Applications are invited from suitably qualified Ghanaian Nationals for the post of Health Specialist  and Newborn Health (National Officer Category).

VN No.: Temporary Appointment
IMIS #: Temporary Appointment
Type of Contract: Temporary Appointment for 364 days
Post Level: NO-C
Duty Station: Tamale

Job purpose

•   The Health Specialist supports the development and preparation of the health programme and for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of programme progress of a sector of the health (maternal and newborn health) programme focusing on quality improvement within the current country programme.
•   The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM) and organisational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Main Duties And Responsibilities:

Support to programme development and planning

•   Support/contribute to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for the sector/s to establish a strategic plan for development, design and management of maternal and newborn health related programmes. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery.
•   Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of MNH programme. Formulate design and prepare a sector of the MNH programme proposal. ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF's Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
•   Establish specific programme goals, objectives and 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 internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
•   Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonisation of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

•   Provide coordination and technical support for implementation and monitoring of a maternal and newborn health (MNH) quality improvement initiative in line with the National Newborn Strategy and Action Plan of Ghana and Every Mother Every Newborn (EM EN) global initiative;
•   Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises. MNH programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results;
•   Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in MNH programme and management. identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals;
•   Actively monitor MNH programme implementation through field visits, exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and work for timely decisions to resolve issues;
•   Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organisational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments,standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
•   Prepare regular Mother and Baby Friendly Facility Initiative (MBBFI) and other MNH programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress;
•   Work with Operations and Supply staff, regularly monitor and report on use of related supplies and other resources provided to partners;
•   Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to maintain sound internal controls supportive of specific health interventions as well as to ensure accountability.

Technical and operational support to programme Implementation

•   Provide specific technical expertise on maternal and newborn health focusing on Mother and Baby Friendly Facility Initiative (MBBFI) on facility based quality of care and early initiation of the breast feeding;
•   Work with government and non- government stakeholders for development and implementation of appropriate model of quality of care following generic EMEN standards and criteria;
•   Provide technical guidance and advocacy support by focusing on facility based early initiation of breastfeeding and continuation of exclusive breast- feeding at household level following the standard national protocol;
•   Provide technical expertise on health facility based infection prevention and control measures through hygiene promotion and sanitary measures;
•   Contribute to adoption of good hygiene practices for improved health (including maternal, newborn and child health) through support for the implementation of behaviour change activities in health facilities:
•   Participate in discussions with national partners/clients/stakeholders to promote health and development issues especially in maternal and newborn health quality of care improvement issues;
•   Draft briefs and other strategic information on MNH for management use. information and/or consideration;
•   Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives programme development and contingency planning and/or correspond to emergencies in country or where designated.

Networking and partnership building

•   Build and sustain effective partnerships with related health sector stakeholders (Government,NGOs, multilateral and bilateral agencies) and interact with them at different stages of health programme design and implementation and identify opportunities for leveraging resources;
•   Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for health programmes (maternal and newborn health);
•   Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on MNH and related issues;

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

•   Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable MNH program results on maternal and newborn health care;
•   Keep abreast and conduct research to provide evidence for Implementation of best and cutting edge practices in maternal and newborn health;
•   Assess, institutionalise 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 on maternal and newborn health;
•   Organise and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health related programs/projects.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Advanced university degree in Medicine, Pediatrics or Neonatology or Obstetrics, Midwifery, Nursing, Public Health, International Health or related technical field (MD+ MPH or equivalent).
•   A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in programming of maternal and newborn health. Experience of clinical care around maternal and newborn health.
•   Training and work experience in quality of health care is an asset.
•   Relevant experience in health/nutrition programme/project development and management in any UN system agency or organisation is an advantage.

Language Proficiency

•   Fluency in English required.
•   Knowledge of local working language of the duty station and another UN working language an asset

Competency Profile
Core Values (Required)

•   Commitment
•   Diversity and Inclusion
•   Integrity

Core Competencies (Required)

•   Communication [II]
•   Working with People [I]
•   Drive for Results [I]

III) Functional Competencies (Required)

•   Leading and Supervising [I]
•   Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
•   Analyslng [III]
•   Relating and Networking [II]
•   Deciding and Initiating Action [II]
•   Applying Technical Expertise [III]

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

If you have experience working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children and match the profile outlines, send a brief application letter supported by detailed curriculum vitae, UN Personal History Form (which can be downloaded from:
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) and photocopies of other supporting documents to:

The Human Resources Officer
UNICEF
P. O. Box 5051
Accra-North

OR

HRghana@unlcef.org

Location: 4-8 Rangoon Close, Cantonments, (Behind UNDP, near Ghana National Fire Service Headquarters on the Ring Road)

Closing Date: 28 August, 2015

•   PLEASE INDICATE CLEARLY THE TITLE AND VACANCY NUMBER OF THE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING TO ON THE ENVELOPE
•   Only shortllsted candidates will be contacted for a written test.
•   UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and it staff.
•   Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply
•   NOTE: UNICEF IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!