Chief Health and Nutrition (Systems Strengthening)

The Chief Health and Nutrition (Systems Strengthening) leads the Health & Nutrition programme in South Africa, focusing on child survival and development. The role involves technical leadership, programme management, policy dialogue, system reforms, and partnership development to support health system strengthening and primary health care.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely and quality sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination for Situation Analysis and programme documents.
• Develop and implement integrated Section strategies, methodologies and innovative approaches based on results-based approach and Human Rights framework.
• Provide technical support to government and NGOs at all stages of programme cooperation, including capacity building.
• Systematically monitor and evaluate programme performance for adjustment and improvement.
• Establish workplan and objectives, manage performance, and ensure timely delivery of planned results.
• Strengthen capacities of Country Office staff through effective capacity building programmes.
• Ensure UNICEF and Government accountability for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds.
• Achieve and maintain effective partnership and collaboration for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
• Provide relevant and strategic information to support the Health & Nutrition Programme through integrated programme monitoring system.
• Prepare all required programme reports timely and in compliance with guidelines.
• Maintain emergency preparedness and provide effective emergency responses with coordination.
• Effectively accomplish other assigned duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine, Health systems, Health economics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, International health, Health policy, Health administration or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in health system strengthening, planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health and nutrition programmes, including those relevant to child survival & development.
• Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in health, nutrition, and child survival & health care.
• Technical leadership skills.
• Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, health economics, health financing and innovation.
• Experience with UNICEF programmes.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Desirable: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
• Desirable: University degree at PhD and/or doctoral level.
• Desirable: Experience in DHIS2, public private partnerships, digital health, national health insurance.
• Desirable: Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Skills

• Health Service Strengthening
• Health Programme Development
• Programme Implementation
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Child Survival Programs
• Technical Leadership
• Health Economics
• Health Financing
• Health Policy
• Health Administration
• Nutrition Programmes
• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• International Health
• Public Health
• Health Systems Management
• Digital Health
• Public Private Partnerships
• National Health Insurance
• DHIS2 Knowledge

Languages

English