Health Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKSOUNICEF/1904/202651

Health Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKSOUNICEF/1904/202651
Mogadishu (Somalia)
Job Description
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

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.

Purpose of the job

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.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

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 methods 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.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Epidemiology, pediatric health, family health, health research, global health, international health, health policy, health management, biostatistics, sociomedical sciences and any other related fields.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in in one or more of the following areas is required: health project planning and management, malaria, child health, or health systems strengthening.
Skills: Programme Management, Monitoring, Reporting, Partnership Building, Innovation, knowledge management.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables:

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

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