The Immunization Specialist is responsible for providing professional leadership and contributing to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of the Immunization program in conjunction with Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, Health and Nutrition components within the country program. This role aims to achieve UNICEF's Immunisation plus goals and objectives for the Central South Regions (CSR). Additionally, the Immunization Specialist is accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization program promotes gender equality, with a focus on gender disaggregation, identifying gender disparities, and integrating gender mainstreaming. The Specialist is also responsible for ensuring that the federal member states of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, southwest, Jubbaland, and Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) have tailored and context-specific strategies to reach zero-dose children and achieve the set target for reducing zero-dose children in CSR in line with national, regional, and global targets for Gavi 5.0 and IA230, using zero-dose as an entry point for integrated PHC service delivery, including integrating COVID-19 vaccine.
Key Accountabilities and Duties:
1. Timely sectoral analysis, input, support, and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis with consistent integration of sex-disaggregated data and its periodic update for effective project planning, development, and management. The Specialist contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analyzing, and evaluating information and providing technical input. They ensure the preparation of the Situation Analysis relative to Immunization (EPI) interventions in the federal member states of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, southwest, Jubbaland, and Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) and its periodic update. The Specialist also prepares sectoral input to the CSR Programme Document and all related documents (e.g., Plan of Operations, Project Plans of Action, Country Programme Summary Sheet, Programme Summary Sheet) of the Immunization program.
2. Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of Immunization strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners. The Specialist collaborates with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, HIV, and program communication, to ensure the integration of the Immunization program with other sectors. They participate with UNICEF, Government, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other partners in the development of Immunization strategies and approaches. The Specialist ensures the achievement of strategic results in line with agreed Annual and CSR Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet program/project objectives. They contribute to identifying new approaches for improving program delivery with an emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention, and community participation based on the Human Rights framework and a cross-sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development.
3. Work plans and objectives are strategically established, technical support is effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through the exercise of strong technical leadership. As Immunization Specialist, they exercise technical leadership for, and participate in, the development of the results-based sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for administration, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of sectoral project activity, consistent with defined project strategies and approaches. The Specialist ensures objectives and targets are timely met and achieved through full coordination between activities by leading and supporting a team of professional and support staff. They meet with national and international agencies overseeing the management of programs/projects and participate in meetings with ministries responsible for program/project review. The Specialist follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements and integration of gender mainstreaming across sectors.
4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration, and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. The Specialist undertakes field visits to monitor programs and participates in periodic program reviews with government counterparts and other partners. They identify necessary action for program adjustments and provide technical advice and assistance to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the Immunization program to ensure sustainability of interventions.
5. Technical support is provided to federal member states of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, southwest, Jubbaland, and BRA, and NGOs at all stages of the program cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries. The Specialist provides technical support to government and NGOs at the CSR regional levels in the planning, development, and implementation stages of the programs/projects. They identify training needs, plan, organize, and conduct training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of program/projects, and promotion/expansion of coverage of services.
6. The capacities of CSR field Office staff are strengthened through an effective capacity-building program in the development, implementation, and management of the Immunization Program. The Specialist plans and organizes a staff training/development program to upgrade the capacity of the CSR Field Office staff in the program development, implementation, and management of the Immunization Program. They conduct relevant orientation, workshop, training, and staff learning/development activities.
7. UNICEF and Government accountability are ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of program funds for the sector. The Specialist coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities, ensuring UNICEF and Government partner accountability. They certify disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and program budget allotments. The Specialist monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of program funds, ensuring funds are properly coordinated, monitored, and liquidated. They submit financial status reports to management in compliance with regulations and guidelines.
8. Effective partnership and collaboration are achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination, information sharing, and knowledge networking. The Specialist coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programs to contribute to the achievement of overall CSR program objectives. They participate in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database/network, and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate program information/data and contribute to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for the Immunization Program. The Specialist maintains close working relationships to establish partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national/State partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on program/project development and implementation. They ensure the exchange of knowledge, information, experience, and lessons learned.
9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to support the Immunization Program by the effective implementation of the monitoring system. In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and program communication colleagues, the Specialist conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection and supports an integrated monitoring system. They participate in major evaluation exercises, program mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings. The Specialist analyzes and evaluates data to ensure achievement of objectives and recommends corrective measures as appropriate. They ensure the accurate and timely input of project information in the monitoring system and issue status reports for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
10. Emergency preparedness is maintained, including for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease, and emergency/outbreak responses with effective coordination are developed. In collaboration with state Ministries of Health of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, southwest, Jubbaland, and Banadir Regional Administration (BRA), WHO, and other partners, the Specialist ensures UNIEF contributions are made for the preparedness and response to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases on both supply and demand sides. They document lessons learned and use them to strengthen routine immunization systems.
11. UNICEF procedures and measures are applied and closely monitored with regard to Post Distribution Aid Diversion (PDAD). The Specialist ensures that HACT procedures and HACT guidelines are strictly adhered to in implementation.
13. All required programme reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Ensures the timely preparation of annual sector status reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Participates in the preparation of all programmes reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.
14. Programmatic visits are planned and implemented to monitor implementing partners, NGOs supporting immunization interventions
The following desirables:
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The 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
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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, time off for breastfeeding purposes[KR5] , and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable females and candidates from targeted underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required[LK6] to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
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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
