Programme Specialist (Polio) Team Lead, NOC, Fixed Term, Quetta, Pakistan

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the most challenging places in the world to reach the 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: health!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilizers, communities and families, and, of course, the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives by being in good health, immunized, protected from polio, and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website, www.unicef.org/pakistan , and videos on YouTube and Vimeo.

The Programme Specialist – Polio Team Lead in Quetta reports to the Chief of Field Office (CFO) for general guidance and supervision and will work under technical guidance of the Polio Team Lead and works within the provincial polio emergency operations centre framework to support Programme Operations, Management, Risk Assessment and Decision Support, Detection and Response, Communications and Synergy and additional activities Areas of Work, and related Task Team.

The incumbent will be responsible for the work of Polio Eradication Team in Quetta UNICEF office by providing guidance, support, and supervision to facilitate and enable effective and efficient performace. He/she will make independent decisions on corrective actions necessary to achieve the objective in his/her area of responsibility. He/she supports the programme to undertake all priority activities towards stopping polio transmission in Pakistan as guided by the Technical Advisory Group and in alignment within the GPEI strategy.

How can you make a difference?

Main duties and responsibilities for the post include the following:

Programme planning and management

• Provides strategic leadership, management, and supervision of all UNICEF polio staff assigned to the Quetta Field Office. Oversee activities of staff to support polio eradication activities in Pakistan.
• Organize and supervise various elements of the polio eradication programme in the province and specially: a. Strategic planning of polio eradication in the province b. Coordinate, direct and monitor the work of UNICEF staff and non-staff working for polio in the province c. Prepare budget requirements and oversee expenditure for polio eradication activities d. Develop and participate in regular evaluation of the programme. Ensure follow-up of the implementation of the various elements of the National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Polio eradication and recommendations of technical bodies (TAG)

Advisory and technical support

• Develops, monitors and evaluates activities to decrease the number of missed children during campaigns, and ensures the sharing and coordination of experience, new methods and approaches to access to government officials, programme staff, WHO, and other UNICEF partners. Supports the effective operation of the Emergency Operations Centre; Reviews COMNet deployment criteria, monthly activities plans, social profiles in all priority 1 districts of Baluchistan; Lead the collaboration with Routine Immunization by developing integrated work plan, providing technical support (e.g. assessment and monitoring) with polio asset, supporting capacity building, integrating communication, etc; Advise Provincial Emergency Operations Centre and health authorities on various aspects of Polio eradication in the province.
• In collaboration with WHO and government programme officers, leads the design and management as well as facilitates the implementation of communication, advocacy and resource mobilization plans of action aiming at: (a) behaviour development/change at the individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development programmes (d) mobilization of resources to support the implementation of work. Responsible for programme management of the Baluchistan polio programmes, including the oversight of communication activities within the programme; Coordinates technical support to government counterparts in the development and appropriate use of communication for social development, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective actions. Works closely with Baluchistan Emergency Operations Centre and partners; Liaise with different EPI/PEI (Polio Eradication Initiative) partners and enlist continued commitment of national local authorities to stated goals.

Programme monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the polio eradication programme in Pakistan;
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews, national and subnational campaigns, with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions for polio eradication;
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in polio programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve polio eradication goals in Pakistan;
• Actively monitor the polio eradication 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.
• Plan, monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of polio programme programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Develops and manages partnerships with government departments/sectors, religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists, and other organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to orient them on provincial programme goals and to solicit their involvement in the implementation of the provincial programmes. This includes a consortium of civil society organizations which are working to strengthen the health system.
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with polio eradication programme partners and health sector government counterparts, national. provincial and district level stakeholders, as well as allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of polio eradication programme goals;
• Prepare communication and information materials for the country office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for polio eradication programme;
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate provincial and country office level discussions and planning on polio-related issues to collaborate with partners/colleagues on preparation and implementation of the National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Polio Eradication, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process in development planning and agenda setting.

Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices for sustainable polio eradication programme initiatives.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in the management of the polio eradication programme. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable polio eradication programme in Pakistan;
• Lead, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on polio eradication. Train and build national capacity in the area of assignment; Coordinates the development of training materials and activities to build capacity in participatory and behavior communication at various government levels and with key stakeholders in support of programme sustainability.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, Public health (preferably in epidemiology or child health), pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, or another relevant technical field. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health (including EPI) planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience working in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2), Works Collaboratively with others (2), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2), Innovates and Embraces Change (2), Thinks and Acts Strategically (2), Drive to achieve impactful results (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

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

Life at UNICEF:

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With an 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.
• Career support, staff wellbeing program, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security, etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 regulations 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:

• The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates).
• Verified educational certificates/HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process, candidates must present HEC-attested degrees/certificates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to immunization (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees considered for employment with UNICEF are usually 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 medical clearance is not obtained or necessary inoculation requirements are not met within a reasonable period for any reason.