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/

How can you make a difference? 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of Health (UNICEF), and direction and oversight of the GPEI Outbreak Coordinator, the GPEI Outbreak Deputy Coordinator will be responsible for technical leadership and innovation in the development, planning, implementation, delivery, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight management of Polio interventions in Nigeria in conjunction with Routine immunization to achieve the interruption of variant virus(es) in Nigeria.

Summary of results-based vital functions and accountabilities.

The GPEI Outbreak Deputy Coordinator will act according to the NPHCDA's new blueprint, which focuses on boosting the quality of the Polio campaign, reaching missed children, and increasing community vaccine acceptance.

GPEI deputy coordinator core functions:

1. Represent the GPEI in-country and liaise between the GPEI and partners at the county and regional level; provide direct feedback to the GPEI about outbreak response progress, challenges, and potential solutions.
2. Support the UNICEF and WHO representatives with strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, ensuring that they address the needs of the population and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies.
3. Foster close coordination with the EOC MOH, WHO in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in the organization of regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
4. Work with the EOC/WHO teams to develop a national outbreak response plan, including a budget, chronogram of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan. Periodically adjust and adapt the plan as needed.
5. Collaborate with THE EOC/WHO teams to establish outbreak response structures that include all components of outbreak response:
6. Collaborate with the EOC/WHO teams to produce updates on outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners.

UNICEF core functions:

1. Provides oversight to ensure that UNICEF’s contributions to polio eradication are of the highest possible quality and conform to UNICEF commitments and agreements with other agencies. Ensures that UNICEF positions itself appropriately to engage in polio eradication at both National and subnational levels.
2. Acts as the main UNICEF focal point for all UNICEF activities related to polio eradication, as per delegated tasks and accountabilities of the Chief of health.
3. Oversees the coordination with the SBC section, the Supply section, the Vaccine management and logistic team, and other critical units within UNICEF on issues about vaccines, supplies, and operational costs for polio eradication activities.
4. Oversees close follow-up of program activities through appropriate monitoring systems, regular contacts with and feedback to/from States, and other mechanisms. Ensures high-quality implementation of UNICEF’s critical contributions to polio eradication.
5. Guides selected states on activities to eradicate polio and improve the delivery of routine vaccination and linked interventions, including monitoring and following up on such activities.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD Senior health specialist.pdf

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in Public Health, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Social and Behavior Change, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines and/or experiences is required.
• Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in polio eradication, planning, programming, implementation monitoring, Social and Behavior Change, and evaluation of Vaccination programs and professional work experience in a technical position related to Immunization and Social and Behavior Change.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English

The following 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 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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes[KR5] , 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.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required[LK6]  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.

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

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.