🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – 5 Positions

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) National Consultant to Support the National Core Working Committee of the National Council for Nutrition
2.) Individual Consultant - Vaccine Wastage Rate Study
3.) Consultant to Support the Implementation of Multisectoral Action to Address Health with Nutrition and Associated WASH and Child Protection Needs
4.) Administrative Assistant, (GS-4)
5.) Senior Finance Associate - HOPE (GS-7)

Job Title: National Consultant to Support the National Core Working Committee of the National Council for Nutrition

Location: Abuja
Job no: 574621
Job type: Contract
Duration: 4 Months
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Nutrition

Job Summary

• The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, leaving no one behind. In partnership with the government and other stakeholders, UNICEF aims to deliver good quality nutrition services at scale to build resilience and protect the most vulnerable, particularly during the First 1000 Days of Life from pregnancy to when a child is two years of age.
• Currently, Nigeria is off track to achieving the nutrition targets of the World Health Assembly 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
• Nigeria currently has the highest number of malnutrition in Africa and the second highest globally. Nigeria is among a set of countries with disproportionate levels of people living in hunger and suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms.
• The newly released National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (2024) shows that stunting is currently at 33% while 11.6% of children 6-59months are wasted.
• To improve food and nutrition security in the country, including prevention and treatment of malnutrition, Nigeria has endorsed a range of policies and plans including but not limited to the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016), the Agricultural Promotion Policy (2016), the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action on Nutrition (2020-2025), the Agricultural Sector Food Security and Nutrition Strategy (ASFSNS) (2016-2025), the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (2021-2025) amongst others.
• The National Council of Nutrition, a high-level decision-making body for nutrition is headed by the Vice President of the country.
• The NCN, has a technical unit called the National Core Working Committee, which is charged with supporting and advising the Vice President and the NCN on nutrition.
• The successfully selected consultant will work closely with the Office of the Vice President and the NCWC to provide technical support on the full implementation of the National Policy of Food and Nutrition.
• The NCWC has an interest in developing a nationwide nutrition financing and grassroot movement which will mobilize political will for nutrition at the federal, state and local government levels.
• In addition, the consultant is to develop the framework for the commencement and sustainability of the 774 grassroots movement, which is aimed at incentivizing critical governance actions and establishing a reward system for exemplary Local Governments who implement nutrition sensitive and specific interventions.

Scope of work and deliverables
The consultant will undertake key activities as outlined below (but not be limited by them) to ensure the submission of the deliverables detailed below;
Drive the planning of 774 Grassroots Movement for Nutrition Programme:

• Develop a concept note including the framework for planning and execution/delivery.
• Support the national and subnational stakeholder consultations, generating buy-in and state-level investment on nutrition.
• Support the office of the VP in the operationalization of the programme in the states/local governments.

Support Government Financing for Nutrition at National and Sub-National Levels:

• Work with the Nigeria Governor’s Forum to increase utilization of the scorecard to drive state release of resources.
• Consult with key Government agencies to ensure the release of the resources under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF).

Technical support to the National Core Working Committee and the Office of the Vice President on Nutrition:

• Provide strategic advisory support and guidance to the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Public Health and to the NCWC on emerging issues, policy implications and strategic directions related to nutrition programming.
• Undertake capacity needs assessment to identify gaps, challenges and opportunities for institutional capacity strengthening for nutrition across key MDAs.
• Provide expert recommendations for policy advocacy and decision-making to advance nutrition goals at the national and sub-national levels.
• Support the development of a concept note, framework, planning and execution/delivery, accountability framework for the Conveying high-level meetings with global and regional participation.
• And any other tasks assigned tasks

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in public health or a field relevant to global health.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Nutrition and/or Public Health.
• Experience in public administration
• Experience in engaging multi-sectoral Food and Nutrition Systems stakeholders.
• Extensive knowledge of micronutrient programming in Nigeria, Nigerian health systems and nutrition sectoral policy landscape.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder working groups.
• Experience in institutional capacity building at the national level. vii. Experience in monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience related to global public health is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Application Closing Date
27th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Individual Consultant - Vaccine Wastage Rate Study

Location: Abuja
Job no: 574624
Job type: Contract
Duration: 5 Months
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Health

Purpose of Activity / Assignment

• Nigeria has shown the occurrence of high wastage rates of vaccine and essential medicines in its public health program.
• This maybe contributed in part by the large and often sparse population (in certain parts of the country), coupled with logistical difficulties in reaching hard to reach communities including those with difficult terrains. Identifying the key drivers and influencers of wastage will assist efforts for increased program efficiency especially as Nigeria transits from Gavi support, thereby ensuring more guaranteed vaccines and lifesaving interventions to reach all children.
• The consultancy will involve providing technical guidance to Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency in improving vaccine supply and supply chain management and reducing vaccines wastage in the country; through conducting a comprehensive vaccine wastage assessment, developing a comprehensive vaccine wastage reduction strategy (without impacting service delivery goals), and drafting a multi-year action plan to reduce vaccine wastage in Nigeria.

Scope of Work

• Under the joint supervision of UNICEF Health Manager (Immunization) and Health Specialist (Vaccine Management), working under the guidance of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the wastage rate study PMT, the focus of the assignment will include
• Draft a vaccine wastage assessment protocol and methodology covering all vaccine antigens used in Nigeria.   UNICEF Nigeria Health Specialist, UNICEF Regional Office and NPHCDA will sign off the assessment protocol and methodology
• Coordinate and provide technical assistance to conduct a vaccine wastage assessment collecting at least three-year retrospective data and/or possible 3 months prospective wastage or as may be determined by the PMT data from the national, states, LGA, health facilities, and outreach locations. Data collected for each vaccine and commodity should include stocks received, distributed and balances at each level as per developed protocol.
• In a statistically selected (e.g., using EVM sampling) subset of supply chain locations (i.e., National, States, LGAs, Health Facilities and outreach locations), embed stakeholders (without disrupting service deliveries) to identify, collect and record real-time vaccine wastage data for a minimum of two vaccine requisition and receipt cycles at each supply chain location, or a frequency as determined by the PMT at national, stated, LGA and health facilities.
• Analyze collected data, computing closed vial wastage, open vial wastage, and avoidable and non-avoidable wastage for each of the vaccines. Compare wastage rates with both historically used ones as well as with international standards and make appropriate recommendations.
• Draft a comprehensive report on the findings from the wastage assessment, which summarizes the findings, methodology and analysis showing the vaccine wastage rates and wastage factors for each individual vaccine antigen and dose presentation being used in Nigeria.
• Draft a costed 5-year action plan to reduce vaccines wastage (adapted to context for the four supply chain levels), with clear accountabilities and, M&E framework. Emphasis should be placed on the 1st and 2nd year priority activity planning.
• The consultant will identify competent hands from within the public service in the state for skills and technical knowhow transfer to engender sustainability of the support beyond the engagement period.

Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• Advanced University degree is required in supply chain management, public health, industrial engineering, economics, logistics, business operations management, any other relevant field.
• At least 10 years of experience, at the national and international levels, on immunization supply chain management, cold chain management, monitoring and evaluation, logistics or operations management and at least 3 years of experience on immunization/public health program.
• Familiarity with vaccines and supplies stock management practices, cold chain systems, effective vaccine management, inventory policies, logistics, outsourcing segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies.
• Ability to work in the multi-cultural, inclusive and diverse environment
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Application Closing Date
22nd August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Consultant to Support the Implementation of Multisectoral Action to Address Health with Nutrition and Associated WASH and Child Protection Needs in the States of Sokoto and Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria

Location: Sokoto
Job no: 574512
Job type: Contract
Duration: 11 Months
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Child Protection, Health, Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Health and Nutrition

Job Summary

• As approved in the BHA support project for humanitarian support in NW, The UNICEF Sokoto Field Office is seeking the support of one State MNCH Coordinator (based in Sokoto state) to support the implementation and coordination of the health intervention of the Multisectoral action to address Health in coordination with nutrition and associated WASH and child protection needs in the states of Sokoto and Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria.

Purpose of Activity / Assignment

• Armed violence has resulted in an increase in forced displacement in the three North Western States of Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara in 2022. As per the updated risk analysis by the Nigeria Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), armed violence now encompasses the entire state of Zamfara (14 Local Government Areas or LGAs), eastern Sokoto (14 LGAs) and western Katsina (22 LGAs), i.e., the areas adjacent to Zamfara State. The intensity of the violence has resulted in a crisis of a humanitarian nature affecting 50 of the 71 LGAs across the three states.
• Consequently, from December 2021 to December 2022, the number of IDPs in these three states rose from 369,064 to 474,077, with banditry and kidnapping being the main drivers of displacement as per IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). On average, 88 percent of IDPs in the three states live in host communities, ranging from 57 percent in Sokoto to almost 100 percent in Katsina.
• Overall, 54 percent of IDPs in the North Central and Northwest region of Nigeria are female, and 56 percent are children, with 26 percent of IDPs being children aged under five years. Some 89 percent of IDPs are displaced within the borders of their state. Although both IDPs and host communities encounter challenges, displaced families have more complex needs than non-displaced families, according to the 2022 Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (2022 MSNA) conducted by REACH in the three states.
• Violence-driven humanitarian needs in Northwest Nigeria exacerbate pre-existing challenges marked by poverty, population growth, and climate change. According to the Nigeria Population Projections and Demographics Indicators report (NPC July 2020), the population in the three states grew from 15 million in 2010 to 22 million in 2020. The Northwest also has the highest fertility rate, with 6.6 children per woman, compared to the national average of 5.3, according to the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO). About the impact of climate change, 90 percent of Nigeria’s north is subject to deforestation. As part of the Sahel, the already arid region is further turning to desert or desert-like conditions at 0.6 km per year. This negatively affects farmer-herder dynamics, given the decreasing land available for grazing and farming.
• In line with the humanitarian needs outlined above, the proposed humanitarian response will focus on a multisectoral convergent approach focusing on vulnerable households in the First 1,000 Days of Life.
• The multisectoral convergent interventions will be delivered in line with humanitarian, equity, and gender transformative principles to achieve three key objectives that will improve access to life-saving services and enable households (particularly in the First 1,000 Days), community structures, and institutions to mitigate the impacts of conflict in a sustainable manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Strengthen delivery of life-saving nutrition, health, and WASH services at the facility level.
• Strengthen delivery of community-based nutrition, health, WASH, and child protection services.
• Strengthen partnerships, coordination structures, and data systems.

Task/Milestone:
Support PHCs:

• Deliver nutrition counseling and quality MNCH services.
• Introduce mentorships for effective QoC PHC service delivery.
• Develop Face-to-Face and on-the-job mentorship plans.
• Facilitate community identification for intervention benefits.
• Develop procurement plans and facilitate orientation meetings.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• QoC rollout report, facility assessment, mentorship plan, procurement plan.

Provide Emergency PHC Services:

• Train multi-skilled mobile PHC teams.
• Develop microplans and deploy HRH Surge in PHCs.
• Monitor essential medicines and referral systems.
• Support vaccination and enumerate children in inaccessible areas.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Training reports, RMNCH+N service delivery progress, enumeration report.

Support Quarterly Program Reviews:

• Conduct quarterly routine program monitoring and supervision.
• Support data collection and use for targeted reviews.
• Facilitate performance review meetings and mentorship team reviews.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• QI assessment report, monthly RMNCAH+N progress report.

Strengthen Nutrition, Health, and WASH Services:

• Conduct service availability assessments in PHCs.
• Monitor mentors and analyze mentorship data.
• Facilitate QI committee meetings and community engagement.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Monthly service delivery reports, QoC report, QI committee meeting notes.

Conduct Quarterly Evidence-Based Program Reviews:

• Facilitate routine program monitoring and targeted reviews.
• Support data-driven decision-making for PHC services.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• QI assessment report, RMNCAH+N progress report.

Phaseout Activities:

• Organize phaseout workshops and endline surveys.
• Develop project completion report and success stories.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Project completion report, success stories.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in MBBS, Public Health, Behavioral Health Sciences.
• 5+ years in health programming and management.
• Experience in multi-sectoral coordination, RBM, M&E, emergency settings.
• Priority given to those with experience in Quality Improvement in MNCAH settings.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English language and writing skills.

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Administrative Assistant, (GS-4)

Job no: 574544
Location: Kano
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: G-4
Categories: Operations

Job Description

• Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Administrative Assistant is responsible for executing a broad variety of routine tasks for the respective unit requiring full knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.

Responsibilities
Communications & Workflow:

• Facilitates the communications and workflow of the organizational unit to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.
• Manages incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls.
• Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team.
• Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up-to-date and accurate.

Calendar / Meetings / Correspondence Management:

• Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings.
• Takes minutes of meetings and keep the correspondence of the unit well Organized.

Events / Logistics:

• Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts.
• Arranges times through liaising with participants over availability.
• Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs.
• Prepares background materials for participants and uploads cleared materials on the intranet.
• Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments.

Travel:

• Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.
• Extracts, inputs, maintains, and verifies correctness of travel records in the organization’s travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintains travel plan and budgetary control records.
• Monitors travel certification and report back to the team.

Invoice Processing:

• Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and, thereafter processing in VISION.
• Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system.
• Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries.

Supplies / Equipment:

• Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items.
• Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies.
• Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
• Arranges for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.

Attendance:

• Maintains and updates a system that monitors the absence of staff.

Requirements

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 4 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Senior Finance Associate - HOPE (GS-7)

Job no: 574392
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: G-7
Categories: Financial Management

Job Description

• The Finance Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Finance Manager and the strategic leadership of the Deputy Representative Operation, the Senior Finance Associate will perform the following tasks:

• Assist on verifying completeness, accuracy and posting all aspects related to HOPE payment plan/HEALTH related requests, by compilation all data and responding queries by providing payments updates, confirm funds have been transferred to individual accounts successfully, adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy, and completeness of data for payment run. Advise section of discrepancies on bank accounts and assist to correct.
• Update and maintain payment records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile payments, balances, statements, and other data for day-to-day transactions related to HOPE Polio Program activities, Polio Campaigns etc.
• Selects and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying and ensuring accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations, and assuring inclusion of all relevant data and ensure adherence to internal control procedures.
• Prepares recurring reports as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
• Help finalize payments in preparation for year-end Close, grant expiry and financial closure. Ensuring all payments are completed in a timely manner.
• Liaise with GSSC and FSPs to address all queries raised and make necessary corrections on transactions, unapplied receivable balances/failed payments list. Work closely with the selected FSP and monitor the details of the payment and reporting process that are to be put in place.
• Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers query and obtains additional information on HOPE Platform for efficiency and effectiveness of all payments.
• Maintains liaisons with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. This includes prepares recurring reports and bank reconciliation.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates, and participates in budget analysis and projects, as required.
• Performs other HEALTH section related transactions/finance duties, as required.

Requirements

• Completion of secondary education. Professional/university level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration is considered as an asset. For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.
• A minimum of seven years of clerical experience in finance and accounting is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Application Closing Date
19th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online