UNICEF seeks to recruit a chief child survival & development – Liberia

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

 

Purpose for the Post :

The Chief of Health is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of Child Survival and Development (CSD) programmes (e.g. gender, maternal, neonatal, child survival, nutrition, water and sanitation (WASH), emergency preparedness) within the country programme, from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of results. S/he leads and manages the health team including establishing plans of action to achieve concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, and does so in consultation with the Regional Advisors of Health, Nutrition and WASH.

 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities :

1. Managerial leadership ;
2. Programme development and planning ;
3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results ;
4. Advisory services and technical support ;
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building ;
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

1.  Managerial Leadership :

• Establish the section’s annual work plan with the health team and set priorities and targets. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards ;
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team ;
• Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives, goals, direction, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

2.  Programme Development and Planning :

• Plan and provide technical support and guidance for the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis to establish a comprehensive and updated strategic plan for development, design and management of health related programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery ;
• Prepare, coordinate and/or supervise the formulation of health programme recommendations and related documentations as a component of the Country Programme, establishing clear programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM) ;
• Evaluate programme recommendation to ensure alignment of the sectoral programme with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies as well as national priorities, plans and competencies ;
• Consult and collaborate with colleagues and partners to provide technical and operational support on programme planning, management and implementation, and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors throughout all stages of programming processes.

3.  Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results :

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in health programmes ;
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results ;
• Plan, monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources ;
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals ;
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution ;
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

4.  Advisory Services and Technical Support :

• Collaborate and consult with key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies, best practices, and approaches on CSD-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results ;
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice and to contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and development issues especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development ;
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration ;
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development and contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated.

5.  Advocacy, Networking and Partnership Building :

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with CSD sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on child rights, social justice and equity ;
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for CSD programmes (maternal, neonatal and child survival and development) ;
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on CSD-related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

6.  Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building :

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable CSD programmes/projects initiatives ;
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in health management and information systems ; Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned ;
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects ;
• Lead, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health related programmes/projects.

 

Minimum Qualifications :

Education :

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or another  relevant technical field.

Experience :

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness ;
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.  Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements :

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Core Values :

• Commitment ;
• Diversity and inclusion ;
• Integrity.

Core Competencies :

• Communication (II) ;
• Working with people (II) ;
• Drive for results (II).

Functional Competencies :

• Leading and supervising (I) ;
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II) ;
• Analyzing (III) ;
• Relating and networking (II) ;
• Deciding and Initiating action (II) ;
• Applying technical expertise (III).

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 organisation.

 

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.