UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND
GENERIC JOB PROFILE (GJP)
I. Post Information
Job Title: Health Officer Job Level: Level 1
Supervisor Title/ Level: Health/Nutrition/CSD Job Profile No.:
Specialist/Manager or Chief (Level 3/4/5) CCOG Code: 1I03n
Organizational Unit: Programme Functional Code: HEA
Post Location: Country Office Job Classification Level: Level 1
II. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in
everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in 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 is why the focus on
equity is so vital. 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.
Job organizational context: The Health Officer GJP is to be used in a Country Office (CO)
where the Health Programme is a major component of the Country Programme (or UNDAF).
Purpose for the job: The Health Officer reports to the Health/CSD/Nutrition
Specialist/Manager or Chief for close guidance and supervision. Level 1 is an entry professional
level and should therefore be normally used as a trainee level for the purpose of acquiring
organizational knowledge of rules, regulations and processes to supplement academic and
theoretical knowledge of the profession for upward mobility to higher responsibilities. Incumbents
at this level are not expected to remain for an extended period of time in the post.
The Health Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance
throughout the programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in
researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning
organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of
the Health Programme within the Country Programme.
III. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
1. Support to programme development and planning
Research and analyze regional and national political, social, economic development
trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme
development, design and preparation.
Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation,
ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives,
strategies, and results-based planning through analysis of health needs and areas for
intervention and submission of assessments for priority and goal setting.
Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming
processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions,
preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes
and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning
(RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and
approval process.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and
share information on implementation issues; suggest solutions on routine programme
implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for
higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for
easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual
sectoral reviews with governments and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports
on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative
and other assets), and verify compliance with approved allocation and goals,
organizational rules, regulations, procedures, as well as donor commitments, standards
of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by
management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
Prepare inputs for sectoral programme donor reporting.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
Undertake field visits and surveys, and share information with partners and stakeholders
to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for
resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action
to achieve results.
Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners,
UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and
understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on health-
related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.
4. Networking and partnership building
Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government
counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and
knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to
deliver concrete and sustainable results.
Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote
awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for health
programmes.
Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) on health programmes to collaborate with
inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of
health programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and
strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials
and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and
to build the capacity of stakeholders.
Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation
and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
Assist with oversight of research and ensure results are available for use in knowledge
products.
Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the
competencies of clients and stakeholders.
IV. Impact of Results
The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Health Officer to programme preparation,
planning and implementation facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results that
directly impact the improvement of the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women
and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility
and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to protect the rights of children,
and to promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full
potential in society.
V. UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)
i) Core Values
Care
Respect
Integrity
Trust
Accountability
ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *
Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
Works Collaboratively with others (2)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
or
Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
Works Collaboratively with others (1)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures,
Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.
VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required:
public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health
research, global/international health, health policy and/or
management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics,
socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another
relevant technical field.
Experience: A minimum of one year of professional experience in one or
more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition
planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care,
or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
Experience working in a developing country is considered as an
asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is
considered as an 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.
