Public Health Programme Officer, Freetown

General

Description of assignment title: Public Health Programme Officer
Assignment country: Sierra Leone
Duty stations: Freetown
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 11/15/2026
Duration: 18 months
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Host entity: UNICEF
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Advertisement end date: 11/06/2026 12:00 AM

Details

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 favouritism. 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.

Context

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.

Task description

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 and monitoring.

c. Support communication and community engagement approaches for families, including males, and communities to empower them on ‘positive parenting’ with knowledge and skills to provide ‘nurturing care’ for young children across 16 districts.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the MOH and relevant UNICEF Sections including the Social Transformation and Education Sections or other relevant stakeholders to support the development of a Community Engagement approach for positive parenting.
• Provide technical assistance in the implementation of the Community scorecard.

d. Coordination and Partnership Engagement

Objective: Support strengthen partnerships and coordination mechanisms to improve the efficiency in the attainment of the MCH Handbook and PHC project’s goals and objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in regular coordination meetings at MOH and wider stakeholder engagement on the MCH Handbook and PHC implementation to harmonize project implementation.
• Serve as a UNICEF alternate focal point in the national level and or district level PHC forums, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s and/or JICA’s & Government of Japan strategies and objectives.
• Promote a collaborative approach to address challenges in service delivery and data management with district teams and partner organizations.
• Identify coordination gaps and provide solutions or strategies to improve coordination between partners and between H&N programme components.
• Support capacity building of DHMTs and partners to strengthen governance and oversight in the roll out of the MCH Handbook and PHC model promotion.

Inputs Required: With experience in integrated Health and Nutrition Service delivery in a developing country context, health systems strengthening, relationship-building skills and knowledge of the Primary Health Care (PHC) model, and experience working with government and community partners.

Additionally, provide technical and operational support during program implementation and monitor relevant Direct Cash Transfers, oversee programme innovations, knowledge management and capacity building.

As an active UNICEF team member, the UNV Primary Health Care Specialist will ensure that efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support in relation to the roll out of the MCH Handbook and promotion of the PHC model project is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the delivery of her/his functions, including:

• Scaled up MCH Handbook roll out in the country in line with the project goals and targets.
• Health system capacity strengthened in all 16 districts based on the PHC ‘optimization’ model pilot.
• Community engagement activities rolled out systematically for families, including males, and communities to empower them on ‘positive parenting’ with knowledge and skills to provide ‘nurturing care’ for young children across all 16 districts,
• Provide a final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

UN Volunteers will be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment.
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity.
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal.
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address.
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning.
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations.
• Leave management.
• DSA for official travel, when applicable.

All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Donor priorities: -
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) recommended by the JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please consult the JICA website (https://www.jica.go.jp/volunteer/obog/career_support/unv/index.html) for further information on the eligibility criteria.

Deployment is scheduled between 1 October and 30 November (no later than 31 December 2026).

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 3 years
Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Bachelor's degree in Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Public Health, Primary Health Care or Nutrition, Child Development, Social Development, Community Development or other relevant disciplines.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Empowering Others
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Knowledge Sharing
• Leadership
• Managing Performance
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Vision
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Experience supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring or coordination of public health, nutrition or community-based programmes.

• Ability to coordinate effectively with government counterparts, implementing partners and community stakeholders.
• strong analytical, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to support capacity-building and translate technical guidance into practical programme activities.
• Proficiency in standard office software and digital tools.

Area(s) of expertise: Administration, Nursing, midwifery, paramedics, medical technology, Public health, immunisation
Driving license: -

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Freetown is a vibrant, hilly city, with a population of just over one million. Set on a peninsula, you can see the sea from almost any point in the city and you are never far away from some spectacular beaches for swimming and surfing. There are good supermarkets and restaurants, and mobile and internet services are available for a fair price. The number of international flight connections to Sierra Leone is increasing, with more airlines flying to Europe and within Africa. The general security situation is peaceful, and the overall Security Level in Sierra Leone is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system. Crime is classified as moderate, with incidents primarily related to property thefts, house break-ins and robberies. Housing in Freetown ranges from independent houses to apartments - available furnished and un-furnished. Most long-stay accommodation are rented by the year or the half-year. Most staff stay in apartments, which come equipped with generators, a water supply, and security guards. The housing situation is constantly improving, with new apartment complexes being built to an increasingly high standard. There are a limited number of international schools in Freetown, with options including American and British international schools, as well as a few smaller independent schools which follow either American or British curricula. UN staff children attend a variety of schools. Staff can access a limited number of healthcare facilities.

Conditions of Service

Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the Inter-national Civil Service Commission (ICSC and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

Mandatory Requirement- Covid-19 Vaccination

This assignment at UNICEF requires all volunteers to hold a valid COVID-19 vaccination card. Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, with a WHO-approved vaccine, is mandatory prior to deployment and upon arrival in Sierra Leone. No exemption will be granted for this requirement. Candidates unable to provide verifiable vaccination documentation will not be eligible for this assignment.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

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