Health Specialist

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. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for personal and professional development. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that supports staff growth and provides an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Health Specialist position at UNICEF in the State of Palestine involves supporting the Chief of Field Office in managing the health section and leading the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of health programs. The role focuses on ensuring that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank has access to essential health services. The Health Specialist will contribute to emergency health analysis, define health response plans, provide technical guidance during public health emergencies, and monitor disease prevention efforts. The position requires collaboration with various partners and sectors to ensure effective health programming and response to public health threats.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to UNICEF’s emergency health analysis to identify needs and gaps in health services.
• Define and update UNICEF health response plans in coordination with partners.
• Provide technical guidance for public health emergencies and develop contingency plans.
• Monitor disease surveillance and prevention efforts for epidemic-prone diseases.
• Support the development of standards, protocols, and training materials for health emergency response.
• Participate in field monitoring missions and track action points for program improvement.
• Oversee emergency health supply chains and ensure timely provision of essential health supplies.
• Provide inputs for UNICEF information products and funding appeals related to health emergencies.
• Represent UNICEF in health cluster meetings and coordinate with relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree in public health, nutrition, pediatric health, health policy, or a related field is required. A minimum of eight years of professional experience in public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency preparedness is essential. Emergency experience is an advantage. Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as public health, nutrition, family health, health research, global health, health policy and management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical sciences, health education, epidemiology, or other relevant technical fields.

Experience:
The position requires at least eight years of professional experience in relevant areas such as public health planning, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency preparedness. Experience in emergency situations is highly valued and considered an advantage for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN language, particularly Arabic, is considered beneficial and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Gaza, where medical facilities may be limited. Candidates must be aware of the challenges associated with working in this environment. UNICEF emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages eligible female candidates to apply. The role may require mobility as part of international professional employment with UNICEF. All appointments are subject to medical clearance and compliance with vaccination requirements. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.