Health Specialist, NO-3, Temporary Appointment (364 Days), #138401

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights and help every child survive, thrive and fulfil their potential. Its programmes provide and advocate for health, nutrition, immunisation, education, protection, water and sanitation services, including during emergencies.

JOB DETAILS

• Position: Health Specialist, NO-3
• Appointment type: Temporary Appointment
• Duration: 364 days
• Job number: 595602
• Position number: 138401
• Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria
• Functional area: Health
• Reports to: Health Manager, Immunization
• Application deadline: 15 September 2026 at 11:55 PM West and Central Africa Standard Time

ROLE PURPOSE

The Health Specialist will support the design, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of UNICEF Nigeria’s routine-immunisation and immunisation-system-strengthening work. The role covers new-vaccine introduction and the operational delivery of supplementary immunisation activities, providing technical guidance and management support throughout the programme cycle.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Routine Immunisation Programme Development and Planning

• Support situation analysis, programme design, results frameworks and implementation planning for routine immunisation.
• Contribute technical evidence to country programme documents, workplans, budgets and strategic reviews.
• Help identify bottlenecks affecting immunisation coverage and develop practical, equitable responses.
• Ensure programme planning aligns with UNICEF standards, national policies, organisational strategies and results-based management approaches.

Programme Management, Monitoring and Results

• Manage and monitor assigned programme components, workplans, budgets and partner deliverables.
• Track implementation progress, coverage, quality, risks and results against agreed indicators.
• Analyse programme and health data, identify gaps and recommend corrective action.
• Prepare high-quality programme reports, technical updates and management information.
• Support evaluations, reviews and documentation of lessons learned.

Technical and Operational Support

• Provide technical support for routine immunisation, new-vaccine introduction and supplementary immunisation activities.
• Support planning and monitoring for vaccine-preventable disease interventions and outbreak responses.
• Strengthen programme quality, operational readiness, supportive supervision and monitoring systems.
• Work with government counterparts and partners to solve implementation problems and improve sustainable results.
• Contribute to maternal and neonatal health, public-health emergency and humanitarian-preparedness work where relevant.

Partnerships, Networking and Advocacy

• Build and maintain effective relationships with government institutions, immunisation partners, development agencies and other stakeholders.
• Participate in coordination forums and support joint planning, implementation and review.
• Provide evidence and technical input for advocacy, policy dialogue and resource mobilisation.
• Help partners strengthen accountability for agreed health and immunisation results.

Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Identify and promote appropriate innovations that improve immunisation coverage and programme performance.
• Develop or adapt technical tools, guidance and learning materials.
• Support capacity building for government, implementing partners and programme teams.
• Capture, share and apply good practices, operational learning and evidence.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Advanced university degree in public health or nutrition, paediatric health, family health, health research, global or international health, health policy and management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical science, health education, epidemiology or another health-related discipline.

Experience

• At least five years of professional experience in public-health or nutrition planning and management.
• Relevant experience in routine immunisation, new-vaccine introduction, maternal and neonatal healthcare, or health-emergency and humanitarian preparedness.
• National and international experience is required, with experience in a developing-country context preferred.

Technical and Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of routine immunisation and new-vaccine planning and management.
• Ability to plan, implement and monitor vaccine-preventable disease interventions, outbreak responses and supplementary immunisation activities.
• Ability to collaborate with government and development partners and maintain implementation partnerships.
• High ethical awareness, sound judgement and the ability to work strategically in complex settings.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language or a relevant local language is desirable.

UNICEF COMPETENCIES

• Builds and maintains partnerships.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drives to achieve results for impact.
• Innovates and embraces change.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Works collaboratively with others.

INCLUSION AND SAFEGUARDING

UNICEF welcomes qualified applicants regardless of gender, nationality, religion, ethnic background or disability, including neurodivergence, and provides reasonable accommodation during recruitment. UNICEF has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. Selected candidates undergo reference, academic-credential, employment-history and background checks and must comply with UNICEF’s child-safeguarding standards.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a complete application through UNICEF’s official recruitment portal by 15 September 2026 at 11:55 PM West and Central Africa Standard Time.