Health Specialist - UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, invites applications for the following vacancy:

Position: Health Specialist
Location: Bhopal
Post Level: NO-C

Purpose of the Post

To provide technical support to the state governments for planning, implementation, training and monitoring of the  health interventions in collaboration with WASH, Nutrition, C4D for improved adolescent, maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Capacity Development in evidence based planning and budgeting: In collaboration with partners specifically Call to Action partners in MP, support the capacity enhancement of the state, district and block level health managers and supervisors in situation analysis, evidence based planning and programming to accelerate RMNCH+A implementation in integration with WASH, Nutrition and C4D. In addition, deploy innovative training methodologies and effective methods for planning,  supportive supervisions of the health facilities at all levels specially the ones with poor health indicators (coverage and quality) on quarterly or monthly basis as per requirement. Also support the capacity enhancement in generating demand for health services including supportive supervision of ASHA and AWWs. Effectively deploy innovative training methodologies and effective methods for planning evaluation and designing of RMNCH+A at state and district level interventions in support of the above; and facilitate the production and use of training materials. Provide managerial and technical support for health equipment management and maintenance system drawing upon the expertise of the states wherever possible.   Establish and maintain regular contact with government officials, project/programme implementers at state and district levels (specially the CTA partners); staff of training and research institutions through joint visits, consultations, travel; monitor programme implementation; help in solving problems; promote implementation of the set of RMNCH+A  services and disease control, including HIV/AIDS prevention activities, primarily PPTCT and Paediatric Care and Support in the state; and foster an alliance with established partners in the field to meet the goals;
2. Systems strengthening: Collaborate with the government and CTA partners to support evidence based planning based on the bottleneck analysis  necessary for the improved planning, implementation and monitoring of RMNCH+A and disease control in both rural and urban areas.  Provide technical assistance and support to the RMNCH+A implementing authorities in the effective conduct of identified and agreed upon activities.  Develop plans for area-specific RMNCH+A interventions to scale-up evidence based  services including HIV/AIDS prevention and care for women and children as well as coverage with a package of interventions and disease control; and support the activities therein.
3. Knowledge management: Promote intensive and innovative activities, operations research in public health high priority  districts to bring about qualitative improvements in health care development for RMNCH+A and disease control; support community involvement in health care; promote operations research in health.  Act as a resource person on Health to C4D, WASH, and Nutrition colleagues and also coordinate as well as monitor the programme in the state; advocate for promotion of RMNCH+A and selected primary health care interventions in the context of CTA.
4. Technical support: Provide technical, strategic and policy assistance and support to RMNCH+A interventions including EPI, HIV and AIDS being advanced under RCHII, National Strategic Plan of NACO and CTA + the National Rural Health Mission to government of  Madhya Pradesh (at both state and district level) and development partners.
5. Technical Knowledge: Be aware of UNICEF policy and priorities, as well as the health problems of women and children in the country and of state/s, of services available to them with particular reference to young child survival, safe motherhood and disease control. Be updated of latest Lancet publications related to maternal and child health and be able to apply knowledge in programming.
6. Management (Planning, monitoring and evaluation): Undertake responsibility for developing programme -specific work plans and activities including evidence based planning and budgeting using the results of gap analysis, monitor and implement the activities which include conducting of workshops, meetings and training programmes; extensive field visits for review programme monitoring and spot checks, compiling progress reports and input-output statistics and analysis with specific reference to RMNCH+A including PPTCT elements of HIV/AIDS and linkages with WASH and Nutrition.  Also contribute to donor reporting for health specific donor contributions. Support the development and/or strengthening of  adequate and reliable management information system for RMNCH+A. Operationalize plans for disease eradication and control, with specific reference to poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus, measles, diarrhoea and pneumonia as well as other diseases of public health importance.   

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

a) Education

Master’s degree from a recognized university in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Pediatrics, Medicine, Health Research, International Health, Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Family Health, Biostatistics, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Education, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health Care, Nursing or a field relevant to international development assistance in Health.

b) Work Experience

Minimum five years’ experience at National/State level in programme development, monitoring and implementation of primary health care programmes including experience in field-based implementation.  Managerial and analytical skills are essential attributes.

c) Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English required.  Knowledge of Hindi is highly desirable.

d) Competency Profile:

i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication  [ II ]
• Working with People  [ II ]
• Drive for Results  [ II ]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and Supervising [I]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
• Analyzing [III]
• Relating and Networking [II]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III]

iv) Technical Knowledge [ II ]

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job) [  ]

• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan.
• Knowledge in Health related issues.
• Knowledge of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes (e.g.  PMTCT, HIV/AIDS,
• malaria, WASH, EPI)
• Intermediate Technical Knowledge (at the graduate education level) of the theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas:
Public Health, International Health, Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Population and Family Health
Health Research, Biostatistics, Sociomedical Sciences, Epidemiology
Health Education, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health Care

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [  ]

Knowledge of theories and practices in:

• Child and Maternal Health
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Public Health
• Educational Interventions in Health Care
• Environmental Health
• Knowledge Management
• Health Education
• Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

General knowledge of:

• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Health
• Knowledge of global health issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches.
• Policies and strategy to address national and global health issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [  ]

• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships.

Applications consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to hs-bhopal@sams.co.in by March 2, 2014. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the title and location of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application. For more details of the posts and full job descriptions, visit the SAMS website atwww.sams.co.in. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organizations qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.