National consultant: Local Technical Expert for Drafting Legislation on Universal Salt Iodization, Kyiv, Ukraine (Open to Nationals of Ukraine only)

Contract

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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,

In the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, Ukraine has the lowest overall consumption of iodized salt, which results in a large cohort of newborn babies being susceptible to iodine deficiency disorders. Lack of updated data on iodine status, and micronutrient deficiencies, in general, has been a major constraint in establishing a successful national Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) elimination program and has contributed to a lack of political will and awareness, as well as a lack of interest and awareness from the food industry and consumers. Consequently, this has led to the lack of legislation mandating Universal Salt Iodization (USI).

Ukraine is one of the few countries that does not have a law on mandatory iodization of salt and consequently, it has the lowest share of iodized salt consumers in the region (20.7%). However, the most cost-effective, safe, and proven method to overcome iodine deficiency, as confirmed by the experience of more than 140 countries, is USI.

The UNICEF USI project in Ukraine aims at supporting the government to move towards legislating and implementing a national mandatory Salt Iodization program. In this context, UNICEF, with generous support provided by USAID, is supporting the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Public Health Centre (PHC) in Ukraine to support the finalization of the draft law on USI and support advocacy at national level.

How can you make a difference?

This TOR aims at defining the scope of the individual contract for a local Technical Expert. The local Technical Expert will be expected to be involved in the development of legislative initiatives aimed at mandatory iodization of salt in Ukraine, namely the draft Law of Ukraine, accompanying documents, analytical materials.

Draft documents, an advocacy plan and a stakeholder map should be presented and made available to UNICEF and other stakeholders.

The work of the consultant involves the following tasks:

1. Analysis of current legislation on the possibilities and benefits of food fortification.

2. Finalization of the draft Law of Ukraine, the purpose of which is the mandatory iodization of salt in Ukraine and accompanying documents to it.

3. Participation in initiative and working groups to discuss changes to the legislation.

4. Supporting the discussion, taking into account the comments and approving the draft Law (round tables with representatives of the CEB, parliamentary and public hearings, etc.).

5. Coordination with other experts and government officials.

6. Preparation of an advocacy plan for the draft law and a map of stakeholders.

Deliverable: Report with analysis of current legislation and the possibilities and benefits of food fortification is developed. Deadline: 12 May 2021 (4 w/days); Draft law of Ukraine on mandatory salt iodization, and all accompanying documents, are developed and finalized. Deadline: 18 May 2021

Deliverable: Advocacy plan is developed for the draft law. Deadline: 18 May 2021; Map of stakeholders is developed. Deadline: 18 May 2021

Deliverable: Successful and smooth communication is documented in communication between working groups and members and shared with UNICEF as a report on progress of changes to legislation. Deadline: 28 May 2021; Relevant documentation, including meeting notes regarding status of approval of law are submitted to UNICEF. Deadline: 28 May 2021

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

Education: Master's degree in one of the following fields: medicine, medical sciences, law, nutrition, and food hygiene.

Professional experience: 5 years minimum experience at national level, relevant to the project tasks, including experience in analyzing the legislation of Ukraine, national legislation of other countries, and international recommendations. Furthermore, experience in analyzing developing regulations and advocacy at government and Ministry level is required. Research experience will be an advantage.

Language: Ukrainian - Proficient/Native [C2]; Russian - Proficient/Native [C2]; English - Intermediate [B1]

Skills and competencies: Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is required. Proficiency in reading English would be an advantage.

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 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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 b

Please fill in the form properly and indicate your daily fee, travel lump sum and total fee to complete the assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.