1. WCAR priority countries have big catch-up micro plans developed with WCARO support, and Coverage and Equity, gender and SBC activities integrated in microplanning and the implementation processes.
2. WCAR priority countries have reported on number of ZD children reached, BCU dose utilized by antigen, countries updated BCU dose stock report.
3. Countries supported to prepare and submit quality 2025 BCU forecast.
4. Priority countries supported to develop Full Portfolio Planning and Equity Accelerator Fund workplans that took into account zero dose, gender analysis, and BeSD interventions.
5. Countries supported for documentation of lessons learned.
6. Effective development of immunization policy, strategic planning, and implementation
7. Equity and coverage strategies implementation progress are monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
8. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building in coverage and equity agenda at regional and country office to reach un and under vaccinated children and missed communities.
9. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
10. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively performed.

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the Immunization Specialist (Coverage, Equity & Zero dose Catch-up) is accountable the following areas of major duties:

1. Support development of immunization policy, strategic planning, and implementation:

• Support WCAR countries with focus on priority countries in the micro planning and implementation processes, performance monitoring of Big Catch-up activities including the promotion of BCU integration with other health interventions during routine and supplementary Immunization activities /campaigns.
• Support priority countries to develop Full Portfolio Planning and Equity Accelerator Fund workplans that took into account zero dose, gender analysis, and BeSD interventions.
• Keep abreast of national/regional/global development trends and priorities to determine the strategies, approaches, and priorities for programming to address the equity issues.
• Assist countries in conducting coverage and equity assessment and collaborate with Gender colleagues at HQ, Regional and Country levels to perform Gender Analysis based on the Organization guidelines and tools and integrate findings in country’s immunization plan and strategies.
• Provide assistance to countries in planning and implementing zero-dose programming: Identify, Reach, Measure, Monitor, and Advocate (IRMMA), urban strategy, integrated and multisectoral approaches, community-based approaches, digitalization….
• Assist Regional and Country Office teams and governments to develop and mainstream strategies to improve coverage and equity as part of wider country processes around annual immunization and health sector planning.
• Assist Regional and Country Office teams and governments to identify unreached populations, and major bottlenecks and barriers preventing access and utilization of existing health services and propose evidence-based strategies to improve the effective uptake of health-related services including immunization at district and national level.
• Coordinate the in-country and remote support to be provided to Country Offices and governments.
• Contribute to the development of communication strategies, and to the implementation of plans and activities to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for equity-based immunization and health initiatives.
• Develop and execute Regional Office support, participation, and contribution to the development of the zero-dose agenda and learnings, drawing on the broad and varied experiences and country typologies.
• Co-develop advocacy materials with public policy team on zero dose for use within countries and support engagement on zero dose at wider development forum.
• Support country teams on planning and implementing the zero-dose agenda through the provision of materials, the design of request for proposals for new partnerships, etc.
  2. Monitoring and evaluating equity strategies:
• Ensure coverage and Equity related issues are addressed during implementation as well as Gender barrier and Risk communication and community engagement through promotion of Social behavior change innovative strategies (Social listening and digital engagement, Interventions based on Behavioral insights , Using human-centered Design approaches through Co-creation with communities) liaising with UNICEF Country Offices SBC and gender specialists.
• Follow-up with countries the desegregation of BCU and routine data
• Provide technical guidance to Regional and Country Office teams and undertake field visits to monitor progress and evaluate the implementation and the effectiveness of strategies used to improve coverage, reduce inequities, and reach underserved populations for immunization and other health related services.
• Provide support for formative research and data monitoring to improve country programme delivery
• Provide support to country offices, and their government counterparts including other development partners in the identification of opportunities for scaling up strategies proven effective to achieving better health outcomes.
  3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:
• Coordinate the collection, institutionalization and sharing of lessons learned and best practices in equity-related matters with programme staff at Headquarters, Country Offices and other partners through publications and webinars.
• Support the development and roll-out of innovative methodologies including proven effective tools (Equits, CEA, GA, LiST, LQAS, etc..) to assess coverage and equity in immunization and other health-related services.
• Plan, coordinate and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of countries and partners to promote equitable and sustainable results in immunization and health-related programs.
• Co-develop a learning agenda on zero dose with the Regional Office and Countries teams to identify early learning contexts and topics for multi-country contracts.
• Improve guidance on the engagement of Civil Society Organization’s to support zero dose work.
  4. Effective partnership, collaboration for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking:
• Ensure regional office experts support to the BCU particularly on vaccine and Logistics management, Social behavior change including Communication/Advocacy and gender, M&E, digitalization
• Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to provide technical guidance and operational support on program planning, management, implementation monitoring and evaluation.
• Serve as the Regional Office focal point in all interactions with Country Offices, HQ, other regional offices, and partner agencies (Gavi and WHO) on equity matters.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues from HQ, Regional Offices, regional and global platforms, and partner agencies to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of programs/projects initiatives with UNICEF Strategic Plans and to ensure alignment between different coverage and equity assessment approaches and methods.
  5. Other related duties:
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisors and Regional Office including guiding, training, and coaching staff, interns, and consultants, as needed.
• Represent UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office in relevant meetings at global, regional, and national levels to ensure that UNICEF perspectives are adequately represented in relevant strategies and frameworks related to equity.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Public Health, Paediatric Health, Global/International Health, Health Policy and Management, Family Health, Socio-medical Sciences, Health Education, Epidemiology, or other fields relevant to immunization.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience at national and international levels in development, planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and managing of health/Immunization programmes
• Substantive experience and technical knowledge on immunization
• Work experience in low- and middle-income countries
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating complex health and immunization processes, programmes and/or strategies
• Experience with giving technical presentations and building capacity of Governments
• Strong communication and negotiating skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality technical document, including reports
• Experience with UN agencies is an asset.
• Fluency in English and French required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.