Consultant for Perinatal Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The consultant will lead an assessment aimed at evaluating the impact and effectiveness of national perinatal healthcare programs in Tajikistan. This role involves conducting a bottleneck analysis using WHO's framework for maternal and newborn health care, identifying systemic issues affecting care quality, and collaborating with national partners to understand the root causes of successes and failures in perinatal health initiatives. The assessment will provide critical insights to the government and partners, helping to refine strategies for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the country. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF, WHO, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan, ensuring that the assessment aligns with national health priorities and contributes to sustainable improvements in healthcare quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the assessment of national perinatal healthcare programs, focusing on care provision and experiences, success and failure factors, and quality improvements.
• Conduct a bottleneck analysis using WHO's framework to identify systemic issues affecting care quality.
• Collaborate with national consultants and partners to identify root causes of successes and failures in sustaining quality improvements and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
• Develop recommendations based on findings to refine and scale up effective practices, supporting the government in strengthening healthcare quality and establishing monitoring systems.
• Prepare and submit an inception report detailing methodology, quality assurance strategies, and ethical considerations.
• Conduct field visits to healthcare facilities and communities in at least four regions to gather data and insights.
• Produce a final assessment report with targeted activities and strategies to address identified root causes, along with a policy brief for decision-makers.
• Co-facilitate a country-level meeting to present results and recommendations, ensuring stakeholder engagement and commitment to action.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in health, public health, or a relevant field; a PhD is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of international experience in health program assessment/evaluation, particularly in maternal, newborn, and child healthcare.
• Proven experience in quality of care improvement initiatives focused on perinatal healthcare.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience working with government organizations, UN agencies, and communities in perinatal health programs.
• Familiarity with UNICEF or UN assessments and evaluations is preferred.
• Practical experience in similar assignments is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in health, public health, or a related field. A PhD is considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability in the relevant areas of study.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of strong international experience in the assessment and evaluation of health programs, specifically in maternal, newborn, and child healthcare. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading or participating in quality of care improvement initiatives and should be familiar with the challenges and successes in perinatal healthcare.

Languages:
A good command of written English is mandatory. Working knowledge and communication skills in Russian are considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with local stakeholders and partners effectively.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will involve travel to Tajikistan for field visits, with a total of 107 workdays anticipated. The consultant will be compensated for travel and per diem as per the agreed travel plan. The position is expected to be full-time, with a focus on delivering high-quality assessments and recommendations within a specified timeframe. Applications must include a CV, cover letter, technical proposal, financial proposal, and references. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.