UNICEF will play a vital role in health system strengthening in Sudan by focusing on enhancing the capacity of the country to deliver equitable and sustainable health services, particularly for children, mothers, and vulnerable populations. UNICEF will collaborate closely with Sduan’s government, civil society, and other partners to improve health policies, plan and budgets that are evidence-based and equity-focused. The HSS programme will focus on strengthening various components of the health system, including service delivery, workforce development, supply chain management, health information systems, and financing. UNICEF’s interventions will not only address immediate health needs but also will also aim at strengthening resilience of the health system in the face of withstanding emergencies and crises. By advocating for the rights of every child to access quality health care, UNICEF will contribute significantly to reducing mortality and morbidity rates among the most marginalized communities, ensuring a healthier future for all children.
The primary purpose of this job is to develop, implement, and oversee strategies aimed at improving the overall effectiveness, efficiency, and resilience of the health system. By focusing on enhancing the capacity of healthcare facilities, the workforce, information systems, supply chain management, and governance, the manager plays a critical role in ensuring that the health system can meet the current and future health needs of Sudan’s population.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Health, the HSS Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the Programme and will have frequent visit to the different site of the programme, The Programme Manager will collaborate with different chiefs and manager to ensure the programme is in alignment to UNICEF rules and regulations.

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For every child, health.

Background:

Sudan is the third largest country by land area in Africa and is geo-strategically important being located at the cross-roads of Sub-Saharan Africa, East Africa and the Middle East. It has long been a center of trade and commerce and link between neighbouring countries. The country has significant natural resource endowments, including vast arable lands, water, forests, minerals, and precious metals.

Sudan’s history has been marked by coups, political instability, and conflict, which is hindering socio-economic development gains.

The last five years were marked by several rapid political changes. Despite the efforts to shield Sudan’s poor from the effects of the economic adjustments, Sudan’s economic crisis worsened over time, exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19.  In April 2023 the situation escalated further into open violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reactivating over time also prior fault lines in different parts of the country. With the state of the economy already precarious, exacerbated by social unrest, shortages of basic services and livelihood inputs, and freezing of foreign assistance, the military conflict risks pushing the country into a state of collapse.

Fighting between the RSF and the SAF in various states as well as heavy clashes in Khartoum and other urban areas has led to significant displacement of millions of people, both internally and across the border into neighbouring countries. Approaching a year of conflict, almost all schools across the country remain closed.

UN entities are working with international and national NGOs to address the immediate needs. Basic services across Sudan have been characterized by weak capacity for delivery, low levels of public expenditure, shortage of qualified personnel, and inadequate infrastructure; further strained by the conflict, including pressure by displaced populations.

UNICEF is responding to the crisis by providing integrated Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, and Cash assistance. While much of the response is focused on humanitarian interventions UNICEF and other partners are also aiming to build on Sudan’s strong community-based organizations, and lessons learned from other projects, to provide sustainable community led basic services.

How can you make a difference? 

II. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Managerial leadership in programme development and planning in Health System Strengthening (HSS) through PHC.

 • Lead the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of health related programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.

• Overall management and coordination of all aspects of the programme including the Environmental and Social Safeguard system toward the agreed results as per UNICEF and donor requirements; oversee the grant management and financial management. Regular coordination with the state and section chiefs to ensure implementation is in alignment with the programme.

• Lead a strategic programme discussions on the planning of health programmes. Formulate, design and prepare a sector of the health programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, as well as coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, and national priorities, plans and competencies.

• Establish specific programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

• Provide technical and operational guidance throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

• Coordination with Government of Sudan and other relevant stakeholders for Design, coordination, planning and implementation of UHC focused reform and prioritizing urban and rural PHC.

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results in Health System Strengthening (HSS) through PHC.

• 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, especially Primary Health Care system to achieve Universal Health Coverage in urban and rural areas.

• Coordinate and support the Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation (PME) team to ensure that UNICEF and donor monitoring requirements are in place. Pull together and finalise donor reports and other documentation related to the implementation of the programme.

• Facilitate 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.

 • 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, potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.

• 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 regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

1. Technical and operational guidance and support to programme implementation.

 • Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices and approaches on health-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.

• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients,

and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness, maternal and neonatal health, and child survival and development.

• Develop policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information, and consideration.

• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated.

• Technical support to Federal ministry of health and relevant line directors on strengthening health system through PHC.

1. Networking and partnership building in HSS and WB funded projects.

 • Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health 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 health programmes (maternal, neonatal and child survival and development).

• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-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.

• Coordinating with Ministry of Health senior officials, the SUN initiative, Planning Commission and developmental partners for strategic design and implementation of Health financing and UHC.

1. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building in HSS/PHC.

 • Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.

• Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting-edge practices in health.

• Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.

 • Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

 • Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health-related programmes/projects.

Impact of Results

The ability of the Health Specialist to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient define strategies and steps  to support health system strengthening  for the country new initiatives such as upgrading the national health sector recovery and reform plan, Health services benefit package, Community Based Health system strengthening, Evidence Generation and costing of primary health care services, and scaling up Emergency preparedness and Response and health System Resilience  With guidance from the section health & Nutrition different programs. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children.

IV. Impact of Results

The quality of work by the Programme Manager directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF with a focus on the resilience programming and the contribution the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (Nexus) Agenda.

S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for improving practice of the SCO programme.

The Manager is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to help UNICEF deliver on its commitments, most importantly to the vulnerable children and communities it serves.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Health manager-HSS-NOD Updated.doc

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: International relations, political science, international development, or another relevant technical field.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in a relevant field in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

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, programme management, resilience programming, community empowerment, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience working in emergency environments is a requirement.
• Experience in managing a team is a requirement. Experience managing a multicultural team is an asset.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is 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…

 ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *

 

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

 

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

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.