Health Officer (Policy), NO-2, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan (Only for Uzbekistan nationals)

The Officer provides health policy advice to the government as well as programme management for the Health Program within the Country Program to facilitate program development, implementation, program progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results. The efficiency and efficacy of health policy advice and provided by the Officer as well as program preparation, planning and implementation of health programs/projects facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the Health Program that directly impacts the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to policy effective advice to protect the rights of children, promote greater social equality to enable children to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The Health Officer (Policy) reports to the Chief of Health. The Officer provides health policy advice to the government as well as programme management for the Health Program within the Country Program to facilitate program development, implementation, program progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to program development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to program implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Program development and planning

• Conduct/update situation analysis for the program sector/s for development, design and management of health and HIV/AIDS related programs. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political, social, economic, health) relevant to delivering effective policy advice and other programme objectives.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through analysis of health needs and areas for intervention and submission of recommendations for priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical program transactions, preparing materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate the program review and approval process.

2. Policy advice, program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to develop and effectively deliver health policy recommendations.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programs and to report on required action/interventions to management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular/mandated sectoral program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Conduct regular program field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on health and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective working partnerships with health sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through effective policy advice, ongoing dialogue and knowledge sharing, and build capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for health programs.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) on health programs to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of health programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Assist with oversight of research and ensure results are available for use in knowledge products
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of health policy advice and provided by the Officer as well as program preparation, planning and implementation of health programs/projects facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the Health Program that directly impacts the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to policy effective advice to protect the rights of children, promote greater social equality to enable children to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

 

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies

 

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (I)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise (II)
• Learning and Researching (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II)

Recruitment Qualifications

Education: 

A University Degree in public health, global/international health, health policy and/or management, or other health related sciences is required.

Experience: 

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in public health policy reform, planning and management at the international level and/or in a developing country is required. Experience in health policy reform and policy development in UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.