Immunization Specialist (P-3)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential.

At UNICEF, the organisation is committed, passionate, and proud of its work for as long as it is needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF offers staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development while serving children and communities across the world. The organisation welcomes everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

UNICEF Zambia Country Programme

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 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, 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.

Job Description

Applicants can review the complete job description through the UNICEF recruitment portal.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Supply/Purchasing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Supply Chain, Logistics, Child Health, Health Management or 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, or Health Facility Solar Electrification.
• Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings.
• Experience and proficiency in reports and strategic notes articulation is a requirement.

Skills

• Advanced presentation skills.
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder settings.
• Reports development.
• Research reports.
• Strategic articulation skills.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in English is required.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

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

UNICEF Values and Competencies

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything UNICEF does and how it does it.

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.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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. UNICEF's global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.

UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. Candidates requiring accommodation may submit a request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage.

Safeguarding and Background Checks

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 promoting 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 verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Appointment Conditions

• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.
• Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for international professional positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF.
• Appointments are conditional on the selected candidate's willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate them for personnel.
• Failure to comply with applicable vaccination requirements without a duly approved medical exemption may result in cancellation of the selection or other administrative measures, including separation from service.

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNICEF Careers portal.

Job No: 595776

Application Deadline: 25 September 2026

Deadline Time Zone: South Africa Standard Time

⚠️ Legitimate employers do not charge candidates fees to secure employment. Be cautious of anyone requesting payment in exchange for a job offer.