Health Specialist
Job Description
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 is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of building careers that contribute to the welfare of children and communities globally.
Job Overview:
The Health Specialist position at UNICEF is pivotal in supporting the development and preparation of health programs. Reporting to the Chief Field Office, the Health Specialist is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the progress of specific health program sectors, such as maternal, neonatal, and child health. This role requires a strong focus on upstream advocacy and systems strengthening, aligning with UNICEF's strategic shift towards influencing policies and improving health service delivery. The Health Specialist will engage in evidence-informed policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and government-led reforms to enhance health outcomes for children and adolescents. The position emphasizes the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and leveraging partnerships to achieve sustainable improvements in health systems and outcomes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health Specialist will be responsible for several key functions, including:
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as public health, nutrition, pediatric health, health policy, or related areas. They should have strong technical expertise in public health, particularly in maternal, newborn, and child health, along with demonstrated program management skills. Proven advocacy skills, particularly in upstream advocacy and engagement with stakeholders, are essential. Candidates should also exhibit strong analytical and communication skills to effectively influence policy and decision-making processes.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in public health, nutrition, pediatric health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field is required for this position.
Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional experience in public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness is required. Experience in supporting large-scale government health programs and engaging in upstream advocacy is highly desirable. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset, as is experience working in a developing country.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. Basic knowledge of Hindi is highly desirable for the Ranchi position.
Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term role with a focus on full-time engagement. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from diverse backgrounds and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must comply with medical clearance and vaccination requirements.
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 is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of building careers that contribute to the welfare of children and communities globally.
Job Overview:
The Health Specialist position at UNICEF is pivotal in supporting the development and preparation of health programs. Reporting to the Chief Field Office, the Health Specialist is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the progress of specific health program sectors, such as maternal, neonatal, and child health. This role requires a strong focus on upstream advocacy and systems strengthening, aligning with UNICEF's strategic shift towards influencing policies and improving health service delivery. The Health Specialist will engage in evidence-informed policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and government-led reforms to enhance health outcomes for children and adolescents. The position emphasizes the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and leveraging partnerships to achieve sustainable improvements in health systems and outcomes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health Specialist will be responsible for several key functions, including:
- Supporting program development and planning by applying a systems-strengthening approach.
- Managing and monitoring program implementation to ensure delivery of results.
- Providing technical and operational support for effective program execution.
- Building networks and partnerships to influence policy, financing, and accountability for child and adolescent health.
- Engaging in innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building to enhance program effectiveness.
- Advocating for evidence-based policy changes and resource mobilization to improve health services.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as public health, nutrition, pediatric health, health policy, or related areas. They should have strong technical expertise in public health, particularly in maternal, newborn, and child health, along with demonstrated program management skills. Proven advocacy skills, particularly in upstream advocacy and engagement with stakeholders, are essential. Candidates should also exhibit strong analytical and communication skills to effectively influence policy and decision-making processes.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in public health, nutrition, pediatric health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field is required for this position.
Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional experience in public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness is required. Experience in supporting large-scale government health programs and engaging in upstream advocacy is highly desirable. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset, as is experience working in a developing country.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. Basic knowledge of Hindi is highly desirable for the Ranchi position.
Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term role with a focus on full-time engagement. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from diverse backgrounds and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must comply with medical clearance and vaccination requirements.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.