UNICEF Nepal Vacancy for Health Specialist

United Nations Children's Fund Nepal Country Office Internal/ External Vacancy Notice: UNICEF, the world's leading children's rights organization, has openings for passionate and committed professionals who want to make o losing difference for children in Nepal. We are seeking Individuals with commitment for women and children, a high drive for results, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good sell-awareness, and self-reguiation.

To apply for this position, you are required to create your profile on the e-recruitment following the link below

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 fulfil 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, Health

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Health (7031), the incumbent is accountable for professional leadership and innovation in the development, planning, implementation, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and oversight management of the Health system strengthening within the country programme, to achieve UNICEF's goals and objectives for the country. The incumbent will also serve as the health emergency, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) focal point, as well as strategically representing UNICEF in health cluster and other humanitarian forums

KEY END RESULTS:

1. Health Systems Strengthening, programme development and planning support
2. Effective programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to a health emergency, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building both in health humanitarian response, health sector development and health systems strengthening
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Health Specialist to programme preparation, planning and implementation facilitate the delivery of concrete and sustainable results that directly impact the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This, in turn, contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to protect the rights of children, and to promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society

How can you make a difference?

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES and TASKS:

1.   Support programme development and planning 

• Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the Health sector to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of health strengthening, emergency, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of health programmes. Formulate, design, and prepare a sector of the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan(s), ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, as well as coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• 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 health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and Joint Annual Reviews of National Health Sector Strategy and Plans with the government and other development partners to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor health programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of health programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices and approaches on health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening to support programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients, and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child, adolescent health, and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information, and consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or respond to emergencies in the country or where designated.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on health-related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on inter-agency planning and preparation of health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated into the sector development planning and agenda-setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting-edge practices in health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening.
• Assess, institutionalise, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction/CCA as well as overall health system strengthening approaches.

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

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: medicine, public health, paediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, epidemiology, biostatistics, or another relevant public health field
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health planning and management, maternal, neonatal and child health care, control of infectious diseases and health emergency/humanitarian preparedness. Relevant experiences in a UN system agency or organization and the IASC Cluster approach are considered as key assets.
• Fluency in English and another UN language. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

COMPETENCIES:

Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)  

i)  Core Values (Required)

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability

ii)  Core Competencies (Required)

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2), Works Collaboratively with others (2), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2), Innovates and Embraces Change (2), Thinks and Acts Strategically (2), Drives to achieve impactful results (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

Persuading and Influencing [ 1 ], Applying Technical Expertise [ 1 ] ,  Learning and Researching (2), Planning and Organizing [ 2 ]

iv)  Technical Knowledge  

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

• Knowledge and skills in health systems strengthening (HSS), to improve outcomes for disadvantaged women and children
• Evaluation of HSS interventions for their evidence base, sustainability, and capacity to support universal health coverage

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

General knowledge of complex systems thinking in the design and implementation of health interventions

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. We welcome applications from females and under-represented groups.

Remarks:

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.