Senior Adviser, COVID-19 and Child Health&Well-being, NO-3, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

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 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, safety

The Government of Mongolia and the United Nations Children’s Fund for Mongolia (UNICEF), under its 5th Country Programme (2017-2021), aim to strengthen national and decentralized systems to ensure most disadvantaged children benefit from increased access to and utilization of services that promote health, clean air, nutrition, inclusive education, early childhood development, social protection, child protection, WASH and climate change action.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this position is to support the Mongolia Country Office’s engagement in strengthening COVID-19 policies and interventions across sectors for the benefit of maternal and child health based on lessons learned from the pandemic. It will also support the advocacy work with the Government (line ministries) and development partners to translate the recommendations into action plans and related budget. S/he works in close collaboration with the programme staff, Communications team in UNICEF and other UN Agencies, UNICEF Regional Office and Headquarters staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multilateral and bilateral development partners, academia, and civil society, private sector and the media.

Under the leadership of the Deputy Representative, the Senior Adviser is responsible for:

• Leading COVID programme development, planning and coordination. Lead and act as technical focal point for COVID-19 and health related issues, and support the development of advocacy/policy asks across the programme sections. Attend, contribute to and lead internal meetings with various sectors on child health including those in the context of the UN System in Mongolia. Participate in the preparation of program/project status reports required for management, program analysis, annual reports, etc.

• Providing guidance and policy advisory support on COVID-19 and children. Review the COVID-19 response from Government, Development Partners and UNICEF through the lens of maternal and child health; identifying actionable recommendations to further strengthen and adjust UNICEF’s response and define advocacy messages to Government and Development Partners; strengthening cross-sectoral coordination of UNICEF’s response plan, in view of socio-economic consequences of the pandemic; liaising with government and development partners about priorities, progress, gaps and possible collaboration. Upon request by senior management, represent UNICEF in national and international COVID-19 response coordination, discussions and dialogue;

• Providing guidance and policy advice to Government officials, development partners on child health and well-being. In-depth analysis of the existing and upcoming reports on maternal and child health issues (especially in relation to air pollution and respiratory health) and lead cross-sectoral discussion for policy recommendations and the incorporation into the government programmes, action plans and budget. Lead the identification of risks and opportunities for children in relation to the above-mentioned issues, propose actions, key messages and advocacy strategies for investments that support maternal and child health.

• Engaging with the public and the media on COVID-19 and maternal and child health. Guided by Country Office Senior Management, and based on evidence and analysis, develop key messages and talking points. Identify and build partnerships with the public, media and other stakeholders for strategic engagement; maintaining overall knowledge on the policy, institutions and programmatic activities related to maternal and child health. Upon request of senior management, represent UNICEF in dialogue with the public and (national/international) media such as but not limited to interviews, public events and through social media.

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

• Advanced University degree (Master's or above) in Medicine, Public Health or other relevant discipline
• A minimum of 5 to 10 years years of relevant professional work experience at the national level in health, emergency, programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring and review
• Proven working experience on public health policy, especially in relation to maternal and child health
• Substantial experience and success in high level advocacy with senior government officials
• Extensive and relevant work experience in areas related to children’s health, and children’s rights is recommended
• Experience working on the COVID-19 pandemic is an asset
• Outstanding interpersonal and public speaking skills
• High level of demonstrable leadership skills
• Track record of delivering high quality results under pressure and ability to support and motivate teams in these situations
• Ability and experience working collaboratively using matrix management
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language is 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.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, 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.