Individual Consultant for COVID-19 Emergency Health (Open to Nationals of Suriname only)

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, safety

Background

The Republic of Suriname detected its first case of COVID 19 on Friday, March 13, 2020. Since April 2021, the country is experiencing a third wave of the pandemic, and the increasing cases and deaths are of great concern to the government of Suriname and its partners. In the absence of definitive therapeutic options for the management and control of this disease, vaccination as a primary prevention measure is the best option for controlling the disease and save lives through reduction of severe cases and deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of resilient health systems back in focus and exposed weaknesses in health system. Since April 2021, the country is experiencing a third wave of the pandemic which evolved into a 4th wave before significantly slowing down. Currently the country is experiencing a 5th wave of infections and the Omicron variant has been confirmed in Suriname. The increasing number of cases and deaths are of great concern to the government of Suriname and its partners. The vaccine rolled out started in February 2021 in Suriname and currently there are various COVID-19 vaccines available. To date Suriname has reached 48.77% of the target population being fully vaccinated, 6.43% partially vaccinated, and 9.2% received a booster shot (February 22, 2022, www.laatjevaccineren.sr).

UNICEF has been working closely with the Ministry of Health in the implementation of the COVID-19 deployment plan by supporting and providing technical and financial support for demand generation, risk communication cold chain, vaccine roll-out planning and preparedness, WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in health facilities and school settings and improving planning and coordination.

UNICEF will continue to support the efforts of the Government for COVID -19 vaccine, program planning and management in the country with a particular focus on UNICEF’s key mandate areas – Cold Chain and Vaccine Supply Management, and Communication and Community Engagement and coordinate health section and with supply and other sections for a coordinated response.

Scope of Work:

Ensure UNICEF’s COVID-19 support across the country by supporting the Government of Suriname in coordinating vaccine supplies, risk communication, community engagement, capacity building and strengthening of the cold chain in response to COVID-19.

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

• A Masters Degree in Medicine, Public Health, Community Health or related fields (preferably with specialized training in epidemiology, disease control, immunization, health education, and/or healthcare system management • A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience at the national levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of routine and emergency health programmes. Professional work experience as a technical expert position in health is preferred. • Fluency in English and Dutch, speaking proficiency of Sranan. • Surinamese residence

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

Please access the complete ToR here: TOR COVID-19 Emergency Health Consultant UNICEF Suriname.pdf

All applications should include a technical and financial proposal.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 to become a part of the organization.

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:

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.