AddressUNICEF 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, HOPE
Vacancy Announcement: Consultant
Consultancy Title: Consultant - Implementation Research
Section/Division/Duty Station: Health Section – PG - NYHQ
Duration: 17 June 2024 – 15 June 2025
Home/ office Based: 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 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 Primary Health Care and Health Systems Strengthening (PHC-HSS) Unit in the Health Section of UNICEF Headquarters in New York is devoted to providing technical leadership to strengthen implementation research (IR) and the use of data for action to ensure that maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) programmes are evidence-based and equity-focused. PHC-HSS unit works closely with UNICEF country and regional offices to translate research into action and impact. While supporting implementation research, the unit also collaborates with implementers, policymakers, research institutions and other implementation partners to ensure the best evidence is available to inform action for children.
The Implementation Research Consultant will support the execution of implementation research in countries within the designated region or regions. The incumbent will provide guidance and support to generate evidence from implementation research embedded in MNCAH programs to improve coverage and equity in priority countries (e.g., Gavi, GFF, Global Fund). The incumbent will also work to disseminate findings from embedded implementation research and build capacity within countries in the designated region or regions, within both UNICEF and partners on the methodology and approach to undertake embedded implementation research that leads to timely improvements in programme delivery of MNCAH services. The incumbent works in close
collaboration with other members of PHC-HSS Unit, the Immunization Unit, DHIS unit, and other health colleagues, particularly in country offices, as well as partners, in particular those within countries, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and WHO (e.g., the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, TDR).
Scope of Work:
1. Provide support to undertaking embedded implementation research within countries, with a particular focus on primary health care
Help support PHC-HSS team and work with national, regional and global partners to identify key priorities for embedded implementation research within priority countries for child health service delivery, with a particular focus on primary health care. Conduct relevant literature and systematic reviews on different IR topics to expand knowledge in the area. Provide technical support to facilitate capacity building activities for the development of protocols for implementation research within countries, and to the execution of ensuing research studies2. Support dissemination and application of findings from existing implementation research activities.
Help support facilitate workshop(s) and other fora to disseminate the findings of Implementation Research.Support the write-up in peer reviewed publications of the results of implementation research, with a particular focus on PHC. Support the write-up of policy briefs, infographics and other context specific dissemination products based on the results of implementation research on PHC3. Help support capacity building activities within countries and within UNICEF and partners to undertake embedded implementation research
Conduct capacity building activities within countries for implementation research, including protocol development workshops. Support the development of courses, including e-courses, for implementers and researchers undertaking Implementation Research.Support UNICEF staff to build capacity for implementation research and document the model UNICEF is employing with partners to undertake Implementation Research.Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:
1. Finalized IR handbook and an implementation plan developed for the handbook. – By 30 Oct 2024.
2. Draft report and a manuscript for journal publication based on the results. Update pro-equity immunization and gender learning database based on the results. – By 30 Nov 2024
3. Training course developed and launched. - By 30 Jan 2025
4. 3 capacity building session facilitated. – By 15 May 2025
5. Draft manuscript for publication based on the findings. – By 28 Feb 2025
6. Update all sections of the IR website in every 3 months. – By 15 Jun 2025
7. Report highlighting integrated and multi-sectoral UNICEF programming. – By 30 Mar 2025
8. This consultancy involves international travels (approx. 2 months at country level) as needed. Should travel be requested, it will be covered by UNICEF as per policy. For agreed country visits, the consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts. Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.
Qualifications
Education:
A Master´s degree in public health, epidemiology, health systems, health policy or related fields
Work experience:
Have more than 5 years of work experience in the areas of public health, and expert knowledge on maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health issues and of health programs in low and middle-income countries. Experience in conducting implementation and health systems research and have adequate knowledge on program management, knowledge translation, and policy communications. At least 5 publications in peer-reviewed public health journals.Competencies/Knowledge:
Expert knowledge and skills in conducting systematic, scoping review, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, write policy briefs and infographics. Possess excellent English and French proficiency. Knowledge of another official UN language (i.e., Spanish) is an asset. Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent tecRequirements:
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. 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 core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
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.
