Public Health Assistant

Medical & Health

Overview

Contribute to UNICEF’s public health programming efforts for maternal and child health.

You have:

• Previous experience working on RMNCH, including immunization, community-based health care, and health emergencies related work is desirable
• Language skills; Oral and written proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another local language is an asset
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and/or flexibility to work in interdisciplinary, multicultural settings with gender equality and diversity awareness.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, 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.
• Have an affinity with or interest in UNICEF’s mandate, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. Familiarity with results-based management is an asset.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Health Specialist MNCH, or his/her designated representative/s, Public Health Intern - PHI will contribute to UNICEF’s efforts to advance comprehensive primary health care and promote equitable access to essential health services across the life course. This assignment offers an opportunity to contribute to integrated public health programming that addresses both immediate needs and long-term system resilience, while enhancing the volunteer’s exposure to field realities and health policy environments.

The UN Volunteer will support the Health Section, with responsibilities that cover maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, including immunization, childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and HIV in children. In line with UNICEF’s programming approach, the assignment will also emphasize the importance of community-based primary health care, health system preparedness and response, and long-term health system strengthening and resilience.

Key responsibilities will include: • Participate in and learn from project coordination processes related to maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health—including immunization, childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and HIV in children—under the guidance of technical staff. • Support activities related to Primary Health Care (PHC) for RMNCH, including reviewing background documents and participating in discussions on immunization, community health systems, and emergency response, as part of on-the-job learning. • Assist in collecting, organizing, and conducting basic analysis of health data, with mentorship provided to enhance data literacy and interpretation skills. • Join selected field visits to observe program implementation and contribute to capturing lessons learned, innovations, and best practices. • Support the preparation and review of planning documents, including the Health Section’s rolling workplan and inputs to mid-year and annual reviews, as a capacity-building opportunity in planning and monitoring. • Attend and actively participate in Health Section meetings, taking notes and occasionally assisting with coordination to build familiarity with team collaboration and workflow. • Learn about multisectoral coordination by supporting preparations for meetings with government partners, local stakeholders, and communities. • Observe and document technical discussions and working group meetings related to RMNCH and HIV programming to deepen understanding of policy dialogue and partner collaboration. • Assist in developing knowledge products—such as presentations, briefs, and reports—for internal and external audiences, with guidance from supervisors. • Perform other tasks as assigned, with a focus on supporting learning objectives and contributing to team efforts in a meaningful and structured way.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNICEF ZimCO Health team member, ensure efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

1. Improved understanding of MNCAH and program coordination: • Active participation in project coordination meetings and processes, demonstrating growing knowledge of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programming, including immunization and HIV in children.
2. Enhanced knowledge of Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and policy frameworks: • Summary notes, annotated readings, or briefing materials developed after reviewing key PHC and RMNCH documents. • Reflections or inputs shared in internal discussions as part of learning progression.
3. Basic data analysis and synthesis products: • Organized data sets, summary tables, or simple visualizations produced under supervision. • Drafted briefs or talking points using health data, supporting evidence-informed programming.
4. Documented field visit insights and contributions to reporting: • Field visit notes or observation summaries capturing key findings, challenges, innovations, and lessons learned from program sites. • Contributions to internal reports or presentations summarizing field experiences.
5. Support to planning and review documents: • Contributions to sections of the rolling workplan, mid-year or annual review notes, or templates. • Enhanced skills in results-based planning and reporting processes.
6. Meeting documentation and support to internal coordination: • Accurate minutes and action points from Health Section meetings. • Improved understanding of team dynamics and internal workflows.
7. Increased exposure to stakeholder engagement and coordination: • Preparation of meeting folders, agenda notes, or participant briefs for engagements with government and partners. • Reflection notes or logs capturing lessons from inter-agency coordination processes.
8. Documentation of technical discussions and working group meetings: • Summaries or notes from technical working groups, showcasing comprehension of technical language and policy dialogue. • Growth in understanding stakeholder roles and policy development processes.
9. Support to knowledge product development: • Draft slides, report sections, or communication products created under supervision. • Increased confidence in presenting or communicating technical content.
10. Demonstrated initiative and adaptability in supporting team priorities: • Completion of ad hoc tasks contributing to section goals. • Feedback from supervisors noting increased independence, responsibility, or skill acquisition over time.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

• Previous experience working on RMNCH, including immunization, community-based health care, and health emergencies related work is desirable • Language skills; Oral and written proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another local language is an asset • Excellent writing and communication skills. • Demonstrated ability and/flexibility to work in interdisciplinary, multicultural settings with gender equality and diversity awareness. • Computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, 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. • Have an affinity with or interest in UNICEF’s mandate, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. Familiarity with results-based management is an asset.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

The contract lasts for the period indicated above, with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: unv.org