Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: India
Closing date:
21 Apr 2017If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
PURPOSE OF THE POST
Under supervision of Health Specialist, Health Officer contributes to the overall effort of Country Programme implementation at state level within the framework of National Health Mission. The incumbent will be accountable for providing technical assistance in strengthening routine immunization Programme/Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) in the state, with focus on the low coverage districts and High Priority Districts, in line with government guidelines and the agreed Reproductive Child Health (RCH) rolling work plan of Madhya Pradesh.
ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS
1. Influencing Policy
Contributes to situational and Programme policy analysis and recommendation for shifts in management, risk allocation and coordination of service delivery related to Immunization service delivery with Special focus on Capacity building initiative.Establishes and maintains regular contact with government officials, project/Programme implementing institutions at state and district levels; staff of training, academic and research Institutions through joint visits, consultations, travel.Supports Government in defining the roadmap for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health & Adolescent (RMNCH+A) initiative, maternal health and particularly in the area of immunization.2. Building Partnerships
Collaborates with the state government, academic institutions, NGO Sector, private sector and other new partners to identify essential interventions and effective approaches necessary for improved planning, implementation, tracking and monitoring of Immunization Programme, with special focus on cold chain management, immunization on demand, out-reach services that effectively reach the unreached children, and effectiveness of VHND sessions and maternal health interventions in selected districts and implementation of special programs in the most vulnerable and affected areas.Provides technical assistance and evidence-based support to implementing partners including Medical Colleges, government partners like urban, rural development, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), National Health Mission (NHM), tribal department and Civil Society and other Development Partners in the state.Coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall RWP and country programme objectives. Participates in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community/District/State participation for the Immunization Programme.3. Programme Implementation
Supports the establishment/adaptation/refinement of measures for system strengthening and quality improvement to ensure continuity, effectiveness and sustainability of Immunization Programme and Maternal Child Health (MCH) programs with special focus in the low coverage and high priority districts including urban slums.Collaborates with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, WASH, C4D and Communication to ensure integration of the Immunization programme with other sectors. Participates with UNICEF, Government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of the immunization strategies and approaches. Ensures achievement of strategic results in line with agreed RWP and Country Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet programme/project objectives.Contributes to the identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development.Facilitates timely preparation of results based annual sector-and-project-specific work plans and activities. In the focus districts, support monitoring, implementation and review of the main thrusts of health sector Programme related to Immunization.Reviews and compiles quarterly and annual progress reports and input-output-outcome statistics and data analysis with specific reference to Immunization services, and provides recommendations for improving quality and coverage.Strengthen implementation of model Village Health Nutrition Days (VHNDs) in select districts and most at risk vulnerable districts.Lead the implementation of the Capacity Building Initiative in the state of Madhya Pradesh.Strengthen the mechanism of Supportive Supervision in the state to improve Routine Immunization.4. Monitoring and Evaluation
Coordinates with government in conducting routine monitoring, and in strengthening and using MIS.Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes inputs (including cash and supply assistance, activities and outputs aiming at increased and more equitable coverage of routine immunization, as well as conducting periodic Programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information on Routine Immunization.Technical assistance to state and districts for monitoring and assessment of cold chain and vaccine logistics including Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment, Alternate Vaccine Delivery Systems (AVDS) assessment and developing follow-up plans.Conduct regular monitoring of VHND implementation and strengthen use of MIS VHND. Develop & monitor quality indicators for results based monitoring for VHNDs.Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data for Immunization Programme.5. Capacity Building
Promotes intensive focus and innovative programming in select districts to bring about evidence for decision-making, improvements in coverage and quality of Immunization and VHND sessions.Supports community involvement in health care; promotes operations research. Offers assessment of supply needs and management support to Routine immunization services.Provides technical assistance to build capacity of state and districts in planning and implementing quality immunization services and Maternal Child Health (MCH) services.Assists government authorities and training institutions, to plan and organize capacity building programmes in Immunization services and launch of newer vaccines.Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of Programme/projects. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.Planning for the immunization and health services in the most at risk, vulnerable and affected areas with focus on low coverage districts.Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on social inclusion in immunization service interventions.Facilitate the state, district, sub-district capacity building on newer vaccine introduction in the state.Lead and coordinate the capacity building Initiative in select districts as per UNICEF and NHM guidelines.Strengthen pre-service and in-service capacity building methodology for health workers at facility and community with focus on Routine Immunization.6. Coordination and convergence
Acts as a resource person on maternal child health care services, especially immunization to colleagues and also optimize alternative opportunities for promotion of Immunization services.Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate development of Immunization services to enable more effective change in key care behaviors related to logistics, maintenance of cold chain and Vaccine Management.Coordinate with various development partners, key government counterparts like National Health Mission (NHM), Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Medical Colleges, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), tribal, urban and rural department and media partners with focus on Routine Immunization, Cold Chain and newer vaccines monitoring in the Universal Immunization programme.Promote joint planning and monitoring of the outreach sessions to enhance coverage and improve quality.QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Education
A University Degree in medicine (M.B.B.S), public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, Biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or other health related sciences is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in public health/nutrition/ Immunization planning and management and/or in relevant areas of immunization, maternal, neonatal, and child health, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the international level and/or in a developing country is required. Experience in health /nutrition Immunization program/project development in UN system agency/government is an asset.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)
Core Values
CommitmentDiversity and InclusionIntegrityCore competencies
Communication [ II ]Working with People [ I ]Drive for Results [ I ]Functional Competencies
Formulating strategies and concepts [ I ]Analyzing [ II ]Applying technical expertise [ II ]Learning and researching [ II ]Planning and organizing [ II ]Technical Knowledge
a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)
Professional technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas: Health, Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Immunization, Nursing, Family Health, HIV/AIDS, Social Work, Behavior Change, or a discipline relevant to international development assistance in Health/HIV/Nutrition and Immunization.b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)
Knowledge of the latest theories, technology and practices in:
Health Promotion and Disease PreventionChild and Maternal Health- Universal Immunization Programme including recent updates and newer vaccinesPublic Health Behavioral Change CommunicationEnvironmental HealthHealth EducationEducational Interventions in Health CareGeneral knowledge of:
Methodology of Programme/project managementProgrammatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies for Health/ HIV and Immunization programmesKnowledge of global immunization and child health issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current methods and approaches.Policies and strategy to address immunization and child health issues, including those relating to emergency, conflicts, disasters, and recovery.Emergency Programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches with focus on Immunization.Financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming.Mid-Term Strategic PlanUNICEF Programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.UNICEF Board endorsed policy papers and agency-wide programmes impacting on immunization & child survival resultsKnowledge and proficiency in the use of corporate office computer system applications and software, including LAN, email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, telecommunications.c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)
National Government development plans and policiesKnowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmesUN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positionsUN security operations and guidelines.
Other Skills and Attributes:
Current knowledge of development issues, policies, as well as social programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation in the area of health.
If you meet the above mentioned requirements, click on the following link to APPLY NOW.
Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.
Candidates are informed that all applications are subject to background verification which may include academic and professional experience.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.
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How to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=503946