Health Officer, NOB, Garissa, Kenya, Temporary Appointment (9 months) #126887

The Health Officer provides professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the Health Programme in Garissa ZO, from development planning to delivery of results, by preparing, executing, managing, implementing and monitoring a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, and evaluating and reporting of results.

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

Health | UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

The Health Officer reports to the Health Specialist (GZO) for supervision. The Health Officer provides professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the Health Programme in Garissa ZO, from development planning to delivery of results, by preparing, executing, managing, implementing, and monitoring a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, and evaluating and reporting of results.

1. Support to Health programme development and planning 
2. Programme (Health) management, monitoring, and delivery of results 
3. Technical and operational support to Health programme implementation 
4. Networking and partnership building with a focus on the Garissa ZO-supported counties.
5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building for health programming in Garissa ZO.

Support to Health programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design, and management of health-related programmes.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of Health programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of Health programming processes in Garissa ZO by executing and administering a variety of technical Health programme transactions, preparing materials and documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentation and materials to facilitate the Health programme in the Garissa ZO review and approval process.

Programme (Health) management, monitoring, and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss Health programme operational and implementation issues in Garissa ZO, provide solutions, and recommendations, and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and decisions.
• Participate in Health programme monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sectoral reviews with county government and other counterparts to assess programmes and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Monitor and report on the use of Health programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), and verify compliance with approved allocation and goals, organizational rules, regulations, and procedures, as well as donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular and mandated Health programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to Health programme implementation 

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and share information with partners and 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 county 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-related issues to support programme implementation, operations, and delivery of results.

Networking and partnership building in Garissa ZO, with a focus on the Garissa ZO-supported counties.

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector county government counterparts and county stakeholders/partners through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO and Garissa ZO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for health programmes.
• Participate in appropriate technical and coordination working groups on health programmes to collaborate with partners/colleagues and preparation of health programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies for counties’ development and planning process.

Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building for Health programming

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields: public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, health policy, maternal and neonatal health care, primary health care and community health, and/or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. 

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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