Job Vacancy at UNICEF, Zanzibar — October 2026

UNICEF is inviting applications for the position of Health Specialist, NO-3, based in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights, support their survival and development, and help children reach their full potential.

Job Details

• Job Title: Health Specialist, NO-3
• Job No.: 596141
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment
• Duty Station: Zanzibar
• Country: United Republic of Tanzania
• Category: Health
• Job Type: Full-time
• Advertised: 7 October 2026
• Application Deadline: 14 October 2026

Job Summary

The Health Specialist reports to the Chief, Zanzibar Office, with specific technical guidance from the Chief of Health Section.

The position supports the development and preparation of UNICEF’s health programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on programme progress within a designated area of the health programme.

This may include areas such as:

• Gender
• Maternal health
• Neonatal health
• Child survival and development
• Health systems strengthening
• Health emergencies and humanitarian preparedness

The Health Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programme cycle to achieve concrete and sustainable results in line with UNICEF’s plans, allocations, results-based management approaches, Strategic Plans, performance standards and accountability framework.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

The position has five main areas of responsibility:

1. Programme Development and Planning

• Support health programme development and planning.
• Contribute to preparation of health programme activities and strategies.

2. Programme Management, Monitoring and Results

• Manage and monitor programme implementation.
• Track programme progress and delivery of results.
• Evaluate programme performance and prepare reports.

3. Technical and Operational Support

• Provide technical guidance and operational support during programme implementation.
• Support implementation of health interventions and achievement of planned results.

4. Networking and Partnership Building

• Develop and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
• Support collaboration with government and development partners.

5. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Support innovation and knowledge management.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities.
• Promote learning and effective programme practices.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Applicants must have a Master’s degree or equivalent advanced university degree in one of the following or a related field:

• Public Health
• Environmental Science/Health
• Nutrition
• Pediatrics
• Global Health
• Health Policy
• Other related fields

Work Experience

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as:

• Public Health/Nutrition Planning and Management
• Maternal and Neonatal Health Care
• Health Emergency/Humanitarian Preparedness
• Other related fields

Required Skills

Candidates should have expertise in:

• Public health/nutrition planning and management
• Maternal and neonatal healthcare
• Health emergency/humanitarian preparedness
• Primary healthcare programming
• Health systems strengthening

Language

• English: Proficient/Fluent

Desirable Qualifications

The following would be an advantage:

• Knowledge of another official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.
• Previous experience with a UN system agency or organization.
• Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile settings or humanitarian contexts.

UNICEF Core Values

Candidates are expected to demonstrate UNICEF’s core values of:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

UNICEF Competencies

The position requires the ability to:

1. Build and maintain partnerships.
2. Demonstrate self-awareness and ethical awareness.
3. Drive achievement of results for impact.
4. Innovate and embrace change.
5. Manage ambiguity and complexity.
6. Think and act strategically.
7. Work collaboratively with others.
8. Nurture, lead and manage people.

Additional Information

UNICEF encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity, disability or other protected characteristics.

For this position, eligible and suitable national candidates from Tanzania are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are selected for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up the UNICEF assignment.

All selected candidates are subject to appropriate reference, safeguarding and background verification checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.

UNICEF also states that it does not charge any processing fee at any stage of recruitment, selection or hiring and will not request applicants’ bank account information.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Application Deadline

14 October 2026 — East Africa Standard Time

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNICEF Careers platform before the stated deadline.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY