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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, thriving health

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Health Section, the Primary Health Care (PHC) Specialist is responsible for managing, coordinating, and implementing the Ezaka ho Tomady PHC project, funded by the European Union, across 6 regions in Madagascar. The project focuses on improving access to and the use of quality essential health services, especially for mothers, children, adolescents (particularly girls), and vulnerable populations. It aims to enhance maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent healthcare in basic health facilities and district hospitals.

The PHC Specialist will maintain technical dialogue with the donor (EU Delegation), collaborate with the other components of the “UE Santé - Ezaka ho Tomady” programme, and work closely with the coordination and operational research teams. They will supervise project staff, technical assistance, and central level staff, ensuring synergy with UNICEF’s mandate on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH). The Specialist will identify and address obstacles, propose solutions, and ensure compliance with financial requirements while coordinating monitoring visits and steering committee meetings.

The effectiveness and efficiency of the support provided by the Project Manager Ezaka Ho Tomady in the preparation, planning and implementation of programmes facilitates the achievement of concrete and sustainable results that have a direct impact on improving the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining and strengthening UNICEF's and the EU funded programme credibility and capacity to continue providing programme services to protect children's rights and promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

Summary of key functions

1. Management, Planning, and Coordination:
- Ensure effective project execution through clear planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Set annual objectives, prioritize tasks, and integrate the project with other components.
- Suggest improvements, attend meetings, and provide regular progress reports.

2. Effective Resource Management:
- Oversee project staff and performance, identifying resource needs and providing support.
- Optimize fund use, ensure timely disbursement, and monitor material distribution.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Monitor progress via field visits, surveys, and partner coordination.
- Participate in evaluations and adjust actions to achieve goals.
- Provide technical support to track and assess performance indicators.

4. Networking and Partnership Building:
- Build partnerships for better data collection and information sharing.
- Provide support to government and NGO partners on health-related issues.
- Collaborate with partners to address project challenges.

5. Innovation and Capacity Building:
- Introduce innovative approaches to strengthen team and partner capacities.
- Collaborate with health teams for better project outcomes.
- Conduct research, share best practices, and organize capacity-building initiatives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [ PCH Specialist P4_TA.pdf]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 

  - An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: General medicine, public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, socio-medical sciences, health education, epidemiology or other relevant technical field (gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics...)
  - A PhD degree will be an asset.

• Work Experience:

  - A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal and newborn health care, public health, project management, or health/humanitarian emergency preparedness.
  - Experience working in a developing country as an asset
  - Successful experience as a project manager in the health field is considered an asset.
  - Relevant experience within an agency or organization of the United Nations system is considered an asset.

• Language Requirements:  Fluency in French and working knowledge of English is required

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

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…

(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

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 female candidates and candidates with disabilities 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.

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.