Health Specialist – Immunization, Strategy and Partnerships (P4), TA, PG Health – Immunization, NYHQ (Temporary Appointment 364days) # 00125194

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.

Global immunization programme and partnerships have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated response. UNICEF is now operating in a transformed donor and partnership landscape, which is more complex, more competitive and more dynamic. COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine immunization programmes and led to significant increases in the number of un- and under-immunized children, especially in lower-income countries, along with the growing risk and frequency of vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition, UNICEF programmes are being affected by fast-changing social, political, economic, demographic, technological and other shifts, requiring additional capacity to ensure programmatic and operational agility and excellence.

The Immunization Section is part of the Health Programme Group at UNICEF NYHQ. The Immunization Section consists of six teams: (i) Strategy & Management, (ii) Social & Behaviour Change, (iii) Immunization Financing, (iv) Accelerated Immunization Initiatives, (v) Coverage & Equity and (vi) Supply Chain. The Immunization Strategy and Management (S&M) team coordinates the design, implementation, dissemination, monitoring and review of UNICEF global immunization priorities in the context of Immunization Agenda 2030, Gavi 5.0 and UNICEF organizational priorities such as the UNICEF Strategic Plan and the Strategy for Health to 2030. In close collaboration with other immunization teams at global level and in partnership with the Health and other Programme Groups, Supply Division, Division for Global Advocacy and Communication, Data, Analytics and Policy Division, other HQ divisions and key immunization stakeholders (e.g. WHO, Gavi, US CDC, Africa CDC, BMGF, USAID), S&M unit promotes and supports immunization advocacy, partnerships, representation and visibility within IA2030, global monitoring and reporting, knowledge management, and capacity strengthening. In addition, S&M unit ensures effective and efficient management of UNICEF immunization resources that are managed centrally with focus on Gavi Partnership Engagement Framework, US Centers for Disease Control and resources transitioned from ACT-A HAC vaccine pillar.

In this context, the immunization section aims to establish a new position of Immunization Manager responsible for oversight, monitoring and reporting on immunization grants from the Government of Canada (CanGIVE, SH220017 and GAC COVAX, SH220020) and other grants transitioned from ACT-A HAC for C-19 vaccine delivery support; and for mobilization of resources to immunization in line with the UNICEF Immunization Roadmap to accelerate progress towards global immunization goals to 2025 and beyond.

For every child, Health for all……

Under the general guidance of the Senior Health Advisor and in close collaboration with relevant immunization team leads, the incumbent will be responsible for oversight and coordination of COVID-19 vaccine delivery fund management, disbursement, monitoring, documentation and reporting in line with donor agreements to ensure their timely and optimal use (with focus on grants from the Government of Canada). In addition, incumbent will be leading the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies and plans to mobilize financial resources in support of global immunization programme, also contributes to the development of UNICEF immunization strategies and programmes to ensure the achievement of global immunization goals in line with SDGs, IA2030, and UNICEF immunization roadmap.

How can you make a difference?

Optimal use of immunization grants from the Government of Canada (CanGIVE, SH220017 and GAC COVAX, SH220020) and other grants transitioned from ACT-A HAC for C-19 vaccine delivery support:

• Plans, implements and facilitates actions to ensure optimal use of immunization grants with focus on donor resources transitioned from the ACT-A HAC team. Coordinates funds management and disbursement in line with donor agreements and tracks investments across Immunization and other concerned teams at HQ/RO/COs.
• Collaborates with the Planning and Monitoring Manager and the Programme Budget Specialists, to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial management requirements and accountability.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of relevant programmatic and budget documentation in line with UNICEF programme, financial and knowledge management requirements.
• Monitors progress in utilization of resources at HQ, regional and country levels, recommends and takes appropriate actions to optimize the use of programme funds, including the engagement with donors (via PPD) on reprogramming of resources. Closely collaborates and regularly communicates with HQ Immunization team leads and Regional Immunization Advisers to identify bottlenecks and solutions to address those. Follows through on their implementation through relevant channels.
• Coordinates across HQ/RO/CO teams the preparation of high-quality and timely donor reports for assigned grants, in line with the donor and institutional requirements. In collaboration with the Immunization Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) establishes and maintains a robust results monitoring systems.

Resource mobilization

• Develops an overall strategic approach for resource mobilization, supported by operational plan and monitoring tool. Leads and coordinates resource mobilization, and related advocacy to mobilize donor support for immunization priorities and major initiatives. Among others, resource mobilization efforts will aim at supporting the operationalization of immunization catch-up, recovery and acceleration efforts as per the Global Plan endorsed by UNICEF, WHO, Gavi and IA2030, requiring estimated $300M – $500M for vaccines, delivery and systems strengthening support.
• Monitors and assesses existing partnerships and fundraising channels to meet the needs of the UNICEF global immunization programme, the Catch-up and Recovery Plan, as well as other immunization priorities in collaboration with UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division (PPD), Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), Division of Global Advocacy and Communication (DGCA), other relevant teams and divisions. Supports the packaging and articulation of the needs to inform communication with the donors.
• Identifies and contributes to the development of new partnership and resource mobilization practices and approaches by formulating recommendations for action based on on-going monitoring, analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development; and as relevant engaging directly with potential donors on resource mobilization issues.
• Prepares briefing notes and reports to support UNICEF’s immunization resource mobilization efforts for governments, National Committees, Foundations and other partners.
• Works with Immunization HQ team leads, Regional Immunization advisors, relevant country offices, PPD, PFP and DGCA in the formulation of funding requirements and development of resource mobilization tools.
• Maximizes opportunities for ensuring the visibility of donor support and the UNICEF’s role and impact on immunization results, national systems’ strengthening and sustainability. Capitalizes on existing social media channels and strong communication expertise and networks within UNICEF by working with the Office of Health Director, DGCA, PPD, PFP.
• Cultivates opportunities with partners (current and prospective) to cement UNICEF as a global leader in Immunization and enhance UNICEF brand profile, including through regular sharing of updates on UNICEF’s work, joint field visits, etc.
• Plans and organizes capacity building sessions on resource mobilization for the extended immunization teams.

Partner engagement and collaboration

• Identifies and pursues opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contributes to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for senior management.
• Establish and maintain high level contacts with senior representatives of relevant partners in order to strengthen collaboration and ensure shared ownership and shared value alignment against UNICEF immunization priorities
• Serves as focal point for relations with assigned partners, negotiating funding support for new areas of work, following up on feedback, organizing field visits, advocacy and resource mobilization meetings.
• Represents UNICEF in relevant internal and partner coordination platforms.

Immunization strategy and policy

• Contributes to strategies for engagement and the development of communications and advocacy products to enhance UNICEF’s visibility and influence with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development.
• Works closely with DGCA, PPD, PFP colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of the programmes that UNICEF’s supports. Contributes written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.
• Prepares policy papers, immunization programme analysis, technical briefs and guidelines to enhance advocacy, partnership and resource mobilization for immunization strategies and initiatives for consideration by senior management.
• Contributes to the preparation of budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, progress reports on immunization for management, board and donors.
• Facilitates a systematic capture, analysis, documentation and sharing of experiences and lessons learned linked to the immunization partnership development and implementation with programme staff at Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices as well as other partners.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in in public health, social development or a related technical field required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience at national and international levels in public health, social and/or economic development, of which at least some in developing countries. 
• Extensive experience in immunization programs, including in low and lower-middle income countries.
• Solid understanding of decision-making processes in partner governments, funding organizations, and key immunization stakeholders (e.g. Gavi secretariat, WHO, CDC).
• A strong network of contacts within a range of relevant partners – Governments, United Nations Organizations, Foundations, Gavi will be a strong asset.
• Experience in advocacy, partnership building and resource mobilization in an international organization, partner government, foundation or private sector partner is highly desirable.
• Previous work experience in a UN context an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Proficiency in French and another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA), and sustainability

Please click Here to view UNICEF’s core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

• 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)

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 including 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, 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 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, 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.