UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to care

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the job:

The Immunization Specialist (Polio Coordinator) reports to the Head of Outpost in Gardez with a technical reporting line to the SBC Manager in the Afghanistan Country Office, Kabul. The Specialist provides operational and technical support for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of polio eradication and immunization interventions, with a strong focus on community engagement, social behaviour change (SBC), Immunization, vaccine, and cold chain management.

Through close collaboration with community structures, local authorities, GPEI partners, and civil society actors, the Specialist supports the design and delivery of context-specific SBC strategies to increase vaccine acceptance and reduce missed children, especially in polio high-risk areas. S/he also contributes to ensuring vaccine and cold chain readiness and facilitates the delivery of immunization services.

This role contributes to achieving sustainable and equitable immunization outcomes, accelerating progress toward polio eradication and improved child survival and wellbeing in one of the provinces with the highest risk of ongoing poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support the implementation of polio eradication community engagement and SBC strategies to increase demand and uptake of vaccination services through locally adapted community engagement strategies.

2.  Support the Planning and Monitoring of Routine and Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) to ensure high quality polio campaigns are planned and delivered with reduced missed children.

3.  Support the Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) Coordination at Field Level to strengthen delivery of combined health (including EPI), nutrition and WASH services in high-risk polio areas and underserved areas.

4. Coordinate Vaccine Logistics and Cold Chain Monitoring to ensure that cold chain equipment is available, functional and effectively managed.

5. Strengthen Field-Level Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement to improve collaboration and joint planning among UNICEF, local authorities and partners.

6.  Support Programme Monitoring, Data Use, and Adaptive Planning to ensure that programme decisions are informed by timely and accurate data.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: http://JD/TOR - Immunization Specialist (Polio Coordinator), NOC

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered a must.
• Previous experience in Polio SBC in Afghanistan and SER context is an asset.
• Experience of coordinating immunization and cold chain is required.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Vacancy announcement is open to internal and external candidates. Priority will be given to staff in abolished posts and internal staff members 

Please note that the flexibility clause shall not be applied to external applicants, including TAs and affiliate staff.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Candidates who have applied previously do not need to reapply.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Applicants are requested to apply through the provided link; Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

Applications received via ACBAR Job online portal will not be given consideration.