VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT (2014 – 003)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Terms of Reference (TOR) for Temporary Appointment (TA) of
Child Survival Officer (NOB Level)
To Support the Young Child Survival & Development (YCSD) Program
September 2014 – September 2015
1. Background
Since 2008, the UNICEF Young Child Survival & Development (YCSD) program has been supporting
the Ministry of Health and Population MoHP) in implementing the Integrated Perinatal Care and Child
Health and Nutrition Program (IPHN), which aims to accelerate national efforts to reduce neonatal
mortality, and U5 malnutrition, with special focus on the most disadvantaged areas. The IPHN is a model
for continuum of care that integrates maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) and nutrition at the
level of health facilities (primary, secondary and tertiary levels) and in communities. It includes four main
components: antenatal care (ANC); skilled birth attendants (SBAs); postnatal care (PNC); and nutrition
interventions. It also seeks to address gender dynamics at the community level and to empower women
in rural settings.
IPHN has been implemented under the leadership of the MoHP in collaboration with local administration
and academia in two main phases: A Pilot Phase (2008-2011) in 14 rural Family Health Units (FHUs) in
four districts located in three of the most disadvantaged governorates of Upper Egypt, targeting
approximately 200,000 people; and Expansion phase (2012-present), covering 160 FHUs and eight
hospitals in seven districts of the targeted six governorates, largely increasing the population coverage.
The targeted governorates include: Qena, Sohag, Assiut, Mina, Gharbeya and Qualioubeya.
In early 2012, UNICEF Egypt Country Office (ECO) selected the IPHN program to introduce the
framework of Monitoring of Results for Equity System (MoRES). The goal was to support the MoHP to
identify, track and address key bottlenecks and barriers that are hindering the effectiveness of neonatal
and child health interventions – and ultimately the reduction of neonatal mortality and child malnutrition.
Since 2013 application of MoRES has expanded to the 160 FHUs covered by the IPHN, and has been
used as the main performance monitoring system for the program.
As part of the IPHN program, a pilot Perinatal, Neonatal Mortality Surveillance System (PNMSS) has
been piloted in some governorates to support the MoHP in getting a fuller picture of the causes and
magnitude of neonatal mortality in these areas of Egypt. The IPHN program is also supporting the MoHP
in revitalizing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the targeted health facilities, and in other
community based nutrition activities e.g. the 1000 days initiative. In line with the IPHN interventions, the
YCSD program is also supporting the MoHP in in strengthening the existing health systems and national
programs (e.g. the Nutritional Sentinel Surveillance System, the HIS, IMCI, and the EPI).
ECO is seeking Temporary Appointment (TA) of Child Survival Program Officer (PO) (at NOB Level)
to support the implementation and results monitoring of the IPHN program in its targeted governorates,
and TO contribute to the achievements of other related YCSD program results.
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2. Purpose of Assignment
Under the general supervision of the Health Specialist, the PO contributes to results achievements of the
YCSD program, with particular focus on Integrated Perinatal Health and Child Nutrition (IPHN) program.
The PO will contribute to the interventions that increases the access to the maternal, neonatal, and child
health (MNCH) services, and improved community and family health and nutrition practices. The PO
will provide technical support in the implementation and documentation of MORES, and the IPHN related
research studies and knowledge management activities. The incumbent will be responsible for follow-up
the implementation of the IPHN program (including neonatal verbal autopsy and surveillance system)
implemented by the MoHP in his/her assigned governorates. The The PO will also be responsible for
strengthening the community based health and nutrition interventions through data analysis, field
monitoring visits, technical reporting and strengthening partnerships, joint programming and capacity
building of local partners. He/she will collaborate with various departments/sector of the MoHP
implementing various YCSD interventions (e.g. PHC/MCH,IMCI, Preventive/EPI) to follow up
implementation of the various YCSD interventions, guided by the Annual Work Plans (AWP).
3. Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt
4. Supervisor: Health Specilaist, NOC
5. Description of Assignment: Key Tasks:
a) Oversee and monitor IPHN programme implementation in assigned governorates. Undertake
ongoing field visits to various project sites. Assess projects' implementation and monitor UNICEF
inputs. Participates in the implementation of MORES and develop appropriate corrective steps to
overcome barriers and bottlenecks. Communicate with local counterparts on program
effectiveness and efficiency including monitoring the flow of supply of equipment for PCP
programme at the district level.
b) Develop area-specific plans for maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) interventions to
increase more equitable coverage by a package of health, and nutrition interventions. Support the
implementation, monitoring, scale up and documentation of IMCI at Governorate and district
level. Communicates with local counterpart authorities on program feasibility and effectiveness
including monitoring the flow of supply and non-supply assistance.
c) Undertake responsibility for developing program-specific work plans and activities, monitor and
implement the activities which include planning and management support to district and village
level authorities, conducting workshops, meetings and training programmes; extensive field visits
for monitoring and validation exercises and review, compiling progress reports and input-output
statistics and data analysis with specific reference to child survival and maternal health.
Undertakes follow-up action on programme implementation activities and health-related joint UN
programmes, contributes to teamwork building, and prepares relevant reports. Drafts changes in
programme work plans as required.
d) Provide technical support for planning, implementation and monitoring of awareness building,
social mobilization and communication and training activities, with reference to child survival,
maternal health, morbidity reduction and disease control and to promote healthy family and
community behaviours.
e) Assist in identification and selection of technical supplies and equipment. Evaluates and analyses
financial and supply reports to ensure appropriateness of documentation, expenditures are within
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allotments, data is consistent with PIDB. Reports to the Supervisor and/or Section Chief the
outcome of reviews.
f) Support in the implementation and documentation of MORES. The bottlenecks and barriers
identified through administrative data are validated, reported on. Provide support to the MoHP at
various levels, toward institutionalization and scaling up of the system.
g) Guided by the YCSD work plans, promote intensive focus and innovative programming in select
villages to bring about evidence for decision-making, improvements in coverage and quality of
health and nutrition integrated service delivery for child survival, maternal health, morbidity
reduction, vaccine preventable diseases, support community involvement in health care, support
EPI program; and, promote operations research. Select and compile training and orientation
materials for those involved in programme implementation, including donor and media visits.
h) Drafts relevant sections of reports (required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.) and
assists in proposal development and fund-raising.
6. Duration of the TA: September 2014 – September 2015 (12 months)
1. 7. Nature of Assignment: (Office or Field - Based, Frequency of travel, reporting mechanism etc.)
This is an office-based position, however, it involves frequent traveling; approximately 10 working days
a month, 80% of which would relate to field visits at district level.
8. Qualifications/ Specialized Knowledge Required
 University degree in public health, Epidemiology or related technical field is required; Post
graduate studies/training in public health policy analysis, community health awareness, health
behaviour or related areas is desired.
 At least two years progressively responsible experience in health programme design, planning,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation is required. Hand-on experience in health
programming, immunization and MNCH preferred as well as experience in community-health
and nutrition programmes, and in capacity building activities are desired.
 Experience in data management, analysis and reporting Experience in results based monitoring,
evaluation and documentation; Familiarity with Demographic and Health surveys or MICS
 Familiarity with UNICEF work and with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
 Good communication and presentation skills, and excellent writing skills
 Fluency in English and Arabic
 Required Core Values: Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity; Required Core
Competencies: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results, Formulating Strategies
and Concepts, Analysing, Planning and organising, and Applying Technical Expertise
9. Suggested level of the TA:
NOB
10. Approval of Chief of Section:
___________________________
Approval of Deputy Representative
_____________________________
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