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.
For every child, the right to 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?
Scope:
The effective management of health emergencies and the establishment of robust systems are crucial for enabling countries to be prepared and operationally ready for response to any public health event, including emergencies, as per the all-hazard requirement of the International Health Regulations (IHR). Ensuring risk-based plans for emergency preparedness, readiness and response, robust emergency management structures and mobilization of resources during an emergency is critical for a timely response to public health crises.
The Ministry of Health is initiating a crucial national initiative to strengthen national, subnational, and village level coordination mechanisms for hazard mapping and action planning to enable effective community protection.
The Deputy Director General, Public Health Services II (DDG PHS II), has been officially tasked with providing the technical oversight and implementation leadership for this countrywide initiative.
This activity falls under the scope of the Pandemic Fund for which UNICEF is the designated Implementing Entity.
As an initial step under this initiative, the project requires the development of modules at the national level for the hazard mapping and action planning process. Following this development, the next step is to conduct a master training to cover all 26 districts and facilitate the national roll-out across 1000 Grama Niladari (GN) areas in the country.
The national consultant will be responsible for the development of these modules and the successful completion of the master training for the 26 districts.
Goal & Objective
The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop comprehensive training modules on hazard mapping and action planning processes and to conduct a Training of Master Trainers programme based on the developed modules.
BACKGROUND:
The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:
The consultant will be expected to work in close collaboration with a Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Ministry of Health under this task. The TWG is chaired by the Deputy Director General of Public Health Services II, including key stakeholders from Ministry of Health and officials from UNICEF and WHO Country Offices. The consultant is also expected to collaborate with the Deputy Director General of Public Health Services II and the Director NCD. This collaboration is desirable for incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring a comprehensive approach to the development and updating of the trainer guide and training package.
The consultant will be:
1. Develop nationally standardized, practical, and comprehensive training modules on hazard mapping and action planning processes.
2. Conduct a Training of Master Trainers programme based on the developed modules, ensuring a pool of qualified trainers is available to cover all districts in the country.
Scope of the work
Task 1: Module Development
Desk Review and consultations
Conduct a desk review of existing national and relevant international guidelines, protocols, and materials related to community-based hazard mapping and action planning
Consult with key national stakeholders such as Disaster Management Centre, relevant Ministries etc to ensure the modules are align with national policies and priorities.
Develop comprehensive and context-specific training modules.
Including clear methodologies for hazard identification, risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, action plan formulation. This includes the development of Trainer’s Guide, Participant’s Handbook and presentation.
Present the draft modules to the TWG for feedback, and then to finalize the content.
Task 2: Training of Master Trainers
1. Based on the finalized modules, design the master training curriculum
2. Lead and facilitate the Training of Master Trainers program for the identified group of master trainer candidates from the districts, ensuring effective coverage of all module content and training methodologies.
The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
• Inception Report: Detailed work plan and timeline outlining the approach for module development and Training of Master Trainers
• Complete set of standardized, validated training modules including Trainer’s Guide, Trainee Handbook, and power point presentations in both digital formats.
• Finalized curriculum, assessment tools, report for Training of Master Trainers
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Minimum Qualifications required:
Master’s in Public Health, Obstetrics, Child Health
Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
Medical degree with postgraduate qualifications in Disaster Risk Management public health, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in development of modules on hazard mapping and action planning, disaster preparedness, or public health training.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in curriculum design, training material development, and conducting master training preferably in the health or emergency response sector.
• In-depth understanding in the health and non-health all hazard risk assessment approaches in relation to Sri Lanka.
• Experience in delivering community-based trainings in the fields such as all hazard preparedness including pandemic preparedness and community resilience.
• Demonstrated experience in working with other institutions such as Disaster Management Centre and other relevant ministries.
• Prior experience working with the Ministry of Health is desirable.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one local language (Sinhala and/or Tamil) is essential.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multicultural and multidisciplinary teams (Ability to work in English is essential) including senior-level health ministry officials
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills
Duration of the consultancy: 3 months (40 days)
Duty station – Colombo (Home based)
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 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
The UNICEF competencies required for this Consultancy
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
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. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
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 be a team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.