UNICEF Chief Health & Nutrition, P-5, Pretoria, South Africa

Purpose:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent is responsible for evidence-based advocacy and policy advice and technical assistance in support of national efforts to improve maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition outcomes. The incumbent specifically supports national priorities to: (i) accelerate universal provision of proven high impact maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition interventions through a comprehensive district-based primary health care system, with special attention to hard-to-reach and most vulnerable women and children; (ii) reach the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV targets as an integral part of the MNCH programme through strengthened data management, results-based decentralized planning, communication for behavior change and coordination among the various stakeholders; and (iii) improve the quality of care and strengthen the health system as part the roll-out of the National Health Insurance. The incumbent advocates for and support a stronger role of the health sector in the acceleration the provision of quality integrated early childhood development (ECD). The incumbent is expected to work closely with UN agencies and other health and nutrition partners.

Qualification:

Advanced university degree or equivalent background in Public Health, Nutrition, Medical Sciences or relevant areas.* Ten years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, in a related field, with emphasis on strategic planning. Specialized expertise in community-based programmes in public health, HIV/AIDS or health education. Clinical experience, epidemiology or equivalent backgrounds an asset Fluency in English and another UN language. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station is an asset.

*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Key Expected Results:

1. Provides evidence-based policy advice and technical support to accelerate the provision of proven of high impact maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition interventions, with special attention to the hard-to-reach and most vulnerable women and children through a comprehensive district-based primary health care system.
2. Supports high level advocacy and strategic partnerships with multilateral and bilateral agencies to leverage results and formulate common advocacy position.
3. Leads the conceptualization, formulation, development, and monitoring of programme goals, strategies and approaches for the UNICEF plan of cooperation, as they relate to child survival. Ensures that health/nutrition programme staff plan, implement and monitor assigned activities.
4. Undertakes field visits in order to monitor and evaluate project implementation. Identifies problems and proposes remedial action. Identifies alternative courses of action, to accelerate/improve programme delivery.
5. Ensures the preparation of the situation analyses of the survival of children and women in South Africa with a focus on the impact of HIV and AIDS. Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and all related documents, especially Annual Workplans.
6. Coordinates with Operations/Supply staff on supply and non- supply assistance activities. Approves disbursement of funds ensuring proper utilization and accountability, and those activities are within established plans of action, and the programme budget allotments.
7. Represents UNICEF at senior-level HIV and AIDS fora in South Africa, including the Country Coordinating Mechanism, UN Theme Group, UN Technical Working Group in HIV/AIDS, Concerned Paediatricians Group, etc.

Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Competencies:

Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.

Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.

Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.

Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.

Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.

Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities.

Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2012-001933. Applications must be received by 26 December 2012.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2012-001933. Applications must be received by 26 December 2012.