Health Specialist (P-3) – Temporary Appointment

About the role

The Health Specialist will provide professional leadership for UNICEF’s immunisation and polio eradication programmes in Somalia. Working closely with the Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, and Nutrition components, the role supports the delivery of equitable vaccination services and the implementation of the Somalia Polio Emergency Action Plan.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the national immunisation programme.
• Coordinate polio eradication activities, including the SEAP and Global Polio Emergency procedures.
• Collaborate with in‑country partners, UNICEF HQ, GPEI partners, donors and regional working groups to design and execute tailored immunisation strategies.
• Introduce new vaccines, support MNTE (Measles‑Neutralising‑Targeted‑Elimination) activities and strengthen health‑system components.
• Integrate COVID‑19 vaccination into routine immunisation and primary health care services.
• Provide technical support to the UNICEF Somalia Country Office for strategic interventions aimed at interrupting cVDPV2 transmission.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in public health, medicine, epidemiology or a related field.
• Significant experience in immunisation programme management and polio eradication initiatives.
• Proven ability to work with multiple stakeholders, including government, UN agencies and donors.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills for monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Somali or Arabic is an asset.

Required skills

• Immunisation programme planning and implementation.
• Polio eradication strategy development.
• Monitoring and evaluation of vaccination campaigns.
• Stakeholder coordination and partnership management.

What we offer

• Competitive temporary appointment with UN benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development within a global humanitarian organization.
• Supportive, diverse and mission‑driven work environment.