Health Specialist (NO-3), #136375, Damascus -Syria, MENA

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a passionate and inclusive culture.

Job Purpose

The Health Specialist will provide crucial technical support to the Syrian Arab Republic to enhance Immunization Supply Chain (ISC) management, efficiency, and sustainability. This involves promoting effective vaccine management practices, strengthening supply and cold chain systems, optimizing vaccine stock management to prevent stockouts, and fostering the establishment of a functional National Logistics Working Group. The role also emphasizes promoting the use of data, evidence, and innovative tools to continuously improve supply chain performance. By collaborating with WHO and other partners, the specialist will contribute to developing national policies and strategies, ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach all children, especially the most disadvantaged, thereby improving vaccination coverage, equity, and overall health outcomes.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support to the country to improve Immunization Supply Chain (ISC) management, efficiency, and sustainability by promoting and enhancing capacity in Effective Vaccine Management practices. Strengthen Supply and Cold Chain Management, including installation, preventive and curative maintenance of cold chain equipment. Enhance Vaccine Stock Management to prevent stockouts and optimize vaccine usage. Promote the establishment of a Functional National Logistics Working Group. Champion the collection, analysis, and use of data, evidence, and innovative tools to assess and continuously improve supply chain systems performance. Work with WHO and other partners to develop National Immunization Supply Chain and Cold Chain Logistics policies, strategies, guidelines, procedures, systems, and activities. Closely collaborate with other Immunization Supply Chain Management partners globally and in the field. Ensure the successful implementation of initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the immunization supply chain, directly supporting UNICEF’s commitment and accountability to the National Immunization Programme and Gavi. Optimize vaccine management, strengthen cold chain systems, and build capacity to ensure vaccines are delivered effectively and timely while maintaining vaccine efficacy and safety, contributing to higher vaccination coverage and equity.

Work Experience

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, vaccine cold chain management, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.

Skills

Manage vaccine and cold chain systems, Oversee supply chain operations, Capacity building, Data analysis, Policy development, Logistics management, Health program management, Emergency preparedness, Stakeholder coordination, Performance monitoring

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