UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save childrenโs lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job โ it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities worldwide. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, results
The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022โ2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020โ2024, the National Development Strategy 2015โ2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.
For more information about UNICEF Mozambique's work please followย this link
You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies via the UNICEF Mozambique website link herein.
How can you make a difference?ย
Under the direct supervision of the Health Manager (P4), the Health Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening) will provide operational support to strengthening Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) across Mozambique. This includes advancing the interoperability of digital health tools and data systems to ensure timely, accurate, and integrated monitoring of health outcomes, resource use, and partner investments. This support also includes the co-development and rollout of an Evidence-Based Planning (EBP) tool with embedded bottleneck analysis, enabling district and provincial planners to produce high-quality, equity-responsive annual plans. The aim is to bolster national and decentralized capacity for evidence-based decision-making, both for the health sector at large and specifically for UNICEFโs programming in child health, nutrition, immunization, and community health. By bridging national strategies with globalย ย investments, and aligning operational implementation with robust data systems, the Health Specialist (HSS) will help ensure that Mozambiqueโs health system transformation is country-led, community-rooted, and results-driven ultimately enabling every child to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Advance the implementation of the Lusaka Agenda in Mozambique. Activities, expected results & indicators of success: Strengthen evidence-based planning and resource optimization. Activities, expected results & indicators of success: Support strong governance and accountability for health system strengthening.ย Activities, expected results & indicators of success: Enhance national monitoring and interoperability of health information systems. Activities, expected results & indicators of success: Support UNICEF Internal Planning and Advocacy AlignmentIf you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:ย ย JD Health Specialist (Health Systems Strengtherning) P3.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will haveโฆ
Minimum requirements:
Education: An advanced university degree (masterโs or higher) in one of the following fields is required: public health, health financing, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, social sciences, or another relevant technical field. Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience at international level in health programmes with a focus on health systems strengthening and support, including strong experience in planning, coordinating, monitoring, documenting and reporting on issues related to strengthening wider health partner coordination systems including the SWApโs and strengthening of the health system is required. Language Requirements: Fluency in English and knowledge of Portuguese is required.ยDesirables:
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.ย Previous experience of working with UNICEF and/or the Ministry of Health in Mozambique or supporting health partner dialogue are considered an advantage. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEFโs Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post areโฆ
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with othersย
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children.ย The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer aย wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks andย reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male and female candidatesย are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally requiredย to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.ย
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicantsโ bank account information.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEFโs Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.