Operationalization of Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI), Tarawa, Kiribati/ Health and Nutrition, 4.7 months (office based with trip, ONLY INTERNATIONAL)
Support the Ministry of Health in strengthening IMNCI implementation across Kiribati.
Overview
Support the Ministry of Health in strengthening IMNCI implementation across Kiribati.
You have:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, MNCH, Paediatrics, Nursing, Medicine, or related field
- 8 years of professional experience in MNCH/child health programmes, including IMNCI/IMCI implementation
- Proven experience in clinical guideline development, health worker training, Training of Trainers (ToT), mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision.
- Experience working with Ministries of Health and national health training institutions; Pacific Island country experience is an asset
- Proficiency in English, verbal and in writing is required. Knowledge of the local language is an asset
- Strong technical expertise in IMNCI clinical standards and quality-of-care approaches
- Experience integrating clinical programmes into pre-service education curricula
- Ability to support facility-level operationalisation, pilot implementation, and documentation of lessons learned
- Excellent analytical, facilitation, and technical writing skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in resource constrained settings
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Contract Duration – 4.7 months
Working arrangement: office based with trip
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
This assignment will support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to strengthen and institutionalise the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) across Kiribati, with a particular focus on ensuring sustainability, quality of care, and responsiveness to emerging climate and outbreak related child health risks. The work will contribute to improved neonatal and child health outcomes by updating national guidance, building a sustainable training and mentoring system, integrating IMNCI into pre-service education, and supporting initial operationalisation of IMNCI services in selected facilities.
The scope of work will begin with an inception phase, including a rapid assessment of the current status of IMNCI implementation, training capacity, and service delivery practices. This phase will identify priority gaps, implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities for institutionalisation, and will inform the finalisation of workplans and the selection of pilot health facilities in South Tarawa and three to four outer islands. Findings from this assessment will guide the design of all subsequent activities and ensure alignment with national priorities and local realities.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy on the detailed deliverables and expected outcomes, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToR TMC0002309x.pdf
- Minimum requirements:
- Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, MNCH, Paediatrics, Nursing, Medicine, or related field
- Work Experience: 8 years
- Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
- At least 8 years of professional experience in MNCH/child health programmes, including IMNCI/IMCI implementation.
- Proven experience in clinical guideline development, health worker training, Training of Trainers (ToT), mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision.
- Experience working with Ministries of Health and national health training institutions; Pacific Island country experience is an asset
- Language Requirements: Proficiency in English, verbal and in writing is required. Knowledge of the local language is an asset
- Desirables: ( If provided in the TOR)
- Strong technical expertise in IMNCI clinical standards and quality-of-care approaches.
- Experience integrating clinical programmes into pre-service education curricula.
- Ability to support facility-level operationalisation, pilot implementation, and documentation of lessons learned.
- Excellent analytical, facilitation, and technical writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in resource constrained settings
- Experience working with Ministries of Health and development partners (WHO/UNICEF preferred)
- Technical requirements: Technical proposal that outlines the methodology and the workplan, which are aligned with the proposed deliverables.
- For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A detailed technical proposal
- A separate financial proposal Financial proposal TMC0002309.docx
Remarks:
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a successful instance where you implemented a health programme in resource-constrained settings. What challenges did you face? | The interviewer is assessing your practical experience and problem-solving skills in challenging environments. | Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and results achieved. |
| How do you ensure the sustainability of health initiatives after implementation? | This question evaluates your understanding of long-term sustainability in health programmes. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you share an example of a guideline or training you developed? What was the impact? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you recommend to address barriers to IMNCI implementation in Kiribati? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you integrate IMNCI training with pre-service education in health institutions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What role do you believe community engagement plays in child health initiatives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Explain how you would monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the health programme implemented. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time you experienced conflict while working in a team. How did you handle it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |