Consultancy for VINA Prioritization Brief

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and protecting children's rights globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years and works in 190 countries and territories. The organization focuses on children's survival, protection, and development, making it the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, and employs over 12,000 staff across more than 145 countries.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position aims to develop a concise and impactful policy brief for UNICEF, governments, and partners. The brief will summarize the rationale for prioritizing vulnerable populations for Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) delivery and present a framework for identifying and targeting these groups using available data. The consultant will provide actionable policy and programming recommendations aligned with UNICEF's equity-driven approach, focusing on reaching zero-dose and underserved populations. The work will involve reviewing existing evidence, current guidance on targeting, and developing a policy brief that outlines key risk and vulnerability criteria, as well as policy options for governments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key deliverables, including:

• Conducting an inception meeting with UNICEF HQ and regional specialists to outline the workplan and structure of the brief.
• Performing a rapid desk review of relevant evidence, strategies, and data sources, culminating in an annotated outline of the policy brief.
• Drafting the full policy brief, which will include infographics and tables to enhance understanding.
• Incorporating feedback from UNICEF and partners into the final policy brief.
• Creating a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key messages for dissemination. Each deliverable has specific deadlines, with the final policy brief due by January 20, 2026.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in global health, nutrition, health policy, or a related field. They should have at least 7 years of experience in global nutrition policy, programming, or research, with strong technical knowledge of child survival interventions, particularly VAS. Experience in writing policy briefs, guidance notes, or advocacy documents is essential, along with familiarity with equity-focused programming and maternal/child vulnerability indicators. Excellent English writing and communication skills are mandatory, and familiarity with population-based data sources such as DHS and MICS is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in global health, nutrition, health policy, or a related field is required for this consultancy position. This educational background ensures that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the complexities involved in global health and nutrition policy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in global nutrition policy, programming, or research. This level of experience is crucial for the consultant to effectively analyze and synthesize information, develop policy recommendations, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, particularly in writing and communication. While not explicitly stated, proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial, especially in contexts where UNICEF operates in multilingual environments.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home/office-based and is expected to last from December 1, 2025, to February 15, 202

• Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and submit their academic credentials along with a financial proposal detailing costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment. UNICEF will cover any emergent travel costs and daily subsistence allowances if required. Selected candidates must have current health insurance coverage at the time of contract award and are subject to background checks. The consultancy does not confer staff member status, and consultants are responsible for their tax liabilities. Additionally, selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.