Health Specialist

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support to program development and planning
Based on sound situation analysis, support the Government of Sindh (Health Department, Sindh AIDS Control Programme) to update the HIV response plan for Larkana and the provincial HIV programme plan;
Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of HIV program in the context of health system strengthening. Formulate, design and prepare HIV AIDS program proposal, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF's Strategic Plans, Country Program and work plans. Provide technical and operational support to UNICEF Sindh office throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with the broader UNICEF MNCH program.

1. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

Support the Health Specialist UNICEF Sindh to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for UNICEF HIV AIDS interventions. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises and HIV program reviews with provincial government and other partners, to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions and adjustments to achieve the planned results.
Actively monitor HIV programs/projects through frequent field visits mainly to the outbreak areas, and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders in different program related coordination meetings, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and give recommendations for timely corrective actions. Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program management and quality and identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve program results. Support the Health Specialist, to monitor and verify use of relevant program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), within the HACT framework, confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

1. Technical and operational support to program implementation

Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on HIV related issues to support program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results. Participate in discussions with national partners and other stakeholders to promote HIV related issues especially in the areas of PMTCT, pediatric HIV care and communication for HIV. Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic HIV program materials for use of UNICEF management, counterparts and other partners. In collaboration with the C4D Specialist, contribute to the preparation of communication and information material for HIV programming in Sindh (and other provinces if necessary) and advocacy to promote awareness and establish partnerships/alliances in favor of program.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of the Government, CSOs, UNICEF staff, partners and stakeholders to support the implementation of HIV program and achievement of concrete and sustainable program results.
Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned, with partners and the overall UNICEF Pakistan country office.
Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of UNICEF staff (overall Pakistan office), counterparts, partners and other stakeholders to promote sustainable results on HIV related programs/projects.

The Health Specialist (HIV AIDS) will support the Health Specialist UNICEF Sindh in the development, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of all HIV related activities, within MNCH. The primary focus of the work will be follow up of all activities related to the outbreak in Larkana Districts, with frequent visits to the field. The incumbent will also be requested to support other field offices, in the area of HIV programming, if and when required.

Education:
An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: medicine, public health, paediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or other health related sciences is required.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public HIV/AIDS programming, planning and management and in relevant areas of Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT), paediatric HIV care, community-based HIV programmes at national/international level and health emergency/humanitarian preparedness. Relevant experience in MNCH program/project development, management and monitoring in any UN system agency or organization will be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English and Urdu is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language (Sindhi) is an asset.

Duty Station:
Karachi. Availability to travel frequent to the field and actively engage with partners and stakeholders.
For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values
Commitment
Diversity and inclusion
Integrity
Core competencies
Communication (II)
Working with people (II)
Drive for results (II)
Functional Competencies:
Leading and supervising (I)
Formulating strategies/concepts (II)
Analyzing (III)
Relating and networking (II)
Deciding and Initiating action (II)
Applying technical expertise (III)

View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
Interested in finding out more?
You will have a rewarding experience working with a dynamic, diverse and committed staff who are making a difference in saving lives and building a better future for Every Child in Pakistan.

Remarks:
Those candidates who already applied for the post, not need to apply again.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees/certificates.