Chief, Polio Eradication, P-6, Islamabad, Pakistan

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 186,239 USD and 235,015 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, dedication.

Under the overall accountability, guidance and supervision of the Representative, The Chief, Polio Eradication (often referred to be as Polio Team Lead) leads the polio eradication team and interventions in the Pakistan Country Office for delivering on UNICEF accountabilities in the polio eradication efforts as part of the country’s National Emergency Action Plan.

This covers communication and social mobilization responsibilities (C4D/BCC, media etc.); vaccine management; and running the Community Based Vaccination component of the overall operation.

The Position works closely with and ensures strong support for, the Government of Pakistan at various levels, in particular the National Polio Eradication Coordinator, the Ministry of Health and other key ministries. At provincial levels the Position works closely with and ensures support for the Governor, Chief Minister, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Chief Secretary, Health Minister and other staff in the administration.

The Position works very closely with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), partners:

• WHO
• Rotary International
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
• GAVI

The Position must also work closely with UNICEF Headquarters, especially Programme Division, the Regional Office and HUB and within UNICEF PCO the Post works in close coordination with the Deputy Representative, Section Chiefs (especially Supply, Health and EPI) , and Provincial Field Office Chiefs, to ensure further integrated and joint programming with the rest of the CO activities.

The main functions of the Post include:

• Leading, supervising and overseeing the UNICEF Polio Team
• monitoring the polio programme and operating environment in Pakistan;
• liaison with the UNICEF Offices in Afghanistan for collaboration and cross border coordination;
• Participating and leading PCO responsibilities as part of the review meetings such as the National Steering Committee, NEAP reviews, Polio Oversight Board, IMB, KAP studies, communication and social mobilization reviews;
• Regularly monitoring and on the basis of reviews and feedback adapting UNICEF strategies and action for effective response and partnership with Government and other global and national polio partners;
• Participate as a member of the County Office Leadership Team, help overseeing the development and implementation UNICEF work plans, mid and end of year reviews, and attend and contribute to UNICEF programmes, Sr. Management Team, and Country Management Team meetings to ensued Polio is well integrated in programmes and operations;
• Represent the CO in national and international fora as requested by the Representative and act on behalf of and be the officer-in-charge of the Office when requested; and,
• Preparation an annual budget to support polio eradication activities (communication, operations and vaccine procurement), prepare funding proposals and tracks and coordinates the preparation of donor reports. Represents UNICEF at national, regional and global fora related to polio eradication.

How can you make a difference?

1. Strategic planning and coordination

Provide overall operational and technical guidance to implement the NEAP, with a specific focus on communication, vaccinator training and ensuring timely delivery of the appropriate polio vaccine. Ensure the ongoing reviews and deployment of the polio eradication strategy is informed by technical inputs (epidemiology and communication). In coordination with the WHO and UNICEF Health Nutrition, and Communication Officers and other sections as required, ensure that polio programmatic, operational and communication activities are guided by data (social, epidemiological) special reviews and studies. With technical inputs from Chiefs of Health, Nutrition, and Supply as other Section Chiefs as required, provide overall guidance to UNICEF's technical inputs on polio epidemiology to GoP and WHO. Coordinate with the GoP, partners and donors and Supply Division to ensure the timely procurement and delivery of polio vaccines. Engage with relevant sectors (Health, Nutrition, Protection) at federal and provincial to promote and foster integrated programme approach implementation to diffuse the resistance to polio and other vaccines. Promote polio through programme convergence with other PCO programme staff and within the context of the UN Strategic Development Cooperation Framework.

In close coordination with the Pakistan Country Office Security Officer and team and the Human Resources Manager, the Post ensures security risk management in relation to polio eradication programming in high-risk environments including security risks issues in relation to staff.

2. Performance Management of the Polio Unit

Oversee day-to-day operations of the Polio Unit in Islamabad and directly supervise International and National professional Specialists, officers and general support staff assigned to the polio team across all five offices. Lead regular meetings of the team. Lead and manage human and financial resources in consultation with the Provincial Field Office Chiefs, in line with UNICEF HR standards and requirements. Ensure the smooth financial management of polio eradication activities (communication, social mobilization, vaccine management, across all five offices.

3. Government and partner coordination, media coordination

Coordinate and guide UNICEF's leadership role and participation in regular and systematic review meetings, planning sessions and advocacy opportunities with the federal and provincial Governments and partner agencies, particularly WHO, BMGF, Rotary and USAID. Ensure timely engagement with partners at the national level on social mobilization and communication activities and polio immunization operational and technical matters. Provide regular updates to senior management at UNICEF on the status of UNICEF's partnership with Government and other agencies vis a vis polio, and advise senior managers on appropriate advocacy opportunities for media relations, donor relations and government/partner relations.

4. Donor reporting and fundraising

Coordinate inputs and finalize donor proposals and reports related to UNICEF-supported polio activities in Pakistan, in line with UNICEF CO overall resources mobilization plan. Similarly, provide inputs and cost estimates for activities and supplies to support polio eradication (operational, communication, vaccine) in fund raising proposals, in collaboration with Provincial offices.

Country Typology

• Country Income Level: Pakistan is a lower middle-income country
• Duty Station: Islamabad is a “C”, family, and non-emergency duty station
• Office Size: 300 staff with 5 field offices
• Annual Budget: $191,000,000

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in social sciences, with preference to those with at least a masters level studies in Public Health, Epidemiology, Public Health Communication, Social Development Communication and Community Development.
• A minimum of thirteen years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in programme implementation, culminating in executive management position. Experience in Polio Eradication is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language and local working language(s) of the duty station is desirable.

Person Profile

• A proven strong leader and emergency manager with the ability to work successfully with government and polio eradication partnership.
• At least 13 years of experience with increasing levels of leadership and managerial responsibility in international aid and development, government or related field.
• Previous leadership role managing public health, immunization, including polio eradication programmes preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Executive Board and other policy Documents, ExDirs and PROS related to the areas of expertise.
• CRC, CEDAW and other human rights instruments/standards.
• Broad knowledge of UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
• CCA/UNDAF Guidelines directives from UNDGOILUNDG.
• Thorough knowledge of MDG; Mid-Term Strategic Plan.
• Regional Office programme documents and work plan.
• National Development Plans, Policies and relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of latest research and technical innovations in the areas of programme.
• Knowledge of programme management, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in research and programme strategy implementation, preferably related to vaccine and polio eradication at country or international level.
• Knowledge, skills and leadership for managing teams, budgets and project execution.
• Knowledge of computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, network and communications.
• Knowledge of United Nations, NGOs, or other international organizations.
• Good understanding of world affairs, current events and international development issues. Knowledge of global human rights and humanitarian affairs issues, specifically relating to children and women, and current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF programme visions, goals, strategies, positions, policies and guidelines. Thorough knowledge of UNICEF programme manual and UNICEF publications.
• Rights-based and results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address global, regional and national priority issues.
• Emergencies and emergency preparedness.
• UNICEF administrative and financial policy and guidelines.

For every child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

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

Core Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships (III)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (III)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (III)
• Innovates and embraces change (III)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (III)
• Thinks and acts strategically (III)
• Works collaboratively with others (III)

• Nurtures, leads and manages people (III)

  To view our competency framework, please visit our competency framework here.

Remarks:

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). 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.