UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. The Global Programme Division (GPD) provides global strategic leadership and policy direction, develops and monitors frameworks and standards, and ensures coherence across sectors, regions and partners. As part of this structure, UNICEF has established Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Nairobi, Panama, Amman and Bangkok to provide high-quality, demand-driven technical assistance to Country and Regional Offices, governments and partners.
The Health Specialist reports to and works under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Adviser Health, Accelerated Disease Control. The incumbent will work within the scope of the Measles and Rubella Partnership (M&RP), Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) by 2026 platform and Defeating Meningitis by 2030, among others, to strengthen immunization delivery in priority countries. The role provides technical assistance to country offices in the promotion, design, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of high-quality Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) and Outbreak Response Immunization for Measles and Rubella, Yellow Fever and other vaccine preventable diseases, with focus on preventive and outbreak response campaigns. The incumbent will develop a monitoring framework to measure the impact of Measles and Rubella activities on vaccination coverage before, during and after SIAs, particularly in underserved populations, and will support post-campaign coverage surveys (PCCS) through advocacy, country office engagement and technical assistance. Documentation of best practices and challenges during campaigns is key.
The position coordinates with others to contribute to country-specific health systems strengthening efforts so that intervention coverage and disease response are sustainable and equitable for all children, supporting the UNICEF Health Strategic Plan and SDG 2030 targets across policy, finance, institution building, health workforce, digital governance and community engagement. The role also contributes to UNICEF's emergency preparedness and response in alignment with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.
Key functions and accountabilities: Technical Assistance for Disease Elimination and Control; Outbreak Preparedness and Response; Regional Coordination and Partner Engagement; Monitoring, Documentation, and Learning; Capacity Strengthening and System Support.
Minimum requirements — Education: An Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Public Health, Social Development or a related technical field. A First Level University Degree in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree (internal staff only). Work Experience: A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in immunization, public health programme implementation, or emergency response, with specific focus on vaccine-preventable disease elimination strategies (e.g. measles, rubella, MNT, cholera, yellow fever, meningitis) in low- and middle-income countries. Familiarity with outbreak preparedness and response frameworks, including coordination with WHO, Gavi, CDC and other global partners, is required. Skills: Strategic Analysis, Program Management, Stakeholder Coordination, Priority Management, Written Communication, Interpersonal Negotiation. Language: Fluency in English and French is required; knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
Desirable: experience in emergency settings or fragile/conflict-affected contexts; experience with UNICEF, WHO, Gavi; representing organizations in regional/global technical working groups; familiarity with digital health tools for campaign planning and monitoring (e.g. ODK, eLMIS, campaign dashboards); knowledge of health system strengthening approaches; experience with Gavi funding application processes for SIAs and outbreak response; experience strengthening national and subnational immunization capacities including training frontline workers and health managers.
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment, 24 months. Level: P-4. Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF.
Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 E. Africa Standard Time
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the UNICEF careers portal using the 'Apply now' link (Job no: 584514). Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 E. Africa Standard Time. This is a re-advertisement; candidates who have already applied do not need to re-apply. 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=584514&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us