Adolescent Development Specialist (Health), P-4, LACRO, Panama City, Panama, #23036

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does—in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions—her or his rights are violated.

There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens—addressing inequity—not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

The Adolescent Health Specialist reports to the Regional Adviser, Survive & Thrive for general guidance and supervision. S/He is responsible for the Adolescent Health Output of the Survive & Thrive Outcome and leading the planning, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the adolescent health programme (e.g. gender responsive adolescent health, NCD prevention, mental health, adolescent HIV prevention and treatment, in regular and humanitarian settings) within the Regional Office.

S/He provides technical guidance and operational support to all 24 Country Offices in the region throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, pediatric health, adolescent health, mental health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health planning and management, adolescent health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN System agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset.

For every child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). The core competencies required for this post are: Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1); Works Collaboratively with others (1); Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1); Innovates and Embraces Change (1); Thinks and Acts Strategically (1); Drive to achieve impactful results (1); Manages ambiguity and complexity (1). View our competency framework at this link.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 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.