The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life – in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens – addressing inequity – not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

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, Health

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Visit this link for more information on working with UNICEF Uganda https://youtu.be/1n3WU86XUQA

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Health Manager and general guidance of the Chief, Child Survival and Development (Alive Programme), the Health Specialist is responsible for the overall management, development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Reproductive maternal, newborn and child health programme in the context of ‘Keeping Children Alive and thriving’

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1.  Support to program development and planning for New born Health 

  • Provide technical support to the new-born component of the RMNCH section of the CSD section including support to the field offices. Support/contribute to the preparation/ and conduct situation analysis for the newborns to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of health-related programs for newborn health.
  • Participate in strategic program discussions on the planning of the newborn health program.  Establish specific program goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine newborn priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results for maternal and new born health

  • Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for newborn health. Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
  • 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.
  • Coordinates with social policy on implementation of social protection programs in supported areas.
  • Coordinates activities and exchanges information/ideas with other programmes, 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. Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation.

  • Support implementation of quality of care approaches including scale up of high impact interventions for newborns at Hospital level. Institutionalize QI approaches for newborn health at HCIVs and HCIIIs and document best practices to support implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results. Support the development and monitoring of community strategies for newborn health linked to the quality of care.

4. Networking and partnership building:

  • Coordinate with Ministry of Health, sister UN agencies and implementing partners the newborn care related work to ensure the strengthening of the newborn care network from primary to tertiary care level.
  • Coordinate with Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs), District Health Teams and the professional societies the key newborn initiatives as part of the overall quality of care for RMNCAH.
  • Carry out the assessment of the implementing partners capacity, ensure the partnership documentation is properly reviewed, quarterly reviews are facilitated on timely basis and end partnership report is finalized on timely basis.
  • Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fund raising for health programmes (maternal, neonatal and child survival and development).
  • Represent UNICEF in appropriate technical working groups on health-related issues in preparation of health programmes including the CPD and health projects, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in development planning and agenda setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

  • Coordinate the documentation of the care of sick newborns in RRHs and DHs in UNICEF supported districts. Including case studies for dissemination in learning platforms

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

  • Advanced university degree in Public Health, MPH, preferably with specialized training in public health with focus on maternal and newborn health or in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH).
  • Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of maternal and new-born health programs relevant to child survival, health & nutrition care.
  • Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in Reproductive health maternal and new-born survival is essential.
  • Developing country work experience and background/familiarity with Emergency.
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language and Local Language an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

The Core competencies required for this post are Leading and supervising, Formulating strategies and concepts, Analyzing, Relating and networking, Deciding and Initiating action, and Applying technical expertise.

View our 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:

  • The Vacancy is open to all eligible internal and external candidates.
  • The Vacancy is open to Uganda Nationals Only.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: E. Africa Standard Time

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