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Nepal has made significant progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality over the past two decades. Despite this progress, preventable maternal and newborn deaths still occur due to disparities in care quality and access. Key challenges include inadequate adherence to national quality standards, limited functionality of Emergency Obstretic and Newborn Care (EmONC) sites, inadequate data use, and insufficient capacity for quality improvement at the local level. In line with national strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening quality improvement systems is essential to ensure equitable, evidence-based maternal and newborn health services.

Additionally, as part of UNICEF Nepal Country Office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPP), the health section not only provides key responses but also ensures continuity of essential maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) during humanitarian crises. During such crises, pregnant women, newborns and children are particularly vulnerable to mortality and morbidity due to disrupted health services, lack of skilled care, and limited access to emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) and childcare. UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health and Population to enhance emergency preparedness, build resilient health systems, and ensure continuity of essential maternal and child health services during emergencies. This consultancy aims to improve outcomes by providing technical expertise in emergency response, preparedness, and recovery programming.

How can you make a difference? 

To ensure that appropriate and pre-qualified experienced professionals with relevant expertise and knowledge are rapidly deployed as individual consultants to support emergency response within Nepal and contribute to programme implementation and delivery of results for children. These experts will support different technical areas of Maternal and Child Health activities which are outlined below

The purpose of establishing Consultant’s Roster of experts is to ensure that appropriate and pre-qualified experienced professionals with relevant technical expertise are rapidly deployed as individual consultants to meet programmatic requirements.

1. Maternal & Newborn Health (Quality of Care)

The consultant will provide technical assistance to Family Welfare Division (FWD), Department of Health Services, Government of Nepal to strengthen and institutionalize quality improvement systems in maternal and newborn health (MNH) through capacity enhancement, systems support, monitoring, and documentation of good practices.

Main responsibilities/tasks: 

1. System Strengthening and Coordination

• Support the FWD to review/develop/update national quality improvement framework for MNH and support to implement and institutionalize.
• Facilitate coordination between federal, provincial, and local governments for effective QI planning and implementation to improve maternal and newborn health outcome through strengthening quality care.
• Provide inputs to update or adapt national QI guidelines, standards, and monitoring tools or QI dashboard platform as needed.

2. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Facilitate, support to conduct training, onsite coaching and mentoring in MNH
• Support implementation of QI interventions in EmONC closely linking with Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR), comprehensive newborn care etc 
• Support, advocate, facilitate integration of QI concepts into pre-service and in-service training curricula.

3. Quality Monitoring and Data Use

• Support the use of standards, guidelines, protocols to adhere quality in service delivery
• Collaborate with implementing partners and support to utilize MPDSR data, QI checklist, facility level scorecards for regular performance monitoring.
• Facilitate analysis and interpretation of MNH data to guide evidence-based decision-making and planning.
• Document and share best practices, innovations, and lessons learned to inform national effort in improving quality in MNH.

4. Advocacy, Learning, and Documentation

• Support, facilitate review meetings, orientation, trainings and workshops to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Prepare case studies and human-interest stories showcasing quality improvements and impact on maternal/newborn outcomes.
• Support FWD to develop policy briefs and advocacy materials on MNH quality improvement.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree in public health; master’s in nursing, Midwifery, medicine or a related field.
•  Maternal and Newborn Health related specific trainings (SBA/SHP, Comprehensive Newborn Care package etc) is required.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in Maternal Newborn Health both in clinical and public health. including quality improvement methodology

Special Skills/Knowledge Required:

• Demonstrate knowledge of national MNH programs, MPDSR, continuum of care, comprehensive newborn care, aama surakshya programme etc.
• Strong skills in facilitation, capacity building, coordination, evidence-based planning, program designing, program monitoring etc.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, coordination skills
• Experience working with government systems and development partners in Nepal

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Nepali (both written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of local context and language is an advantage.

2. Maternal and Child Health (Emergency)

The Consultant will provide technical and operational support for strengthening maternal and child health interventions during emergencies through preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. In close collaboration with respective government counterparts, the consultant will contribute to planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of emergency maternal and child health interventions that ensure continuity and quality of care for women and newborns in crisis-affected areas of Nepal.

Main responsibilities/tasks:

•                Assessment and Analysis:

Conduct rapid assessments of maternal and newborn health (MNH) service availability, functionality, and capacity during emergencies. Map existing EmONC, birthing centers and newborn care facilities and assess gaps in service delivery, supplies, human resources, and referral systems. Provide support to government and other stakeholders in carrying out multi-indicator rapid assessment, as relevant.

•                Technical Support and Coordination:

Provide technical assistance to Federal/provincial/local governments to integrate maternal and child health in emergency preparedness and response plans. Support coordination with Health Cluster partners, UN agencies, and NGOs to ensure continuation of essential maternal and child health interventions. Contribute to the development of contingency plans and response frameworks for maternal and child health in emergencies.

•                Programme Implementation and Monitoring:

Support implementation of emergency maternal and child health interventions such as mobile outreach services, maternity tents, and emergency referral mechanisms in the affected areas. Ensure continuation of essential MNCH services with primary focus on emergency obstetric and newborn care.  Monitor maternal and newborn health indicators in emergency-affected areas and recommend programmatic adjustments. Document best practices, case studies, and lessons learned from field operations.

•                Capacity Building and Knowledge Management:

Facilitate training for health workers and local authorities on essential maternal, newborn and childcare infection prevention, and continuity of care during crises. Support the development of emergency communication materials targeting pregnant and lactating women and their families.

•                Reporting and Documentation:

Prepare technical briefs, situation reports, and inputs for donor updates and cluster meetings. Support monitoring and evaluation of maternal health components in emergency response plans.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree in public health; master’s in nursing, Midwifery, or a related field.
• Specialized training in humanitarian response, reproductive health in emergencies, or health systems strengthening is an asset.ucation:

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in maternal and newborn health programming, with at least 2 years focused on emergency preparedness and response.
• Experience working with UN agencies, government counterparts, or INGOs in Nepal.
• Proven familiarity with Nepal’s federal health system, reproductive health policies, and emergency response coordination mechanisms.

Special Skills/Knowledge Required:

• Strong technical knowledge of maternal and newborn health interventions in humanitarian settings (e.g., EmONC, MNH service continuity, infection prevention and control).
• Experience in data analysis, situation reporting, and use of health information systems (DHIS2 preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coordination skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and travel to remote or emergency-affected areas on short notice.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Nepali (both written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of local context and language is an advantage.

Note:

Applicants must indicate in their applications, their preferred area of technical expertise.

Candidates should include their proposed professional fees in Nepalese currency

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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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. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for the person 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 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:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. Qualified female and candidates from under-represented  ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

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