Senior Immunization Specialist, (P-5), WCARO Dakar, Senegal #20513

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, health

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does: in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment into 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 — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will 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 also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Region covers 24 countries with varying levels of immunization programme performance and outcomes. According to the WUENIC 2023 report, in West and Central Africa the regional DTP1 coverage dropped to 79 percent which meant that 4.4 million children in the region did not receive a single dose of DTP. More than six million children did not receive the three recommended doses of DTP vaccine. Only 5 out of 24 countries in the region sustained the target coverage of 90 percent or above for DTP3 for the past four years. The regional coverage of MCV1 was 64 percent compared to the target of 95 percent needed to prevent outbreaks. Most countries in the region substantively rely on external financing for national immunization services. Hence, comprehensive actions and approaches as part of UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen Primary Health Care services are needed to improve the situation for children and their families.

How can you make a difference? 

Job organizational context

The Senior Immunization Manager is responsible for providing technical and managerial leadership, advocacy, networking, programmatic guidance, and capacity building to UNICEF’s Country Offices throughout the West and Central Africa region on immunization as part of Primary Health Care.

Purpose for the job

The Senior Immunization Manager reports to the Regional Advisor Health, for general guidance and overall direction. S/he is the authoritative and expert adviser to the Regional Advisor Health, UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office, Country Offices and governments in developing policies, strategies, programs, and systems for UNICEF’s support to immunization in the context of broader Primary Health Care. S/he facilitates the application, adaptation, and achievement of UNICEF global and regional goals, polices, strategies on immunization. S/he provides managerial leadership, oversight, knowledge management, strategy articulation, and oversees immunization related monitoring and evaluation. The Senior Immunization Manager is accountable for regional advocacy, resource mobilization, and technical assistance to equitable immunization services as part of Primary Health Care systems. This includes strengthening routine immunization programmes, reaching zero-dose communities to bridge the equity gap, elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, Yellow Fever, Measles rubella, the introduction of new and underutilized vaccines, responding to Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Outbreaks in line with UNICEF’s Global Strategic Plan 2022-2025/ 2026-2029, UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Regional Office Management Plan 2022-2025/2026-2029, Key results for children, the Immunization Agenda ( IA) 2030 and the GAVI 6.0 strategy.

The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating regional immunization-related partnerships with Gavi, WHO, African Union, Africa CDC, World Bank, CDC-USA, private sector and philanthropic institutions, strengthening regional coordination and providing technical assistance for immunization to be used as a platform for delivery of integrated services, including improved use of digital technology.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Managerial leadership
2. Programme development, management, monitoring and quality control of results
3. Advisory services, technical support and capacity building
4. Advocacy, networking, leveraging and partnerships
5. Innovation and knowledge management
6. Emergency preparedness and response

1. Managerial leadership
   • Lead a team of regional immunization specialists to ensure high quality and relevance of a) countries’ situation analyses; b) programmatic response; c) capacity building; d) advocacy; e) monitoring and evaluation; f) documentation and sharing of best practices and lessons learned, ensuring supportive oversight in support of the achievement of goals and planned results.
   • 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.
   • Ensure effective collaboration with other sections and units in the Regional Office, including with the rest of the Health Section, Social and Behavior Change, Gender, Communication & Advocacy, Monitoring, Evaluation, Supply, Emergency and other sections, to optimize regional support to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Country Offices’ work on immunization.
   • Facilitates support to respond to needs and opportunities, creating a work environment which promotes and facilitates teamwork and demands ongoing learning and development, setting high standards for measuring success towards reaching health related SDGs in the region.
2. Programme development, management, monitoring and quality control of results
   • Keep abreast of regional and global immunization development trends and priorities to determine the programme strategies, approaches and priorities.
   • Establish the immunization units annual work plan and set priorities and targets. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Ensure quality control of the work produces by the Immunization Unit.
   • Oversee the timely preparation of the immunization programme recommendation and related documentation for inclusion in the Country Office Programme recommendation ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
   • Consult and collaborate with colleagues and partners to provide technical guidance and operational support on programme planning, management and implementation, and to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of programme/project initiatives with UNICEF Strategic Plans and priorities.
   • Utilize effectively the financial resources available for immunization and newborn/child/adolescent health activities in the region, by advising and influencing supporting country offices, Governments and donors on the preparation of project proposals, in close consultation with public and private partnerships experts.
   • Ensure that GAVI and other donor support to UNICEF Country Offices is regularly monitored and effectively used.
3. Advisory services, technical support and capacity building
   • Advise UNICEF Country Offices, government officials, CSO partners, UN system partners and other Regional Office partners on immunization strategies and best practices and approaches to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
   • Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy discussions and agenda setting to promote immunization as part of primary health care, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal, neonatal and child survival and development.
   • Build the capacity of staff and partners on the latest approaches in immunization, including developing regional capacity building approaches to upgrade staff capacity as well as key counterpart staff in Immunization, including cold chain management, data analysis, and others as relevant.
   • Provides technical guidance and direction for capacity development of UNICEF staff in country offices and of their partners, in the integrated immunization/child health/PHC strategy planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of immunization/health related SDGs.
4. Advocacy, networking, leveraging and partnership building
   • Build and strengthen strategic partnerships on immunization with government counterparts, global and regional partners, professional associations, entrepreneurs, academics, religious organization, donors, CSOs and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNICEF’s mission, goals, programmes, and resource mobilizations needs.
   • Effectively represent immunization programme goals and strategies and widely advocate and network to further strategic partnerships with high level and senior government officials, multi-lateral agencies, bi-lateral agencies, CSOs, other UN agencies, and donors.
   • Participate and represents UNICEF in regional immunization meetings, regional working groups, closely work within the Regional Office and UNICEF Headquarters with Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships colleagues on innovative advocacy and partnership strategies.
   • Guide UNICEF staff in networking to expand strategic partnerships and institutional relationships for immunization results further, ensuring that UNICEF is recognized as a trusted partner.
   • Manage resource mobilization efforts, including coordinating (multi-) Country Office results-based funding proposals; advises and assists Country Offices in the preparation of results-based project proposals for Immunization/health/PHC.
   • Facilitate UNICEF’s contribution from Regional and Country Offices to Governments’ and partners’ efforts in leveraging large funding for immunization/health/PHC.
5. Innovation and knowledge management
   • Supports dissemination of successful programming strategies, including from middle income countries.
   • Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable immunization services.
   • Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in the immunization and health management and information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
   • Support documentation and sharing of lessons learnt from regional and country offices implementation in recognized scientific journals.
   • Lead and/or develop policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
6. Emergency Preparedness and Response, and perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned
   • Assess strategies and approaches on immunization in emergency preparedness, identify and effectively coordinate immunization related support during health emergencies and public health emergencies.
   • Ensure that immunization is adequately reflected in emergency/humanitarian preparedness measures and provides technical support to immunization activities in humanitarian settings as needed.
   • Participate in needs assessments as required and monitor and advise on risk of Vaccine Preventable Disease outbreaks.
   • Support funding appeals in consultation with the country office and HQ.
   • Perform or participate in any other duties appropriate to the purpose of this post, assigned by the supervisor, the Deputy Regional Director, or the Regional Director, and delivers the results as required.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective planning and formulation of immunization strategies/ programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, directly impact the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country, and this in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to protect the rights of children and promote greater social equality to enable children to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: public health, pediatric health, medicine, family health, global/international health, health policy and/or management, epidemiology or other relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas, at the international level, is required: immunization, public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergencies.
• Work experience in Public Health Emergencies, especially managing vaccine preventable disease outbreaks, is an asset.
• 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 and French is required. Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The 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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.