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

Job Title: National Consultant - Policy Intervention (PVAC)

Job No: 579716
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultant
Level: P-5
Categories: Consultancy
Duration: 12 months

Background

• The Policy Intervention Lead will drive PVAC's mission to build a robust, supportive environment that enables the sustainable development of the Nigerian healthcare sector.
• This role is crucial for addressing regulatory, financial, and operational barriers faced by healthcare stakeholders and promoting cross-sector partnerships that strengthen healthcare services delivery in Nigeria. Given the complexity and strategic importance of this role, it requires a high-level professional with extensive experience in healthcare ecosystem development, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.

How can you make a difference?
Main Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Strategy Development: Formulate and implement a comprehensive ecosystem enablement strategy targeting key priorities, including regulatory improvement, policy advocacy, talent development, R&D, and access to financing for the healthcare sector.
• Regulatory Advocacy: Lead efforts to engage with Nigerian healthcare regulatory bodies, advocating for policies that foster innovation, enhance accessibility to healthcare services, and improve the sector's investment climate.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Cultivate collaborative relationships across the healthcare value chain, including government entities, private healthcare providers, academia, and industry leaders, to foster alignment on key initiatives.
• Program Development & Oversight: Oversee the design and rollout of programs that address workforce development, R&D advancements, and operational support for healthcare organizations, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Trend Analysis and Strategic Insights: Monitor sector trends and identify challenges impacting Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, proposing solutions and actionable strategies to mitigate these issues.
• Team Leadership: Manage a team of specialists responsible for identifying and mitigating regulatory and operational challenges within Nigeria's healthcare ecosystem.
• Budget Management: Ensure effective management of the unit’s budget and resources, optimizing expenditures to maximize impact.

Work Assignments

• Develop a strategic framework for collaboration between PVAC and key stakeholders to advance locally relevant healthcare product R&D.
  • Deliverable/Output: Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration Strategy Document.
• Develop a comprehensive roadmap for regulatory improvement and capacity building to support local healthcare product manufacturing.
  • Deliverable/Output: Needs Assessment Report and Capacity Building Program Proposal.
• Develop a proposal for aligning PVAC initiatives with development partners' health programs in Nigeria.
  • Deliverable/Output: Partnership Proposal Document and Collaboration Plan.
• Prepare briefings for stakeholders on PVAC's healthcare initiatives.
  • Deliverable/Output: Briefing and Engagement Strategy Document.
• Identify areas for alignment on technology transfer with relevant stakeholders.
  • Deliverable/Output: Technology Transfer Opportunities Proposal.
• Develop a strategic plan to secure financial commitment from key Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to support PVAC programs.
  • Deliverable/Output: DFIs Engagement and Strategy Document.
• Enhance Nigeria’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem for specific disease control technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
  • Deliverable/Output: Strategic Ecosystem Development Plans for key diseases.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• A master’s degree in Public Health, Healthcare Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in the Nigerian healthcare sector, with a proven track record in ecosystem enablement, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading teams, formulating strategic initiatives, and influencing policy and regulatory changes.
• Strong abilities in negotiation and relationship-building with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Skilled in leading, managing, and motivating a high-performing team.
• Capability to assess complex regulatory and operational challenges and develop strategic solutions.
• Ability to manage and optimize budgetary resources.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and handle evolving priorities.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency contexts is considered an asset.
• 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
3rd February, 2025 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).

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

Job Title: National Consultant - Pipeline Management Lead (PVAC)

Job No: 579713
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultant
Level: P-5
Categories: Health
Duration: 12 Months

Background

• The Pipeline Management Lead will play a pivotal role in achieving PVAC's mission by identifying, structuring, and securing financing for high-impact healthcare transactions in Nigeria.
• This strategic role is essential for attracting investments into Nigeria’s healthcare sector, fostering innovation, and expanding access to essential healthcare services and products.
• Given the complexity of healthcare financing and the need for substantial investment in the sector, this role requires a senior professional with deep expertise in financial transactions, investment management, and stakeholder engagement within the healthcare domain.

How can you make a difference?

• Strategy Development for Opportunity Origination: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to identify and originate investment opportunities aligned with PVAC’s strategic objectives for Nigeria's healthcare sector.
• Team Leadership in Transaction Management: Lead a team of transaction specialists focused on identifying, evaluating, and securing investment opportunities across various healthcare sub-sectors, including therapeutics, consumables, vaccines, diagnostics, and healthcare provision.
• Due Diligence and Compliance Oversight: Oversee due diligence processes, ensuring potential transactions meet financial viability, regulatory standards, and PVAC's investment principles.
• Deal Structuring and Negotiation: Manage the structuring and negotiation phases of transactions, collaborating with internal and external legal teams to secure favorable terms for the secretariat and its partners.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Build and maintain a network of potential investors, including domestic and international private equity firms, venture capitalists, and development finance institutions, to foster long-term investment relationships.
• Inter-Secretariat Collaboration: Coordinate with other secretariat teams (e.g., Healthcare Enabling Team) to address regulatory issues and ensure a supportive environment for investments.
• Market Research and Trend Analysis: Track industry trends and prepare periodic market insight reports, identifying emerging investment opportunities within the healthcare sector.

Work Assignment:

• Develop a proactive investor relations strategy to enhance PVAC’s engagement with existing and potential investors, fostering long-term partnerships and aligning investor interests with PVAC’s goals.
  • Deliverable/Output: Investor Relations Strategic Plan.
• Develop and implement a strategy to identify, assess, and originate new high-impact investment opportunities in alignment with PVAC’s strategic priorities in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
  • Deliverable/Output: Opportunity Origination Strategy Document.
• Lead a team of transaction specialists in identifying, evaluating, and securing investment opportunities across healthcare sub-sectors, ensuring a steady pipeline of impactful transactions.
  • Deliverable/Output: Transaction Management Workflow Pipeline Report.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with organizations and networks that can provide PVAC with access to high-quality deal flows, co-investment opportunities, and thought leadership on healthcare investment in emerging markets.
  • Deliverable/Output: Partnership Network Map and Partner Engagement Strategy Document.
• Oversee the due diligence process to ensure that potential investment opportunities are financially viable, meet regulatory standards, and align with PVAC's impact and financial objectives.
  • Deliverable/Output: Due Diligence Checklist and Protocol Document.
• Oversee the performance of PVAC’s portfolio transactions, ensuring that investments meet their objectives and contribute positively to the healthcare ecosystem.
  • Deliverable/Output: Portfolio Performance Report and Portfolio Review Summary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in investment banking, private equity, or a related financial services sector, with a proven track record in healthcare sector transactions.
• Demonstrated expertise in originating, structuring, and closing complex transactions within healthcare or similar sectors.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Financial and Analytical Skills: Strong understanding of transaction structuring, financial modeling, and investment due diligence processes.
• Negotiation and Communication Skills: Excellent abilities in negotiation and managing communications with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership and Team Management: Experience in leading transaction teams and managing high-stakes investment projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in relationship-building with investors, regulatory bodies, and healthcare providers.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and implement a sector-specific origination strategy with a focus on sustainable impact.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency contexts is considered an asset.
• 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
3rd February, 2025 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).

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

Job Title: Deputy Representative, Operations

Job No: 579724
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-5
Categories: Operations
Duration: 3 months

Organizational Context and Purpose

• The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy, and operations.
• The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action.
• For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism.
• To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated.
• There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries.
• This focus on equity is vital as it accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

• As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk-informed, solution-focused analysis, advice, and services, and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.
• The Deputy Representative, Operations will be entrusted with five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, and Valuing Partners.

Responsibilities
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Valuing People: Lead, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile operations workforce.
• Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM).
• Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.
• Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.
• Valuing Partners: Strengthen internal and external-facing partnerships and leverage UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.
• The ability of the Deputy Representative, Operations to effectively lead, and oversee the operations functions for the efficient delivery of related services, directly impacts program performance, resource mobilization, and delivery of results for children. This, in turn, contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds and resources entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF’s image as a competent organization for delivering cost-effective and sustainable program results in regular and emergency settings.
• The ability of the Deputy Representative, Operations to comprehensively and timely identify, assess, mitigate, monitor, review, and report on the most significant risks that could potentially harm the organization, is a critical element of UNICEF’s risk and internal control performance management framework. Risk management skills are necessary to safeguard UNICEF’s reputation, resources, continuity of operations, and reputation to fulfill its primary mission to save and protect children, globally.

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

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management, Financial management, Accounting, Public Finance, and related operations functions (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.).
• A full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in advocating and implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management areas including budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communication technology, and human resources.
• Experience in humanitarian settings is strongly desired.
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/international NGOs would be an asset.
• For country offices with a significant private sector fundraising operation, prior experience working with or in the private sector, and supporting private sector fundraising, is desirable.
• Additional experience in one or more of the following areas, would be desired:
  • Audit and investigations.
  • Safety and security.
  • Grant Management.
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/emergency context is an asset.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
• Experience in Results-Based Management is a requirement.
• Experience in managing successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Experience in co-creating policy is desirable.
• Prior experience working with diverse stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships is highly desirable.
• Previous hands-on experience in strategic and managerial leadership is required.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications 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.

Application Closing Date
7th February, 2025 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).

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

Job Title: Social Policy Specialist, NO-3

Job no: 578565
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: NO-3
Categories: Social Policy

How can you make a difference?

• Under the general guidance of the Chief Social Policy, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social protection programing and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results.
• This includes programmes aimed at improving public policies to reduce child poverty and vulnerability using social protection.
• This includes supporting reforms at federal and state levels strengthening social with focus on:  social protection coverage and impact on children;  the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of social protection child-focused public investments; governance, and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social protection.

Summary of Key Functions / Accountabilities

• Improving data on Child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action
• Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children
• Improving use of public financial resources for children
• Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.
• Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy
• UNICEF Programme Management.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: An advanced university Degree in one of the following fields: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset. Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as a strong asset.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
27th January, 2025; West Central Africa Standard Time.

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

Job Title: Nutrition Officer (SBC)

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full Time
Job no: 578504
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: NO-2
Categories: Nutrition

Purpose of the Assignment

• Under the general guidance of the Chief- Nutrition and Child Development Section and in close coordination with the SBC Section and supported by a Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer- SBC will contribute for the design, development, contextualization and localization, management, monitoring and evaluation of the evidence-based, inclusive and innovative National SBC Strategy and Costed Plan, aimed to contribute to enhancing dietary intake, preventing common childhood illnesses and improving MIYCN and care practices and will be responsible for initiating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of key deliverables of the nutrition programme within the country programme.
• The Nutrition Officer-SBC will provide technical guidance throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/ projects in support of the Country Programme. This will be carried out according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

How Can You Make a Difference?

• Supported by a Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer-SBC will support the development and preparation of the SBC Strategy and Costed Plan aimed to contribute to enhancing dietary diversity, preventing common childhood illnesses and improving MIYCN; diets, services and care practices.
• The position will be responsible for initiating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of key deliverables of the nutrition programme within the country programme.
• The Nutrition Officer will provide technical guidance throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/ projects.

Major Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions / Accountabilities:
Support To Programme Development and Planning:

• Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.
• Contribute to and support the preparation, design, development, and state-level adoption of a robust gender transformative behavior change communication strategy to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of gender-sensitive nutrition programmes/ projects, on behavior change communication, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Formulate, design, and contribute to the development of high-quality nutrition programme proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/ integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare high-quality documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss gender and nutrition transformative 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 to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/ projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC, integrate them in programme approaches across food system, social protection, WASH and ECD interventions and support SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them.

Programme Management, Monitoring, and Delivery of Results:

• Plan and/ or collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to establish gender transformative monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/ UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other stakeholders to assess progress and to determine required action and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/ or exchange of information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress. Identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/ or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular high-quality programme/ project reports and databases for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation:

• Supported by the Nutrition Manager, conduct in-depth analysis of current SBC interventions under nutrition and recommend corrective actions to guide and inform programme strategies across the country.
• Implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC in humanitarian actions.
• Work with nutrition stakeholders to build consensus on a harmonized national behavior change communication strategy, plans and materials.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/ donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and behavior change communication approaches on nutrition and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national and sub-national stakeholders to promote nutrition and development issues, especially in the areas of behavior change communication.
• Draft policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/ or consideration.

Networking and Partnership-Building:

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge.
• Represent UNICEF in external meetings as appropriate.
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Prepare high-quality communication and information materials for Country Office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/ alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• Participate and/ or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.
• Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral workplans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC for nutrition. Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC nutrition in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans

Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

• Identify, design, and/or organize SBC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as behavioural analysis, behavioural insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms. Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity among staff, implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts.
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of normative change.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize, 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.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on nutrition-related programmes and projects.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Nutrition, Public Health, Health and Nutrition Promotion, Nutritional Epidemiology, Global/ International Health and Nutrition, Health / Nutrition Research, Policy and/or Management, or another Health-related science field. A university degree in the social/ behavioral sciences (Communication, Sociology, Media, Nutrition, Health Education) with proven experience in SBC strategy and plan development for specific programmes is an asset.
• Work Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, social behavior change communication, social development, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care including public advocacy. Experience in health/ nutrition programme/ project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Prior experience developing SBC strategies and costed operational plans. Knowledge and prior experience working on MIYCN/IYCF is a plus. Experience in conducting qualitative interviews with stakeholders.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Application Closing Date
29th January, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online