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For every child, a champion.

The current Country Programme of UNICEF focuses on the reduction of maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality and morbidity through health system strengthening. UNICEF provides support for Primary Health Care services and Immunization to the Rohingya and as well to Health Systems Strengthening to the Government of Bangladesh through support of additional Human Resources, Planning, Capacity building, DHIS-2 management, and support for the SCANUs and NSUs.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Health Team Lead, the Health Specialist will support the ongoing health programme and will be responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring and reporting the programme progress of the health programme (e.g. maternal, neonatal, child survival/development) within the Cox’s Bazar programme (both for the Rohingya response and the host communities). The Health Specialist will also manage HIV/PMTCT programme and has sufficient knowledge on the programme implementation. The Health Specialist will work very closely with the Emergency Manager and Chief of Field Office and Health team in Dhaka along with other team members and provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

The Health Specialist will reportto the Health Specialist Team Lead. The Health Specialist- will be responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring and reporting the programme progress ofthe health programme (e.g. maternal, neonatal, child survival/development, emergencies and HIV/PMTCT) within the Cox’s Bazar programme (both for the Rohingya response and the host communities). He/she will supervise a Health Specialist- MNCAH and Health Officer – PHC.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Support to programme development and planning for MNCAH, Primary Health Care and Emergency core functions of service delivery for Rohingya and Host Community.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results for MNCAH, PHC and Emergency, including donor reporting and proposal development

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation, support to implementing partners, program planning and management.

4. Networking and partnership building with health stakeholders, government, and health sector. Leading of the Newborn Sub-technical Committee

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building, of stakeholders. 

1. Support to programme development and planning for MNCAH, Primary Health Care and Emergency core functions of service delivery for Rohingya andHost Community. 

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design, and management of health-related programmes covering core functions ofthe Health Systems Strengthening (HSS)
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning. Coordination on annual work planning, its approval, HAC and JRP etc.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning, and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results for MNCAH, PHC and Emergency, including donor reporting and proposal development

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in health programmes.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations, and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and decisions.
• Coordinate the donor reporting (writing and editing) for the health section and liaison with other relevant sections towards it’s timely submission. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management. Collaborate with relevant sections for internal and external reporting like RAM, CRAVE, Sitreps etc.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), and verify compliance with approved allocation and goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, as well as donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation, support to implementing partners, program planning and management.

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, and share information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on health-related issues to support programme implementation, operations, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with district level partners, clients and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in the district or where designated.
• Provide regular monitoring and management of health supplies, working with partners to ensure that timely utilization of resources and prepositioning for emergencies.

4. Networking and partnership building with health stakeholders, government, and health sector. Leading of the Newborn Sub-technical Committee

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector, government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.
• Represent UNICEF in technical working groups and Health sector meetings for improved coordination and service delivery –Health Sector Coordination Meeting, Reproductive Health Technical Working Group, Newborn technical working group
• Work collaboratively with government counterparts, Civil Surgeon Office and Ministry ofHealth and Family Welfare,
• RepresentUNICEF in specific UNCoordination Forum Meetings as required for program implementation and coordination.
• Draft communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for health programmes. Provide donor support visits.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency partners/colleagues on health programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building, of stakeholders. 

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Engage with colleagues across the country and office of Cox’ Bazar as well as with partners, for the production, sharing, utilization and management of knowledge products, and creating space for learning and knowledge sharing through various forums.
• Research and report on development trends (e.g., political social, economic, health) for higher management use to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery of results
• Manage internal webinars and meetings, and it’s related logistics, for exchange of knowledge on the health programme
• Coordinate and manage the video newsletters, draft/proofread scripts/ stories, and other communication products that feature from the health programme. Promote content publishing via internal channels, including ICON, Yammer, external channels, UNICEF websites and other social media.
• Collaborate with the Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) team to improve visibility and presence online.
• Assist with oversight of research and ensure results are available for use in knowledge products.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToR_Health Specialist P3 TA CXB.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Medical Doctor/MBBS and an advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, pediatric health, family 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
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more ofthe following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal, neonatal and child health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Have experience working in humanitarian or emergency preparedness and response ◻ Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the health sector, including national-level policies, programs, and best practices.
• Experience in working collaboratively with internal teams and partners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Language Requirements: 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 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)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (2)

(4) Innovates and embraces change  (2)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (2)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (2)

(8)  Nurtures, leads and manages people (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.

Remarks:

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 is an equal-opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from female candidates, gender-diverse individuals and people with disabilities.

UNICEF only considers higher educational 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/

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required 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.

Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term “Internal” refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments. Internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in Bangladesh, independently of UNICEF appointment, will also be considered.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their candidate profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in the Applicant system in order to be considered.  The information submitted will be used for administrative purposes, salary/step determination and conditions of employment. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be accepted for applications that have already been submitted for this position.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.