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

Nepal has made substantial progress in reducing maternal, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality rates. However, a critical challenge persists: 35% of children aged 36-59 months are unable to reach their full developmental potential. This situation stems from multiple interconnected factors, including inadequate nutrition, limited access to safe water, equity and gender disparities, increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, humanitarian emergencies, and poverty. To address these challenges effectively, Nepal must reorient its healthcare priorities and investments toward creating more responsive and resilient health systems, with a particular focus on strengthening community-based Primary Health Care (PHC).

Community health represents the equity-focused component of PHC and plays a vital role in addressing the primary causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality. Additionally, it is essential for managing the rising burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases and ensuring preparedness for future health emergencies.

 

Purpose of the Assignment:

This individual consultancy aims to provide comprehensive technical and strategic support to strengthen Nepal's Community Health and Nutrition (CHN) systems. The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities:

First, they will conduct an extensive literature review of existing CHN systems in Nepal, working in close coordination with UNICEF and key government stakeholders. Second, they will lead a systematic mapping of CHN services and facilitate national policy dialogues with diverse stakeholders. Based on these analyses and discussions, the consultant will develop a national CHN Roadmap for Nepal, which will be submitted for government endorsement.

The consultant will work directly with the Ministry of Health and Population while maintaining close collaboration with UNICEF's Health, Nutrition, Social Behaviour Change (SBC) and Social Policy (SP) sections. As a Senior National Consultant, they will provide technical guidance to the CHN National Consultant and support the implementation of CHN interventions in the field. This role serves as a crucial bridge between policy development and practical implementation, ensuring that the strengthened CHN systems effectively serve Nepal's communities.

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of activities to strengthen Nepal's CHN systems through the following interconnected phases:

1. Literature review and strategic framework development

The consultant will conduct an extensive review of existing CHN programmes in Nepal, examining both published research and grey literature. This review will inform the development of an inception report that establishes a clear framework outlining the fundamental pillars and strategic steps for creating the CHN Roadmap. This initial phase sets the foundation for all subsequent activities.

2. CHN mapping and analysis

Collaborating closely with the national consultant and UNICEF team, the consultant will develop comprehensive tools for mapping CHN services across Nepal. They will oversee the data collection process, conduct thorough analysis, and produce a detailed report that captures the current state of CHN services, identifying gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

3. Review and revise integrated CHN intervention package

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and its respective divisions, the consultant will identify and engage key stakeholders including the NPC and MoFAGA and partners for a national policy dialogue on CHN. They will facilitate high-level discussions and prepare a synthesis document containing specific, actionable recommendations for strengthening CHN systems.

 4. Development of national CHN roadmap

The consultant will lead the creation of Nepal's national CHN Roadmap, working in close partnership with MoHP and UNICEF. This process involves preparing an initial draft, organizing consultative meetings with MoHP divisions and stakeholders to gather feedback, and producing a final comprehensive roadmap that incorporates all stakeholder input.

5. Policy brief development

The consultant will develop a policy brief that articulates the strategic vision for advancing CHN in Nepal. This document will address critical aspects including sustainable financing mechanisms, workforce development strategies, integrated service delivery approaches, and methods for enhancing community engagement and mobilization.

6. Technical guidance and support for implementation

The consultant will provide technical guidance to the Nursing and Social Security Division (NSSD) in two key areas:

• Development and refinement of an integrated CHN service package

• Support for the Community Health Nurse program in selected municipalities, including capacity building initiatives and monitoring systems

Throughout all phases, the consultant will ensure continuous alignment with national health and nutrition priorities, regional and international best practices while maintaining strong coordination between policy development and practical implementation needs.

 

Duration of the Contract: The total duration of the assignment is for 9 months.

Deliverables for the Assignment:

1^st Deliverable by end May 2025

• Submission of comprehensive inception report outlining key pillars and strategic steps for CHN Roadmap development
• Submission of detailed analysis of existing CHN programs and best practices (as part of the literature review)

2nd Deliverable by end August 2025

• Development and finalization of CHN mapping tools and guidelines
• Assiss the national consultant for submission of complete mapping report with data analysis and key findings
• As a part of the CHN mapping, document current CHN service delivery landscape

3^rd  Deliverable by end September 2025

• National Policy Dialogue proceedings and outcomes including submission of synthesis report with actionable CHN recommendations

• Submission of comprehensive integrated CHN service package

4^th Deliverable by October 2025

• Submission of initial draft of the National CHN Roadmap, developed collaboratively with MoHP and UNICEF
• Documentation of stakeholder consultations and feedback.

5^th Deliverable by end December 2025

• Organize consultative meetings with respective Divisions at MoHP, UNICEF, and other stakeholders, share the first draft, and collect feedback.
• Incorporate the feedback and prepare the final Roadmap on CHN.
• Submission of final CHN Roadmap incorporating all stakeholder input and recommendations

Final Deliverable by end January 2026

• Policy brief articulating the strategic vision for CHN advancement in Nepal
• Clear recommendations for:
• Sustainable financing mechanisms
• Workforce development strategies
• Integrated service delivery approaches
•  Community engagement and mobilization frameworks

• Dissemination strategy and implementation plan

For details on the assignment including tasks and deliverables, please refer to the link: Terms of Reference.

Note:

Please submit financial proposal based on the above deliverables.

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

Education:

Master’s degree in public health, Community Medicine, Health systems, Epidemiology, international health, Global health, or relevant science.

PhD in health system related areas strongly preferred

Work experience: 

- At least fifteen years (15) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in public health, with high level government and multistakeholder engagement

- Prior work experience in health systems in close collaboration with high level government and policy makers

- Experience and expertise in developing strategic documents including roadmap and guidelines and proven record of national and international publications in health systems

- Experience in strategic engagement with government at national and subnational levels and UN agencies mainly for policy dialogue and advocacy

- Demonstrate strong technical and analytical skills, ability to assess, analyse, synthesize and provide recommendation on key system issues

- Good interpersonal skills, team-oriented, work adaptation in multi-cultural environments, proven ability to facilitate cooperation in a multidisciplinary team

- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision, punctual, and dedicated to quality work

- Good written and spoken skills in both Nepali and English languages

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:  

Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.