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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

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For every child, survival and development.

Health | UNICEF South Africa

South Africa, a upper-middle-income country, is making progress in healthcare, education access and social inclusion. However, challenges persist in child rights, poverty, health, malnutrition, HIV, quality education and access to clean water and sanitation which are compounded by humanitarian risks from climate change.

The goal for current Health and Nutrition Programme of UNICEF South Africa Country Office is that by 2025, girls and boys, including the most deprived, receive an integrated package of quality and equitable MNCH, HIV/AIDS and nutrition care and services.

As a Health Specialist, you will lead UNICEF’s work of supporting the Government to strengthen PHC.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF South Africa

The Government of South Africa has renewed its commitment to improve access to healthcare, focusing on Primary Healthcare Service. The ultimate objective of UNICEF’s health programme is to contribute to health system strengthening (HSS) through primary health care (PHC) oriented programming including community based primary health care.  

The UNICEF South Africa Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Health and nutrition team where you will be responsible for managing HSS project.

Working under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Health and Nutrition, the Health Specialist is expected to nurture close collaboration with government partners at the national and sub-national level, UN agencies, private sector, academia and development partners. The Health Specialist will also work closely with the UNICEF South Africa colleagues responsible for Health, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS and other relevant sections to effectively drive the PHC agenda.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a qualified, motivated and committed individual to make a significant impact on children’s health and nutrition. By excelling professionally, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to: 

1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required:  public health, health policy and/or management, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, pediatric health, family health, health research, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required in public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness in South Africa.

Skills: 

• Preference will be given to candidates having demonstrated knowledge of and professional experience in at last two of these areas: PHC, community health system strengthening, health financing, and advocacy.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency is considered an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English, both strong verbal and written skills, are essential.

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 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.

Remarks:

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

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 that 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 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.

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of South Africa, the UNICEF South Africa Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterised by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving South Africa’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.