Health Specialist, NO-3, Temporary Position, 364 days, Mogadiscio, Somalia, #00136898

For every child, the right to a Champion

UNICEF Somalia is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund for HIV, Malaria and RSSH (Resilient Sustainable Systems for Health). The GFSC (Global Fund Steering Committee) has an oversight role. In fulfilment of UNICEF’s roles as the Principal Recipient as well as the goals and objectives of the Health programme, the incumbent will work in close coordination with the Global Fund Steering Committee, International Organisations, health authorities, NGOs and other relevant health programmes.

The Health Specialist reports to the HSS Manager, Malaria, and supports the development and implementation of the GFATM health grant. The role manages implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of Global Fund grants—particularly malaria and health systems strengthening—providing technical guidance and management support to deliver results aligned with work plans, budgets, RBM approaches, and UNICEF standards, including coordination with partners and relevant health authorities/committees.

• Support to programme development and planning
• Contribute to situation analysis and strategic planning for GFATM and the wider health sector (malaria/HSS focus), and track trends to improve delivery.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions and help design health programme proposals aligned with UNICEF and national/UN frameworks.
• Define programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans using RBM; prepare documentation for review/approval.
• Coordinate with colleagues/partners on priorities and approaches; support partner capacity to meet goals and comply with donor rules.
• Provide technical/operational support across programming stages to ensure integration across UNICEF sectors and results delivery.
• Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Work with partners to set monitoring benchmarks and indicators; establish metahods to collect/verify data for Global Fund performance updates.
• Participate in M&E exercises, programme reviews, and annual reviews with government/counterparts to assess progress and required actions.
• Conduct field visits and prepare M&E reports; identify gaps and lessons learned; strengthen information/reporting systems to track impact and targets.
• Monitor implementation through field visits/surveys/stakeholder updates; identify bottlenecks and support timely resolution/escalation.
• Prepare programme budgets consistent with donor conditions; ensure compliance, accountable resource use, and timely reporting/liquidation.
• Produce regular/required reports, including completing Global Fund semesterly templates with verified information.
• Technical and operational support to programme implementation
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government/NGOs/UN and partners on UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices; promote harmonized approaches and synergies across grants (especially systems strengthening).
• Engage with partners/stakeholders to promote priority health issues (including gender, emergency preparedness, maternal/neonatal health, child survival).
• Draft policy papers, briefs, and strategic programme materials for management use.
• Support emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and emergency response as required.
• Networking and partnership building
• Represent UNICEF to build and sustain partnerships with government, stakeholders, global partners/donors/academia; use networking/advocacy/communication to support programme goals.
• Prepare communication and information materials for advocacy and fundraising for health programmes.
• Participate/represent UNICEF in inter-agency planning and discussions on health to ensure UNICEF priorities are integrated in UNDAF processes.
• Develop partnership documents for Global Fund sub-recipients, including UN-to-UN agreements.
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build partner/stakeholder capacity and improve results.
• Stay updated and conduct research to support evidence-based, cutting-edge health practices.
• Document, institutionalize, and share best practices and lessons learned.
• Contribute to policies/procedures that improve programme efficiency and effectiveness.
• Organize capacity-building initiatives to strengthen stakeholder competencies for sustainable results.
• Contribute to terms of reference for consultancies needed to address knowledge/skill gaps.

Minimum requirements

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in an emergency country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.