Job Number: 514417 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Middle East and North Africa: Sudan

Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child,  www.unicef.org/sudan

Sudan is a huge country, more than four times the size of Sweden and the third largest in Africa even after South Sudan was carved out in 2011. Sudan has a lot of land and resources, a population of 40 million and a history that predates the Nubian kingdoms established along the Nile River around 4,000 BC.

Sudan children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives improve. Fewer boys and girls are dying before their fifth birthday. Primary school attendance is increasing. Immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free.

Still, millions of children continue to suffer from chronic conflict, from seasonal natural disasters and disease outbreaks, from under-investment in basic social services. Sudan ranks as one of the worst in the world for malnutrition, and three million of its school aged children are not in the classroom.

The Health Officer reports to the Health Specialist for close guidance and supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical program information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Health Program within the Country Program.

Support to program development and planning

Research and analyze regional/national political, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate program development, design and preparation.

Prepare technical reports and inputs for program preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.

Facilitate the development/establishment of sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through analysis of health needs and areas for intervention and submission of assessments for priority and goal setting.

Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical program transactions, preparing materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.

Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate the program review and approval process. 

 Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine program implementation and submit report to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.

Monitor and report on the use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

Prepare inputs for sectoral program/donor reporting.

 Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners

UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on health and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.

Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for health programs.

Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) on health programs to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of health programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.

Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.

Assist with oversight of research and ensure results are available for use in knowledge products.

Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

A University Degree in 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 other health related sciences is required. 

A year of professional experience in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the international level, UN system or in a developing country is an asset. 

For this position, hands-on experience in management of newborn care programmes, Expanded Programme on Immunization and District Health System Strengthening and Integrated Management of Childhood illnesses is required.

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.