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For every child, a shield

This call for applications is part of the implementation of the “UE Santé Ezaka ho Tomady” programme, with UNICEF as one of the main implementing partners. The program, funded by the European Union with 32.5 million euros, aims to strengthen the healthcare system in Madagascar by improving access to quality services. It is structured around three main components:

Component 1 - Access to Medicines and medical products: This component seeks to expand access to quality medicines through the SALAMA procurement center by strengthening its logistics, storage infrastructure, and accelerating digitalization. It is implemented in partnership with AFD.

Component 2 - Improving Health and Nutrition Services: This component focuses on improving access to primary healthcare, especially in rural and vulnerable areas, including the rehabilitation of healthcare infrastructure, malnutrition prevention, and the integration of new healthcare technologies such as e-health.

Component 3 - Health System Governance: This component aims to enhance the management of human and financial resources within the health system, improve the autonomy of health commodities management, and ensure accountability. IRD will lead the implementation of this component.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Health Section (P4), and mobilized by the Project Manager Ezaka Ho Tomady for responsibilities aligned with the UE co-funded projects, the Health Specialist for Health System Strengthening, Monitoring, and Evaluation (HSS/M&E) reports to the Project Manager Ezaka Ho Tomady for all aspects related to Ezaka Ho Tomady Project and to the Chief of Health (P4) for overall strategic guidance. He/She works in close collaboration with the Ezaka Ho Tomady Project Manager, whom he/she supports in fulfilling responsibilities related to the Ezaka ho Tomady project.
The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluating both health projects funded by the European Union, as well as overseeing the health systems strengthening component of the program. He/she will work closely with the Project Manager Ezaka Ho Tomady program and the Director of the Scientific Taskforce, both appointed by the entity in charge of the coordination and operational research. He/she provides technical expertise and management support throughout the programming cycle, ensuring the achievement of tangible and sustainable outcomes in alignment with results-based management (RBM) principles, organizational strategic objectives, performance standards, and accountability frameworks.
Additionally, He/She prepares strategic insights for the Ezaka ho Tomady Project Manager, participates in steering committee meetings, and supports both the committee and implementing partners in identifying and resolving challenges and bottlenecks. He/She also ensures the coherence of interventions and their seamless integration into health systems mostly at regional and district levels.
In close coordination with the Project Manager Ezaka ho Tomady, the Health Specialist (HSS/M&E) facilitates engagement with the entity responsible for technical assistance on operational and implementation research components, ensuring alignment with broader programmatic goals.
It is important to emphasize that the carrying out of these tasks will require frequent visits to the regions & districts covered by the Ezaka Ho Tomady program (approximately 50% EFT).

Summary of the main responsibilities of our Champion:

• Support to Health Programme Development and Planning – Especially the Ezaka Ho Tomady Project
  Contributed to the design, planning, and revision of health programmes and the Ezaka Ho Tomady project, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, national priorities, and UN frameworks. Developed results-based plans, supported strategic discussions, and provided technical input throughout the programming cycle.

• Ezaka Ho Tomady Project and Health Programme Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
  Monitored project implementation through field visits and partner coordination, supported action research, and helped resolve bottlenecks. Led the evaluation process, contributed to evidence generation, and ensured findings informed programme improvements and decision-making.

• Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation Mainly at Regional, District and Local Levels
  Provided technical support and operational oversight at subnational levels. Ensured effective use of financial and material resources, supported compliance with donor requirements, and prepared reports to track progress, particularly for EU-funded projects.

• Networking and Partnership Building
  Built and maintained partnerships with government, donors, NGOs, and academic institutions. Promoted advocacy, information sharing, and fundraising to support maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health initiatives in line with UNICEF’s goals.

• Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
  Promoted innovative approaches and good practices. Facilitated training and knowledge sharing to strengthen stakeholder capacity, particularly in project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and supported policy and procedural improvements for sustainable programming.

• Other Attributions
  Provided technical guidance to partners on UNICEF strategies and participated in inter-agency coordination (UNCT) for health programme alignment. Ensured coherence and synergy among health system strengthening and evaluation initiatives within UNICEF’s broader health agenda.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [ Health Specialit_HSS and ME_P3_FT_ TMS.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: public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, statistics, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or other relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

- A minimum of five 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, or health/humanitarian emergency preparedness.

- Demonstrated experience in data collection, data analysis, planning, monitoring and reporting as well as preparing reports and presentations.

- 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 applications and candidate 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.