UNICEF recruits 01 Chief Child Survival and Development, P4

Vacancy Announcement
 
Chief Child Survival and Development P4 # 58681, Cotonou, Benin

Context of the position.
“Benin is a stable democracy in West Africa with a socially and culturally diverse population, currently estimated at over 11 million, 51 per cent of which are children and 25.6 per cent, adolescents. Most of the population (55.4 per cent) lives in rural areas, though the country is undergoing rapid urbanization (3.67 per cent per year). The national context is marked by the Government’s commitment to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Government Action Programme, 2016-2021. 2016 Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis, revealed that 43 per cent of children lived in poor households and 64.5 per cent were deprived of at least three essential needs (health, nutrition, education, sanitation, etc.). Multidimensional child poverty affects more children than monetary poverty. The most deprived children live in households that are rural, poor, large and/or headed by a person with a low level of education. Children living in some departments in northern and central Benin suffer more deprivations than elsewhere in the country.  Important investments in priority social sectors are made by the country over the past years. At present, health (7 per cent) and education (23 per cent) together account for around 30 per cent of annual public spending.
There have been notable improvements in health service coverage and access to drinking water. Between 2011 and 2016, the neonatal, infant and under-five mortality rates fell respectively from 32, 67 and 125, to 31, 63 and 98 deaths per 1,000 live births, although significant disparities remain. Mortality rates are highest among the poorest children, those with less-educated mothers and those living in some departments in the north and centre of the country. According to a UNICEF report, Benin will need to at least double its rate of progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target for neonatal mortality by 2030. Malaria, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections cause 37.8 per cent of deaths among children under-five. The proportion of children fully immunized by the age of 12 months has remained unchanged at 41 per cent since 2006. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV stands at 6.7 per cent. Approximately 37 per cent of rural health facilities have basic equipment, compared to 55 per cent in urban areas.  Chronic malnutrition remains high (34 per cent). Stunting is more than twice as likely to affect children living in the poorest households (46 per cent) and in some departments, especially in the north of the country, than those living in the wealthiest households (18 per cent). Access to improved sanitation facilities is low (14 per cent), with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Consequently, Benin has one of the highest open defecation rates in the region.”
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Purpose of the position:
Under the general guidance of the of the Representative, P5, and the direct supervision of the Deputy
Representative, P4, responsible for the formulation, strategic planning, designing, implementation, and evaluation of the Child Survival and Development (CSD) programme within the country programme, which includes Health (strengthening health systems, mother, newborn and child survival), Nutrition, WASH,  and HIV/AIDS programming. As head of the CSD Team, leads and manages the team, including establishing plans of action to achieve concrete and sustainable key results for children (KRC), 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 delivery of results
4. Advisory services and technical support
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Managerial leadership
 Establishes the section’s annual work plan with the team,and sets priorities and targets. Monitors work progress and ensures results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
 Establishes clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provides timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plans and ensures timely performance management and assessment of the team.

2. Programme development and planning
 Participates in the formulation and development of programme goals, strategies and approaches for the UNICEF plan of cooperation. Plans, implements and monitors assigned activities to support health system strengthening, through partnership development, technical assistance to government for elaboration of a SWAP or compact, health budgeting and costing scenarios, scaling up of high impact health and nutrition interventions for child survival, capacity building at national, departmental and health district levels, and the development of monitoring systems. Engages in policy development and health budget analysis, advocates for increased public-sector allocation and spending for maternal and child survival interventions.
 Prepares sectoral inputs to the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and participates in the elaboration, planning and monitoring and evaluation of joint programmes and projects. Ensures UNICEF’s participation and contribution to the work of Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS thematic groups, and joint contingency planning.
 Ensures the preparation of the Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS sections of the Situation Analysis and the CCA/UNDAF and their periodic update. Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document (CPD), the Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP), the Country Programme Action Plan, the Annual Work Plans (AWP), the Country Programme Summary Sheet, etc. Ensures the integration and planning of emergency preparedness and response activities into all related documents according to the CCC3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
 Participates with UNICEF/Government and other partners in the development of strategies, methodologies and identification of new of new approaches for improving programme delivery, with emphasis on on scaling up high impact Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS interventions for child survival, a community-based approach, district health mapping, software programmes for health management and budgeting, advocacy, community participation and social mobilization.
 Undertakes field visits and surveys to monitor and evaluate project implementation and Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS programme impact. Identifies alternative courses of action to accelerate/improve Identify alternative courses of action to accelerate/improve programme delivery.
 Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of the Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS programme/projects in coordination and collaboration with Government and other partners.
 Coordinates with Operations/Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities. Approves disbursement of funds related to sector ensuring proper liquidation and accountability, and that activities are within established plans of action and the programme budget allotments.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
 Coordinates activities and exchanges information/ideas with other programme sectors to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives. Participates in establishing effective monitoring, information and reporting systems, and in the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation

5. Advisory services and technical support
 Provides technical support to Government and Non-Government Organizations at the national, provincial and district levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the health and nutrition programme. Plans, organizes and conducts training and orientation activities for Government personnel, and beneficiaries for the purpose of capacity building in health mapping, health systems strengthening, management and budgeting at central and regional levels and expansion of coverage of Health, Nutrition, WASH and HIV/AIDS prevention services.
 Participates in the preparation of quality and timely programme reports required by Management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

6. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
 Provides technical input to and advocate for the inclusion of UNICEF established priorities in child survival and development in government poverty reduction strategy, development plans, and funding agreements (SWAP, Global Fund, MAP), in order to leverage funds for children and scale up child survival and development and maternal health interventions to meet the SDGs

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

a) EDUCATION
Advanced university degree in public health, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy/management, environmental health sciences and epidemiology.b) WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of ten (10) years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in public health, health programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.

c) LANGUAGES
Full fluency in both French and English required.

d) OTHER SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
• Good knowledge of computer management and applications

e) COMPETENCIES
– Communication, Level 2
– Working with People, Level 2
– Drive for Results, Level 2
– Leading and Supervising, Level 1
– Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Level 2
– Analyzing, Level 3
– Relating and Networking, Level 2
– Deciding and Initiating Action, Level 2
– Applying Technical Expertise, Level 3

UNICEF’s core competencies: Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF’s core values are: Commitment, Diversity and Integrity

“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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.