Programme Officer (Routine and COVID-19 Vaccination Coordinator), NO-1 Level, Ha Noi, Viet Nam (For Vietnamese Nationals)

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

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.

Please click the below link for further information about UNICEF Viet Nam.

https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/

For every child, an inspiration...

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for Viet Nam, much like for many other countries, but strong government leadership and community efforts have helped protect lives and maintain social and economic development. Viet Nam also did an excellent job rolling out the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines quickly and at scale, with efforts to ensure vaccines reached every corner of the country to protect those most vulnerable. By the end of 2022, a total of 265 million people aged five years old and above had received COVID-19 vaccines: 90.4 million received one dose, 85.6 million received two doses and 57.4 million received the first booster dose. However, Viet Nam experienced significant setbacks to routine immunization coverage for children during the acute phase of the pandemic in 2020-2022, with Viet Nam experiencing the largest sustained decline in rates of childhood vaccinations in a generation. Viet Nam was listed among the top 20 countries in the world with the largest number of zero-dose children; 187,315 children under 1 year did not receive any vaccinations in 2021.

At present, even though COVID-19 is no longer a global public health emergency, the pandemic has not ended, and Viet Nam is still implementing COVID-19 vaccination targeting the high-risk population in 2023 and possibly in 2024. The country is gradually integrating COVID vaccination into routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and implementing bold action to increase the routine immunization coverage to the level before the pandemic.

As a trusted, long-term partner of the Government in Viet Nam, UNICEF is committed and continuing to provide support for MOH and National EPI to integrate COVID-19 vaccination in routine immunization and to develop and implement strategies and action plans to recover the performance of the immunization programme and to strengthen programme performance to reach and fully vaccinate zero-dose children. Specifically, support is focusing on procurement, deployment, and management of cold chain equipment; building capacity of healthcare workers and immunization officials in effective cold chain and vaccine management; delivering integrated immunization services; organization of outreach immunization sessions; and communication on COVID-19 and routine vaccination.

How can you make a difference?

The overall purpose of this post is to contribute to the successful implementation of a project on “Support for Strengthening Routine Immunization and COVID-19 Vaccination in Viet Nam in 2024”.

Under the direct supervision of the Maternal and Child Health Specialist, the incumbent will support the implementation of UNICEF’s country office workplan on routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, the Officer supports the planning and implementation of the activities in areas of procurement, deployment, and management of cold chain equipment; building capacity of healthcare workers and immunization officials in effective cold chain and vaccine management; delivering integrated immunization services which includes organization of outreach immunization sessions. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for maintaining and strengthening coordination and partnership with MOH, National EPI, and relevant partners and stakeholders; and support the data collection, knowledge management, and monitoring the implementation of routine and COVID-19 vaccination activities.

She/he will also provide support throughout to the health component in planning and implementation and monitoring of related health interventions which include maternal and child health care, digital health and healthy environment for healthy children.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent will be assigned the shared or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results:

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
2. Programme coordination and knowledge management
3. Networking and partnership building
4. Technical and operational support to programme implementation.

Full Tasks/Accountabilities as attached Programme Officer NOA Routine and COVID19 Vaccination Coordinator.pdf

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

Education:

- University degree in Social Sciences, International Business, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance or other relevant disciplines.

Experience:

- A minimum of one year of experience in one or more of the following areas is required: immunization programme, public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, early childcare and development or health emergency/humanitarian, preparedness.

- Experience in routine and COVID-19 vaccination programming and coordination is highly valued.

- Knowledge of the health system; digital health and EPI and experience working with and supporting Ministry of Health, national EPI and line department is an asset.

- Experience working or engaging directly with children and adolescents is highly valued.

- Experience and knowledge of the UN system, or experience communicating with or within Government on social policy issues, or experience with child-focused international NGOs considered an asset.

Language requirements:

- Fluent in English and good writing skills

- Knowledge of second UN language or local working language of the duty station is an asset.

Skills:

- Good inter-personal and excellent communication skills.

- Good knowledge of research, and monitoring and evaluation.

- Good advocacy and analytical skills.

- Ability to work in an international and multicultural team.

- Strong competence in computer management, applications and social media.

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.

Qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to the assigned requisition in UNICEF Vacancies:

https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

1. Letter of Interest
2. CV

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.

Pension benefits: You will become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (https://www.unjspf.org).

Health insurance scheme: You and your eligible dependents will be covered by the UN Medical Insurance Plan (https://www.un.org/insurance/plans/medical-insurance-plan-mip).

Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, family support, policies & initiatives, security, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

Professional Development: The encouragement of professional development for all staff is one of UNICEF’s core values and we put this into practice through various services and initiatives. You will have different learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and competencies.

Be part of the United Nations: As an International organization that is part of the United Nations system, you will be considered an International Civil Servant and you will have career opportunities inside and outside the country.

Quality working conditions:

The workplace and working conditions are a huge asset for all UNICEF employees. Our staff are working in the Green One UN House- the first building in Viet Nam to be awarded gold LOTUS certification from the Viet Nam Green Building Council for efficient and environmentally sustainable use of resources and operations.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also 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.

https://vietnam.un.org/en/86207-announcement-time-hire-un-agencies-viet-nam-national-positions