Location: Pretoria, South Africa
For every child, the right to Health. This Programme component aims to ensure that the most disadvantaged mothers, children, and adolescents have increased access to high-quality, equitable and age-appropriate primary healthcare and nutrition services, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNICEF will leverage evidence and resources from the public and private sectors to address equity gaps and to influence policies, plans and innovative programmatic approaches. Specifically, the Programme will support the Department of Health to enhance the quality of care in facilities; expand early detection and screening of children with developmental delays and disabilities; and improve delivery of immunization, HIV prevention and treatment, nutrition and environmental health services through primary healthcare and community health systems. UNICEF will also promote stronger planning, financing, forecasting and supply chain management, and strengthen the collection, management and strategic use of disaggregated data, while building the capacity of community health workers on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities: Support to Programme development and planning; Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results; Technical and operational support for Programme implementation; Networking and partnership building; Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.
As the Child Health Specialist, you will report to the Head of Section for guidance and general supervision. You will support the development and preparation of the health Programme and be responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of the Child Health Programme within the Country Programme. The role will provide technical leadership and strategic guidance on immunisation, health emergency preparedness and response, epidemic control, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, focusing on strengthening integrated, resilient health systems to reduce child mortality and morbidity, with particular emphasis on childhood-related diseases, zero-dose, disease outbreaks, and HIV prevention among mothers, infants, and children in South Africa.
Minimum requirements — Education: A Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Environmental Science/Health, Epidemiology, Pediatrics, Global Health, Health Policy, Health Management, Biostatistics, Health Education or a related field. Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in health, nutrition, humanitarian assistance, monitoring and evaluation, child health, immunization, maternal and newborn health, HIV prevention, health systems strengthening, emergency preparedness, epidemic response, programme management or community health. Skills: Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of immunisation programmes, health systems strengthening, and programme management, with strong emergency preparedness and stakeholder engagement skills. Language: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is desirable. Eligible and suitable national candidates are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: 04 Sep 2026 South Africa Standard Time
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the UNICEF careers portal (Job no: 595229) before the deadline of 04 Sep 2026 (South Africa Standard Time). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=595229&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us