Big Catch Up Consultant – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Dose Reconciliation, Knowledge Management

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 currently works in 190 countries and territories. The organization is known for being the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, focusing on child health, nutrition, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees in more than 145 countries, UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, allowing it to carry out its mission effectively.

Job Overview:
The Big Catch Up Consultant will play a crucial role in facilitating global monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes for the final phase of the Big Catch-Up (BCU) initiative. This initiative aims to recover and enhance immunization systems that were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant decline in immunization coverage. The consultant will provide technical advice on dose reconciliation, develop case studies, and create knowledge products that synthesize cross-country learning. The role involves ensuring high-quality documentation of results and lessons learned to inform future immunization recovery efforts. The consultant will also support countries in strengthening their immunization performance, focusing on planning, implementation, and monitoring of the BCU.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include facilitating global MEL for the BCU, tracking progress and performance across regions and countries, synthesizing evidence on implementation and results, and supporting the systematic use of data for learning and accountability. They will provide technical advice for global BCU accountability, including dose reconciliation processes, reviewing reported doses, and documenting discrepancies. The consultant will also facilitate the completion of final country BCU case studies, capturing implementation experiences and best practices, and contribute to a global synthesis report and learning briefs. Additionally, the consultant will be responsible for consolidating evidence and ensuring high-quality documentation of results to inform sustainability and future immunization recovery efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in international public health programme management, with at least three years of substantive experience in immunization programmes, preferably in low- and middle-income countries. They should demonstrate expertise in immunization programme strategic planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Proven experience in engaging with national ministries of health and coordinating with various immunization stakeholders is essential. Strong communication and presentation skills are required, along with proficiency in standard office software applications. Prior experience with a United Nations agency or international organization is an asset, and candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree or advanced university degree in Medicine, Public Health, Health Policy and Management, Social or Behavioural Science, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the objectives of the BCU initiative.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in international public health programme management. This includes at least three years of substantive experience specifically in immunization programmes, which is critical for understanding the complexities and challenges associated with immunization efforts in various contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of French or Portuguese is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in different regions.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is remote-based and is expected to last from February 1, 2026, to August 31, 202

• Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and upload their academic credentials. A financial proposal reflecting the costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment is required. UNICEF will cover any emergent duty travel expenses, and selected candidates must have current health insurance coverage at the time of contract award. Payment of professional fees will be contingent upon the submission of satisfactory deliverables. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.