For every child, health

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally – click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and 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 — their rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential and 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 supporting nations’ equitable development.

Job organizational context:

This position is part of the Programme section in Abuja, Nigeria, CO. Under the overall guidance of the Abuja-based Health Manager immunization (and polio team lead), the position will report to the Health Manager of each field office (Sokoto and Kano).

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the health manager at the field office, the Polio Outbreak Response Coordinator will provide technical leadership for the development, planning, implementation, delivery, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight of interventions against polio (specifically circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, cVDPV2) in Kano and Sokoto.

This role involves coordinating with routine immunization and primary health care (PHC) system strengthening efforts to halt the spread of the virus variants in Nigeria.

Key responsibilities:

Summary of results-based vital functions &accountabilities:

The Polio Outbreak Response Coordinator will act in accordance with the NPHCDA’s new blueprint, which focuses on boosting the quality of the Polio campaign, reaching missed children, and increasing community vaccine acceptance.

1. Undertake timely Polio Situation Analysis in the state, consistent with integrating sex-disaggregated data and periodic updating for effective project planning, development, and management.
2. Contribute to the development and implementation of Polio OBR micro plans through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners within the State EOC
3. Provide technical support and leadership for the planning and implementing Polio OBR and in-between-round activities such as microplanning, monitoring campaign activities, and communication-related activities, including social mobilization.
4. Ensure program implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration, and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Reports are generated on time, and data are analysed for actions.
5. Provide technical support to government and partners at all stages of the program cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel, staff, and community stakeholders.
6. Technical support and leadership provided for periodic training of Polio staff at the state and LGA level in various elements of the program.
7. Ensure UNICEF and Government accountability for supply and non-supply assistance and the disbursement of program funds for the sector. Ensure the efficient and effective use of resources (material, financial, and human resources).
8. Facilitate effective partnership and collaboration for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination, information sharing and knowledge management, and networking.
9. Provide technical support to the Polio team in developing communication strategies, tools, and materials to increase the demand for polio communication activities.
10. Ensure timely submission of all required program reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
11. Ensure emergency preparedness is maintained and emergency responses with effective coordination are provided in emergencies.
12. Lead and coordinate with other UNICEF programs on planning, monitoring, and reporting of integrated activities implemented to strengthen polio acceptance and achieve the organization’s objective of stopping polio transmission and providing immunization-plus services equitably at the state level.

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

Education:

An advanced university degree in Public Health, medicine, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Social and Behaviour Change, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines and or experiences.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring, or in Social and Behavior Change and evaluation of Immunization programs.

Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to child survival & health care, especially on immunization, outbreaks, and /or Social and Behavior Change.

Developing country work experience and a background/familiarity with work in emergencies and conflict-affected areas would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

• The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
  • Builds and maintains partnerships (II)
  • Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (II)
  • Drive to achieve results (II)
  • Innovates and embraces change (II)
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity (II)
  • Thinks and acts strategically (II)
  • Works collaboratively with others (II)
  • Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (II)

To view our competency framework, please visit 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:

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.

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.