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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, Health

Backround

Lesotho, faces significant challenges in neonatal care, particularly for small and sick newborns. According to Lesotho Demographic health survey, the country’s neonatal mortality rate is 26 per 1,000 live births, reflecting the high number of preventable deaths among newborns. This is exacerbated by a high incidence of preterm births, low birth weights, and birth asphyxia. The healthcare system in Lesotho is also under-resourced, with a limited number of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), insufficient equipment, and a shortage of skilled healthcare workers like pediatricians, neonatal nurses. As a result, many newborns, particularly those in rural areas, do not receive timely, high-quality care, contributing to higher mortality rates.

The introduction and implementation of quality care standards for small and sick newborn care in Lesotho is essential to addressing these challenges and improving neonatal health outcomes. The proposed standards aim to ensure that every newborn, especially those who are preterm or born with low birth weight, receives appropriate and effective care, regardless of their geographic location or economic status. The standards will be based on a comprehensive approach that includes improving healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, strengthening referral systems, and increasing public awareness of neonatal health.

UNICEF has been a key partner in supporting the Ministry of Health in Lesotho to improve child healthcare services, particularly for newborns. However, the full impact of these efforts can only be realized with the development and enforcement of Quality Care Standards. To achieve this, UNICEF is seeking a consultant to assist the Ministry in the adaptation WHO for quality care standards for small and sick newborn Care. By developing these standards, Lesotho will be better positioned to reduce neonatal mortality and improve health outcomes, contributing to the country's progress toward achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the assignment:

Under the overall supervision of Child Survival Chief, UNICEF Health Officer and MOH Team (Quality Assurance Director and Family health head under Child health program manager) the consultant will support the ministry of health to develop the country specific quality of care standards for small and sick newborn care units.

Scope of work:

Engaging a consultant to support the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the development of Small and Sick Newborn Care Units (SSNCUs) is crucial for improving neonatal care and reducing mortality and morbidity among vulnerable newborns. The standards for the care of small and sick newborns in health facilities define, standardize and mainstream inpatient care of small and sick newborns, building on essential newborn care and ensuring consistency with the WHO quality of care framework.

Scope of Work and Implementation Logic

1. Inception report detailing understanding of TORs, methodology to be employed, detailed work plan and resource needs 
2. Conduct Situational Analysis (SitAn) and stakeholder’s consultations to identity the status of care for the small and sick newborn care units, strengths, gaps, missed opportunities and challenges.
3. Facilitate development of a TOC and proposed small and sick newborn care units’ structure, design, equipment needed, staff requirements, and M&E framework.
4. Development of the final standards for the care of small and sick newborns in health facilities
5. Development of the costed implementation plan of these standards

WORK ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

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

Master’s degree in public health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, epidemiology, or other health-related sciences*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. 

Work experience:

• Demonstrable experience of developing policy documents, guidelines, and quality assurance approaches for maternal and child health services.
• Experience working with Government Ministries, ideally in document development and review including in conducting stakeholder consultations and engagements.
• The incumbents must have demonstrated ability to produce professional quality technical and analytic materials. Samples of previous work outputs may be requested at a later stage of recruitment.
• At least five years professional experience in maternal and child health programming or research at national and subnational levels
• Strong facilitation skill and proven ability to interpret new technical and knowledge on maternal and child health considering the current knowledge on maternal, neonatal, infant and child mortality rates
• Prior experience working with United Nations, or a multi-lateral or international health and development agency

Language

• Fluency in English

Specialized skills and/or training:

• Expertise in writing technical documents, applying analytical skills.
  • Ability to organize, compile and summarize inputs from different writers, provide clarity using result-based languages.
  • Ability to synthesize complex documents into key messages.

 Following skills/experiences are an asset:

• Experience with editing and proofreading UN documents and familiarity with UNICEF’s style and UN editorial manual desirable

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.

Interested candidates should indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in USD to undertake the terms of reference. Please indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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 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.