Health Specialist (Public Health Emergency) (P-3) TA

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is dedicated to promoting the rights of every child and is committed to providing diverse opportunities for professional and personal development for its staff. UNICEF operates with a mission to ensure that every child has a chance to thrive, and it fosters a culture of belonging and growth within a diverse workforce. The organization emphasizes the importance of its core values, which include Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Job Overview:
The Health Specialist (Public Health Emergency) (P-3) TA position is crucial for providing technical leadership and program management support for pandemic preparedness and response. This role focuses on implementing interventions supported by the Pandemic Fund and enhancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in emergencies. The specialist will work under the supervision of the Chief of Health and Nutrition and will be responsible for strengthening systems for early warning, early action, and coordinated emergency response. The position aims to ensure UNICEF's readiness to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats, contributing to resilient health systems aligned with national priorities and global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security frameworks. The role also involves facilitating the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives, particularly in relation to public health emergencies and WASH interventions, while supporting the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Pandemic Fund-supported activities, ensuring alignment with national strategies and UNICEF program frameworks.
• Provide technical support to the National Directorate of Public Health to establish and operationalize integrated early warning and early action systems for timely detection and response to public health threats.
• Support the development and implementation of capacity-building plans for national and subnational public health staff in emergency preparedness and response.
• Assist in strengthening internal emergency preparedness within the Country Office, including contingency planning and risk analysis.
• Provide technical and operational support to public health emergency responses, including cholera, mpox, yellow fever, malaria, dengue, polio, and Ebola virus disease (EVD).
• Support the integration of WASH in Emergencies (WiE) interventions within public health emergency frameworks.
• Develop and monitor performance indicators for Pandemic Fund, WiE, and emergency preparedness interventions to ensure high-quality, evidence-based implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Administration, International Health, Health Systems Management, Infectious Disease, Environmental Health, Health Informatics, Emergency Management, Global Health, or related fields. Additionally, at least 5 years of relevant work experience in planning, program management, monitoring and evaluation, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, WASH, and infection prevention and control is required. Candidates should also demonstrate skills in early warning, epidemiology, monitoring, reporting, planning, and budgeting.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in fields such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Administration, International Health, Health Systems Management, Infectious Disease, Environmental Health, Health Informatics, Emergency Management, Global Health, or related areas. This advanced education is essential for understanding the complexities of public health emergencies and the necessary interventions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in areas such as planning, program management, monitoring and evaluation, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, WASH, and infection prevention and control. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in public health emergencies and should be familiar with the challenges and strategies involved in managing health crises.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a fluent level of knowledge required. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable. Knowledge of Portuguese at an intermediate level is also beneficial, as it may enhance communication and effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment with a focus on public health emergencies and is expected to last until May 202

• UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware that UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.