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For every child, HOPE!

Consultancy Title: Primary Healthcare Infrastructure Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Health Section - Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: August 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / REMOTE 

About UNICEF 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For over 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The main purpose of the assignment is to support the implementation of UNICEF’s strategy on building immunization infrastructure including cold chain and climate resilient environmentally sustainable Primary Health Care (PHC) infrastructure, i.e., operationalization of Cold Chain, Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) and Health Care Waste Management (HCWM) interventions in priority countries.

The Consultant will contribute to the development of Electronic Monitoring Systems of cold chain equipment (CCE), PHC infrastructure investment cases, ensuring that country-specific programs are effectively coordinated and supported. The role will involve providing technical assistance to regional offices and country offices and fostering stakeholder engagement to develop relevant policies and guidelines. The Consultant will organize and introduce knowledge management and capacity building initiatives across all levels, with the aim to strengthen health systems and immunization supply chains to enhance the overall effectiveness of UNICEF’s immunization and PHC infrastructure initiatives.

There will be a large focus on HFSE as HFSE is a growing priority, and a critical step for strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) to achieve the SDGs. UNICEF is piloting inclusion of HFSE within the CCEOP platform of GAVI with focus on four countries (Ethiopia, Pakistan, Uganda, and Zambia) and electrification of 1,250 PHCs as part of the HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda. Therefore, UNICEF seeks to engage a qualified Consultant to document the learnings from the Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) program in pilot countries of the GAVI project. The assignment for a Consultant at UNICEF HQ is to continuous project tracking, documenting, and monitoring. The role will develop supporting evidence to help steer the future direction of Gavi strategies for HFSE initiatives. Further, the Consultant is responsible for development of HFSE investment cases for 2 priority countries.

Scope of Work:

HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda documentation (35%)

Deliverable 1: Documentation for Gavi 6.0/ HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda (max. LoE 35%)

Milestones & Activities:

•           HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda Final Report: Capture key learnings from HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda and other stakeholders /donors and develop draft, interim, and final reports to inform Gavi 6.0 and broader Gavi initiatives.

•           Convening HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda Steering Committee (SteerCo) and follow up action points: Facilitate SteerCo meetings across 3 partner organisations (Gavi, UNICEF, WHO), including the development of the agenda, minutes, and guidance for the operational working group.

Implementation of HFSE programmes with countries (30%)

Deliverable 2: HFSE implementation strategy document for Phase 1a countries (max. LoE 20%)

Milestones & Activities:

•           MOU for HFSE blended financing between financing partners and Phase 1a country governments (min. 3 countries, but not limited to 3)

•           Implementation strategy for HFSE in Phase 1a countries (min. 3 countries, but not limited to 3)

•           Media visibility or communications for publication on HFSE programmes

Deliverable 3: HFSE investment cases for Phase 1b countries (max. LoE 10%)

Milestones & Activities:

•           Country-specific HFSE investment cases/ concept notes for phase 1b countries (min. 2 countries, but not limited to 2)

Facilitate the coordination of Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) programmes with countries (10%)

Deliverable 4: Report on actions and joint investment from The Global Fund and Gavi on HCWM (max. LoE: 10%)

Milestones & Activities:

•           Convening HCWM Collaboration Group and country webinars with The Global Fund and Gavi

Guidance of Equipment Monitoring Systems (EMS) for Cold Chain Equipment (25%)

Deliverable 5: Study on CCE data through RTMD and strategy for EMS (max. LoE 25%)

Milestones & Activities:

•           Guidance document on data retrieval and strategies for EMS-use for countries

•           Retrieving and analysing RTMD data (from at least 5 countries) for past 1 year to report RTMD-driven insights

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables: 

HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda documentation (35%)       

• Documentation in form of report for Gavi 6.0/ HFSE-CCEOP Learning Agenda developed. (max. LoE 35%)   

30 June 2026

Implementation of HFSE programmes with countries (30%)           

• HFSE implementation strategy document for Phase 1a countries created. (max. LoE 30%)

30 June 2026

Facilitate coordination of Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) programmes with countries (10%)   

• Report on actions and joint investment from The Global Fund and Gavi on HCWM presented. (max. LoE: 10%)      

30 June 2026

Guidance of Equipment Monitoring Systems (EMS) for Cold Chain Equipment (25%)     

• Study on CCE data through RTMD and strategy for EMS presented. (max. LoE 25%)

30 June 2026

Qualifications

Education:

An advanced university degree (Masters) in one of the following fields is required: Public Health, Supply Chain, Engineering, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration or related field is required.

Language Proficiency:

Proficiency in spoken and written English is necessary. Knowledge of another UN languages is an asset.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

•      At least five (5) years of experience in international public health programming including at least three (3) years in immunization and immunization supply chains, with experience in low- and middle-income countries.

•      Demonstrable experience in developing investment cases, managing and implementing PHC infrastructure investments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is essential.

•      Knowledge of programmatic approaches to develop, implement, and assess HFSE and HCWM initiatives, especially those aimed at underserved and hard-to-reach populations, is highly advantageous.

•      Familiarity with in-country PHC infrastructure processes, including facility assessments, resource mobilization, and monitoring of infrastructure projects, is a significant asset.

•      Expertise in developing tailored strategies and capacity building programs to address infrastructure challenges is required.

•      Experience in strengthening health systems, particularly within the context of PHC infrastructure and immunization supply chains, is mandatory.

•      Proven experience in planning, coordination, and management, including working with cross-functional teams and multiple stakeholders across different regions and time zones, is crucial.

•      Ability to work in multi-cultural environment

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
  • The costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• The technical proposal should include following:
  - Candidate’s understanding of the assignment – max. 1 page
  - Methodology to deliver the deliverables - max. 2 pages
  - Timelines for key actions in form of a Gantt chart
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

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.