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

For every child, health

The United Republic of Tanzania (URT) has renewed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and adopted Primary Health Care (PHC) as a main pillar for its action to achieve its UHC goals.  URT has recently become a middle-income country resulting in declining donor resources and a pressing need for mobilizing domestic resources including gaining efficiencies in health services delivery. The Health Specialist is expected to nurture close collaboration with key partners at the national level, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the President’s Office Finance and Planning, the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, selected regional authorities, other UN agencies, development partners and International Financial Institutions in both Mainland and Zanzibar. Internally, a close relationship will also be needed with the Communication, Advocacy and Partnership section to drive the identified health advocacy agenda.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief of Health, the incumbent will lead UNICEF’s work in developing and implementing TCO advocacy agenda on health policy reforms.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Based on a collaboratively developed advocacy agenda, the Health Specialist will engage in:

1. Networking
2. negotiation
3. Contributing to evidence generation for advocacy
4. Embedding policy review into government annual planning processes

1. Networking and coalition building

• Develop, maintain and nurture a relationship with key policy makers across relevant ministries and parliamentary committees
• Actively prepare for and participate in forums demonstrating UNICEF’s strengths and ensuring children are at the forefront of key discussions
• Build a coalition of partners to complement UNICEF’s advocacy priorities
• Plan and engage in evidence based advocacy with Ministries and parliamentary committee with the aim of influencing decisions and policies
• Convene discussions for purposes of advocacy around improving primary health care systems for children

3. Contribute to evidence generation for advocacy

• Identify advocacy opportunities in the evidence generated by UNICEF and other partners
• Contribute to the generation of evidence to inform advocacy
• Develop policy briefs from generated evidence as a tool to further advocacy efforts
• Identify and agree on achievable and measurable advocacy activities and products

4. Embed Policy Review into government planning processes

• Collaborate with MoH to rationalize and consolidate the numerous health sector policies
• Advocate for a routine, methodical policy review process as part of the annual planning and budget cycle process.
• Advocate for a rigorous review process to assess the need for new policy development

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public administration, law, relevant health field or a closely related field is required.

Work Experience:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in health sector advocacy within the Tanzania health sector.
• Preference will be given to candidates having demonstrated knowledge of and professional experience in at least two of these areas: advocacy, policy and planning, governance with a strong network within the Tanzania health sector.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization, or a global health initiative (TGF, GAVI, GFF) or development bank is considered an asset.

Skills:

• Networking
• Oral and written communication
• Influencing and negotiation
• Translate evidence into policy action.
• Strong computer literacy

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Builds and maintains partnerships (I), Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (I), Drive to achieve results for impact (I), Innovates and embraces change (I), Manages ambiguity and complexity (I), Thinks and acts strategically (I), Works collaboratively with others (I).

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.