Consultancy to support the implementation of the UNICEF-Gates NTD proposal

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting children's rights and well-being globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years and works in 190 countries and territories. The organization is known for being the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries and focuses on child health, nutrition, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees, UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, allowing it to implement various programs aimed at improving the lives of children and their families.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role is designed to support the implementation of the UNICEF-Gates NTD proposal, which aims to leverage UNICEF's GAVI-funded immunization and primary health care initiatives for the integration of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in priority countries. The consultant will work under the leadership of the global NTD technical lead and collaborate with country office staff and ministries of health to provide technical expertise. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of NTDs, their impact on communities, and the strategies needed to address these challenges effectively. The consultant will be responsible for conducting analyses, developing advocacy materials, and facilitating dialogues with stakeholders to mobilize resources and strengthen community-level capacities for NTD prevention and control.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of funding needs for NTD programming in tier 1 and 2 countries, producing tailored advocacy materials, and collaborating with governments to mobilize resources.
• Reviewing and updating the national community health worker (CHW) curriculum and training packages to incorporate NTD information and ensure alignment with global guidelines.
• Engaging with CHWs and their supervisors to inform the design and delivery of integrated NTD services.
• Advocating for the harmonization of CHW cadres and updating national geo-reference CHW master lists.
• Conducting country-level mapping of public health campaigns to identify underserved populations and opportunities for integration with NTD programming.
• Documenting lessons learned from integrated public health campaigns and providing guidance for scalability.
• Delivering regular progress reports and final outputs as outlined in the terms of reference.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Global/Public Health or infectious diseases, along with a minimum of 8 years of experience in communicable disease control, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. They should have proven knowledge and hands-on experience in the prevention and control of NTDs in high-burden countries. The ability to engage effectively with technical partners and senior officials within Ministries of Health is essential. Candidates should also have extensive experience working across multiple national public health programs in low-income settings, strong analytical skills, and the ability to produce high-quality technical communications. Proficiency in French is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Global/Public Health or infectious diseases is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public health challenges, particularly those related to neglected tropical diseases and community health initiatives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in communicable disease control, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates should have a proven track record in the prevention and control of NTDs, as well as experience in engaging with health sector leadership and providing strategic advice across various public health programs.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in French is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration in French-speaking regions where NTDs are prevalent.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from February 1, 2026, to December 1, 2027, and is primarily remote-based. 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. UNICEF will cover travel costs and daily subsistence allowances if international recruitment is necessary. Selected candidates must also ensure they have valid health insurance coverage and comply with visa requirements. The position is not considered a staff member role, and consultants are responsible for their tax liabilities. UNICEF adheres to strict child safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.