities. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared for background checks and medical clearance, and they must comply with vaccination requirements, including against COVID-19.