Country: Gabon
Closing date: 08 Jan 2016
THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’s FUND (UNICEF) IN GABON
Is looking for a Child Survival & Development Specialist
Duration of the contract: Two years renewable (from January 2016)
Remuneration: NOC level of the United Nations’ Salary scale in Gabon
Purpose for the job
The Child Survival & Development Specialist/NOC is accountable for the (i) development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration of the health, nutrition and WASH components within the country programme; (ii) effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and equitable expansion of UNICEF assisted Child Survival and Development (CSD) interventions in line with the country strategies for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.
Major tasks:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.
1.Programme/project Planning, Development and Management.
Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analysing and evaluating information (mainly related new-born, children and women) and providing the technical input and support to Child Survival interventions and its periodic update. Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document and all related documents as well as UNDAF and Joint UN workplans and relevant joint programmes. Contributes to the consultation and coordination with key partners at all levels.
2.Participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.**
Works with other UNICEF sectors, particularly HIV/AIDS, Communication for Development and Monitoring & Evaluation to ensure integration of the Child Survival and Development (CSD) programme with other sectors. Contributes to build on intersectoral experience and establish partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, recognizing that CSD outcomes are not the results of action in specific sectors alone.
Participates with Government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of strategies and approaches relating to Child survival.
3.Programme/project Planning, Development and Management and technical expertise
As functional leader of the Child Survival and Development group, exercises technical and programme management leadership for the development and implementation of the results-based sectoral work plan and objectives as well as for administration and monitoring of sectoral project activities, consistent with the defined project strategic priorities and approaches. Ensures objectives and targets are timely achieved and planned results delivered through full coordination between activities and collaboration with implementing partners, by providing guidance and support to staff of CSD programme/project.
4.Programme Management, Delivery,Evaluation and Monitoring.
Undertakes field visits to monitor programme, as well as participates in periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary actions for programme adjustments. Provides technical advice and support to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the Child Survival interventions and ensures their sustainability. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring equity and gender aggregated data.
Monitors status to ensure achievement of strategic results in line with agreed Annual and Country Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet programme/project objectives. Contributes to the identification and introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management for improving programme delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community participation.
5.Technical support and capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
Provides technical support to government and NGOs in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation stages of the programme/projects in the fields of health, nutrition and WASH. Identifies training needs; designs and conducts trainings and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries and other relevant partners, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and expansion of equitable coverage of services.
6.UNICEF and Government Accountability.
Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities, ensures UNICEF, Government partner and all implementing partners’ accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures. Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
7.Knowledge Management.
Coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives. Builds up effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for Child survival and Development; and to widen partnership with all stakeholder at national, regional , district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Child survival related SDGs goals.
Facilitates partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, and to exchange information on programme/project development and implementation. Facilitates exchange of knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.
8.Monitoring of effective implementation and progress.
In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and communication for development colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated monitoring system, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Coordinates with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance monitoring.
Provides assistance for evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sectoral review and pre-review meetings with Government counterparts and all other relevant partners. Analyses and evaluates monitoring data, ensures achievement of objectives and proposes corrective measures as appropriate.
9.Programme/project reports.
Contributes to the timely preparation of annual sector status reports and shares information with relevant partners as required in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.
10.Emergency preparedness and responses.
Supports emergency preparedness plan relating to Child Survival interventions (health, nutrition and WASH). In case of emergency, assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area, as required. Provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required. In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthens partnerships with the health, nutrition and WASH humanitarian actors within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
11.Other assigned duties and responsibilities.
Assumes any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required.
Requirements:
National of GABON
Education: Advanced university degree in Medicine or related technical field, preferably with specialization in Public Health.
Experience: At least five years of relevant professional work experience in setting and ensuring quality Child survival programme. Field work experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency
Language Proficiency : Fluency in English and French (local working language of the duty station)
Deadline for submitting applications : FRIDAY 08 JANUARY2016
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and Personal History Form (P-11 form) to be downloaded from the website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html, on or before FRIDAY 08 JANUARY 2016 with the mention “Child Survival and Development” to the following addresses: rbalanda@unicef.org and mfaton@unicef.org
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and Personal History Form (P-11 form) to be downloaded from the website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html, on or before FRIDAY 08 JANUARY 2016 with the mention “Child Survival and Development” to the following addresses: rbalanda@unicef.org and mfaton@unicef.org
Or to: UNICEF OFFICE – TROIS QUARTIER / LIBREVILLE-GABON.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
UNICEF is a non-smoking environment