Internal VA : Health Specialist (Community System Strengthening), P3, # 114512, Bamako, Mali Full Time

UNICEF Mali Country Programme (2020-2024) is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020–2024, the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018–2021 and the UNICEF Gender Action Plan, 2018–2021. The vision of the Mali country programme of cooperation is that children and adolescents, both girls and boys, especially the most disadvantaged, deprived and hard-to-reach and those affected by crises, live and participate in resilient communities, enjoying a protective, nurturing and supportive environment that allows them to unlock their full potential throughout their lives. towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The emphasis is on increased demand for and delivery of integrated and inclusive services through a focus on three key windows of opportunity, supported by two cross-cutting programme components: (a) The early years (0–5 years), focusing on health, nutrition, birth registration, water and sanitation, protection and early learning for school readiness; (b) The formative years (6–12 years), facilitating successful transitions, with an emphasis on safe and inclusive quality education and the prevention of violence and exploitation; (c) The second decade (13–18 years), focusing on adolescent empowerment, skills development, well-being, the promotion of child-friendly behaviours and the prevention of violence and exploitation; (d) An enabling environment for community resilience through active participation in social service management, monitoring and social protection; (e) Programme effectiveness.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent is required to manage and coordinate the implementation of Integrated Community Based system strengthening interventions and strategies -service delivery platforms, functional interoperability and community level planning, monitoring, accountability and reporting mechanisms. This involves providing leadership to a team of UNICEF staff involved in the design and delivery of Community based interventions aiming at  strengthening community platforms, integrated multisectoral community based planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting mechanisms in support to the delivery of  IMCI, iCCM, Immunization, community based HIV, maternal and new-born care  and nutrition interventions, care for caregivers, WASH, Communication for behaviour change and other sectoral activities delivered through integrated community platforms.

1.         Support to programme development and planning

• Support and contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the sector(s) to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of community-based health programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of health programmes. Formulate, design and prepare community based RMNCH programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, as well as coherence/integration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), regional strategies, and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for strengthening community service delivery platforms, integrated multisectoral community based planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting mechanisms to support the community based RMNCH, Nutrition, HIV, WASH, Communication for behaviors change and  ECD programmes
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices and approaches on health-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote health and development issues, especially in the areas of community health and nutrition system in support to community-based RMNCH, Nutrition, HIV, ECD, WASH,  programs.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on child rights, social justice and equity.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for community health and nutrition system strengthening in support to scaling up and utilization of community based RMNCH, HIV, Nutrition, ECD, and community WASH programs and services.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on health-related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation of health programmes/projects, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF process in development planning and agenda setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for implementation of best and cutting-edge practices in health.
• Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on community health and nutrition system strengthening in support to scaling up community based RMNCH, HIV, Nutrition and ECD,
• Community health and nutrition system strengthening in support to the scale up and utilization of community based RMNCH, HIV, Nutrition and ECD programs and other related programmes   and services.

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

• An advanced university degree(Master degree) in one of the following fields is required: public health/nutrition, Health system, community health,  pediatric health and Nutrition, family health, health research, global/international health/Nutrition, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field. *Candidates with first university degree combined with 7 years relevant professional experience may be considered
• 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 neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in French and English required (written and oral)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

· Analysing (3)

· Deciding and Initiating action (2)

· Applying technical expertise (3)

Core Competencies

· Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

· Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

· Works Collaboratively with others (2)

· Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

· Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

· Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

· Drives to achieve impactful results (2)

· Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.