Health Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Established with a mission to promote the rights of every child, UNICEF is committed to ensuring that children have access to health, education, and protection. The organization is known for its dedication to building careers and providing diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF fosters a culture of belonging and growth, emphasizing the importance of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The organization is proud of its commitment to children's rights and operates in various countries, focusing on health, education, and protection initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Health Consultant position is designed to provide technical assistance in two critical areas of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Tanzania: Advocacy in Primary Health Care and Coordination for the Health Basket Fund and Community Health. This role is pivotal in advancing the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of PHC services across Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. The consultant will be responsible for facilitating and leading technical discussions, ensuring timely delivery of strategic outputs, and aligning stakeholder efforts across Community Health, Health Basket Fund (HBF), and advocacy processes. The consultant will coordinate PHC financing advocacy activities, oversee community health programming, administer HBF coordination, track the status of HBF mid-term review recommendations, actively participate in HBF sub-committees, and coordinate the development of key agreements and plans with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate PHC Financing Advocacy Activities: Collaborate with TCO health and advocacy teams, HQ, and RO advocacy teams to coordinate advocacy activities on PHC financing, engaging proactively with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Tamesemi, Ministry of Finance, and parliament.
• Community Health Programming: Liaise regularly with activity and government leads to ensure aligned and timely engagement to maximize results in community health initiatives.
• Oversee Cross-Cutting Activities: Ensure the development of a transition plan for Community Health Workers (CHWs) is conducted consultatively and is informed by ongoing implementation research.
• Administer HBF DP Coordination: Engage actively in coordinating Health Basket Fund activities, arranging coordination opportunities, and ensuring actions are documented and implemented.
• Track HBF Mid Term Review Recommendations: Regularly review the status of mid-term review recommendations to drive implementation and progress, updating development partners on UNICEF’s work.
• Participate in HBF Sub Committees: Coordinate UNICEF’s contributions to sub-committees, improving the efficiency of meetings and ensuring the right personnel are involved.
• Coordinate Development of HBF MOU and Side Agreement: Collaborate with the Ministry of Health to develop the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and ensure broad-based input from development partners.
• Coordinate Development of HSSP VI: Set agendas, participate in meetings, lead documentation, and coordinate technical assistance with UNICEF staff and WHO.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Management, or a related field. Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in health program coordination, particularly in PHC or community health. Experience working with government stakeholders, academic institutions, and development partners is essential. Strong organizational, communication, and report-writing skills are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Public Health, Epidemiology, or Health Services Management. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of health systems and community health initiatives.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in health program coordination, particularly in the areas of Primary Health Care and community health, is required. Candidates should have a proven track record of working effectively with government stakeholders and development partners, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex health systems and advocate for necessary changes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of Swahili is highly desirable. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a consultancy role, and the contract duration will be specified upon selection. The role is full-time and may involve travel within Tanzania. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and misconduct.