Company: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) | Job Title: Health Specialist | Job No: 595602 | Location: Abuja | Contract Type: Temporary Appointment | Category: Health
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children, protect their rights, save lives and help them fulfil their potential. The organisation works across 190 countries and territories to build a better world for every child.
Job Summary
The Health Specialist reports to the Health Manager, Immunization, and works under general supervision to support the development and implementation of health programmes.
The Specialist will be responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on programmes related to routine immunisation strengthening, immunisation systems strengthening, new vaccine introduction and supplementary immunisation activities within the country programme.
The role also provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of sustainable results in line with plans, results-based management approaches, UNICEF strategic plans, performance standards and accountability frameworks.
Major Responsibilities
- Support routine immunisation programme development and planning.
- Manage programmes, monitor implementation and ensure delivery of results.
- Provide technical and operational support for routine and supplementary immunisation programme implementation.
- Build networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
- Support innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.
Requirements
Education
- Advanced University Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Paediatric Health, Family Health, Health Research, Global/International Health, Health Policy and/or Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, Socio-Medical Sciences, Health Education, Epidemiology or another health-related science.
Experience
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or relevant areas of routine immunisation and new vaccine introduction, maternal and neonatal healthcare, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
- Experience at national and international levels is required, with some experience preferably gained in a developing country.
Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge and experience in routine immunisation and new vaccine introduction planning and management.
- Knowledge of public health, vaccine-preventable disease interventions and outbreak response planning, implementation and monitoring.
- Experience in planning, monitoring and evaluating supplementary immunisation activities.
- High level of self-awareness and ethical awareness.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with government and development partners.
- Ability to build and maintain implementation partnerships with immunisation partners and stakeholders.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is desirable.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Experience in immunisation project development, implementation and monitoring.
- Relevant experience with a UN system agency.
- Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
- Experience in health/nutrition programme or project development and management with a UN system agency or organisation is an asset.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the UNICEF recruitment portal:
Application Closing Date: 15th September, 2026 (W. Central Africa Standard Time)