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For every child, an opportunity...
Please click the link for further information about UNICEF Viet Nam: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/
How can you make a difference?
2026 marks the final year of the current five-year Country Programme Document (CPD) of UNICEF in Viet Nam as well as of Ministry of Health (MOH) and UNICEF Programme of Cooperation. It also witnessed significant changes at global and country level which may have impacts on the realization of the rights of children in Viet Nam. Notably are the sharp decreases in international assistance and ODA support which include the withdrawal of the US government’s, the UN80 initiative on system-wide reform, the UNICEF’s Future Focus Initiative (FFI), the approval of UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP) 2026-2029, the development of the next CPD in the period of 2027-2031, and the Viet Nam’s government rapid reform with two-tier administration system and merging of line ministries and provinces.
Viet Nam has made strong progress in expanding vaccine coverage, but continued support for routine immunization remains essential to protect those gains. Persistent disparities in access - especially in remote, mountainous, and ethnic minority communities - leave some children at higher risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. Post-immunity gaps, changing epidemiological patterns and urbanization increase risks of resurgence of infectious diseases – such as the measles outbreak that occurred in 2024 – 2025 - threatening national progress. In addition, the country has plans to introduce additional vaccines into their Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This includes PCV in 2025, HPV in 2026 and Influenza in 2030 as per Resolution 104/NQ-CP, “Roadmap for increase in quantity of vaccines in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) for 2021–2030.
With Viet Nam being among the top countries most affected by climate-risks globally, strengthening climate-resilience health and immunization systems has become critical, as more frequent floods, heatwaves, and extreme weather events disrupt service delivery. As the country transitions from external financial support, the country also needs stronger guidance on how to shape immunization policies and prioritize innovative, high-impact interventions within the constraints of a middle-income budget.
Continued support for routine immunization helps ensure Viet Nam can close remaining coverage gaps, adapt to emerging challenges, and maintain a resilient, equitable immunization system for all.
As a trusted, long-term partner of the Government in Viet Nam, UNICEF is committed and continuing to provide support for MOH and National EPI to sustain its progress in routine immunization, strengthen programme performance to reach and fully vaccinate zero-dose children and introduce new vaccines to protect the health of children in Viet Nam from more infectious diseases. Specifically, support is focusing on procurement, deployment, and management of cold chain equipment; building capacity of healthcare workers and immunization officials in effective cold chain and vaccine management; delivering integrated immunization services; and communication on routine vaccination including introduction of new vaccines. For these purposes, UNICEF Viet Nam will recruit a temporary post of Program Officer (Immunization Coordinator), with the duration of 364 days.
Purpose for the job:
The overall purpose of this post is to contribute to the successful implementation of UNICEF’s support to Viet Nam for Targeted Interventions to reach zero dose children and for Introduction of new vaccines (HPV and PCV). Under the direct supervision of the Maternal and Child Health Specialist, the incumbent will support the implementation of UNICEF’s country office workplans on routine immunization. Specifically, the Officer supports the planning and implementation of the activities in areas of procurement, deployment, and management of cold chain equipment; building capacity of healthcare workers and immunization officials in effective cold chain and vaccine management; delivering integrated immunization services and social behavior change communications. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for maintaining and strengthening coordination and partnership with MOH, National EPI, and relevant partners and stakeholders such as Gavi, WHO and PATH; and support the data collection, knowledge management, and monitoring the implementation of routine vaccination activities.
He/she will also provide support throughout to the health component in planning and implementation and monitoring of related health interventions which include healthy environment for healthy children, maternal and child health care and digital health.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent will be assigned the shared or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results:
Please refer to the full Job Profile for more information: Job Profile PO.pdf
This is a temporary appointment of 364 days' contract.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education requirement:
University degree in Social Sciences, International Business, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance or other relevant disciplines.
Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are strong assets.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of one year of experience in one or more of the following areas is required: immunization programme, public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, early childcare and development or health emergency/humanitarian, preparedness.
- Experience in immunization programming and coordination is highly valued.
- Knowledge of the immunization and health systems; digital health and experience working with and supporting Ministry of Health, national EPI and line department is an asset.
- Experience working or engaging directly with children and adolescents is highly valued.
- Experience and knowledge of the UN system, or experience communicating with or within Government on social policy issues, or experience with child-focused international NGOs considered an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluent in English and good writing skills;
- Knowledge of second UN language or local working language of the duty station is an asset.
Skills:
- Good inter-personal and excellent communication skills
- Good knowledge of research, and monitoring and evaluation
- Good advocacy and analytical skills
- Ability to work in an international and multicultural team
- Strong competence in computer management, applications and social media.
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
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
+ Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
+ Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
+ Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
+ Innovates and embraces change (1)
+ Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
+ Thinks and acts strategically (1)
+ Works collaboratively with others (1)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
Life at UNICEF
Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as:
Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
Pension benefits: You will become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (https://www.unjspf.org).
Health insurance scheme: You and your eligible dependents will be covered by the UN Medical Insurance Plan (https://www.un.org/insurance/plans/medical-insurance-plan-mip).
Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, family support, policies & initiatives, security, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
Professional Development: The encouragement of professional development for all staff is one of UNICEF’s core values and we put this into practice through various services and initiatives. You will have different learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and competencies.
Be part of the United Nations: As an International organization that is part of the United Nations system, you will be considered an International Civil Servant and you will have career opportunities inside and outside the country.
Quality working conditions:
The workplace and working conditions are a huge asset for all UNICEF employees. Our staff are working in the Green One UN House - the first building in Viet Nam to be awarded gold LOTUS certification from the Viet Nam Green Building Council for efficient and environmentally sustainable use of resources and operations.
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. 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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and 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. 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 candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required 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.
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 applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s 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.
https://vietnam.un.org/en/86207-announcement-time-hire-un-agencies-viet-nam-national-positions
