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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

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

Polio eradication is a corporate priority for UNICEF globally. Although there are only two remaining countries where polio is still endemic, unfortunately, the number and scale of polio outbreaks has continued to exceed expectations. Although Nigeria was certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free in 2020, the country is currently facing an unprecedented outbreak of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus Type 2 (cVDPV2). By Dec 2024, Nigeria has reported a total of 116 cVDPV2 cases. To contain the outbreak, Nigeria has and will continue to implement an aggressive schedule of outbreak response activities in 2025 requiring substantive support by the Government and partners. UNICEF is committed to continue working on polio eradication until the goal is reached globally. The Top Priority of 2025 for Polio Eradication is to stop the cVDPV circulation from Nigeria by June 2025.

How can you make a difference? 

The staff will provide high-quality technical assistance to the country National EOC to implement data driven polio vaccine management activities including pre-campaign plannings (trainings, Cold chain planning, vaccine availability etc), implementation (supervision, tracking utilization of vaccines, stock management) post implementation (disposal and reporting of all vaccines used) for polio SIA rounds and outbreak responses. He/she will facilitate the use of digital tools and conduct vaccine management-related analyses to ensure the provision of guidance to the national EOC on polio vaccine management-related matters.

• Liaise with UNICEF Programme and Supply unit and support the vaccine logistics teams at UNICEF country office and EOC to support:
• Planning, ordering, and arrival of vaccine and consumables (bOPV, nOPV2, Pen markers etc.) through international or national shipments.
• In conjunction with the supply unit, track the shipment of polio vaccines and provide feedback to the EOC.
• Monitor polio vaccines stock in-country arrivals and track delivery to the states as per the distribution.
• Maintain an inventory of vaccine carriers and other polio-related supplies and provide a gap analysis 3 months before every campaign.

• Proper storage of polio vaccines and related consumables at each level of the supply cold chain. This may include short, medium- or long-term cold chain equipment planning.
• Optimal distribution and utilization of vaccines and consumables as per polio SIA macro- and micro-plans
• Record stock balance and report on vaccine utilization at all levels of the vaccine supply chain after each polio OBR/SIA round.
• Providing regular reports on vaccine stocks in the country when submitting requests for additional vaccines.

3. Support vaccine accountability processes and ensure the accountability of all polio vaccine vials

• Maintain stock record of polio vaccines in the country
• Track accountability of polio vaccines using VAR forms
• Collect, collate, summarize, and analyze Polio Vaccine accountability report after every round
• At end of each round ensure all partially used polio vaccine vials are disposed of as per WHO and/or national guidelines and all unopened vials are retrieved at a predetermined level of the supply chain for future use.
• At end of the final round, all used and unused polio vaccine vials are disposed of as biological waste as per WHO and/or national guidelines and EOC attests to restoration of Polio virus free status for the country.
• Summarize Form A and facilitate IM signature after every OBR.
•  

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR Health Officer Polio Vaccine Management NOB TA, Abuja Nigeria.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Education: 

• A University degree in one of the following fields is required: Pharmacy, Medicine, Medical Sciences, Public Health, Engineering or the Physical Sciences and an Advanced degree in a related area of study. Equivalent educational qualification in relevant areas (transport or logistics operations/management, supply management etc)

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in international public health programme management, including at least one (1) year in immunization, preferably in the areas of:
•  Polio vaccine management (nOPV2/tOPV/bOPV)
• Logistics management systems
• Supply chain bottleneck and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations
• Health systems strengthening
• Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
• Experience interfacing with national ministries of health, NPHCDA, EOC an advantage.
• Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
• Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, developing multi-year operational plans
• Experience in training, planning, and delivery of technical assistance
• Effective presenter, including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations
• Knowledge of supply chain management and operations
• Excellent analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Fluency in written and spoken English and the official UN language of the duty stations is required. Knowledge of local languages is an added value.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Familiarity with ODK, U-Report, DHIS2, eLMIS and field data collection is an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.

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 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.