Health & Nutrition Consultant, 11 months, Odessa, Ukraine (office based)

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

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.

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UNICEF Ukraine

How can you make a difference?

Background:

The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of children and families, particularly in the eastern and southern regions of the country. UNICEF's fundamental mission is to safeguard the rights of every child, ensuring that no child is left behind. In Ukraine, the health and nutrition of children have been profoundly affected by the ongoing conflict.

To address this, UNICEF is working in partnership with the government and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality health and nutrition services at scale, with a focus on building resilience and protecting the most vulnerable, especially during the critical first days of life. Aligned with the UNICEF Ukraine Country Programme Document, the health and nutrition programs aim to (i) enhance the enabling environment, including policies, regulations, financing, and programming; (ii) strengthen systems, particularly in health (maternal, newborn, and child health, primary health care, nutrition, immunization, etc.), food, and social protection, to deliver high-quality services; and (iii) address social and behavioural practices that impact access to and demand for health services.

For this purpose, UNICEF is looking for the Health&Nutrition Consultant to join its Odesa Field Office (FO) which has a Health&Nutrition programme under its area of responsibility (AoR) covering Odeska, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska Oblasts respectively.

Purpose of assignment:

The Health&Nutrition Consultant reports to the Programme Specialist for supervision. The Consultant provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the Health&Nutrition Program within the Country Program from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative program tasks to facilitate program development, implementation, program progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results.

Key Tasks/Responsibilities under the assignment

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Specialist in Odesa FO, Health&Nutrition Consultant will support and closely work with Programme officers and Field Monitoring officer for delivery of primarily, shared, or contributory results for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results, such as:

Work assignment overview:

Deliverable

Deadline

# of w/days

Report #1: Assessment and Partnership Agreement (Initiate, develop and manage partnership agreements and MoUs with respective counterparts. Identify at least three healthcare facilities to intervene in the healthcare area under FO AoR. Identify and propose at least two partners capable of supporting the home visiting (HV) implementation model. Plan and establish an effective system of regular capacity-building activities ((at least 1) workshop for health managers and (at least 1) training for health workers) and supportive supervision through existing partners for a home-visiting implementation model at the primary level in the Odesa region. Develop a strategy for a comprehensive child rehabilitation programme (CRP) in Odeska oblast (combining specialized in-patient physical and psychological rehabilitation with strong out-patient and community-based service delivery models). For assessment purposes, conduct at least two field visits within AoR. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

7 June 2024

27

Report #2: Development of a comprehensive package and plan for the implementation of health and nutrition interventions in the Odeska, Khersonska, and Mykolaivska oblasts. This includes implementing a home-visiting model in the Odesa region, child rehabilitation initiatives, and an emergency response plan based on needs assessments and available data. This report will include a specific plan for the home-visiting model in the Odesa region, strategies for child rehabilitation, and an emergency response plan. Conduct a minimum of two field visits within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to enhance planning and collect data for the report. Organize and attend at least three meetings with government/municipal stakeholders in the healthcare sector, with the heads/deputy heads of regional DoHs. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

11 July 2024

20

Report #3: Support the starting of implementation of the Home Visiting Programme and Children Rehabilitation Programme in southern Ukraine (provide biweekly updates on the progress, feedback from the beneficiaries and stakeholders, describe comprehensively potential challenges through the preparation of biweekly flash reports/updates, etc.). Conduct at least two field missions to gather insights and first-hand impressions on the launching of HV and CRP. To document the results of these missions in the reports (at least two) and indicate further recommendations. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

13 August 2024

23

Report #4: Monitoring of the Home Visiting and Children Rehabilitation Programmes (monitor, analyze and provide technical feedback to track the effectiveness of the programme and start the implementation of the home visiting programme in Odeska and Mykolaivska oblasts). Conduct a minimum of two field visits to track the effectiveness of implementation and its impact on the local affected population. Identify and assess at least three healthcare facilities within AoR requiring WASH support/rehabilitation and share accordingly with the WASH team for assessment. Follow up and track with the WASH team on the rehabilitation progress of healthcare facilities. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

10 September 2024

19

Report #5: Development of the New Healthcare Model in Frontline Areas (Conduct a thorough assessment of the current Medical Mobile Teams’ (MMT) system in frontline areas like Khersonska, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the existing model) in strong collaboration with the FO Emergency team. To document the results of these missions in the reports (at least two) and indicate further recommendations. To organize and/or attend at least two meetings with stakeholders and/or partners to discuss key challenges in the MMTs’ work in Khersonska and/or Mykolaivska oblasts and to develop recommendations for strengthening the ways forward. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

17 October 2024

27

Report #6: Support to the operationalization of the health response in frontline areas as proposed in the previous month through preparation of the progress report (minimum of two pages). Monitor, analyze and provide technical feedback to the construction team with assessment of sites, re-defining scope of works (if needed), and programmatic monitoring in healthcare facilities (including WASH in healthcare). Monitor at least one site with the construction team and follow up on the progress of WASH rehabilitation in the healthcare facilities. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

5 Nov 2024

13

Report #7: Monitoring of previously developed partnerships with healthcare facilities (Home visiting, Children rehabilitation, and frontline response) and reflection on the current stage of progress with recommendations in the report (minimum one). Assessment and identification of support to rehabilitation package (hospitals, PHCs, ambulatory services, etc.) with the preparation of a report. Critical Health Supplies Processing and Distribution (assess the current inventory and distribution system of critical health supplies in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson, and develop streamlined processing procedures for efficient handling of health supplies). Prepare the report on needs and/or distribution progress. Conduct the mid-year review of the UPHV model implementation in Odesa oblast with a clear analysis of achievements, gaps, and possible ways for improvement and provide a report. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

11 Dec 2024

26

Report #8: Develop potential partnerships (Home visiting, Children rehabilitation, and frontline response). Development of an administrative package to support rehabilitation package (hospitals, PHCs, ambulatory services, etc.) and reflect the proposal in the report.

Critical Health Supplies Processing and Distribution (monitor the distribution process to ensure timely delivery and proper utilization, provide recommendations for improving the supply chain management system). Reflect on onsite attendance of the distribution at the report (minimum one). Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

7 Jan 2025

19

Report #9: Maintenance of previously developed partnerships and identification of progress in Home visiting, Children's rehabilitation, and frontline response. Organize and/or attend at least three meetings with stakeholders to monitor the health supplies distribution (continue monitoring the distribution of critical health supplies to healthcare facilities in Odeska, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska oblasts). Evaluate the impact of the distributed supplies on healthcare services and patient outcomes, address any challenges or bottlenecks encountered during distribution, and develop strategies for sustaining the supply chain efficiency in the long term – reflect the outcomes in the monthly update report describing the impact of UNICEF’s intervention. To cover at least five healthcare facilities with the provision of health supplies within AoR. Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

7 Feb 2025

23

Report #10: Monitoring of previously developed partnerships (Home visiting, Children rehabilitation, and frontline response). Implementation and Monitoring (Implement the proposed new model in frontline areas, focusing on Khersonska, monitor the implementation process closely, adjusting as needed, evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the new model through quantitative and qualitative measures, and provide regular progress reports (minimum two) and recommendations for continuous improvement). Attend at least one meeting on humanitarian coordination in the Health sector within AoR to follow up on the developments in the healthcare area and reflect key highlights in the report.

5 Mar 2025

18

Report #11: Final consultancy report (minimum 12 pages) with technical recommendations in the areas of home visiting, children rehabilitation, and frontline health response for the FO based on its AoR division and context of southern Ukraine. Identify and suggest potential partnerships with a minimum of two capable NGOs/Charity Funds/INGOs to further develop the abovementioned activities.

28 Mar 2025

16

Sub-total:

231

Travel Plan:

Destination

Period [month, year]

Days

Mykolaiv city and oblast

Each month two days

22

Kherson

Each month two days

22

Total:

44

Please provide an all-inclusive financial proposal including travels to carry out the deliverables listed above.

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

Education: Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields is required: medical science, maternal and child health, nutrition, public health, epidemiology, global/ international health, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology. An advanced university degree in any of the above programmes is an asset.

Professional experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in health and nutrition programmes.

• Understanding of development and humanitarian work, previous working experience in this field is an asset.

• Experience of work in child rehabilitation and/or early childhood development will be considered as an asset.

Languages:

• English: Upper-intermediate [B2];
• Ukrainian: Proficient/Native [C2].

Core competencies:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Strong understanding of the project management cycle (especially monitoring and evaluation steps).
• Strong understanding of health and nutrition programs and priorities in the country.
• Good understanding of review and analysis of technical documents.
• Good understanding of legislation and regulations of the government of Ukraine regarding the health and nutrition spheres.
• Good understanding and skills in communication with different stakeholders (local authorities, contractors, consulting firms, NGO/CSO).
• Good understanding of the humanitarian approach.
• Ability to perform several tasks in a timely manner with a focus on quality.
• Communicate key messages to different audiences.

Technical competencies:

• Proficient knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word and MS PowerPoint
• The ability to lead and conduct assessments and prepare reports.

Functional competencies:

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts.
• Analyzing information.
• Applying Technical Expertise.
• Learning and researching.
• Planning and organizing

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 28 days ago - Updated 15 days ago - Source: unicef.org