Consultant for Design, Facilitation, and Reporting of a Two-Part Pandemic Simulation Exercise (SIMEX)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is the world's leading organization dedicated to children's rights and welfare. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years, working in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection, and development. It is the largest provider of vaccines for developing countries and focuses on child health and nutrition, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. 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 consultant will be responsible for designing, facilitating, and reporting on a two-part Pandemic Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) aimed at enhancing UNICEF's readiness for public health emergencies, particularly influenza pandemics. The exercise will involve testing internal operational procedures and engaging various sectors within UNICEF to improve overall preparedness. The consultant will work closely with the Emergency Programmes Office (EMOPS) and other divisions to ensure that the simulation aligns with UNICEF's Pandemic Influenza Planning Guide and global health frameworks. The role requires a deep understanding of emergency preparedness and the ability to create realistic simulation scenarios that reflect UNICEF's operational needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and develop simulation materials for two parts of the SIMEX, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Pandemic Influenza Planning Guide and global health frameworks.
• Prepare and adapt supporting materials, including facilitator guides, simulation injects, and evaluation tools.
• Facilitate the online SIMEX, conducting pre-briefings and debrief sessions with clear objectives.
• Produce a detailed report summarizing key observations, lessons learned, and recommendations for strengthening pandemic readiness.
• Collaborate with various UNICEF staff across regions and sectors to ensure comprehensive engagement in the simulation exercise.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 8 years of experience in emergency preparedness, response planning, or humanitarian simulation exercises. They should have demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating simulation exercises, particularly in public health or UN contexts. Strong knowledge of UNICEF’s emergency procedures and the global health preparedness landscape is essential. Excellent facilitation, communication, and analytical writing skills are required, along with the ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in public health, humanitarian studies, disaster risk management, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical framework and understanding of the complexities involved in emergency preparedness and response.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in emergency preparedness and response planning, particularly in the context of public health and humanitarian simulation exercises. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully designing and facilitating such exercises, demonstrating their capability to manage complex scenarios and engage multiple stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in additional languages relevant to UNICEF's operational areas would be considered an asset. This could include languages such as French, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on the regions where the consultant may be required to work or engage with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home/office-based and is expected to last from January 15, 2026, to April 30, 202

• The consultant will be required to submit a financial proposal that includes costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment. UNICEF will cover any emergent travel costs and related expenses if required. Selected candidates must have current health insurance coverage at the time of contract award. Payment will be contingent upon the satisfactory submission of deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if standards are not met. Additionally, candidates must confirm their fully-vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.