Health Specialist (NO-3), FT, #135993, Eswatini, Mbabane - (Eswatini Citizen Only)

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For every child, the right to Health

How can you make a difference?

The Kingdom of Eswatini is a lower middle-income country in Southern Africa with social indicators that are not at par with its economic development status. Analyses show that challenges in the health sector to ensure equitable access to quality health services are mainly linked with governance of health systems. While the overall government allocation to the health sector seems adequate, allocations to PHC and children’s and adolescent’s health are sub-optimal. While access to services is at an acceptable level, weak evidence-based programming and weak accountability mechanisms are some of the main contributors to low quality of service delivery. Additionally, relatively advanced policies that are not supported by realistic action plans and financing solutions are hardly ever implemented. In this context and over the past few years, UNICEF has been progressively transforming its programme delivery mode from a project-based model to a more upstream programme that focuses on using organizational human and financial resources towards developing feasible, cost-effective programmatic solutions that increasingly rely on domestic resources. In coming years, UNICEF will support the Ministry of Health to develop cost-effective and efficient solutions to strengthen the health system and all its sub-sectors. To this end UNICEF will require services of a health specialist that is proficient in data and evidence analysis, systems thinking, policy analysis, programme design, with basic understanding of public finance management in health sector. The specialist shall ideally possess skills in developing advocacy plans to be able to support the Head of the Office in successful policy advocacy.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the Health Specialist (Multisectoral Health Systems Strengthening) will plan, budget and monitor implementation of all health components of the UNICEF Eswatini Country Programme. Considering that the position is established in the context of the BNLE Multi-Country Office, the Health Specialist (Multisectoral Health Systems Strengthening) will also establish networks with peers in the multi-Country Office and ensure synergy and efficiency of the programme through enhanced sub-regional partnerships.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Develop evidence-based programme of support for UNICEF to assist government in achieving global, regional and national goals in health sector.
2. Monitor implementation of the health programme in terms of budget execution and achievement of results
3. Contribute to the development of SBC plans for the UNICEF Health programme.
4. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts of the office in the area of health programme.
5. In collaboration with Social Policy Specialist develop policy and financing solutions for health programmes
6. Support partners in institutionalization of evidence-based programming in health sector and enhance national monitoring and interoperability of health information systems.
7. Support partners in establishing effective accountability mechanisms for improvement of quality of health services

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Health Specialist (Multisectoral Health Systems Strengthening).pdf

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

• Minimum requirements
  1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in health financing, health research, global health, health policy, health management
  2. Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in health systems strengthening, public health, health policy, health financing, Immunization
  3. Skills: monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, advocacy, partnership development, Digital health, planning
  4. Language Requirements: Both English and Siswati - Proficient/Fluent

• Desirables
  1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
  2. Developing-country experience, UN system experience, additional UN language, maternal health, neonatal health, humanitarian preparedness
  3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.