Job Description
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, care.
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Tanzania started in 1975. Since then, the program has undergone gradual expansion having started with vaccines against three diseases (Tuberculosis, Measles, and Polio). To date, the Government has added new vaccines protecting children against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Pneumonia, diarrhea, Hepatitis B, COVID 19 and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). In order to align with Global and Regional priorities, address challenges including the introduction of new vaccines and reaching zero-dose children, and enhance the scope and effectiveness of immunization services, the EPI program has been renamed as Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) program.
For Zanzibar at the national level, the IVD Programme team is composed of EPI Manager, EPI Surveillance Officer, EPI logistics officer, National Cold Chain Officer, National Training Officer, and National Vaccine Store Manager. The team provides guidance and support on the formulation and implementation of national policies and guidelines at all levels. It also performs monitoring and evaluation activities through supportive supervision and evaluation processes at national and district levels. Further, the team facilitates the development of a strategic plan for the general implementation of the programme.
Implementation of immunization services in both Unguja and Pemba is coordinated and supervised by respective Zonal Health Management Teams. The teams comprise a Zonal EPI Operational Officer and Zonal Reproductive and Child Health Coordinator who are the two most responsible for immunization and reporting to the Zonal Medical Officer. At the district level, immunization services are coordinated and supervised by District Health Management Teams with the most responsibility going to the District Cold Chain Officer (DCCO) and the District Reproductive and Child Health Coordinator (DRCHCO)
How can you make a difference?
The Immunization Specialist will report to the Health Specialist in Zanzibar with technical support provide by the Immunization and PHC Specialist in Dar es Salaam. In particular, the specialist will spend most of his/her time embedded in the IVD program of Zanzibar to ensure skill transfer to the program. The result of this support is an improvement of the immunization program in Zanzibar across vaccine procurement and logistics, cold chain maintenance and expansion, advocacy, communication, data management, social mobilization as well as immunization service delivery.
Immunization Specialist will be accountable for professional leadership in and contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the immunization programme in conjunction with other sections to achieve UNICEF's immunization plus goals and objectives for the country. He/she will be accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization program promotes gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation, gender disparity identification and gender mainstreaming.
ajiraKEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS
1. Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis with consistent integration of sex disaggregated data and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management.
2. Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of Immunization strategies and approach through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
3. Work plans, and objectives are strategically established, and technical support is effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through the exercise of strong technical leadership.
4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
5. Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at all stages of the program cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through an effective capacity-building programme in the development, implementation and management of the Immunization Program.
7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of program funds for the sector.
8. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to support the Immunization Programme by the effective implementation of the monitoring system.
10. All required program reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.
12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively performed.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education
- Advanced university degree in Public Health, Paediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
Work Experience
- Five (5) years of professional work experience at the national or international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health/Immunization programmes.
- Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to child survival & health care.
- Developing country fieldwork experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency.
- Proven expertise in managing, monitoring, and evaluating of health programs is an added advantage
- Proven work relations with national, regional, district and sub-district structures
- Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of Swahili is an asset.
- Strong analytical skills
- Knowledge of the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar context and EPI program
- Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills, and oral and written communication skills.