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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, providing professional technical support to the Health and Nutrition section of UNICEF for the priority activities essential to strengthen health emergency response capacity and human resources capacity for pandemic preparedness and response in the country

 

Scope of the work:

Goal and Objective:  Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Health and Nutrition Officer, the consultant will support priority activities essential to support the Ministry of health in strengthen health emergency response capacity and human resources/public health and community workforce capacity for pandemic preparedness and response in the country. Overall, the consultant will ensure the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of activities under the pandemic preparedness and response plan under the pandemic fund supported through UNICEF country office and the activities are delivered in a timely manner and aligned with UNICEF’s roles and responsibilities.

 

Activities and Tasks: 

Work closely with the focal points identified by the Ministry of health for the implementation of activities under the UNICEF work plan, DDG PHS II, DDG ET &R, Director NCD, Director Training, Director HPB and other departments as required, in the development of the activity plan with sub activities, timelines, budget and costing

• Support the UNICEF and Ministry of Health in conducting the training need assessment for multidisciplinary workforce is completed for all levels across the country. Work closely with the organization recruited to carry out this task closely collaborating with the Ministry of Health

• Support the Ministry of Health in the development of the training modules for community health workers and staff manning emergency treatment units on pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and their role on community empowerment and response to emergencies and support in completing the pilot-teste of these modules in the identified settings

• Work closely with the Ministry of Health and other identified resource persons, in the development of Standards and SOPs for pandemic preparedness at all levels which would be made available and One Health multisectoral SimEx’s designed and planned for grassroot level workers.

• Support Ministry of health in the subnational workforce capacity building on risk communication and integrating the RCCE-IM into the provincial, district and divisional level annual action plans.

• Work closely with the ministry of health in development of training materials and training plan for first responders in each community and closely collaborate with the organizations recruited in the rolling out the training programme across the community.

• Support the Ministry of health in the development of modules at national level for hazard mapping and action planning process and closely work with the district officials in completing the master training in all districts.

• Continue to ensure the availability of accurate, complete, and up-to-date information required for effective pandemic preparedness programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation and ensure accuracy and appropriateness of data and coding.

• Continue to assemble and provides updated data and information on the activities under the Pandemic Fund and on financial/administrative status for monitoring, and analysis.

• Support the Health and Nutrition Programme Officers in preparation for the regular Coordinating Committee meetings in reporting and implementing feedback from the committee

• Continue to work closely with UNICEF SBC and WASH sections on inputs required for activities under the Pandemic fund from the Regional Grant

• Collaborate with UNICEF Communication section in promotional and visibility activities relate to Pandemic Fund.

• Continue to work closely with DDG PHS II, DDT ET&R, Director NCD, Director HPB, Disaster Management Unit, and other identified Ministry of Health Directorates in all the activities related to Pandemic fund.

• Work closely with the Consultants recruited for activities under the pandemic fund for specific activities as per the requirement.

• Prepare reports and documents required for discussions with in-country partners and UNICEF Regional Office

• Support the Health and Nutrition team in the development of new proposals and timely reporting of activities related to Pandemic Fund

• Undertake field visits to districts and sub-districts for monitoring activities as relevant.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

 

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, and Health and Nutrition Programme Associate. The consultant is also expected to work in collaboration with UNICEF’s SBC and WASH teams that support other activities under the Pandemic Fund Regional Proposal and the Communication teams closely as per the requirement.

 

Outputs/Deliverables:

• Work plan to be submitted on the first working day of every month during the contract period.

• Monthly Report on the implementation of the Work plan to be submitted on the last UNICEF working day of every month during the contract period, accompanied by deliverables produced during the month.

 

Duration of the consultancy: March – Dec 2025 (200 days)

Duty station: Colombo (Home based)

 

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• Masters - University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Health, Public Health, or a field relevant to Emergency or Pandemic Preparedness

•Background/familiarity with Emergency

 

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Years of experience:

• At least 3-5 years of experience at the national and/or district level public health programmes

• Experience of conducting national level assessment and surveys in Sri Lanka

• Experience in developing training modules, and rolling out training programmes related to emergency preparedness and/or risk communication and/or similar public health programmes

• Experience in developing standards and SOPs for all levels of health staff

• Experience in developing digital tools for monitoring for primary and public health settings

• Experience in disease surveillance, hazard mapping at community level and staff training on the same

 

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills

• Experience in planning, budgeting and reporting

• 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

Technical skills and knowledge on some or all of the following

• Proven experience working in multi-stakeholder settings

• Experience in developing proposals for national level assessments and surveys, conducting national level surveys and preparing scientific reports

• Experience in writing proposals, developing budgets and operational plans to roll out training programmes nationally across provinces and districts

• Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance

• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health

• Proficiency in developing technical standards and SOPs for technical guidance

• Experience in developing digital tools for disease surveillance and hazard mapping would be an advantage

 

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.