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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, Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

 

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose-

National individual Consultant Paediatrician or Neonatologist, providing professional technical support to conduct the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Needs Assessment (EmONC) to the Family Health Bureau (FHB) of the Ministry of Health collaborating with other Consultants (Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Community Physician) recruited with the concurrence of FHB.

 

Scope of the work

The study will be led by the Public Health Consultant. The Consultant Obstetrician and Consultant Paediatrician/Neonatologist will be hired to work and support the Public Health Consultant.

 

Goal and Objective:  Under the oversight of the Health and Nutrition Officer, UNICEF, the Consultant will support to conduct the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Needs Assessment conducted by the FHB of the Ministry of Health, at the National level. The Consultancy will be managed by the UNICEF country office. Overall, the Consultant will closely work with the focal point at the FHB and the other Consultants hired through the concurrence of the FHB through other UN agencies.

2) Provide details/reference to AWP/AMP areas covered:

The Consultant will be assisting to move the following planned activity in the AWP: Improving the quality of care and use of community and facility based antenatal, intranatal and postnatal services to effectively prevent maternal anaemia and Low Birth Weight (LBW).

 

Activities and Tasks: 

• Provide technical inputs in developing the methodology of the survey in collaboration with the other two consultants and the core group.

• Provide technical inputs in adapting the tools to the local context.

• Development of data collection training guides.

• Pilot test the tools and assess the feasibility of the study method.

• Provide expertise and guidance in translating the tool.

• Collaboratively develop the training programme for data collectors and train data collecting teams at the district level.

• Visit districts and advocate the administrative and clinical staff on the EmONC survey and assist the data collection teams.

• Supervise data collection teams in the field and monitor the data collection process.

• Attend the advocacy, development and progress review consultative meetings organized at the Ministry of Health and the research sites.

• Need to work under the guidance of the core survey group and, technical advisory group for the survey and need to work collaboratively with the district and provincial coordinators of the survey.

• Present the detailed study methods, finalized tools and the plan for final analysis to the technical working group and obtain the feedback and modify accordingly.

• Provide expertise and support in the data analysis phase

• Collaboratively develop the survey report with the other two consultants and the core group

• Submit the final report to the Family Health Bureau

Since the survey is not finalized yet, these activities are subjected to change and evolve over time.

 

Draft study methodology:

The EmONC assessment will adapt the standard methodology prescribed by the Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD) of University of Columbia, USA (Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program (AMDD), 2024 to the local setting. A core team will be appointed consisting of Director, Maternal and Child Health, relevant National Program Managers, Consultant Community Physician Research Unit, UN partners, Public Health Specialist, Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Paediatrician/Neonatologist.

The international tools need to be adapted to the local setting, translated and ethical clearance need to be obtained (Mailman School of Public Health, 2024b). A pilot test needs to be conducted in a district to assess the feasibility and other implementation needs of the project. It will be followed up with a series of qualitative interviews of potential data collectors and hospital teams to identify areas to be modified.

The data collection will be done by teams of three. A team will comprise of a senior MOH, MO public health of a hospital and MO planning with Gyn and Obs experience/SHO Gyn & Obs of a hospital/RHO Gyn & Obs of a hospital. These teams need to be trained at the Provincial level by the recruited Consultants. The training workshops need to be supplemented by advocacy programs for hospital administrators and clinicians.

Each data collector team will need at least three days at one site (this will depend on the tool). The Data collection process will be done under the supervision and guidance of recruited Consultants. Geo spatial analysis techniques will be used to assess the accessibility-related variables. The data collection process will be automated and will be done at the point of data collection.

The Consultants and the core group will be working with a statistician for the data analysis. The Consultants will compile and write the report. There will be a dissemination seminar to share the findings with all the stakeholders of EmONC and the report will be disseminated by accordingly following the Ministry of Health approval.

 

Work relationships:

Based within the UNICEF Sri Lanka Health and Nutrition section, the Consultant will report to the Health and Nutrition Manager and will work closely with the Health and Nutrition Officer. The Consultant should work in collaboration with the Core Research Team appointed by the FHB. The Consultant should work closely with the other two Consultants (Obstetrician & Gynecologist and the Consultant Community Physician) recruited through another UN organization for the same study in completing the joint activities.

Duration of the consultancy: 10 months (80 days)

Duty station – Colombo (Home based)

Start date - January 2025

 

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• PHD & University postgraduate degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Paediatrics and/or Neonatology

• Background/familiarity with EmONC.

 

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Years of experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of working experience in relevant areas including EmONC.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, strategical, oral & written communication skills

• Experience in planning, and reporting.

• Delivering results-based programme/Ability to meet the deadlines

• Some expertise in adapting messages and visual aids to prepare concise, impactful presentations.

• Good skills in coordination, facilitation with proven ability to assist in training a group of individuals.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team.

• Embracing cultural diversity

• Embracing change

Technical skills and knowledge on some or all the following

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Sri Lanka’s MN health system.

• Proficiency in both spoken and written English, and Sinhala/Tamil.

• Demonstrable experience in conducting complex assessments, reviews, and training in the field of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care

Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

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

Text to be added to all TORs:

• Experience in conducting EmONC assessments or similar large-scale health evaluations.

• Familiarity with UN and/or UNICEF mandates and activities is an added advantage.

• Ability to consolidate, synthesize and analyze information.

• Excellent organization, management, and facilitation skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and general communication skills.

Languages required:

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required, along with fluency in either Sinhala (written and oral), or Tamil (written and oral).

 

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered  

 

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. 

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.