UNICEF recruits 01 Maternal & Child Health (HSS) Manager, P4

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.

For every child, passion.

The Maternal and Child Health (Health System Strengthening) Manager is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the Representative is at the D2/D1 level and the Health Program is a key component of the Country Program under the first  outcome Women and children, including the marginalized and those living in humanitarian situations, have access to and use high-impact health and HIV interventions from pregnancy to adolescence and UNDAF. The MNCH and HSS Manager reports to the Chief of Health who is at Level 5.

Under the guidance of the Chief of Health, the MNCH and HSS Manager is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Maternal and Child Health System Strengthening programme component.

How can you make a difference?

The MNCH and HSS Manager is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of the health (maternal, neonatal, child survival/development, HIV/PMTCT and HSS) program/s within the country program and providing technical guidance and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Program development and planning:

Leads the Maternal Newborn and Child Health System Strengthening programme component including compiling and analyzing data/information, developing and periodically maintain up-to-date Situation Analysis, and developing Country Programme Recommendations (CPR) and Plans of Action, and other programme documents, as required.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results:

Participates in the formulation and development of the Health Programs Maternal, newborn and Child Health System Strengthening component including goals, strategies and approaches for UNICEF plan of cooperation. Participates with UNICEF/ government/ and other partners in the development of strategies, methodologies and identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery, with emphasis on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Service Delivery and Health System Strengthening. Plans, implements and monitors Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening activities.

3.Advisory services and technical support:

Provides leadership, guidance, direction and technical support to government and non-governmental organizations at national,regional, and districts levels for planning, development and implementation including expansion of  Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening interventions. Identify training needs and objectives for the purpose of capacity development and orientation for government personnel and beneficiaries at central, regional, and districts levels.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building:

• Interacts with Government and partners including NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies throughout the programme implementation cycle, to follow up periodically through reviews and evaluate technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening interventions in coordination and collaboration with government and partners. Undertakes field visits, and surveys in order to monitor and evaluate project implementation. Identifies problems and proposes remedial action.
• Identifies alternative courses of action, to accelerate/ improve program delivery.Responsible for the overall development, management and evaluation of Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening Annual Work Plans (AWPs). Monitors compliance and provides coaching, support and guidance to the MCHSS Unit team, in order to ensure the objectives are met. Identifies ongoing team development needs as well as HR Technical Assistance required.
• Coordinates with the Operations/ Supply Section on supply and non-supply assistance, ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Monitor delivery, quality and proper use of supplies through field visits. Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.
• Coordinates inter-sectoral collaboration with other program colleagues for efficient and effective coordination. Interact with communication colleagues to define strategies and ensure established effective monitoring, information and reporting systems, and in the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives.
• Keeps abreast of development in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health System Strengthening at international and regional levels. Represents UNICEF in meetings with government officials as well as multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies, to advocate and promote UNICEF program goals and objectives, and communicate with major partners on organizational policies on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health System StrengtheningPrepare project status reports of the assigned projects required for management board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports etc.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

Promotes critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable health programs/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.Contribute to the development policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects. ead/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health related programs/projects.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Medecine, public health/nutrition, 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 eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• 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.
• Fluency in English and French is required.Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising (I)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating action (II)
• Applying technical expertise (III)

View UNICEF competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

Remarks:

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

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

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.

For every child, passion.

The Maternal and Child Health (Health System Strengthening) Manager is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the Representative is at the D2/D1 level and the Health Program is a key component of the Country Program under the first  outcome Women and children, including the marginalized and those living in humanitarian situations, have access to and use high-impact health and HIV interventions from pregnancy to adolescence and UNDAF. The MNCH and HSS Manager reports to the Chief of Health who is at Level 5.

Under the guidance of the Chief of Health, the MNCH and HSS Manager is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Maternal and Child Health System Strengthening programme component.

How can you make a difference?

The MNCH and HSS Manager is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of the health (maternal, neonatal, child survival/development, HIV/PMTCT and HSS) program/s within the country program and providing technical guidance and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Program development and planning:

Leads the Maternal Newborn and Child Health System Strengthening programme component including compiling and analyzing data/information, developing and periodically maintain up-to-date Situation Analysis, and developing Country Programme Recommendations (CPR) and Plans of Action, and other programme documents, as required.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results:

Participates in the formulation and development of the Health Programs Maternal, newborn and Child Health System Strengthening component including goals, strategies and approaches for UNICEF plan of cooperation. Participates with UNICEF/ government/ and other partners in the development of strategies, methodologies and identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery, with emphasis on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Service Delivery and Health System Strengthening. Plans, implements and monitors Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening activities.

3.Advisory services and technical support:

Provides leadership, guidance, direction and technical support to government and non-governmental organizations at national,regional, and districts levels for planning, development and implementation including expansion of  Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening interventions. Identify training needs and objectives for the purpose of capacity development and orientation for government personnel and beneficiaries at central, regional, and districts levels.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building:

• Interacts with Government and partners including NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies throughout the programme implementation cycle, to follow up periodically through reviews and evaluate technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening interventions in coordination and collaboration with government and partners. Undertakes field visits, and surveys in order to monitor and evaluate project implementation. Identifies problems and proposes remedial action.
• Identifies alternative courses of action, to accelerate/ improve program delivery.Responsible for the overall development, management and evaluation of Maternal, newborn and child health system strengthening Annual Work Plans (AWPs). Monitors compliance and provides coaching, support and guidance to the MCHSS Unit team, in order to ensure the objectives are met. Identifies ongoing team development needs as well as HR Technical Assistance required.
• Coordinates with the Operations/ Supply Section on supply and non-supply assistance, ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Monitor delivery, quality and proper use of supplies through field visits. Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.
• Coordinates inter-sectoral collaboration with other program colleagues for efficient and effective coordination. Interact with communication colleagues to define strategies and ensure established effective monitoring, information and reporting systems, and in the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives.
• Keeps abreast of development in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health System Strengthening at international and regional levels. Represents UNICEF in meetings with government officials as well as multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies, to advocate and promote UNICEF program goals and objectives, and communicate with major partners on organizational policies on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health System StrengtheningPrepare project status reports of the assigned projects required for management board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports etc.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

Promotes critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable health programs/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.Contribute to the development policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects. ead/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health related programs/projects.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Medecine, public health/nutrition, 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 eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• 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.
• Fluency in English and French is required.Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising (I)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating action (II)
• Applying technical expertise (III)

View UNICEF competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

Remarks:

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

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