Job no: 571226
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Kismayo
Level: NO-3
Location: Somalia
Categories: Health
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Hope.
PURPOSE OF THE JOBThis position will report to the Chief of Health and will be responsible to provide technical oversight of UNICEF’s Health emergency response efforts across the country ensuring effective and context appropriate emergency preparedness and response plans and action. Linked to this, support to strengthen resilient health systems to support response and effective coordination during emergency response.Accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of health emergency response in Somalia as part of UNICEF’s overall health healthcare delivery support. As the Health Specialist (Emergency), you will support the Federal Ministry of Health and federal member states, especially at regional, district level, to build emergency preparedness and response capabilities within the health system. You will also work closely with the UNICEF Emergency team to ensure the overall country level emergency preparedness and response capabilities are optimized. Additionally, you will provide technical guidance, operational and management support throughout the programming processes to ensure the right to health of the child is upheld even in emergencies.
How can you make a difference?
KEY END-RESULTS
1. Data-driven and results-based management
Participate in regular data-driven situational analyses (including epidemiological and emergency assessments)
▪ Provide technical and operational guidance and support to government and non-government partners with scaling-up Health interventions.
▪ Champion results-based management and information sharing.
▪ Monitor developments at regional and decentralized levels for prioritized interventions
2. Service Delivery and policy making
Provide specific technical expertise on Health emergency policies and other issues, including emergency preparedness and response, as appropriate and as defined by supervisors.
▪ Provide in-country technical and operational guidance on scaling-up related Health interventions.
▪ Contribute to the development and implementation of detailed sectoral work-plans and budgets for scaling-up assigned and specific Health emergency interventions.
▪ Contribute to UNICEF country office’s readiness to deliver on the health related CCCs, HRP and HAC appeal targets.
▪ Conduct regular field visits to monitor related programmes and participate in periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners with particular emphasis on under-served populations.
▪ Document and disseminate lessons learned of scaling-up Health interventions.
3. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Collaborate with the country and field office teams to timely, efficiently, rigorously, and transparently monitor, evaluate, and report on related Health emergency programmes.
▪ Take the lead on the submission of weekly updates on health emergencies in Somalia.
▪ Contribute to the preparation of relevant sections of the annual Health sector status reports.
▪ Submit transparent and timely reports to donors and other partners including the sitrep.
4. Accountability
Ensure related UNICEF, government and non-government staff comply with UNICEF’s financial rules including emergency fast-track procedures.
▪ In close collaboration with Operations and Supply staff, regularly monitor and report on use of related supplies and other resources donated to the government and non-government partners.
▪ Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to maintain sound internal controls, supportive of specific Health interventions as well as to ensure accountability.
5. Capacity Building
▪ Implement country-specific capacity building activities on priority thematic areas.
▪ Assist the government and partners for the health system is supported to deal with emergencies by enabling the development of sub-national risk analysis tools,
6. Resource Mobilisation and coordination
Engage donors and other stakeholders to raise resources for health emergencies.
▪ Maintain close working relationships with other related UNICEF sectors to promote integration and leverage.
▪ Coordinate with related UNICEF Regional and HQ Offices to ensure national strategies are aligned with global and regional strategies.
▪ Establish active and participatory partnerships with related Health sector stakeholders (Government, WHO, Health Cluster, other UN agencies, NGOs and bilateral agencies) and interact with them at different stages of Health programme design and implementation and identify opportunities for leveraging resources to be brought to the attention of Chief of Health
ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results. 1.Support to programme development and planning: Contribute to strategic planning and design of health programmes, aligning with organizational goals and national priorities and ensuring emergency preparedness and response are provided for in health section plans.2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results: Establish monitoring mechanisms, evaluate programme progress, and identify areas for improvement in emergency response; and monitor resource utilization and compliance of emergency grants, ensuring adherence to donor requirements and regulations.3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation: Provide guidance and support to partners on UNICEF policies and best practices; and participate in discussions to promote health and development, draft policy papers, and contribute to emergency preparedness initiatives.4. Networking and partnership building: Foster partnerships with government counterparts, stakeholders, and global partners. Facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building and advocate for programme goals through communication materials and participation in inter-agency discussions.5. Contribute to resilience building and the humanitarian-development nexus: By managing interventions that contribute to building resilience and capacity of the existing health system, support communities to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the effects of the multiple emergencies on the health system by closely collaborating with the health, Nutrition, WASH, SBC, etc. and many external stakeholders including but not limited to the Government of Somalia, UN agencies, bilateral agencies, and local and international NGO’s.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• A University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in one of the following fields is required: Public health, pediatric health, family health, global/international health, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.
• Formal training in health emergencies, Field Epidemiology is an advantage.
• A minimum of five to 10 years of professional experience is required in public health as well as emergency preparedness and response, which includes disease outbreaks like Cholera.
• Proven experience in a health-related programme management cycle is essential.
• Experience in working in a broader MNCH priorities and resilience building is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency is a strong asset.
Technical knowledge and skills
• Knowledge of UN IASC cluster approach is required (for candidates with no UN agency experience).
• Strong organizational and project management skills are required.
• Excellent communication skills to communicate effectively with UN Partners, donor implementing partners and MoH is required.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision is required.
• Excellent report writing skills is required.
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) is required.
• Strong data analytical skills is essential.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.
[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for supervisory role]
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role.Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
UNICEF only considers Higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net.
Advertised: 18 Apr 2024 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 30 Apr 2024 E. Africa Standard Time
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutri... Read More
