Health Specialist-Vaccine and Cold Chain Management (Fragile & Middle Income Countries)

The Health Specialist will contribute to strengthening immunization supply chains and infrastructure by supporting countries to improve cold chain management, health facility solar electrification, and healthcare waste management. The role involves providing technical assistance, supporting data-driven decision-making, and building country capacity to ensure equitable access to immunization services, particularly in fragile and underserved settings.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strengthening immunization supply chains and infrastructure by supporting countries to improve cold chain management, health facility solar electrification, and healthcare waste management
• Enhance the availability and quality of vaccines at the last mile, reduce wastage, and improve supply chain efficiency
• Provide technical assistance and support data-driven decision-making
• Build country capacity to ensure equitable access to immunization services, particularly in fragile and underserved settings
• Support UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen health systems, improve programme resilience, and deliver sustainable results in line with global health strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Provide technical support and coordination to improve cold chain systems, enhance efficiency, and reduce vaccine wastage
• Support the design and implementation of innovative solutions, build country capacity, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making
• Strengthen health systems and advance equitable access to immunization
• Support emergency preparedness and response efforts

Requirements

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Business Administration, Health, Supply Chain Management, Management, Economics, Engineering Health or related social science field
• At least 8 years of experience in logistics, cold chain management, supply chain, of which at least 4 years in developing countries, is required
• Knowledge of the latest development in the field of temperature studies, cold chain equipment management and EVM 2.0 is required
• Knowledge and experience in HFSE and HCWM assessments and implementation
• Strong understanding of immunization programmes and related cold chain and vaccine management requirements
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects and provide strategic guidance in diverse and challenging environments
• Proven ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple activities while anticipating risks and adjusting priorities as required
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Advanced stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and partnership-building skills
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team supervision, resource management, and driving organizational change
• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is desirable
• Experience leading and supervising teams is desirable
• Experience managing complex projects is desirable
• Experience supporting organizational change is desirable
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is desirable

Skills

• Cold Chain Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Temperature Studies
• EVM 2.0
• HFSE Assessments
• HCWM Assessments
• Immunization Programmes
• Effective Vaccine Management
• Technical Project Management
• Strategic Guidance
• Risk Management
• Analytical Skills
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Negotiation
• Partnership Building
• Team Supervision
• Resource Management

Languages

English