L’Unicef recrute un spécialiste en santé (urgences), Dakar, Sénégal

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, make a difference!

 

How can you make this difference?

Purpose of the job :

Under the overall direction of the Regional Health and HIV Advisor, the staff member will provide high level program and policy guidance and leadership in strengthening UNICEF WCARO’s response to health emergencies during outbreaks, natural disasters and conflicts with a special focus on vaccine preventable diseases outbreaks and cholera prevention and response (in collaboration the WASH Section) as well as on complex emergencies in conflict affected countries. In consultation with HQ and country offices, the position will be responsible for supporting implementation of high impact health interventions in acute and chronic emergencies as outlined in UNICEF’s Core Corporate Commitments in Emergencies (CCC) and other relevant technical guidelines. The Emergency Health Specialist will be supervised by the Regional Health Advisor and work closely with WCARO emergency technical team and the Country Offices.

 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities :

Provide technical, policy and programming support to UNICEF country offices, Ministries of Health and other collaborating partners in the area of health in emergencies with specific focus on vaccine preventable diseases outbreaks and cholera response.

Staff member will specifically :

• Support COs to respond to specific disease outbreaks. This includes integration of high quality health response in overall emergency response, and support COs to design responses that contribute to health systems strengthening ;
• Support the development of health components in UNICEF-supported Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM) where relevant ;
• Provide monthly summary updates on health emergencies in collaboration with the Emergency Section, or when needed ;
• Support resource mobilization in the area of Health in Emergencies.

Contribute to the development and dissemination of UNICEF policies, standards and guidelines for Health in Emergencies. This includes development/update of the Regional Office strategy and plan for Emergencies in Health, dissemination of standards, guidance documents and policies on health emergencies, and participation in country missions including joint missions with UN agencies and donors as appropriate to provide on the ground support to countries in emergency situations.

Support Country Offices to develop and implement health emergency preparedness and response plans and ensure that the responses implemented are of highest possible quality and adapted to the context.

Work with WCARO technical health teams and other key sectors to coordinate technical support to COs as required. This includes active participation in UNICEF’s cholera working team, Emergency technical team and Emergency Management Team.

Maintain highest level of contacts and active collaboration with relevant global and regional partners to coordinate activities to leverage technical and financial resources for health emergencies. This includes active participation in regional health emergency-related working groups’ periodic meetings, participation in the regional cholera platform. Staff member will also provide technical inputs in the drafting of regional and countries project sheets, HNOs (Humanitarian Needs Overview) and SRPs (Strategic Response Plans) in line with the UN transformative agenda.

Represent UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office in relevant meetings at global, regional and national levels to ensure that UNICEF perspectives are adequately represented in relevant strategies and frameworks related to health emergencies.

In collaboration with supply division, provide technical advice and other support to ensure that sufficient health-related supplies are available for country needs in health emergencies and broader humanitarian situations

Carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the Regional Health and HIV Advisor and Regional Office Management from time to time.

 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have :

Education : Advanced university degree in Medicine and advanced (post-graduate) degree in public health.

Desirable : training in management

Experience  :

• A minimum of 8 years in planning, managing and implementing health emergency programs with either the UN, International 0rganizations , and/or NGO at national and international level including field experience and demonstrated professional achievements in Africa ;
• Knowledge and experience with operational and action  research findings to meet the needs of programs in low- and middle income countries ;
• Familiarity with humanitarian principles, policies and response actions ;
• Familiarity with UNICEF emergency policies, financial, supply and administrative rules ;
• Demonstrated skills to deliver in a stressful emergency environment, with tight deadlines and ability to establish harmonious and effective working relationships with partners ;
• Comprehensive experience with technical health emergency interventions is desirable.

Language Requirements : Excellent knowledge of French and English in writing and communication. A working knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage.

 

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

Core Values :

• Care ;
• Respect ;
• Integrity ;
• Trust ;
• Accountability.

Core competencies :

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) ;
• Works Collaboratively with others (1) ;
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) ;
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1) ;
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) ;
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1) ;
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1).

Functional Competencies :

• Leading and Supervising (1) ;
• Analyzing (3) ;
• Deciding and Initiating Action (2) ;
• Applying Technical Expertise  (3).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

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 :

• 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.

* This position is based in Dakar; the incumbent will therefore be expected to live and work from Dakar (the duty station).