Consultant on Equity-Based Policies, Strategies and Interventions, Health Section, LAC Regional Office

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health UNICEF LACRO is a member of the Every Woman Every Child-LAC in Latin American and the Caribbean (EWEC-LAC) initiative, established in 2016. This is the regional interagency mechanism for coordinating the adaptation and implementation of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030) in LAC. EWEC-LAC has 8 members (Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, USAID, World Bank). The initiative focuses on reducing inequities in maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health via advocacy and technical support.

EWEC-LAC has an Executive Management Committee (EMC), and three working groups: The Communication and Advocacy Working Group (CAWG), the Monitoring and Metrics Working Group (MMWG), and the Policy, Strategies, and Interventions Working Group (PSIWG). This latter working group is co-chaired by UNFPA and PAHO/WHO.

The EWEC-LAC decided to establish the PSIWG to achieve accelerating action through the development and implementation of evidence and equity-based policies, strategies, and interventions. The scope of work of PSIWG entails the documentation, review, and analysis of evidence-based interventions, tools, and technical support for the reduction of health inequalities affecting women, children/neonates and adolescents.

PSIWG’s overall objective is to promote and support countries in the adoption and implementation of the Global Strategy through necessary evidence-based policies, strategies and interventions for women’s, children’s and adolescent’s health to reduce inequities in LAC. The specific objectives and strategic areas work include: (1) promoting multi-sectoral, equity and evidence-based policies, strategies and interventions at regional, national and local levels; (2) strengthening LAC country capacity to implement and scale-up evidence-based interventions to reduce women’s, children’s and adolescent’s health inequities at the national and local levels; (3) strengthening policy-dialogue at country level on the topic of women’s, children’s and adolescent’s health equity; and (4) establishing regional accountability mechanism to monitor equitable progress made towards the Global Strategy targets.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac).

How can you make a difference? Purpose of the Assignment

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Adviser Survive and Thrive in close coordination with the co-chairs of the PSIWG (PAHO and UNFPA), to support the implementation of the scope of work and agreed work plan, as well as offering assistance in the coordination, communication, and management of the Working Group.

Specific Tasks

1. Review and provide systematic and technical inputs for the deliverables produced by PSIWG.
2. Provide organization and upkeep of the communication between PSIWG Co-Chairs and Members.
3. Keep track and organize PSIWG documentation (i.e., Google Drive folder with all updated documents and products).
4. Organize monthly PSIWG meetings and the Annual Meeting, including the preparation of the agenda, minutes of the meeting, presentations, follow-up actions and updating of the workplan (both the activities and budget).
5. Manage and follow-up on the PSIWG workplan to ensure that all products and activities are completed as agreed between the members.
6. Maintain communication with the other EWEC-LAC Working Groups and the Secretariat to support the dissemination of products, organize events and advocacy efforts to promote the EWEC-LAC initiative.
7. Identify relevant opportunities of partnerships and resource mobilization related to the reduction of health inequities and work led by PSIWG.
8. Liaise with relevant organizations and partners (government, intergovernmental, UN, other) for the dissemination of PSIWG products under the EWEC LAC umbrella for the reduction of health inequities in the Region, including support for the preparation and implementation of country support actions.
9. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Expected results

1. PSIWG meetings organized, and reports completed according to work plan as needed (Monthly PSIWG meeting, meetings with Governments, regional stakeholders, etc.).
2. Pending PSIWG products finalized and disseminated.
3. Groundwork done for key PSIWG products and activities, including concept notes and Terms of Reference for new consultancies prepared and approved by co-chairs; product-based consultants identified, contracted and monitored; and webinars and regional meetings prepared.
4. Database maintained on new tools, research on reduction of health inequalities affecting women, children/neonates and adolescents, evidence-based interventions, and strategies.

5. PSIWG workplan monitored and implemented.

   To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Medicine, Social Science, Public Policy or other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of working experience in public health.
• Experience working with governments or UN agencies is an asset.
• Able to work in a multicultural environment.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English or Spanish is required, with intermediate level of the other language is also required. Knowledge of French, and/or Portuguese is an asset.

Technical knowledge

• Technical knowledge about health systems, policy, reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health and inequalities, gender perspective and a life course approach.
• Strong analytical, systematic, and organizational skills.
• Strong inter-personal skills, including teamwork, communication, outreach, advocacy, and external relations.
• Planning skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with relevant Microsoft Office applications and with platforms for video conferencing.

Other skills and attributes

• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong planning skills.
• Able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Sets high levels of quality and productivity for self.
• Ability to clearly defined objectives and plan activities.
• Demonstrated experience on UNICEF and UN system will be an asset.

Supervision: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor Survive and Thrive, and in close coordination with the co-chairs of the PSIWG. Workplace: This is a remote, home-based consultancy. How to apply: Application should be submitted online and must include: online application, resume, cover letter and financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.