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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, health 

Turkmenistan has made significant progress in enhancing infrastructure at the central level and prioritizing improvement in primary healthcare (PHC). However, outpatient and inpatient care quality remains insufficient, and healthcare service standards require modernization. While the Government of Turkmenistan successfully implements national strategies and programs focused on reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health, child nutrition, and early childhood development, child mortality remains the highest in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA). According to the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME 2022), child mortality stands at 40.39 deaths per 1,000 live births. Further data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) show an under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 38 deaths per 1,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 22 per 1,000 live births.

Quality of care data indicate that while most newborns receive initial care immediately after birth, survival rates reveal challenges in delivering timely, comprehensive newborn care. Over the past decade, management of common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and suspected pneumonia, has deteriorated. To address child mortality, the Government of Turkmenistan, supported by UNICEF and WHO, has adopted the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach, which is proven to reduce child mortality by up to 15%. However, IMCI implementation has been fragmented since its initial introduction in 2000.

The Ministry of Health has requested further assistance from UNICEF to strengthen healthcare worker capacities and fully implement these guidelines. The goal is to enhance the PHC system to reduce child and infant mortality in Turkmenistan. UNICEF has supported the development, endorsement, and distribution of 12 treatment protocols for childhood illnesses, with 13 additional protocols recently approved by the Ministry of Health. In collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, national experts have also adapted a Pocketbook to guide healthcare workers in managing child and adolescent health at the PHC level.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Assignment: 

The assignment's overall purpose is to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in the nationwide implementation of the IMCI and Pocketbook approaches, including training, monitoring, clinical supportive supervision, and evaluation.

In cooperation with the IMCI National Coordinator and MOH IMCI and PB Task Forces, the consultant will:

Task 1: Develop a structured training program for doctors, nurses, and PHC staff, including role-play, simulations, and case studies, based on IMCI guidelines and the Pocketbook. The program should focus on managing common childhood illnesses and preventive care.

Task 2: Conduct training-of-trainers (TOT) sessions to build a sustainable local network of skilled trainers. Train supervisors to conduct supportive supervision visits focusing on constructive feedback and skill reinforcement.

Task 3: To support establishing monitoring and clinical supportive supervision, data collection, and reporting mechanisms for supervisors to capture implementation progress, healthcare worker performance, and child health outcomes.

Task 4: To support Community Engagement Strategy. Support developing culturally appropriate health education materials for PHC facilities and community centers.

Task 5: Conduct online and in-country Supportive Supervision.

Task 6: Assist in updating regulatory documents, including Ministry Orders and clinical protocols, to harmonize with best practices and evidence-based standards. Conduct consultations with national experts.

Task 7: Reporting and Documentation.

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

• Advanced University Degree in pediatric with previous training in Integrated Management of Childhood training would be an asset, and/or a Medical Doctor with experience in working in IMCI over the last 5 years.
• Undertaken work in revision, updating, or development of policies, manuals, and or guidelines previously;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in one of the above areas area with IMCI focus, in particular;
• Demonstrated experience in the Europe and Central Asia region as a strong asset;
• Excellent command of English, both oral and written; working command of Russian or Turkmen is a strong asset

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. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 promote 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 the 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.

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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