MNCH Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, which was established in 194

• UNICEF operates in over 150 countries and territories, focusing on the survival, development, and protection of children. The organization aims to ensure that every child has the right to a safe and healthy life, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. UNICEF works in partnership with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to deliver programs that address the needs of children and families, particularly in vulnerable situations. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide, including experts in health, education, protection, and emergency response, to implement its mission effectively.

Job Overview:
The MNCH Officer position offers a unique opportunity to significantly contribute to improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in Pakistan. The officer will work under the supervision of the Health Specialist and will be responsible for providing substantive professional analysis and technical support to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH/RMNCAH) initiatives. This role requires a strong focus on health-system strengthening interventions supported by UNICEF, with an emphasis on enhancing the quality, continuity, and effectiveness of MNCAH services at both provincial and district levels. The MNCH Officer will engage in program analysis, planning, and design, ensuring that interventions are aligned with the needs of the population and the strategic goals of UNICEF. The position also involves field monitoring, capacity development, and coordination with various stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of health programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme analysis, planning and design: Analyze MNCAH/RMNCAH trends, health-system performance, service-delivery gaps, and emerging needs to inform program planning and prioritization. Apply relevant technical frameworks and established policies to assess program objectives and implementation requirements. Contribute to the development of program goals, objectives, strategies, workplans, and results frameworks. Review program plans and budgets to identify inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement. Prepare analytical briefs and recommendations for stakeholders.
• Programme implementation and monitoring: Monitor implementation of UNICEF-supported MNCAH interventions against approved plans. Conduct field visits to assess progress and effectiveness of interventions. Analyze findings to identify gaps and propose evidence-based recommendations. Participate in program reviews and evaluations, providing insights for improvement.
• Technical support and problem-solving: Provide professional technical support to government counterparts and stakeholders on MNCAH issues. Assess challenges affecting program implementation and propose solutions. Support emergency response activities as needed.
• Coordination, partnerships, and capacity development: Engage with government counterparts and health-sector partners to facilitate coordinated implementation. Contribute to health-sector coordination mechanisms and support capacity development activities.
• Learning and Improvement: Document lessons learned and good practices from program implementation. Analyze findings to inform program planning and decision-making. Share knowledge with stakeholders to strengthen program implementation.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, Health Systems Management, or a related field, along with 4 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master’s degree in any of the aforementioned fields with 2 years of relevant experience is acceptable. Desired qualifications include a Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Health Systems Management. Candidates should possess strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills, with the ability to synthesize information and translate evidence into actionable recommendations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, or related fields. A Master’s degree in these areas is preferred and would reduce the required experience to 2 years. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in health systems, maternal and child health, and public health principles.

Experience:
A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, RMNCAH programming, health systems strengthening, or related fields is required. Desired experience includes familiarity with the provincial health system in Balochistan, previous work with the United Nations or international organizations, and expertise in health information systems and data-driven program monitoring approaches. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives and work effectively with government counterparts and development partners.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if relevant to the local context in Pakistan.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level with an ICS Level of 09 and is a contract type of ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular, with a contract level of LICA

• The duration of the contract is 12 months, and the position is based in Quetta, Pakistan. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. The organization conducts background checks on all final candidates to ensure a safe and respectful workplace.