Health Systems Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Health Specialist (Health Systems Specialist) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Health Systems Specialist will:

• Support development and planning of the UNJP health systems strengthening programme, to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes:
  • Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of the UNJP programme.
  • Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of health programmes. Support the formulation, design and preparation of the proposal, 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.
  • 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.
• 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 UNJP HSS programme.
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts 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 knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
  • Actively monitor programme 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.
• Provide operational and technical support to programme implementation:
  • Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGOpartners, 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-related issues.
  • Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of primary healthcare, universal health coverage, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival 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 to respond to emergencies in country, if requested.
• 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 quality, integration, resilience and governance.
  • Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness and transparency and establish partnerships/alliances.
  • Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on health-related issues and ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process of development planning and agenda setting.
• Innovation and knowledge management:
  • 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.
  • Assess, institutionalize 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 related programmes/projects.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public health/nutrition, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, social medicine, pediatric health, family health, health research, biostatistics, epidemiology, health education or another relevant technical field; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Required experience:

60 Months

Experience remark:

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in public health planning and management, health financing, community health, primary health care, health systems strengthening and quality improvement, maternal and newborn health system or other relevant programmes; experience in developing country context is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise:

Public health

Area of expertise details:

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in children’s health and well-being, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections

of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink.

Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to

apply.

Application deadline: 05 April 2021