MNCH Officer

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Since 1999, UNOPS has been a committed partner in Pakistan, supporting the country’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS focuses on delivering essential services, including strengthening health systems, expanding access to WASH facilities in remote areas, and improving infrastructure for schools and communities. We also support emergency response efforts, delivering critical medical supplies and essential services during times of crisis. Through close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, development partners, donors, and UN agencies, UNOPS works to build resilient, sustainable communities. Leveraging expertise in project management, procurement, human resources, and infrastructure, we provide tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and maximize development impact.

The position contributes substantively to programme planning and execution, field monitoring, programme reviews, capacity development, coordination and knowledge management, with a particular focus on strengthening the quality, continuity and effectiveness of MNCAH services and health-system interventions at provincial and district levels in Quetta, Pakistan. The MNCH Officer will operate within a dynamic environment, focusing on RMNCAH, system strengthening, coordination, and emergency response, requiring strong analytical and communication skills to navigate complex health challenges and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders

The MNCH Officer works closely with the Department of Health, government counterparts, UNICEF colleagues, health-sector partners and other stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of MNCAH interventions, identify implementation gaps and bottlenecks, and support appropriate responses within established programme frameworks.

1. Programme analysis, planning and design

• Analyze MNCAH/RMNCAH trends, health-system performance, service-delivery gaps and emerging needs to inform programme planning and prioritization.

• Apply relevant technical frameworks, programme approaches and established policies to assess programme objectives, implementation requirements and emerging service demands.

• Contribute substantive technical analysis to the development of programme goals, objectives, strategies, workplans and results frameworks.

• Assess available programme data, evidence and stakeholder information and synthesize findings into practical recommendations for programme planning and implementation.

• Review programme plans, budgets, monitoring frameworks and implementation arrangements to identify inconsistencies, gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Prepare analytical briefs, programme updates, technical inputs and recommendations for consideration by the Health Specialist and relevant programme stakeholders.

• Contribute to programme reviews by analysing progress against expected results and identifying adjustments required to improve implementation.

2. Programme implementation and monitoring

• Monitor implementation of UNICEF-supported MNCAH and health-system strengthening interventions against approved plans, expected results and technical requirements.

• Conduct field monitoring visits to assess implementation progress, service delivery, health-system performance and the effectiveness of programme interventions.

• Analyze findings and identify implementation gaps, bottlenecks, risks and emerging issues affecting programme results.

• Assess alternative courses of action and formulate evidence-based recommendations to address identified implementation challenges.

• Follow up on agreed actions with government counterparts and partners and provide technical inputs to support their implementation.

• Participate substantively in programme monitoring, reviews and evaluations, analysing findings and contributing to recommendations for programme improvement.

• Analyze programme, financial, supply and operational information to assess implementation progress and identify issues requiring management attention.

• Prepare analytical progress reports and other programme products for management, donors and partners.

3. Technical support and problem-solving

• Provide professional technical support to government counterparts, implementing partners, UN agencies and other stakeholders on MNCAH/RMNCAH and health-system strengthening issues within established UNICEF policies, strategies and technical frameworks.

• Interpret relevant technical guidance, policies and programme approaches and explain their application to specific implementation situations.

• Assess technical and operational challenges affecting programme implementation and propose appropriate courses of action.

• Support government counterparts and partners in applying evidence-based approaches to improve MNCAH service delivery and health-system performance.

• Identify issues that cannot be resolved within established frameworks and bring them to the attention of the Health Specialist and relevant programme leads with analysis and recommendations.

• Contribute technical inputs to emergency and outbreak response activities affecting MNCAH services, as required.

4. Coordination, partnerships and capacity development

• Engage with government counterparts, health-sector partners, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to exchange information, clarify programme requirements and facilitate coordinated implementation.

• Contribute technical analysis and substantive inputs to relevant health-sector coordination mechanisms and working groups.

• Support alignment of partner activities with government priorities, UNICEF programme objectives and agreed MNCAH strategies.

• Facilitate information exchange between provincial, district and national stakeholders to identify implementation issues and opportunities for greater programme coherence.

• Provide technical inputs to district-level MNCAH planning and implementation.

• Identify capacity gaps among government and partner personnel and contribute to the design and delivery of appropriate capacity-development activities.

• Serve as a technical resource person in workshops, orientations, training activities and programme-learning events.

• Contribute to the preparation of advocacy, partnership and resource-mobilization materials through the provision of relevant programme analysis, evidence and results.

• 
  

5. Learning and Improvement

• Identify and document lessons learned, good practices and implementation experience.

• Analyze lessons and evidence from programme implementation and translate findings into recommendations for programme improvement.

• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, technical briefs and programme documentation.

• Support the application of proven good practices and evidence-based approaches to improve programme implementation.

• Contribute to studies, assessments and evaluations and analyze findings for use in programme planning and decision-making.

• Share relevant knowledge and lessons with government counterparts, partners and UNICEF colleagues to strengthen programme implementation and institutional learning.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, Health Systems Management, Nutrition, Global/International Health, Health Education, Biostatistics, Community Health, Environmental Health Sciences, pediatric health, family health, or another relevant technical field is required or related fields with 4 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Health Systems Management. is desired.

Required

• A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, RMNCAH programming, health systems strengthening, maternal and newborn health, immunization, health emergencies, humanitarian preparedness or related fields

Desired

• Experience working in Balochistan and familiarity with the provincial health system, socio-cultural context, and operational environment. Previous professional experience with the United Nations system, international organizations, development partners, or humanitarian agencies. Familiarity with health information systems, digital data collection and reporting platforms, and data-driven programme monitoring approaches is an asset.

• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills, with the ability to synthesize information and translate evidence into actionable recommendations. Demonstrated ability to support the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and capacity building of health and RMNCAH/MNCH programmes and interventions.
  Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and working effectively with government counterparts, development partners, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders in the health sector.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.