Job Recruitment at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 28th May, 2019

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The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) - For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments We are looking for qualified candidates to fill the position below:     Job Title: Maternal Newborn Child Health State Lead Consultant Job Number: 522662 Locations: Adamawa and Bauchi Work Type: Consultancy Duration of this assignment: 11 months Background Nigeria represents less than 1% of the world's population, yet accounts for 10% of the global burden of infant, child and maternal mortality. Under 5 mortality in the Northeastern Zone of Nigeria is high at 115 deaths per 1000 children (MICS 2016) with Adamawa and Bauchi states at 83 and 161 respectively. The poor health and Nutrition indices in Nigeria may be attributable to four main problems identified within Nigeria's health System which include:

• Governance and Stewardship: Autonomy of the 3 tiers of Government (Federal, State and Local Government Administration (LGAS) has led to duplication of efforts, weak governance and lack of accountability;
• Human and Financial Resources: Inappropriate allocation of human and financial resources with greater support to Tertiary and specialized care, instead of to Primary Health care where over 80% of the health care can be addressed
• Coverage: Low coverage of core Maternal, newborn, child Health and Nutrition Interventions 4
• Limited access to health and Nutrition services due to financial and socio-cultural barriers.

To reduce the childhood illnesses and death from vaccine preventable diseases and as well as improve uptake of health services at Primary Health Care centers and thus reduce morbidity and mortality in these States, in 2016 European Union through UNICEF supported Adamawa and Bauchi into partnership to address this through the project titled European Union Support to Strengthening Primary Health Care and Community Resilience for Improved Maternal, New-born, Child Health & Nutrition (MNCHN) Outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States of Northern Nigeria .The goal of the project is to assist the Governments of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States in line with the State Strategic Health Development plan (SSHDP II) to reduce maternal, Newborn and child Deaths by Significantly improving the health and Nutrition status of women, children under 5 years by ensuring an equitable and strengthened Primary Health Care System. For that a multi -prong approach that will strengthen primary Health care systems, build resilience and strong Governance is needed. Systematic Interventions in health Nutrition including HIV/AIDS, complemented with water sanitation, social protection initiatives, and strong governance are bound to be more effective and efficient than single or vertical initiatives. In order to support the co-ordination and management of Project Implementation of that approach at State level and deliver appropriately UNICEF in 2017 recruited State 2 Consultants to support State level co-ordination in collaboration with SMOH, SPHCDA and Communities to ensure provision of these services at Health facilities and Community levels and support decision makers to lead, coordinate and manage Implementation of the MNCHN Project in these respective States. The project which runs from 2016 to August 2020 will increase coverage of basic maternal, newborn and child primary health care interventions. The baseline and end line assessments, with an end-of-project evaluation, will show the cost-benefits of using a the one Main PHC per ward s linked to community structures such as Community Health Influencers and Promotors (CHIPS), Ward Development Committees strategy to provide basic primary health care services.  All the above are successfully ongoing. Rationale

• In ensuring the successful implementation of the above intervention UNICEF needs the continuing quality oversight of a State coordinator to support implementation of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health services in Adamawa and Bauchi States including supply monitoring of all commodities associated with this project.
• The consultant will work with the respective SMOH, SPHCDA and other partners, including WHO in the continued implementation of the project at state level and co-ordinate other Child Survival Consultants.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• The state coordinator will work across all sectors (including Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection, PME, WASH and Communication) to ensure co-ordination and technical support on the EU-MNCHN project as well as other related Health projects in their State ensuring the quality and timeliness of all project components and report to the Health Specialists at the Field office in Bauchi and the Chief of Field office.
• The state coordinator will track project implementation and ensure completion of planned activities as per approved EU-MNCHN State operational plan
• Oversee distribution and utilization of equipment and supplies; related to EU-MNCHN
• The consultant will supervise the work of the other Child Survival Consultants and be responsible for providing guidance for implementation of the state specific work-plan linked to the One Main PHC and other Community structures
• The consultant will be expected to prepare presentations for monthly EU-MNCHN TWG at the Field office and State level and provide all required summaries,
• The consultant is expected to travel up to about 15 days in a month to the clusters, settlements and health facilitates for the purposes of monitoring implementation of the project's programme, supply and human resources.

Minimum Qualification

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Social Sciences, or Public Health and a university degree or related technical field.
• Eight years experience working on child survival issues or health projects.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN working language an asset. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station, an asset.
• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
• Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions and very good training skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Willingness to travel to remote settlements within the state
• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values.

Additional Information

• UNICEF’s 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 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.

Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply   Application Deadline 4th June, 2019.     Job Title: Senior Education Specialist, P5 Job Number: 521264 Location: Kano Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment For every child, an Education

• Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Education (and reporting to the Chief, Kano Field Office), the incumbent of the post is responsible for leading successful delivery of the Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3).
• The incumbent will be accountable for UNICEFs performance in delivering against the specific milestones and targets of the GEP3 project, including education outcomes for girls, as well as such key issues as leveraging funding effectively from governments in participating states.

How can you make a difference?  

• Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of duties and key results.

Programme Planning, Development and Management:

• Manage effectively the GEP3 Project and team including, but not confined to, ensuring realistic, accurate and high-quality planning, forecasting and delivery of results, value for money, effective monitoring and evaluation of progress and overall quality assurance or supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis and the timely preparation or finalization of GEP3 input. Ensure timely submission.
• Establishment, management and leadership of reporting routines and a strong delivery focused culture across the GEP3 team, including field offices as well as Education Specialists located in Abuja. Liaison with government officials (MDAs) and coordination of GEP3.
• Responsibility for all project planning and reporting for GEP3, including, but not confined to development and review of activity planning, risk analysis (including both political and fiduciary risks at state level), and regular team analysis and reviews of log frame and results.

Promotion of UNICEF Global Goals:

• Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue regarding GEP3 in the Education sector, by actively engaging in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.

Knowledge Management:

• Ensure effective knowledge management by finalizing Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3) documents and reports such as the Education Section/Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through sharing with the Extended Education Cluster on implementation experience, lessons learned knowledge gained and information / data exchange.

Rights-Based Programming through Results-Based Approach:

• Promote rights-based Education Programming through the formulation of appropriate goals, strategies and approaches.
• Bring coherence, synergy and added value to GEP3 or programme management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Exploit efficiently the four core partnerships as well as selective partnerships on specific issues and themes or regional concern, such as education and HIV, abolition of school fees in order to formulate common advocacy position, develop policy guidance and influence allocation of resources on behalf of education.
• Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.

Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring:

• Responsible for development of the GEP3 work plan, which reflects UNICEF contribution as part of the coordinated support of external partners to national efforts to achieve the MDGs 2 and 3, as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned programme activity, ensuring compliance with programme strategies and approaches.
• Responsibility for all financial planning and reporting for GEP3, including, but not confined to, budget development and execution, management of tranche releases from DFID, management of fund releases from state governments, and value for money analysis.

UNICEF and Government Accountability:

• Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government and all implementing partners accountability; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.
• Certifies disbursements of funds related to GEP3, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
• Principal liaison point with donor, with a strong focus on delivering clearly against the conditions on which funds are released to UNICEF by the donor, as well as ensuring high quality timely reporting, and clear and effective lines of communication.

Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership:

• Provide technical and policy advice to the Chief, Education on Girls Education Project 3 (GEP3) or Education Section strategies, planning and implementation for GEP3; provide interpretation of guidelines, global strategy and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle.
• Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Education programme requirements and objectives.
• Conduct field visits to monitor GEP3 and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
• Collaborate with other in-country partners to engage with and support the Government in developing a national education sector support plan or other appropriate plans and priorities
• Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of GEP3.
• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of GEP3 implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Education programme goals.

Requirements Education:

• Advanced university degree in Education, Social Science or related technical field with background in management of complex project/programmes, monitoring and evaluation.

Work Experience:

• Ten years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning and management in a related field, with emphasis on strategic planning, leading policy reform in a developing country environment, sectoral coordination, sector financing and sector leadership.
• Strong networks in the sector and strong programme management required.
• Peer reviewed publications in the sector and substantial experience working in at least 2 developing countries in both emergency and non-emergency environments preferred.
• Experience in running complex projects, with a focus on delivery, management and leadership
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment, sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and a second UN language.
• Local working language of the duty station 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.
• View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply   Application Deadline 11th June, 2019. Note

• 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.
• 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.

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