Chief Health, P-5, Fixed Term Appointment, Nairobi, Kenya Country Office #5914 (Open to Non-Kenyans)

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, a chance

Health UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 — 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.

The Chief Health reports to the Deputy Representative, Programmes for general guidance and direction. The Chief is responsible for managing and leading all stages of health programmes/ (e.g., gender, maternal, neonatal, adolescent, Child Immunization, child survival, HIV, and Emergency Preparedness) 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 Health Adviser.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Managerial leadership
2. Programme development and planning.
3. Programme management, monitoring, and quality control 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 aligned to National Health Policy/Strategies, UHC/PHC agenda, and Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (RMNACH)
• 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 

• Lead the preparation, design, and updating of the situation analysis to establish a comprehensive and updated strategic plan for the development, design, and management of health-related programmes. Keep abreast of national, regional, and global development trends and priorities to determine the strategies, approaches, and priorities for programming to address the country’s health needs.
• Lead, coordinate, and supervise the development of health programmes (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF programmes) and establish plans of action, programme goals, and results using results-based planning methodology and terminology (RBM).
• Oversee and ensure UNICEF Corporate Priorities across immunization/zero-dose children, Public Health Emergency and community-based Health Delivery Partnerships or community-based Primary Health Care, Adolescent HPV acceleration, etc. are taken forward.
• Oversee the timely preparation of the health 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.
• Ensure that the Health program design incorporates the status of Kenya as a middle-income country, govt. policies, devolution of the health sector, and its resolve on UHC/PHC.
• Ensure that the program design links with and benefits from the high importance of innovation and the use of digital space for the promotion of the sector.

3. Programme management, monitoring, and quality control of results. 

• Coordinate, plan, and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in health programmes.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sector reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths, and/or weaknesses in programme management; identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor programmes/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, approve, monitor, and control the use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative, and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

4. Advisory services and technical support 

• Advise key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices, and approaches to health and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal, neonatal, and child survival and development.

5. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, and regional and global partners (African Medical and Research Foundation – AMREF, GAVI, Global Fund, etc.).  allies, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication of UNICEF’s mission, goals, programmes, and resource mobilization needs.
• Develop communication strategies as well as implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for UNICEF and Country Office health programmes (maternal, neonatal, and child survival).
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-related issues to ensure organizational position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated into the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners and colleagues in UNDAF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to developing donor proposals for resource mobilization.
• Solid experience/understanding of Public Financing for Children and influencing govt. decisions towards key areas of health sector financing for children.
• Promote and seek active collaboration with key stakeholders on the prominent advocacy agenda identified by the office.

6. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices for sustainable health 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.
• Lead and/or develop 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.

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

• A medical or advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, 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.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas, at the international level, is required: public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness with experience managing and guiding teams. Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language.

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. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

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 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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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:

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

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.

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.