Vacancy: Immunization Specialist

VACANCY NOTICE

DUTY STATION:  UNICEF Yaounde Type of contract : FT Appointment Title:  Immunization Specialist    Level: NOC Duration : One year renewable	As per UNICEF rules and regulations
PURPOSE OF POST: Immunization (EPI) Specialist is accountable for professional leadership in and contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Immunization programme in conjunction with Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, Health and Nutrition components within the country programme, to achieve the UNICEF's immunization plus goals and objectives for the country. Accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization programme promotes gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation, gender disparity identification and gender mainstreaming.	REPORTS TO: Chief Health
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS  Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analyzing and evaluating information and providing the technical input. Ensures the preparation of the Situation Analysis relative to Immunization (EPI) interventions in the country and its periodic update. Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document, and all related documents (e.g., Plan of Operations, Project Plans of Action, Country Programme Summary Sheet, Programme Summary Sheet) of the Immunization programme.  Collaborates with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, HIV and programme communication to ensure integration of the Immunization programme with other sectors. Participates with UNICEF, Government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of the immunization strategies and approaches.  Ensures achievement of strategic results in line with agreed Annual and Country Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet programme/project objectives. Contributes to the identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on project management, evaluation, sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development.     As Immunization Specialist, exercises technical leadership for, and participates in, the development of the results-based sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for administration, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of sectoral project activity, consistent with the defined project strategies and approaches. Ensures objectives and targets are timely met and achieved, through full coordination between activities, by leading and supporting a team of professional and support staff Meets with national and international agencies overseeing the management of programmes/projects. Participates in meetings with ministries responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements, and integration of gender mainstreaming across sectors. Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes, as well as participates in periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary action for programme adjustments. Provides technical advice and assistance to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the Immunization programme and ensure sustainability of interventions.   Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data. Provides technical support to government and NGOs at the national and provincial levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects. Identifies training needs; plans, organizes and conducts training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and promotion/expansion of coverage of services. ·       Plans and organizes a staff training/development programme to upgrade the capacity of the Country Office staff in the programme development, implementation and management of the Immunization Programme. Conducts relevant orientation, workshop, training and staff learning/development activities Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring UNICEF and Government partner accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments.  Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines. ·       Coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives. Participates in establishing effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for the Immunization Programme. Maintains close working relationships to establish partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on programme/project development and implementation. Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience lessons learned. In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and program communication colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated monitoring system. Participates in major evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings. Analyses and evaluates data to ensure achievement of objectives and recommends corrective measures as appropriate. Ensure the accurate and timely input of project information in the monitoring system, and issues status reports for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Ensures the timely preparation of annual sector status reports in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports. Collaborates in forming emergency preparedness plan relating to the areas of responsibility. In case of emergency, participates in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area. Coordinates and provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required in terms of immediate response as well as long-term strategy and plan. Performs and delivers additional duties and services assigned by the supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.  Work Experience: Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health/Immunization programmes. Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to child survival & health care. Field work experience Background/familiarity with Emergency. Languages: Fluency in French and English. . .	. Competencies: i) Core Values (Required) • Commitment       • Diversity and Inclusion      • Integrity ii)  Core Competencies (Required) •  Communication  •  Working with People  •  Drive for Results  iv)  Functional Competencies (Required) •  Leading and supervising •  Formulating strategies/concepts •  Analyzing •  Relating and networking •  Deciding and initiating action •  Applying Technical Expertise
Deadline for receiving applications at UNICEF Yaounde, Maroua, Bertoua and Douala desk front is 08th February 2016. Applications could also be sent through mail Post (sending date would be considered) or via email address yaoundehr@unicef.org. Completed files (Letter of motivation, CV, copy of diplomas, P11 form  (to be collected at UNICEF)  References etc.) to be addressed with the mention “DO NOT OPEN” with the post title on the envelope to the attention of:                                                                         CHIEF OPERATIONS UNICEF P.O.Box 1181 Yaoundé The submission and processing of candidates’ files are free of charge. UNICEF is not liable for any amount of money paid by a candidate as part of this recruitment. Only qualified and short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. UNICEF is a smoke-free environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.