Health Officer (Immunization), NO-2, Fixed Term Position, Fiji (Pacific Islands) - MCP, Tarawa, Kiribati, #00134962

About UNICEF and the Pacific context

UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories, working to protect children’s lives, uphold their rights, and support them in reaching their full potential from early childhood through adolescence.

The organization offers a purpose-driven environment with opportunities for both professional and personal growth, alongside compensation and benefits designed to support staff who work in diverse and meaningful settings.

In the Pacific, UNICEF’s work spans 14 island countries and territories, covering a population of 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and young people, across more than 660 islands and atolls. Several of these states are classified as fragile. The regional programme addresses child rights and wellbeing through coordinated work in health, nutrition, education, child protection, climate resilience, and social policy, while also responding to the challenges of isolation, climate vulnerability, and service delivery constraints.

This role is located in South Tarawa, Kiribati, within UNICEF’s Kiribati Field Office. The office works alongside the Government of Kiribati and development partners to strengthen programmes in health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social policy, with a strong focus on expanding equitable access to essential services for children, adolescents, and women.

As part of the Pacific multi-country structure, the field office leads country-level coordination while drawing technical support from regional specialists, creating a setting where the selected candidate can contribute directly to implementation in Kiribati while collaborating across the wider Pacific team.

Role overview

The Health Officer reports to the Chief Field Office in Kiribati and provides technical, operational, and administrative support for the planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting of health programme activities. The position involves close collaboration with government counterparts, development partners, and communities to help achieve results for children and women in Kiribati, with a particular emphasis on immunization and related health priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and planning of health programme activities.
• Support the management, monitoring, and delivery of programme results.
• Provide technical and operational assistance for implementation.
• Help build and sustain networks and partnerships.
• Support innovation, knowledge sharing, and capacity development.

Minimum qualifications

A first-level university degree or equivalent is required in Public Health, Health Administration, Environmental Science/Health, Epidemiology, Public Health, Nutrition, Pediatrics, Family Health, Global Health, Health Policy, Health Management, Environmental Health, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, or another related field.

The role requires at least 2 years of relevant experience in areas such as health, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, public health, immunization, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, partnership development, health policy, emergency health, nutrition, or capacity building.

Applicants must have strong English fluency. Knowledge of the local language is considered an advantage.

Experience working in Kiribati, with a UN system agency or organization, or in country-level development, fragile, or humanitarian contexts will be viewed favorably.

Desired skills and competencies

The role calls for solid understanding of immunization programmes, public health, programme management, results monitoring, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

UNICEF also looks for values and competencies such as partnership building, ethical awareness, achieving results with impact, openness to innovation, handling complexity, strategic thinking, and collaborative working.

Additional information and conditions

UNICEF is committed to diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding. Applications are encouraged from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including women and persons with disabilities, and reasonable accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process.

Candidates must not be married to a child under 18. All selected applicants are subject to rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic qualifications and work history. Additional documentation may be requested where needed, including disability-related supporting documents submitted confidentially.

Employment is contingent upon medical clearance. For positions requiring a visa, issuance by the host country is necessary and will be facilitated by UNICEF where applicable. Appointment may also depend on vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid); if these are not met and no approved medical exemption is granted, the selection may be cancelled.

Government employees selected for UNICEF posts are generally expected to resign from their government roles before joining. UNICEF may withdraw an offer without compensation if visa, medical clearance, or inoculation requirements are not satisfied within a reasonable timeframe.

No recruitment, selection, or hiring fee is charged at any stage, and applicants are never asked for bank account details.

Staff across UNICEF may be called upon to support humanitarian response activities as part of the organization’s strategic focus on humanitarian action.

For national officer and general service positions, UNICEF does not facilitate visa issuance or work authorization.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Internal candidates or candidates in the relevant talent group may be selected without further assessment if suitable.

UNICEF reiterates its commitment to a representative and welcoming workforce, and notes that eligible and suitable women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Additional information about working with UNICEF is available through the organization’s official careers resources.