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For every child, the right to Nutrition 

Over the past 30 years, Egypt has made significant progress in improving child and maternal survival, and nutrition outcomes, despite these notable achievements, considerable challenges persist. The country faces a triple burden of malnutrition, characterized by stunting, anemia, and an alarming increase in childhood overweight. Malnutrition is a substantial burden on Egypt's economy, hindering the potential of its young people and children, resulting in losses estimated at 1.9% of Egypt’s GDP due to reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs.

The Government of Egypt has prioritized quality improvement in Primary Health Care (PHC) emphasizing early detection and management of preventable diseases and conditions including anemia. The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has requested UNICEF support in establishing a central laboratory support unit within the Primary Healthcare Sector. This unit will provide technical guidance, standardized SOPs, and cumulative KPI monitoring for basic laboratory services (blood profiles, urine analysis, and maternal/child health monitoring such as anemia screening). The initiative hopes to align with global laboratory standards, UNICEF’s PHC operational framework, and MoHP national guidelines.

Since 2018, UNICEF has supported the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in strengthening laboratory services and supply chain management, with a particular focus on addressing anemia among pregnant women and children under five. Early interventions included studies on micronutrient needs and supply chain management, the development of a micronutrient calculator used nationally for three years, and a micronutrient manual.

Building on this foundation, UNICEF also analyzed the administrative management of laboratories and developed a laboratory supplies calculation tool, with specific attention to anemia screening. While initial efforts did not lead to the establishment of a central unit, they provided valuable insights into system gaps and opportunities.

In 2023, UNICEF successfully piloted an initiative in Gharbia and Beheira governorates. This initiative institutionalized assessment modality for laboratory workers, created a training package, and implemented training through MoHP structures. These experiences demonstrated the feasibility and impact of strengthening laboratory services at the primary healthcare level.

The current consultancy builds on this trajectory, responding to MoHP’s request to establish a central laboratory support unit within the Primary Healthcare Sector. The unit will provide technical guidance, standardized SOPs, and cumulative KPI monitoring, ensuring alignment with MoHP national guidelines, WHO laboratory standards, and UNICEF’s PHC operational framework.

How can you make a difference? 

The overall objective of the consultancy is to establish and operationalize a central laboratory support unit for primary healthcare services. Standardize laboratory processes and SOPs in line with MoHP guidelines and best global practices. Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, including cumulative KPIs. Build capacity within MoHP’s primary healthcare sector for sustainable management of the new unit and handover functions to the assigned focal person.

The scope of work of this consultancy includes:

•   System Design & Development: Map existing laboratory services; design central support system; integrating WHO essential diagnostics frameworks and national standards.

•   SOP Development: In collaboration with MoHP departments and through field visits, draft SOPs for specimen collection, analysis, reporting, and documentation; based on the basic benefit package of the PHC possibly in bilingual copies (Arabic/English).

•   Capacity Building & Handover: conduct TOT for MoHP staff; develop handover package including manuals, reporting templates, and training materials.

•   Monitoring & Evaluation: Establish cumulative KPIs (turnaround time, error rates, utilization rates); recommend reporting templates and KPI tracking.

•   Governance & Compliance: Ensure alignment with MoHP standards established by the Central Laboratories Curative Sector Laboratory Department, WHO laboratory standards, and UNICEF PHC operational framework.

•   Equipment Review: Review and recommend any changes in the standard equipment list for laboratory services at primary healthcare facilities.

Deliverables as follows: 

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

Minimum requirements:

UNICEF Egypt is looking for a consultant with strong expertise and a good track record in laboratory based work in public facilities, with good relation and networking within the technical field and preferably within the MoHP respectto cultural diversities, community values, and who is sensitive to gender issues, with zero tolerance for violence, child abuse, and neglect and other harmful practices. The following expertise is required:

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in laboratory sciences, public health, or related field
• Technical background and skills: Minimum 10 years of experience in laboratory systems strengthening, preferably in PHC and or Governmental facilities.
• Range and depth of relevant experience: Proven experience in SOP development, KPI monitoring, and equipment standardization. Strong understanding of Egypt’s government systems and MoHP structures. Experience with WHO/UNICEF frameworks and national guidelines.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Arabic and English is a must. Good presentation, communication, and writing skills. Excellent command of working with Microsoft applications and other computer programs analytical skills are an asset

Desirables:

UNICEF Egypt is looking for a consultant with strong expertise and a good track record in laboratory based work in public facilities, with good relation and networking within the technical field and preferably within the MoHP respectto cultural diversities, community values, and who is sensitive to gender issues, with zero tolerance for violence, child abuse, and neglect and other harmful practices.

CONDITIONS OF WORK: 

• This is a Part-time consultancy requiring ~50% commitment.
• Presence at MoHP premises in the New Administrative Capital for 2 days per week is expected with otherwise remote work.
• Payments are made upon satisfactory delivery of acceptable report based on agreed work plan.
• Field visits to primary healthcare facilities expected during the scoping and training phases. Required field travels outside greater Cairo governorates related to this assignment will be compensated as per UNICEF policies and Procedures.
• Programme meetings outside the assigned governorates (e.g. in Cairo) might be called for when required.

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 post are…

(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 male and female candidates from targeted underrepresented groups 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.