National Consultant to provide support to Maternal and Newborn Health Programme, 6 months, Khartoum, Sudan

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope 

Sudan, surrounded by the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Libya and South Sudan, positioned next to East, West, South and North Africa, is surrounded by complex conflicts in an unpredictable, volatile and rapidly evolving region. Sudan is by size the third biggest country in Africa, with a diverse population of around 42 million people. Sudan’s children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives significantly improve: fewer girls and boys are dying before their fifth birthday, primary school attendance is increasing, immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free. Still, millions of children continue to suffer from protracted conflict in Darfur, the Kordofan’s, and Blue Nile, from seasonal natural disasters, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, and from under-investment in basic social services. More than three million of Sudan’s school aged children are not in the classroom. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheUNICEFSudan

How can you make a difference?

Basic objectives: 

1. Follow-up the implementation of, and monitor the different UNICEF-supported MNH interventions

2. Support the development of a data base of UNICEF-supported health facilities and the improvement of MNCH routine data collection.

3. Oversee procurements including planning, placing of orders for necessary equipment and supplies for procurement, and prepares distribution list of equipment and supplies and keeps records for strengthening logistics system.

4. Provide technical support on Maternal and Newborn Health to implementing Partners and Field Officers.

 

Key Activities/Tasks:

1. Conduct field missions to UNICEF projects’ sites to monitor and provide technical backstopping in maternal and neonatal health

2. Follow up the implementation of the MoU with UNFPA

3. Monitor the MNH programme progress in terms of achieving results, using existing monitoring tools.

4. Follow up funding requests from implementing partners, and timely monitor DCTs liquidation with their required technical reports.

5. Work closely with the M&E team to develop a data base of health facilities currently supported by UNICEF (list of the HFs, levels of Newborn care, types of support UNICEF is providing e.g. training, supplies, etc..)

6. Work with the FMoH and the M&E Team to come up with a mechanism to improve the MNCH routine data collection mechanism.

7. Contribute to procurement and distribution of MNH supplies and follow their transportation to end users.

8. Monitor supply chain management to ensure availability of MNH supplies at facility and community level at all times

9. Collects and records information on MNH supply inventory, distribution and utilization.

10. Provide technical assistance to Implementing Partners and Field Officers to implement, monitor and evaluate MNH projects/activities through applying existing procedures and mechanisms as well as through development of new approaches and tools.

11. Provide support to the FMoH for the development of the Newborn Care Roadmap

12. Attends technical cooperation meetings, prepares notes and undertakes follow-up action and coordination

13. Scale up the Maternal and Newborn health services through the capacity building of the MNH service providers

 

Output(s)/Deliverable(s):

1.  At least two field visits conducted, and monitoring reports provided

2.  UNICEF-UNFPA MoU Work plan implementation monitored every two months.

3. MNH programme monitoring report presented every month.

4. Funding requests are collected as per the AWP Schedule and DCTs are liquidated within three months of their release.

5. UNICEF-supported health facilities’ data base developed in three months’ time from the beginning of the consultancy using the current monitoring tool

6. MNCH routine data collection   mechanism improved within three months of the beginning of the consultancy.

7. MNH supplies are timely procured and distributed to end users.

8. MNH supplies monitored and made available at facility and community level on monthly basis in coordination with Field Offices

9. MNH supply records are well maintained.

10. Technical assistance to Implementing Partners and Field Officers to implement, monitor and evaluate MNH projects/activities provided.

11. Support for the development of the Newborn Care Roadmap provided.

12. Technical cooperation meetings attended, notes prepared, and action points followed up

13. Capacity building of the Maternal and Newborn health services providers was supported in at least nine session during the consultancy.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, pediatric health, family health, or Social Sciences. 
• A minimum of Four years of relevant professional experience in public health development, planning or programme design and project management. Previous experience in maternal and newborn health projects is an asset.
• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in MNH field
• Ability to deliver products on time and within budget.
• Good planning, coordination and monitoring skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and with various stakeholders.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit 

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

No Fee:

UNICEF DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). UNICEF DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.