Senior Adviser Health (Accelerated Immunization Initiatives), P-5, FT, Programme Group, NYHQ, USA

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations.

The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

This position is based in NYHQ, however, UNICEF Programme Group is currently undergoing organizational change and the incumbent may be requested to relocate or be reassigned to İstanbul, Türkiye after August 2024.

Under the general guidance of the Associate Director – Health, Chief - Immunization, the incumbent will lead UNICEF’s Global Programmes for Measles/Rubella, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus and Meningitis, support vaccination in health emergencies and will be UNICEF’s main technical focal point on these topics. The incumbent will also play a key role in supporting UNICEF overall immunization programme goals under UNICEF’s revised Immunization Roadmap 2018-2030 by focusing on reaching un- and under-immunized children in marginalized and underserved communities.

S/he will direct and coordinate technical support for the introduction of the second dose of measles vaccine in routine immunization schedules during the second year of life (2YL) and – where indicated - through campaigns and other tailored vaccination strategies. S/he will also direct and coordinate the introduction and scale up of Yellow Fever, cholera, rubella and Meningitis vaccines at country level, through routine immunization, preventive mass campaigns and outbreak response activities. As part of the HQ Immunization Team and in close collaboration with key global immunization partners, the individual will provide guidance and provide support to UNICEF regional and country offices on equitable service delivery reaching the most vulnerable children with the goal of reducing childhood mortality and morbidity and improving child survival and development.

The specific responsibilities and functions of the post are:

Regional/Country Support

Technical guidance documents are developed. Countries receive technical advice and guidance for immunization programme implementation in the field of measles, rubella, cholera, meningitis, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) and yellow fever, and through coordinated delivery with other life savings childhood interventions. UNICEF inputs are presented and reflected in the immunization documents of partners and governments.

- Provides technical support and strategic guidance to UNICEF regional and country offices, government counterparts and partners on appropriate technical and institutional capacity-building measures, to achieve immunization programme goals and expand coverage of services related to measles, rubella, meningitis, yellow fever, cholera, MNTE, integrated service delivery and other immunization-related topics.

- Ensures integration of the accelerated immunization initiatives and routine immunization programmes with other child survival interventions such as polio, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and other malaria services, Vitamin A and other nutrition services, deworming, and with maternal and newborn health services in all stages of the programming planning (i.e. Situation Analysis, programme strategy, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and ensures corrective courses of action for achievement of programme objectives).

- Participates in programme workshops and consultations at the regional and country levels to exchange knowledge, ideas and approaches. Supervises inputs into preparation of disease control activities, especially regional VPD control and elimination goals, into Country Programme Recommendations and related documents, such as the Plan of Operation, and annual Plans of Action, CPSS, PSS, etc. in strategic countries. Provides guidance and technical support on development of country and regional funding proposals and reports.

Technical – Policy work

Guidance is provided internally to Senior Management to enable decision making on reaching the goals articulated in the organization’s Immunization Roadmap 2018-2030, the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA 2030) the global SDGs. Lifesaving interventions are delivered in an integrated and equity-focused manner to reduce morbidity and mortality specifically among the most marginalized and vulnerable children. New equity-based interventions are adopted by the countries to advance child survival and development particularly for the most underserved communities and children.

- Formulates the development and establishment of global policies goals, objectives and programme strategies for vaccine-preventable disease control with focus on reducing measles burden and strengthening of routine immunization, with special emphasis on the introduction of rubella vaccine, and the second measles dose as part of the immunization schedule in the second year of life and utilizing this visit in the second year of life (“2YL platform”) as an entry point for delivering a comprehensive package of primary health care (PHC) interventions.

- Work collaboratively with other Divisions and Sections within the organization, particularly Nutrition, broader Health Section and Emergencies Division to optimize the results of providing essential services to every child.

- At the global level, provide leadership, guidance and direction for UNICEF’s programmes on Measles and rubella control and elimination, MNTE, Yellow Fever, Meningitis, and cholera control goals.

- Identifies new equity-based strategies to accelerate/improve delivery of measles strategies and achieve programme requirements and objectives in line with UNICEF’s commitment to the Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework (MRSF), 2021-2030 aligned with the overarching Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA 2030) strategy.

- Provide strategic thinking and develop UNICEF’s position with regards to global measles elimination and other accelerated VPD initiatives.

Representational – Partnership works

UNICEF ideas and position are well articulated at global meetings and the organization is recognized as a key stakeholder, partner and contributor in the international immunization arena particularly for the MRSF 2021-2030 and IA 2030. Financial resources are well managed and coordinated at the global level and properly implemented to achieve the programme coverage goals, while focusing on equity and reaching the most underserved children and communities.

- Represent UNICEF in immunization meetings, including the Measles and Rubella Partnership, the ICGs for Yellow Fever, cholera and Meningitis, the Eliminating Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy, IA 2030 and Gavi 5.0 strategies. Undertake joint missions and participate in other fora to develop and implement collaborations towards accelerating progress towards VPD control and elimination targets and reduce number of unvaccinated children. Provides substantive UNICEF perspectives and information on major issues concerning measles, rubella, Yellow fever, Meningitis, cholera, MNTE, routine immunization, health emergencies, equitable vaccine delivery, innovations in vaccination methods and tools. Serves as liaison with partners, especially WHO, World Bank, United Nation Foundation, American Red Cross, Medicine sans frontiers, USAID, Gavi, IFRC, GPEI and U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in accelerating VPD control efforts and progress. Collaborate closely with colleagues in polio, emergency, and nutrition programmes and other units such as MNAH, Public Health Emergencies and Child Health in the Health Programme.

- Coordinates forecasting and availability of funding, monitors the overall planning and disbursement of accelerated disease control programme funds, and oversees the monitoring of funds utilization in accordance with the Plan of Action and the programme budget allotment. Liaise with Supply Division and WHO on issues related to allocation of vaccines and adequate monitoring of vaccine supply and safe injection equipment.

M&E Reporting

Monitoring of the measles/rubella, cholera, yellow fever, MNTE and meningitis programmes will be a standard deliverable UNICEF publication will include appropriate disease appropriate strategies. High quality progress reports will be produced in a timely manner.

- Immunization programme management and evaluation through periodic reviews, consultations, including providing updates and strategic guidance at global, regional and country level.

- Monitor measles, rubella, yellow fever, cholera, MNTE and meningitis programmes at the international, regional and country levels. In coordination and collaboration with other professional colleagues, establishes and develops effective information and reporting systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of measles control programme and achievement of targeted goals.

- Works with the Division of Communication to ensure that appropriate disease control strategies and approaches developed and implemented are adequately included in relevant UNICEF publications and other external relations initiatives.

- Prepares and submits timely progress/status reports for management, board, donors, budget reviews, programme monitoring and evaluation, annual reports, etc.

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

- A Medical degree with specialization in public health and other areas relevant to the development of a public health programme. Peer-reviewed publications in the field of immunization a definite asset.

- At least 10 years progressively responsible experience in management of immunization programmes and disease surveillance in developing countries.

- Specific experience in implementation of vaccine preventable disease programmes.

- Experience in policy development, advocacy and resource mobilization.

- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be 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.