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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, Care

In the 1970s UNICEF established presence in Yemen to respond to the urgent needs of children in the poorest country in the Middle East. In 1991, Yemen ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it was enacted immediately.  Since then the country has been making steady progress for children until it plunged into a brutal conflict in 2015 but even before that, Yemen needed large amounts of humanitarian assistance.

In collaboration with local authorities, non-governmental organizations and community partners, UNICEF is working in all the governorates in Yemen to respond to the needs of children throughout the country with a continuum of services to help children survive and grow to their full potential through the following programmes: Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Basic Education, and Child protection.

For more on our work in Yemen, please visit our website: https://www.unicef.org/yemen/

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Yemen is seeking a highly skilled and experienced national consultant to work under the supervision of the health manager as a Primary Health Care Consultant, based in Taiz, Yemen.

Purpose and background of Activity/Assignment:

(Piloting a Model for Sustainable PHC Optimization in Taiz Governorate)

The health system in Yemen has remained in a fragile state because of direct impact of the war on institutional systems and infrastructure, and due to the resulting economic collapse, that has led to decade long lack of investment and operational financing of the social sectors including health and Nutrition. In view of the significant impact that the protracted conflict has had on the country, the health sector, like all other social services, has been heavily reliant on foreign aid which is mainly channeled for humanitarian response. The vulnerability of Yemen’s health system was clearly illustrated in 2024 when WB funding for 77% (2,474) of UNICEF Supported PHCs in Yemen unexpectedly reduced by almost 67%, and later in 2025 when USA government funding was unexpectedly cut, leaving at last 10% of PHCs supported through INGOs left without support, potentially leaving a proportion of the population without access to quality basic primary care services..

While Yemen’s political and socio-economic situation remains volatile with heavily constrained domestic revenue, there are equally no plans in place to leverage whatever opportunities may already exist to cushion current and future anticipated foreign donor financing reduction, and more strategically, to position the country to be well prepared to optimally begin utilizing alternative and sustainable resource options as and when these become available/feasible. The absence of such planning itself is a persisting risk for the country and its partners as gains achieved over the past decade could be eroded instantly with any further declines in donor aid; and because putting alternative arrangements in place takes time. Failure to begin investing in re-defining mechanisms for sustainable PHC financing at this time would be a missed opportunity to lock-in results achieved so far and to assist the country to be equipped to assume responsibility efficiently as/when conditions become favorable.

In this regard, UNICEF is supporting the country to pilot a model for sustainably optimizing PHC in Taiz Governorate based on the National PHC Financing Strategy which was developed in 2024.  The pilot has two arms, i.e.,

1. Optimization of PHC coverage and quality through highly efficient re-modeling the PHC architecture to reach 80% of the population using a strategic mix of facility, outreach and community PHC delivery platforms based on detailed analytics including geospatial studies to target locations for investing in the different platforms to reach 80% of the population.
2. Operationalize a decentralized Public Finance Management System at governorate level as a mechanism for financing the optimized PHC platform by activating a mix of diverse and innovative domestic revenue mechanisms and by creating a framework for streamlining and coordinating donor funding in support of one governorate PHC plan. This arm also includes establishing accountability mechanisms including by the community, linking funding with public health outputs and results, and providing transparency for all stakeholders to track the functioning of the PHC financing processes.     

The required support to the Taiz Governorate team by UNICEF on the first arm of the pilot has necessitated the recruitment of a consultant under these Terms of Reference (TOR). Another related ToR to cover the second arm of the pilot will be managed by Genesis Analytics Inc, with the two consultants collaborating in the field to ensure smooth implementation of the whole pilot.

Key Tasks & Activities:

• Develop an inception report outlining the workplan, methodology and approach, steps, activities, and timelines to achieve the assigned tasks.
• Participate in all governorate meetings on the pilot and prepare biweekly progress reports, including any issues requiring harmonization with UNICEF, and priorities for the following period to ensure UNICEF delivery is consistent with implementation in Taiz.
• Coordinate receipt of the updated plans from GHO and the World Bank, then work with the GHO to align and prepare a final prioritization list for consensus with the Bank.
• Work with the GHO team to compile the plan for basic medical equipment and diagnostic centres, including quantities of all pieces of equipment.
• Work with Taiz GHO, in consultation with the UNICEF Community-Based PHC Strategy Consultant, on mapping the prioritized areas for community PHC strengthening—this includes mapping all available community cadres, developing training plans, and supporting implementation of training activities and activation of community platforms.
• Coordinate with the GHO team to define the needs for optimizing referral between priority community platforms and PHC facilities, as well as between basic PHCs and diagnostic hubs.
• Offer field support to the GHO for operationalizing the distribution and use of facility-level stock management tools, conduct facility staff orientation on tool use, and oversee the implementation of the pull system for medicine supply in priority PHCs.
• Provide hands-on support to the GHO in drafting a human resource for health (HRH) matrix for prioritized basic and diagnostic hub PHCs to guide equitable staffing redistribution.
• Collaborate with the World Bank documentation consultant to systematically document the experiences, challenges, lessons, and key results of the Taiz pilot on sustainable PHC optimization.

To view all required deliverables, scope of the work and full details of the job profile, hold CTRL & double-click on the following link:  Terms of Reference_Primary Health Care Consultant.pdf

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

Education: 

Master’s degree in medicine, Health Sciences, Public Health, Nutrition, Food Science, or social sciences related qualifications and PhD in paediatric, Public or Community Health or another related field is desirable.

Experience/ Knowledge/ Skills:

• 10 years of relevant experience in health systems, primary health care (PHC), emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC), integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI), and nutrition-related service delivery in Yemen.
• Professional experience in programme planning and strategic reviews.
• Supervision skills will be an asset, particularly for overseeing PHC site activities and implementation, not staff management
• Proven ability to conceptualize and plan.
• Ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
• Work experience in the context of Yemen and/or middle east, an asset.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• The consultant is expected to have prior geographical experience in Yemen, with a preference for being based in Taiz and able to travel to Aden for coordination with stakeholders such as the World Bank and Genesis Analytics Inc.
• Writing and communication skills
• Analytical/research skills
• Report writing skills
• Ability to work with others and think strategically and Statistical or epidemiological skills would be a desirable.

Language:

Fluency in Arabic & English is required.

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.

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:  

• This consultancy is home-based.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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 for ensuring that the 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, programmme 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. 
• Candidates are required to provide an all-inclusive fee proposal (in U.S.D) as part of their application. It is better to attach a table which shall include fees for the deliverables, living allowance, accommodation, and travel cost, if applicable.
• Candidates are required to provide a technical proposal as part of their application. The technical proposal might include highlights on the below points:
• Background information that includes an interpretation and understanding of the terms of reference.
• Methodology and approach outlining a clear conceptual and analytical framework for the work to be undertaken.
• Proposed work plan outlining clear timeframe and logical steps in conducting the assignment.
• Name and brief background of the vendor/consultant, including existing experience and expertise that will be of benefit to the proposed assignment.
• Names and contact information of referees for the 3 most recent and relevant projects