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, Care 

How can you make a difference? 

1. Formation of a Multisectoral Working Group

• Facilitate the establishment of a working group comprising representatives from government agencies, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Organize and guide initial meetings to review existing drug-related policies, identify gaps, and establish a coordinated approach to strategy development.
• Ensure active participation of the working group throughout the consultancy process.

2. National Needs Assessment

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify gaps in Somalia’s drug control policies and healthcare systems, with a focus on addressing drug dependency and harm reduction.
• Gather data through stakeholder consultations, surveys, and analysis of existing reports and studies.
• Provide a detailed report highlighting priority needs and challenges in drug and substance abuse management.

3. Development of a Comprehensive National Policy and Strategic Framework

• Draft a national policy framework that focuses on substance abuse treatment, harm reduction interventions, and legal protections for vulnerable populations.
• Incorporate international best practices while aligning the framework with Somalia’s cultural, legal, and socio-economic context.
• Outline clear goals, objectives, and priority actions for stakeholders to address drug and substance abuse effectively.

4. Drafting Evidence-Based Guidelines

• Develop operational guidelines for harm reduction programs, including HIV and STI prevention, substance abuse treatment, and support services tailored to Somalia’s context.
• Ensure the guidelines include practical tools such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and service delivery protocols.

5. Designing Capacity-Building Materials

• Create training modules, tools, and reference materials for healthcare workers, social workers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Focus on building capacity for harm reduction, substance abuse treatment, and related health services.
• Include materials that address stigma and promote equitable service delivery for vulnerable populations.

6. Policy Review and Recommendations

• Review existing policies and regulatory frameworks on substance use and harm reduction in Somalia.
• Identify gaps and propose actionable recommendations to align Somalia’s policies with international best practices.
• Provide a detailed policy review report for stakeholder validation.

7. Development of an Implementation Roadmap

• Draft a clear, actionable roadmap for operationalizing the strategic framework and guidelines.
• Include timelines, resource requirements, milestones, and roles of stakeholders.
• Ensure the roadmap is practical and adaptable to Somalia’s unique context and resource constraints.

8. Stakeholder Engagement and Validation

• Facilitate consultations and workshops with key stakeholders to review and validate the strategic framework, guidelines, and roadmap.
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to finalize all deliverables.

Implementation This program will be implemented through a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Health, local governments, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international partners such as UNICEF and WHO. The Ministry of Health will provide overall leadership, while local healthcare providers and CSOs will be responsible for delivering services at the community level. International partners will support capacity building, policy development, and technical assistance.

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

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Public Health, Health Systems, International Development, or a related field with a focus on behavioral health or social
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in HIV/AIDS and substance abuse treatment, with a focus on:
  Development of Comprehensive Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs and strategies and capacity development.
• Developing Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and harm reduction strategies.
• They should have proven experience in policy around substance abuse prevention and treatment and expanding access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
• Additionally, they should demonstrate the ability to work in multi-stakeholder environments, including government agencies, NGOs, and community groups, and have extensive experience in capacity building for healthcare workers and community outreach campaigns
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

*This assignment will be home based with travel to Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa.

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.