Health Specialist
JOB CODE – UHSG
Location: Guwahati
Closing Date: 25th August 2010
Purpose of the post:
Under the supervision of Chief of Field Office and technical guidance from Health Section Delhi, responsible for technical support and facilitation of policy analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the State Government’s Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme, in partnership with relevant departments, viz. Department of Health & Family Welfare, NRHM, NVBDP, Medical Colleges, Department of Social Welfare, among others. The jobholder works at the State and District level. He/she also works under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office, and takes sector specific leadership and guidance from the Chief of Health Section.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:-
Influencing Policy
Analyses, influences, advocates and recommends policies, systems of management and co-ordination to improve neonatal and young child survival, immunization, maternal health, and prevention/control of vector-borne diseases (malaria) in Assam. Identifies and recommends necessary action for adjustments in the RCH Programme, and leverages Government/other resources to enhance coverage of services with quality. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other UN agencies and partners in the planning and management of programme/projects. Forges partnerships with a range of stakeholders to address the RCH needs of socially excluded populations in the State.
Building Partnerships
Convenes strategic partnerships to impact on overall policies for young child survival and development (YCSD), to support the programmes and resources in the State. Interacts with national and international agencies, missions and commissions, on the management of the National Rural Health Mission and RCH Programme. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, (and others as needed), responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. Fosters partnerships for YCSD in the state with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGO networks in the state, with special focus on reaching out to excluded and marginalized groups.
Programme Planning and Implementation
Designs the state specific Reproductive and Child Health Programmes. Prepares, implements, monitors, and evaluates the UNICEF assisted Reproductive and Child Health components viz. routine immunization, IMNCI, maternal and newborn care including malaria control, diarrhea management etc. This includes the strengthening of community-based systems (VHNDs, VHSCs) to enhance uptake of services leading to improved coverage. Facilitates the design, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based, high impact interventions relating to Young Child Survival and Maternal Health in the Integrated District as well as other “focus districts”, for replication/upscaling by Government and other partners. Guides and supports the district based consultants for RCH focus districts supported by UNICEF
Rights-based programmes through Results-Based Approach
Ensure UNICEF, government and non-government staff apply right-based approaches to programming and humanitarian principles;
Promote the quality of rights-based Health programmes through the formulation of programme goals and strategies and approaches.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Facilitates the review of systems and capacities relating to the delivery of RCH services, in conjunction with ICDS, and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities. Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance) aimed at increased and more equitable coverage of maternal health and YCSD strategic interventions, as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.
Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by SPPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing the Reproductive and Child Health chapter of the Analysis. Provides quality inputs for donor reports and other documentation, as required
Analyzes and evaluates data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of the RCH programme, accreditation systems and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement.
Capacity Building and technical assistance for Government
Assists government authorities to strengthen the State training institutes (SIHFW, Medical Colleges, etc) to identify capacity-building needs and undertake capacity-building activities on a Maternal and Child Health issues for different levels of health professionals and field-level functionaries. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.
Inter-sectoral Collaboration
Proactively collaborates with other sectoral programme colleagues, especially CDN, WASH and HIV, within the Office to give and receive knowledge and assistance, including pooling of resources for more effective and convergent programming. Provides technical inputs for the development of appropriate advocacy and communication strategy to support the RCH programme in the State. Facilitates the planning and implementation of social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) initiatives in State Institutions (SIHFW, ASHA Resource Centre, NRHM Media Cell, etc) to enable more effective and sustainable change in key care behaviours relating to safe delivery, timely referral, newborn care, Infant and Young Child Feeding, family care practices, immunization, etc. Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on social inclusion in YCSD interventions.
Supplies and Cash Assistance
Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Chief of Field Office, as required.
Report Writing
Writes inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for donor, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports, case studies, etc. in a qualitative and timely manner.
Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:
• Advanced university degree in one of the following: Public Health, Community Medicine, Public Health Administration, Pediatrics or Obstetrics. Basic Medical degree is essential.
• Minimum five years progressively responsible professional experience in the management of young child survival & development and/or public health programmes at the state level. Demonstrated experience in Health Policy analysis and influencing is mandatory
• Fluency in English is essential . Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.
• In depth understanding of Health Policy analysis and administration skills and issues
• In-depth knowledge of maternal health as well as neonatal & child health and nutrition sector programmes in India.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in development cooperation.
• Familiarity as to how public administration systems affect delivery of results for children
• Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication, especially at community level
• Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
Application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to spenta@airtelmail.in by 25th August 2010. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Job Code of the post and location applied for in the subject line of your e-mail/application. For more details of the posts and full job descriptions, visit the UNICEF India website at www.unicef.in and click on “Careers at UNICEF” at the bottom of the page. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.
UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.
Applications from qualified women are encouraged.
