For every child, Health.

Sudan health outcomes are among the worst globally, with an exceptionally high maternal mortality rate (MMR) across the country, an estimated 789 women dying for every 100,000 live births. Neonatal, infant mortality and under five deaths rates are high, it is estimated that 38 out of 1,000 live births die in the first month of their life, with the main causes being low birth weight and premature birth, injuries sustained during birth, and infections. Ninety-one out of every 1,000 children die before the age of five from common childhood infections. Communicable diseases remain a major public health challenge. Malaria is endemic across the country and nearly half (44%) of all children who seek medical attention will have malaria # many more will be infected but have minor symptoms. Malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia constitute about 77 percent of the total out-patient attendance for children under five. With regards to vaccine preventable diseases, vaccination coverage is still low with just over a third (39%) of children fully immunized against the main vaccine-preventable diseases. The health sector has been put under further strain by the Covid-19 outbreak, with significant disruptions in service delivery for end users.

The Global Fund is the major donor for supporting the Malaria Programme in South Sudan. A new GF Malaria Grant is being finalized and UNICEF has been nominated as Principal Recipient of the up-coming $50 million Grant to support the malaria control interventions in the country for the next 3 years. from the Global Fund Malaria Round 3 scheduled to start by 1^st October 2021 with the objective of reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in the country through the combination of strategies including malaria case management, Resilient Health System Strengthening – HMIS and M&E and, Vector Control. This Grant will cover the entire country for the period from 1^st Oct. 2021 to 31 dec 2023.

South Sudan Malaria Indicator Survey – 2017 https://www.malariasurveys.org/surveys.cfm

How can you make a difference?

Purpose/task & Expected Results

The GF Malaria grant implementation grant cycle 7 commenced by 1^st January 2024 and the Health Section urgently needs to ensure it puts in place the Project Management Unit (PMU to successfully run the Grant). The position of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is critical within the PMU as it will be responsible for providing support to the supervisors and colleagues in the office in oversighting the Performance Framework recently signed by UNICEF in support of the Malaria Strategic Plan 2024 – 2026 by administering and executing a variety of professional and technical tasks related to the Global Fund Malaria Grant implementation, applying theoretical skills and thorough knowledge of organizational goals, objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to complete the tasks in alignment with the Country Program Document.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

• Contribute to Programme by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting. This includes facilitating Outcome surveys eg. Malaria Indicator Survey, therapeutic efficacy survey to facilitate constant evidence generation.
• Participate in information exchange with partners and ensuring sustenance of the various government led coordination platforms. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of Programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management

• Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for program development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. This includes but not limited to supporting the review of the Malaria Strategic Plan, Country Malaria Proposal, etc
• Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyze country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans.

3. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action, facilitating Data quality analysis and training to county data officers.
• Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
• Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

4.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.
• Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

5. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability and cascade same to the National ministry of health.
• Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of area level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF programme

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

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies

1. Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
2. Work Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
3. Language Proficiency Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of;

• Care,
• Respect,
• Integrity,
• Trust,
• Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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.

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