[UNICEF] Public Health Programme Officer

Description

Public Health Programme Officer Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund Location: New York, United States of America Level: Volunteering Grade: UNV Sector: Admin, Programme & Policy, Medical & Health Posted: 2026-10-12 Application deadline: 2026-11-05 Contract (as described by UN Talent): This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts. Original source: unv.org The UNV Primary Health Care Specialist will primarily support the implementation of the project to ensure every mother and child survives through the promotion of Primary Health Care in Sierra Leone. This is for an anticipated project to be funded by the Government of Japan covering all 16 districts in a phased manner over three years (2026-2029): 5 districts - Bo, Moyamba, Bonthe, Pujehun and Kenema in year 1 and then scale up in all 16 districts in year 2 and 3. This role will provide oversight and technical support during the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Primary Health Care project whose emphasis is on rolling out the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. This Handbook offers comprehensive integrated health and nutrition service provision as a ‘one stop single window’ for mother’s and child health and nutrition services at facility and outreach levels, bringing the best results in a cost-efficient manner. Over the past few years, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from JICA and in close technical collaboration with key Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) partners, including UNICEF, has developed and refined the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook to be used as a health education and self-learning tool aimed at promoting a continuum of care across the life course and empowering families and communities to take charge of their health. Building on promising results from pilot implementation in 2022-23 by JICA, MoH and UNICEF, the MoH plans to roll out the MCH Handbook nationwide in a phased manner. Meanwhile, it is recognized that in order to do this and ensure effective utilization of the MCH Handbook, there is a need to strengthen the functionality of the Primary Health Care (PHC) system and to enhance planning and budgeting at district and health facility levels. Consequently, the PHC Optimization Model for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) piloted in a few districts has demonstrated the importance of community participation and data-driven decision-making. The 10-point Call to Action endorsed during the October 2023 dissemination by senior MoH leadership reaffirmed national commitment to scaling the PHC model to all districts. The project will therefore build on learnings from two successful pilots implemented by the MoH with technical and financial support from JICA, UNICEF, and partners - namely, the MCH Handbook and PHC optimization model. It provides an opportunity to leverage these positive results to generate tangible improvements in health outcomes for mothers, children, and families. The PHC model strengthens governance, accountability, and equitable resource allocation, while the MCH Handbook serves as a holistic, integrated, and user-friendly tool that enhances caregivers’ knowledge, empowers communities, and addresses underlying gender and power dynamics that influence health-seeking behaviour and decision-making within households. Overall, the aim of the project and the role of the PHC Specialist will be to contribute to the acceleration in the introduction and institutionalization of the MCH Handbook in Sierra Leone as a core communication, self-learning, and health system strengthening tool - ensuring client-centred services and continuity of care throughout the life course. Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the MNCAH Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Primary Health Care Specialist will work in collaboration with other Heads of Unit in the H&N Section, MOH, JICA and / or other relevant Sections such as the Education Section to support implementation of the Primary Health Care project objectives. Specifically, a. Support the phased roll-out and implementation of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook as part of the integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) package. Responsibilities:  Support Health and Nutrition colleagues, the Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the MCH Handbook.  Contribute to activities supporting quality of care in maternal and child health services. b. Support district-level implementation of Primary Health Care and health systems strengthening activities. Responsibilities: •Provide technical support to ensure capacity building on Quality of Care in an integrated manner. •Develop and implement an enhanced performance management and accountability approach for improved quality of care. •Provide technical assistance and contribute towards local level decentralized planning, budgeting, implementation of integrated services a

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Source

Source: untalent.org