Primary Health Care Specialist

Organizational Context

UNICEF is dedicated to promoting the rights of every child globally, focusing on equity to ensure all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential. This commitment translates into action through programmes, advocacy, and operations. Investing in the health, education, and protection of disadvantaged citizens is seen as vital for individual potential and national growth and stability. The organization's universal mandate is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Job Purpose

The UNV Primary Health Care Specialist will support a project in Sierra Leone aimed at improving maternal and child survival through Primary Health Care promotion. This initiative, funded by the Government of Japan over three years (2026-2029), will scale up the Maternal and Child Health Handbook across all 16 districts. The role involves providing technical oversight for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of this project, which integrates health and nutrition services. The specialist will contribute to strengthening the Primary Health Care system and enhancing local planning and budgeting, building on successful pilot programs.

Responsibilities

The UNV Primary Health Care Specialist will provide technical assistance for the nationwide scale-up of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook as part of a comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) package. This includes supporting its rollout in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and stakeholders, and contributing to an enabling environment for quality MCH care. The role also involves strengthening district-level health systems based on the PHC optimization model, providing capacity building on quality of care, and developing performance management approaches. Additionally, the specialist will support community engagement for positive parenting and nurturing care, and facilitate coordination and partnership engagement with MOH, JICA, and other stakeholders to harmonize project implementation and address service delivery challenges.

Work Experience

Requires at least 3 years of progressive work experience in public health programs, specifically in program planning, implementation, and management, child health and nutrition service delivery, and primary health care promotion or health systems strengthening. Experience in a developing country or with a UN agency is an asset. Organizational certification for voluntary experience in these areas will be considered.

Skills

Key competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, and Working in Teams. Experience in community development, health, and social work is beneficial.

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