Immunization Specialist P4

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 from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF has a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

Job Overview:
As an Immunization Specialist, you will provide strategic leadership and technical support for immunization programs, ensuring their integration within Primary Health Care (PHC) systems. Your role will involve managing and coordinating the Immunization/EPI team, overseeing program planning, implementation, monitoring, and results achievement. You will promote integrated approaches across health programs and provide technical guidance and operational support throughout the program cycle. This position requires applying results-based management (RBM) principles to strengthen PHC, build resilient health systems, and improve health outcomes for children and communities. You will be expected to engage in program development and planning, manage program delivery, provide technical support, advocate for immunization initiatives, and build partnerships with stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and plan immunization programs in alignment with UNICEF's strategic goals.
• Manage the implementation and monitoring of immunization programs to ensure effective delivery of results.
• Provide technical support and thought leadership in immunization practices and policies.
• Advocate for immunization initiatives and build partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Innovate and manage knowledge related to immunization and health systems.
• Build capacity within the team and among partners to enhance program effectiveness.
• Ensure that immunization services are equitable, effective, and sustainable, particularly in fragile and emergency contexts.
• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes and make necessary adjustments to improve performance.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Health Policy, Health Management, Pediatrics, Family Health, Global Health, Health Education, or Health Research. Additionally, candidates should have strong experience in immunization, health systems, monitoring and evaluation, maternal and child health, and supervisory skills. Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in relevant fields such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Health Policy, Health Management, Pediatrics, Family Health, Global Health, Health Education, or Health Research. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to immunization programs.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant work experience in areas such as health care, primary health care, program management, policy development, emergency preparedness, and partnership building. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of health systems and the challenges faced in delivering immunization services, particularly in fragile and emergency contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable. This linguistic capability will enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and facilitate effective program implementation in various contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary appointment for a duration of 364 days. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Candidates must comply with medical clearance and vaccination requirements as mandated by UNICEF. The recruitment process includes rigorous background checks, and selected candidates may need to provide additional information for verification. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.