Immunization Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZMUNICEF/2409/202632

Immunization Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZMUNICEF/2409/202632

Lusaka (Zambia)

Job Description
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s 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 for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

For every child, the right to a Calling

The overall goal of the UNICEF Zambia Country Programme of Cooperation (2023–2027) is to support the Government of Zambia in advancing and decentralizing policies and programmes that promote the rights and well-being of all children, with a particular focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The programme aligns with national development priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, regional priorities, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to improved survival, development, protection, and participation outcomes for children and adolescents.

Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing millions of deaths annually while generating substantial long-term social and economic benefits. Equitable access to high-quality immunization services is essential for reducing child mortality, preventing disease outbreaks, and achieving universal health coverage. Central to this effort is a resilient and efficient vaccine supply chain system that ensures the continuous availability of potent vaccines and immunization commodities at all levels of the health system, including the last mile.

How can you make a difference?

The Immunization Specialist (Vaccine and Cold Chain Management) will play a critical role in ensuring that every child and woman, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach communities, has access to safe and effective vaccines. By strengthening vaccine supply chains, improving cold chain systems, reducing stock-outs and wastage, and supporting data-driven planning, the position will help increase immunization coverage and equity across Zambia. The role will also build national capacity in vaccine and logistics management, support the introduction of new vaccines, enhance the use of digital information systems, and contribute to a more resilient and efficient immunization programme, ultimately helping to save lives and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Immunization Specialist (Vaccine and Cold Chain Management will provide dedicated technical expertise to support the Ministry of Health in strengthening immunization systems and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines for all children and women, particularly those in underserved, remote, urban poor, and hard-to-reach communities. The position contributes to the achievement of UNICEF Zambia Country Programme priorities, Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), and national immunization goals by strengthening vaccine supply chain and logistics systems, cold chain infrastructure, immunization programme planning, and data-driven decision-making.

The incumbent is expected to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and partners in improving vaccine availability, reducing stock-outs and wastage, enhancing cold chain performance, and strengthening national capacities in vaccine forecasting, inventory management, effective vaccine management (EVM), cold chain optimization, solar-powered health facility electrification, new vaccine introduction, decommissioning of obsolete cold chain equipment’s and immunization supply chain management. He/she will support the effective use of digital systems, including OpenLMIS and related information platforms, to improve monitoring, accountability, and evidence-based planning.

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

Minimum requirements

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Supply/Purchasing, Public health, Epidemiology, Supply chain, Logistics, Child Health, Health Management and any other related fields.

Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in Health, Health Care, Planning, Programming, Implementation Monitoring, Evaluation of Health/Immunization Programmes, Cold Chain Management, Effective Vaccine Management, Health Facility Solar Electrification. Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings. Experience, proficiency in reports and strategic notes articulation is a requirement.
Skills: Advanced Presentation, Multi-stakeholder settings, Reports Development, Research reports, Strategic Articulation skills are required.

Language Requirements: Proficiency in English language is a requirement.

Desirables

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
Direct experience on new vaccine introductions, VPOP, vaccine management OpenLMIS is an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s 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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(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 others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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