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, a future

Background

Within the South Asia region, data and digital health has been a growth area for UNICEF over the last few years. In late 2023 – 2024, the regional office has produced a regional digital health landscape analysis of the South Asia countries, drafted a regional strategy and roadmap for digital health for UNICEF ROSA, and provided technical support and capacity building to all of the country offices in the region.

The landscape analysis found that the South Asia region is highly technologically enabled and literate, however a significant digital divide persists. Considerable progress has been made in the region in implementing digital tools for improving data collection, management, analytics and visualizations for health. Additionally, selected innovative approaches have been implemented to support broader use of digital tools in health, such as, telemedicine, telemental health initiatives, immunization microplanning, use of chatbots for health workers and clients, and m-referral. However, these programs are largely project-based and solution-led, with notable fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiencies. Governance and coordination for digital health systems is weak. There is a need for a shift from digital health projects to digitally enabled health systems anchored in PHC delivery.

The resulting regional strategy for digital health in South Asia applies a systems lens, taking into consideration governance and leadership, coordination, financing, capacity, infrastructure, and the various digital platforms already being supported. It highlights the need to build political will and government ownership and leadership for digital health governance, and identify sustainable domestic financing mechanisms; and to identify alignment opportunities, leveraging UNICEF’s multi-sectoral approach, to support broader Government Digital Transformation and eGovernment efforts. It further recognizes the opportunities and challenges, presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Good Things (IoGT), aiming to provide clear guidance to UNICEF offices and country partners on use cases that are aligned with the systems approach.

The strategy is accompanied by a regional roadmap for digital health systems for Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) and immunization. The regional office intends to build capacity of country offices and government counterparts, raise funding for digital health systems work, and build regional partnerships, positioning UNICEF as a convening partner, thought leader, and leading technical partner in the region.

How can you make a difference?

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements