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UNICEF RECRUITMENT
HEALTH SPECIALIST, NO-3
Job No: 595602
Position: Health Specialist, NO-3, Temporary Appointment
Vacancy No: 138401
Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria
Region: West and Central Africa (WCAR)
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration: 364 Days
Job Category: Health
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
Advertised: 8 September 2026
ABOUT UNICEF
UNICEF is the United Nations agency dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of every child. Working across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF supports programmes in health, nutrition, education, child protection, water and sanitation, emergency response and other areas affecting children and communities.
UNICEF is currently seeking a Health Specialist to support routine immunization and broader immunization system-strengthening activities in Nigeria.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Health Specialist will report to the Health Manager, Immunization, and provide technical and management support throughout the programming cycle.
The successful candidate will support the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programmes focused on routine immunization strengthening, immunization system strengthening, new vaccine introduction and supplementary immunization activities.
The position will contribute to achieving sustainable results in line with UNICEF’s programme plans, results-based management approaches, strategic plans and accountability standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support routine immunization programme development and planning.
- Manage, monitor and support delivery of programme results.
- Provide technical and operational support for routine and supplementary immunization programme implementation.
- Support planning and management of new vaccine introduction activities.
- Strengthen networking and partnerships with government, development partners and immunization stakeholders.
- Support innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, reporting and documentation of programme progress.
- Provide technical guidance to strengthen immunization systems and improve equitable access to vaccination services.
- Support programme implementation in development, fragile and humanitarian contexts when required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
An Advanced University Degree in one of the following areas is required:
- Public Health
- Nutrition
- Pediatric Health
- Family Health
- Health Research
- Global or International Health
- Health Policy and Management
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Biostatistics
- Socio-Medical Sciences
- Health Education
- Epidemiology
- Other relevant health-related sciences
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health or nutrition planning and management and/or relevant areas such as:
- Routine immunization
- New vaccine introduction
- Maternal and neonatal healthcare
- Health emergency and humanitarian preparedness
- Public health programme planning and management
Experience at national and international levels is required, with experience in developing countries being an advantage.
KEY SKILLS
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Experience in routine immunization and new vaccine introduction planning and management.
- Knowledge of public health and vaccine-preventable disease interventions.
- Experience in outbreak response planning, implementation and monitoring.
- Experience in supplementary immunization activities.
- Strong planning, monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with government and development partners.
- Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with immunization stakeholders.
- Strong ethical and professional awareness.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish is an advantage.
Knowledge of a relevant local language is also desirable.
ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES
Experience in immunization project development, implementation and monitoring is desirable.
Experience with a UN system agency or similar international organisation is an asset.
Experience working at country level, particularly in development, fragile or humanitarian settings, will be an advantage.
UNICEF CORE VALUES
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.
The position also requires competencies in:
- Building and maintaining partnerships
- Self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Driving results for impact
- Innovation and embracing change
- Managing ambiguity and complexity
- Strategic thinking and action
- Working collaboratively with others
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
UNICEF is committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity. Qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF does not charge any processing or recruitment fee at any stage of the application, interview, selection or appointment process.
Applicants should never provide bank account information in connection with a UNICEF recruitment process.
Selected candidates will be subject to reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF appointments are also subject to applicable medical clearance requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the official UNICEF Careers portal.
Job No: 595602
Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria
Contract: Temporary Appointment
Duration: 364 Days
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
