UNICEF Malawi
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For every child, every right…
The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) works through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028). All four strategic priorities of the UNSCDF2024-2028 hold significance to UNICEF and the priorities identified for children: i) Economic Development, ii) Governance, iii) Human Capital Development, and iv) Climate Change. UNICEF co-leads the further elaboration and results in developing the Human Capital Development strategic priority. The intent of the UNICEF CPD 2024-2028 is fully aligned with these priorities, which are also directly linked to the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063, and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP, 2030). To this extent, UNICEF’s strategy for the CPD includes Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH), Education, Learning and Child Protection, Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children), Gender Equality, Inclusion, and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment. These are focus areas under the Human Capital Development Enabler of the MIP (2030). The Country Programme envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. Besides Malawi’s 2063 vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities, and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.
Community Health & EPI are the backbone of UNICEF support to the health program in Malawi and enjoys a strong relationship with MoH which will place you in a pivotal position to achieve results if you can foster strong relations with Government.
You will head the portfolio that will be key to reducing child mortality and morbidity in Malawi in addition to mitigating risk for vaccine preventable disease outbreaks.
How can you make a difference?
The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Health & HIV team, more specifically the EPI unit, where you will also be responsible for assisting the community health and immunization programme from development planning through to results delivery by developing, executing, supervising, and implementing a wide range of technical and administrative programme duties. In your role, you will be under the overall guidance and supervision of Chief of Health & HIV.
This position therefore offers a unique and significant opportunity for a qualified, motivated and committed individual to profoundly impact and influence child mortality and morbidity outcomes. By excelling in this role, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:
- Collaborate with relevant partners to develop work plans that support of the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s Community Health Strategy, addressing national priorities and ensuring alignment with other relevant work plans.
- Facilitate emergency preparedness for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks at all levels.
- Provide oversight of and timely reporting to the Government and partners, particularly GAVI, on progress on immunization activities in Malawi. Ensure accurate, complete, and up to date programme management information is available to inform effective programme design, budget preparation, implementation, management, and monitoring and reporting.
- Deliver effective support for community based Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness(IMNCI) activity implementation, ensuring planned results are achieved within stipulated timelines.
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms for UNICEF, Government and implementing partners in managing supply and non-supply assistance to support Community Health and IMNCI initiatives.
- Ensure timely preparation and sharing of required programme/project reports with relevant stakeholders in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
You are encouraged to download the detailed 
GJD Health Specialist Level 3.doc in order to view the full role and its requirements.
To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…
The following minimum requirements:
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Public Health, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
Experience:
- A minimum of five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of Health/Immunization programmes is required.
- Experience in managing a team of professional staff and external consultants is required.
- Experience in managing communicable disease outbreaks is considered as a strong asset.
- Experience in an interdisciplinary approach in strategic immunization initiatives and monitoring immunization programme is essential.
- Experience and proficiency in proposals, reports development, research reports, and strategic notes articulation is required.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
- Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
Technical knowledge and skills:
- Knowledge, skills, and experience in community capacity building is an asset.
- Knowledge of UN and/or UNICEF’s work in humanitarian action is highly desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English , both strong verbal and written skills, is required.