Mission and objectivesThe fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does โ in programmes, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrenโs rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life โ in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions โ her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education, and protection of a societyโs most disadvantaged citizens โ addressing inequity โ not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save childrenโs 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. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job โ it is a calling. UNICEF offers our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website UNICEF, for every child, for every child to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. UNICEF has been on the ground in Bhutan for more than 50 years with the country office in Thimphu and a range of partners that support us in delivering equitable services for children, adolescents, and women. As one of the longest-serving members of the international community in Bhutan, UNICEF has a unique role in promoting equitable and inclusive social services for the countryโs children. We continue to support the country's system strengthening so that children, adolescents, and women can access the social services they need and fulfill their right to survival, development, protection, and participation. UNICEF Bhutan is a small to medium-sized Country Office (CO), supporting the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) in advancing the well-being of children and adolescents, particularly in health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), child protection, social protection, adolescent development and participation, and addressing inequities in each of these areas.
ContextThe Public Health Officer in UNICEF Bhutan will be expected to provide technical support, delivery of, and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational strategic plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework. The main government partners are the Ministry of Health, National Medical Services, Academia (KGUMSB), Ministry of Local Government, and NGOs/CSOs.
Task DescriptionUnder the Direct Supervision of the Health & Nutrition Specialist (P3) and advice from UNICEF Health Advisor, the Public Health Officer will manage selective health programmes (Immunization, MNCAH, disability prevention, and Community Health & Nutrition- CHN) as below: โข Support the Survive & Thrive section in planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, documentation, and information management of the selective health programmes (immunization, including vaccine cold chain supply system, MNCAH, Community health & Nutrition-CHN). โข Improving the quality of immunization programme, including vaccine cold chain supply management for children. Facilitate discussions on the phase-out plan in conjunction with the sustainability of high coverage of immunization. โข Improving the quality of care and use of community and facility-based maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (MNCAH), focusing on antenatal, intranatal, neonatal, and postnatal services to effectively contribute to child and maternal survival. โข Strengthening the quality of care and use of community and facility-based routine services for early detection and referral of children with disabilities. โข Strengthening of the primary health care (PHC) system for community-based based equitable health and nutrition services, and capacity development to institutionalize community engagement for accountability and sustainability. โข Explore innovative strategies and technologies to improve the efficiency of community health & nutrition, immunization, and MNCAH programmes. โข Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies, capacity, and knowledge within the programmes. โข Ensure that children, adolescents, and women have continued access to essential health services during emergencies. โข Review and analyze health budgets, summarize reports, and highlight key issues. Assist in monitoring health budget and reporting requirements. โข Collaborate with various government, academia, and non-government partners and UNICEF programme sections for knowledge management. โข Keep track of health-related activities with the other sections and partners. Timely response to health partner communication and record requests โข Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Competencies and valuesโข Building trust โข Commitment and motivation โข Communication โข Empowering others โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management โข Working in teams
Living conditions and remarksEntitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD400), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for National UN Volunteer Specialist in Thimphu, Bhutan, at about USD (*) paid in local currency equivalent to about USD700 (*); Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNVโs learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore *Calculators - UVP UNV VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued.