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, healthy life!

UNICEF’s current five-year country programme of cooperation in Iran (2023-2027) is aimed at ensuring that all children and adolescents, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from an integrated social protection system, which meets their needs for health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and overall protection and well-being of children in both development and humanitarian settings. The programme also aims to ensure that children’s participation and inclusion in their communities are fully realised, allowing them to reach their full potential.

How can you make a difference? 

Iran is highly vulnerable to a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and humanitarian crises, making a strong emergency response system essential. The country is located in a seismically active region, frequently experiencing devastating earthquakes and floods such as the recent ones that caused significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Additionally, seasonal floods have intensified due to climate change, leading to displacement, water contamination, and increased risk of vector-borne diseases. Prolonged droughts further strain water and food security, exacerbating health risks, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Alongside these environmental challenges, Iran faces recurring public health emergencies, in refugee-hosting regions, which put immense pressure on the healthcare system.  

Emergencies and disasters pose significant challenges to health systems, requiring rapid and evidence-based decision-making to minimize loss of life, safeguard health infrastructure, and ensure timely interventions. Given this high-risk profile, well-functioning Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool is critical in assessing the immediate physical, psychological, and social health needs of affected communities. It enables authorities to prioritize resources effectively and coordinate emergency response efficiently. The RHNA tool enables authorities to assess health needs within 24 hours, ensuring prioritized resources, targeted interventions, and reduced loss of life. It aligns with UNICEF’s goal of strengthening national health systems to provide timely care for vulnerable populations, especially children and women, while supporting long-term health system resilience against future crise

Globally, standardized and validated RHNA tools are widely used to streamline data collection within the first 24 hours of a crisis. These tools support government, disaster relief organizations, and healthcare systems in gathering real-time health information, guiding response efforts, and ensuring that interventions address the most pressing health concerns.  

All health systems must develop and implement a standardized and validated Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool to enhance emergency preparedness and response. This tool plays a crucial role in minimizing loss of life, reducing damage to health infrastructure and resources, identifying community health needs, and establishing priorities for targeted groups and interventions. By providing a structured framework, it helps determine key decisions, essential information requirements, and the most effective methods for data collection, ensuring a swift and evidence-based response during emergencies. 

Although the first version of Iran’s Health System Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was developed in 2013, it still requires significant improvements, particularly in the Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) component, to ensure a more efficient and data-driven emergency response. The absence of a robust, field-tested RHNA tool limits the ability of public health and emergency response teams to systematically collect, analyze, and utilize critical data in the immediate aftermath of disasters. 

Following UNICEF critical role in health in emergencies by ensuring that children, women, and vulnerable populations have access to life-saving healthcare during crises UNICEF extend its support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to enhance the capacity of PHC resiliency and response with close cooperation with Center for Health Network Management efforts. To this end, UNICEF will work with a consultant to Develop a “Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool” to efficiently collect and report the health needs of disaster-affected communities within the first 24 hours of an emergency. This tool will provide critical data to support government agencies, disaster relief organizations, public health and healthcare institutions at regional, medical universities/ provincial, and local levels, as well as law enforcement, utility services, and the media, ensuring a coordinated and effective emergency response. 

 

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE WORK 

This project aims to develop a standardized Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool tailored to Iran’s health system to enhance preparedness and response capacity of primary health system to emergencies & disasters. The tool will be designed to:  

 

Identifying fields of information need to be gathered for health system rapid needs assessment   

Developing data sheets and methods for health system rapid needs assessment   

Developing an online system for reporting information of community health needs   

This tool will primarily serve healthcare workers, emergency responders, and decision-makers who require real-time health data to guide response efforts at the time of emergency. Hence, the target population for the Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool includes disaster-affected communities, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, refugees, and populations in underserved rural and urban areas.  

 The geographical scope of this tool encompasses high-risk provinces and regions prone to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. These include seismically active areas, flood-prone provinces, drought-affected rural regions, and refugee-hosting communities, where rapid assessment of health needs is critical for effective emergency response and resource allocation. 

 

By ensuring rapid assessment of health needs within the first 24 hours of a crisis, the tool will: 

 

• Improve emergency response efficiency by enabling authorities to prioritize resources and interventions based on real-time data. 

• Enhance health system resilience by integrating rapid assessment into Iran’s emergency operations framework. 

• Support vulnerable populations by ensuring timely access to life-saving healthcare services during disasters. 

 METHODOLOGY 

The development of a Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool follows a structured systemic, evidence-based methodology to enhance Iran’s emergency health response. The process will be conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, ensuring the tool is tailored to the specific needs of Iran. The methodology includes but is not limited to the following key steps:  

1. Literature review of global best practices and existing methodologies including WHO protocols and other relevant frameworks 

2. Performing a qualitative study to identify the specific health system needs and gaps in Iran, ensuring the tool addresses local requirements 

3.  Stakeholder engagement and expert consultation using the Delphi method to refine and finalize data collection tool 

4. Development of standardized data collection tool which is comprehensive, adaptable, and user friendly and cover all relevant health indicators  

5. Conducting pilot test of the tool in various settings to validate the tool and incorporate feedback from the field workers and stakeholders to refine the tool 

6.  Development of an online reporting system to facilitate timely and accurate data entry, management and analysis 

7.  Providing training and capacity-building for health workers on the use of the RHNA tool. 

 

 This participatory approach, led by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, ensures that the RHNA tool is tailored to Iran’s context, enabling authorities to assess health needs within the first 24 hours of an emergency. The tool will strengthen national health system resilience, improve resource allocation, and support coordinated emergency responses, ultimately safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations, especially children and women. 

ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES, TIMELINES AND PAYMENTS 

 

Under the direct supervision of UNICEF and MoHME focal point, the consultant will deliver below under direct supervision of MoHME:   

ACTIVITY:

Providing detailed technical inception report outlining the conceptual framework and proposed methodology in line with the objectives of the consultancy

DELIVERABLES:

Inception report agreed by UNICEF and MOHME

ESTIMATED TIME:   upon commencement of work

ACTIVITY:

A systemic Literature review on available standard frameworks, global and local tools, and robust methodologies for development of rapid health need assessment tools    

DELIVERABLES:

Report of the review study results    

ESTIMATED TIME:

30 Days 

ACTIVITY:

Conducting a comprehensive qualitative study to identify and document specific experiences and needs of Iran’s health system, ensuring that RHNA tool addresses local requirements

DELIVERABLES:

Comprehensive report of the results of qualitative study detailing the key areas of needs including the cultural and local considerations  

ESTIMATED TIME:

50 Day 

ACTIVITY:

A Delphi method to refine and finalize data collection tool and method  

DELIVERABLES:

Report on documented process of Delphi method and refined and finalized data collection tool and method   

ESTIMATED TIME:

50 Days

 

ACTIVITY:

Development and verification of a Rapid Health Needs Assessment Tool   

DELIVERABLES:

Final report on pilot testing of the tool. Finalized version of the tool based on the feedback from the field  

ESTIMATED TIME:

20 Days 

ACTIVITY:

Training and capacity building for health workers 

ESTIMATED TIME:

30 Days

 

 N.B.  All reports and presentations should be submitted in English   

 The consultant/s will work under direct supervision of MoHME and UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist;   

The consultant/s will work under direct supervision of MoHME and UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist;   

The trips and missions to the field will be organized and supported by UNICEF.   

All the deliverables and products need to follow UNICEF principles and relevant templates and guidelines. 

The consultant shall use her/his own facilities to manage the work, but, where circumstances demand otherwise, shall be allowed to make use of available UNICEF office space, computer and internet facilities with prior notification and arrangement with the supervisor and UNICEF Admin/ICT. 

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION 

Financial proposal: 30 

Technical qualification: 70  

Total Score: 100 

 

 

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

 The project seeks to identify an individual consultant that fulfill the criteria below and have demonstrated the ability to involve key stakeholders to provide relevant expertise and bring a wider perspective in development of the tool. 

Regarding the nature of work, a consultant should be selected with below qualification:    

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as Medicine, Public Health, Public Health Emergency, and other related fields   

• Proven expertise and at least five years of experience in conducting assessments of humanitarian or health emergency response programmes.   

• Have proven strong research and methodological skills necessary for designing and validating assessment tools  

• Sound knowledge of international standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in related to health assessment tools and data privacy  

• Have proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative studies for the humanitarian and/or development sector and have access to technical expertise related to the study topics.  

• Previous experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is desirable.   

• Knowledge of health and health emergency context in Iran (and the region) is a strong advantage.   

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.   

 Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for the next recruitment formalities.  

 

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.