Health Officer (Cold Chain) - UNICEF (Apply by:10 Aug'14)

Location: New Delhi

Temporary Appointment- 364 Days

Closing Date: 10 August 2014

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization working for the rights of children, seeks a temporary appointment for a Health Officer (Cold Chain)

Purpose of the Post

Under the guidance of the Immunization Specialist, provide technical support and coordination to cold chain and vaccine management under immunization system strengthening and acceleration of Routine Immunization in India. Document project information, achievements and funds utilization for preparation of donor reports and funding proposals.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership in introduction and implementation of newer and advanced technologies in cold chain and vaccine management, particularly temperature monitoring devices, solar and battery operated cold chain equipment, and other newer technologies that support the quality assurance of vaccine. Responsible for All GAVI-HSS supported Cold Chain Equipment and spare parts specification, procurement and installation. Support NCCTC for indigenous spare parts listing, and build capacity of Indian manufacturers of Cold Chain Equipment on international standards and WHO-PQS through GAVI-HSS support.

Assist MOHFW-GOI and state government in implementation of cold chain and vaccine management system in India. Support Immunization Specialist in planning and conducting the EVM assessments in selected states in coordination with state government, immunization division Ministry of Health and state offices of UNICEF. Prepare and update the national database of EVM assessments and support states in implementation of work plan through meetings, workshops, capacity building exercises.

Provide the evidence of quality vaccine management and maintenance of cold chain through strategic studies, assessments and interventions with state governments such that the learnings from good examples can be replicated across country through strong advocacy with Government of India.

Supports states in conducting SNCU equipment repair and maintenance training in close coordination with the NCCTC and other centers.

Assist in the preparation of fund-raising proposals and donor reports for EPI activities following standard UNICEF guidelines.

Participate in the development and monitoring of annual work plans, budgets, reports and performance reviews and requirements in immunization. Assist in the creation of programmatic indicators and data for decision making at the high risk districts/blocks. Take responsibility of coordination and interaction with health network at state level to analyze monitoring data. Offer technical assistance to plan and implement state/district/area-specific efforts to guide integrated immunization and child survival-related programming.

Support Immunization Specialist in augmentation and implementation of national cold chain management information system (NCCMIS) and Vaccine Logistics MIS with key objectives of strengthening the cold chain capacity, improved maintenance standards and preparation of expansion plan. As a part of this technical leadership in coordination with state government, immunization division, Ministry of Health, MIS development team and National Informatics Center (NIC) implement the MIS at district level.

Establish and review a systematic recording and reporting inherent in cold chain and vaccine management, forecasting, injection safety and waste disposal and document, give feedback and disseminate lessons learnt. In consultation with Immunization Specialist, develop and implement a mid point review of immunization strengthening activities of UNICEF, ICO as defined in the CPAP and rolling work plan.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

A. Education

University degree in engineering, logistics management, public health or related technical field. Familiarity with the theoretical basis and the practical applications of cold chain principles, vaccine and logistics management, as well as the planning and management of PHC services, with particular emphasis on delivery of immunization services.

B. Work Experience

At least two years’ progressively responsible field work experience in immunization and cold chain required, including experience at national level in India or other developing countries. Previous experience in working within UNICEF or other UN agencies and in international settings, preferred.

C. Languages

Fluency in English; Knowledge of Hindi an advantage. 

D. Competency Profile

i. Core Values (Required)

a. Commitment
b. Diversity and Inclusion
c. Integrity

ii. Core Competencies (Required)

a. Communication [ II ] 
b. Working with People [ I ] 
c. Drive for Results [ I ] 

Functional Competencies (Required)

a. Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ]
b. Analyzing [ II] 
c. Applying Technical Expertise [ II ]
d. Learning and Researching [ II] 
e. Planning and Organizing [ II ]

iv. Technical Knowledge 

a)Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ I ]:

• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan.
• Technical Knowledge of the theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas:
- Public Health, International Health, Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Family Health
- Health Research, Biostatistics, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology
- Health Education, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health Care.

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

Knowledge of theories and practices in:

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

c) 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.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness.

d) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ I ]:

• 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.

e) Other Skills and Attributes:

· Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programmes as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
· Supervisory and managerial skills; proven ability to lead a team.
· Good conceptual and analytical abilities.
· Communication skills to advocate, negotiate and promote UNICEF’s concerns related to equity, social inclusion in rural as well as in the urban poor contexts.
· Ability to network and develop alliances in support of UNICEF’s aims.
· Knowledge and use of standard office automation applications related towards processing, graphics presentations etc. as well as Management Information Systems and databases. Knowledge and training on use of work planning tools an asset.
· High proficiency in the application of computers and electronic data management and interpretation.
· Good writing skills with special focus on report writing.
· Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, P11 and an up-to-date CV should be sent to hoc-unicef@sams.co.in by 10 August 2014.  The P11 form can be downloaded from the following link: Download Personal History Form P11 [Word] 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 UNICEF India website at www.unicef.inand click on “Careers at UNICEF” at the bottom of the page. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.

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 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.