Health Specialist (EPI Health System Strengthening), P3, For 364 Days, Maputo, Mozambique (Applicable to Non-Mozambican)

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 106,002 USD and 138,801 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 fulfill 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, a Hero

https://www.youtube.com/user/UnicefMozambique/videos

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Health Team lead in Child Health and Nutrition section, the incumbent will provide strategic guidance and oversight on national vaccination efforts within the purview of GAVI’s Health System Strengthening visions. The HSS Advisor will support implementation of National GAVI Programme aiming at functioning of the ICC including oversight of Gavi grant implementation; support and build capacities of the EPI and planning team to generate evidence for planning and strategy development including for zero dose children and efforts for MRS of RI (maintain restor and strengthen Routine Immunization) ; facilitate integration of EPI plans and strategies in the broader health systems reform process (e.g. SWAP) in coordination with other vaccine stakeholders.

The HSS Advisor position will have duty hours working within the EPI Department of MoH to better integrate and support to sustainable functionality of EPI Managers and Technicians at central level. He/She will provide hands-on job technical assistance to EPI Chief, HSS Focal Point and Central level EPI Manager regarding Programme Management to meet the main objective of the TA to ensure functioning and strengthening of the organizational management of the EPI (Organogram, Manager and Technical Groups ToRs) and to develop capacity and skills of the EPI team members at central level in performing program management activities as per their ToRs.

The HSS Advisor will also dedicate duty hours linking HSS AWP annual workplan activities to tangible wider health system strengthening gains by building bridges and synergies between the EPI and other relevant MoH programs and departments as needed to address implementation challenges and promote system wide gains by supporting MOH Evidence Based Planning process, facilitating Bottle Neck Analysis, supporting integrated service delivery planning and by promoting integrated monitoring and supportive supervision. The advisor will also provide support to ensure appropriate visibility of vaccination within the framework of Primary Health Care. These include but are not limited to coordination with MOH – DPC (Planning and Cooperation Directorate of MOH), DAF (Administration and Finance Directorate), HR (Human Resources), DePROS (Health Promotion Department), CMAM (Central Medical Store) ,CdA (Central Procurement Store) in close interaction with EPI and other health sector partners.

Further, the HSS Advisor will facilitate the communication with the Gavi secretariat and bridge the communication with health partners supporting the EPI.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The implementation of HSS grant follows a yearly cycle. During the stage of program development each year, the HSS advisor will be responsible for following responsibilities in close collaboration with the Immunization Specialist and CHN’s Supply and Logistics Specialist. The Advisor should also ensure regular reporting of activity /progress and strong coordination with MoH Manager / Chief Staff (EPI Chief and DNSP Director).

1. Provide strategical and technical inputs to ICC Secretary for the development of the ICC Strategical Agenda and Annual Work Plan
2. Provide support in the development of costed Annual Work Plan outlining all the GAVI funded activities in Mozambique and providing detailed information on the amount allocated to each province/district per category of expenditure showing unit costs and quantities which should be synchronised with Government planning cycle so that the first draft of HSS AWPB can be submitted to GAVI early October. Which after negotiation and adjustment during Q4, can be submitted by the country to GAVI by mid-December as the final draft.
3. Support the UNICEF HSS Team to implement Evidence Based Planning for Health strengthening initiative with DPC by facilitating district BNA (Bottle Neck Analysis) planning where EPI service planning wil be integrated in selected pilot districts and will support sharing the best practices and liaison with DPC.
4. Facilitate harmonization and integration of EPI strategic plans & budgets in the National and Provincial health plans and will actively participate in the development and review of strategic EPI documents (PSR, PPR, CCEOP, EVM, MSD, JA, CMYP, etc);
5. Provide Technical Assistance to integrate and operationalize the EPI Human Resources Development within EPI plans, Support Coaching and Training Plan resulting from the Capacity Building strategy of EPI (Assumption: EPI CB strategy finalised by Q2 2021)
6. Support the establishment of a fund allocation mechanism to districts, based on population density, access and use of immunization services and the existing health network, to equitably raise global coverage.

During the implementation of program activities, the HSS Advisor will be responsible for the following:

1. Coordination and Monitoring

2. Support the ICC to develop and regular monitor the yearly EPI Technical Assistance plan ensuring efficiency and coherence between EPI identified needs, Partners proposals and donor financing (One TA Plan with GAVI TCA grant). Coordinate (other than ICC fora; within various Gavi supported UNICEF programmes) and integration (into wider PHC efforts including community based health) ; data use (including from supervision and use of innovative approaches e.g. HCD, GIS mapping) for strategy development and adjustment including for zero dose and MRS in the context of Covid-19 (e.g. Investments in made in Covid vaccine delivery to be used to strengthen RI)

3. Ensure coordination and active participation to the EPI Technical Working Groups as per request for effective coordination and monitoring of HSS AWP activities;
4. Monitor the implementation of the agreed HSS work plan to be submitted to regular ICC review as per approved timelines, budgets and respective responsibilities of the relevant departments of the MoH, Province Health Directorates and partners implementing and/or providing technical assistance.
5. Coordinate and mentoring the work of the HSS focal points at Central and Regional levels
6. Create synergies between the EPI, relevant MoH departments, DPS, the various partners, with regards to delivery of planned activities and inputs (TA, supplies and equipment, trainings, etc.).
7. Support EPI in the development of secretariat TORs for Interagency Coordination Committee, and support ICC Secretariat in its task to continuously monitor ICC preparation and regular reporting of ICC meetings minutes.
8. Support EPI management programme in the preparation, implement and report of the Gavi Joint Appraisal (JA) OR Multi Stakeholder Dialogue (MSD)
9. Provide leadership in assessing the implementation status of the program, in analysing constraints and delays in implementation and in identifying needs for changes to the plans and/or budgets;

10. Support the establishment and functioning of mechanisms of coordination, information sharing and reporting between the provincial and central level, as well as among relevant MoH departments and partners (TWG, TCA Monitoring, TA for SC)

11. Documentation and Reporting

12. Participate to the development of EPI SOPs, programme management tools and implementation guidelines and ensure that procedures and responsibilities of Central EPI department and Provincial Health Directorates are available for use at each level;

13. Ensure appropriate technical inputs into the production of high-quality reports for the Donor within agreed reporting schedules and as per agreed formats and mechanisms. Reports include, but are not limited to, the Grant Performance Framework, Annual Work Plan reporting, Financial reporting, Joint Appraisal report, etc.
14. Support in the development and presentation of HSS progress reports to ICC through ICC Secretary;
15. Coordinate the documentation of lessons learnt and best practices in the efforts to improve the immunization system with wider health system gains.

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

Education: Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Nutrition or another relevant field

Work Experience: The HSS Advisor must have five years or more of experience in providing technical support to the National EPI Department in planning, coordinating, monitoring, documenting and reporting of the GAVI-HSS project activities aimed at strengthening the Immunization Systems and the wider Health System.

Proven experience in coordination and management of large Health and development programs at National level. Experience in EPI technical work and management (Immunization Supply Chain, Cold Chain, Immunization Service delivery platforms etc.) is an asset. Experiences of technical Assistance to national institutions and/or wider Health Sector Partners at national level is desirable. Experience in management of Global fund, GAVI, USAID, WB or similar funded programs will be highly considered. Proven experience in health systems strengthening approach, capacity building and coaching in the areas of M&E, planning, management and leadership. Experience in financial management, procurement and general logistics procedures is recommended.

Proven leadership and supervisory skills, strong technical knowledge of in-country logistics principles and strategies, experience in working on health systems’ strengthening, capacity building with partners and government counterparts is desired.

Language Requirement: Fluency in English and Portuguese is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

Remarks:

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