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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Health

How can you make a difference? 

Chief, Health & Nutrition, is responsible for the overall management and administration in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Health & Nutrition programme in the context of child survival and development within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical leadership, management guidance and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve programme goals and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

As Chief of Section, directs, leads, manages, develops and enables a competent team of professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Health & Nutrition programme, with a view to integrating gender equality across all aspects of the country programme. 

Contributes to create synergy partnerships which reinforce other organizations – including other UN Agencies – MDGs strategic directions in areas where UNICEF has primary responsibility or comparative advantage such as interrelated areas of maternal, new-born, and child health and nutrition.

Works closely, in Humanitarian Action, with the Nutrition and Health clusters within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

1. Timely and quality sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis, its periodic update, and all Programme documents to formulate effective Health & Nutrition goals, strategy, and project planning and development.
2. . Integrated Health & Nutrition strategies, methodologies and innovative approaches are developed and implemented based on results-based approach and Human Rights framework by broad participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.
3. Technical support is provided to government and non-government organizations at all stages of the Programme cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
4. Monitoring and evaluation of Programme performance is systematically undertaken for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery.
5. Work plan and objectives are effectively established, performance is managed, and planned results are timely delivered through exercise of strong Programme management leadership.
6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building Programme in the development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition Programme.
7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of Programme funds for the sector.
8. Effective partnership and collaboration are achieved and maintained in the advancement of advocacy, technical cooperation, Programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to support the Health & Nutrition Programme by the effective implementation of integrated Programme monitoring system.
10. All required Programme reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination is provided. 
12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Chief Health and Nutrition P5 Nov 2024.doc

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in Public Health and Nutrition (preferably with specialized training in health planning, health and nutrition education, health care system management, HIV/AIDS prevention, or epidemiology), Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience:
At least Ten years (10) of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health and nutrition programmes including those relevant to child survival & development. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in health, nutrition, and child survival & health care.

Language Requirements: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Portuguese or any Latin language is a strong asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and good Experience/ Background/familiarity with Emergency Responses.
• Demonstrated experience and skillset required on – strategic thinking, development and definition; management of integrated programming across health and nutrition, including systems’ thinking and management; donor relations; grant management; and management of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.