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, Results 

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference?

Purpose-

Providing professional technical support to develop pre-pregnancy, maternal, newborn and under 5 child health and nutrition and FP quality Road Map and the national operational plan for 2025 – 2035.

Scope of the work

 Goal and Objective:  The consultant will review the present situation in terms of quality improvement initiatives and will develop the quality road map and the national operational plan for quality improvement in pre-pregnancy, maternal, newborn, under 5 child health and nutrition and family planning for 2025-2035. Overall, the objectives of a Maternal and Child Health Quality Improvement Plan, are centered around improving access to quality care, reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality, strengthening infrastructure and capacity, and fostering collaboration to ensure that MNCH+FP care is readily available and effectively utilized for the well-being of mothers, newborns, and under 5 children.

Description of assignment

Activities and Tasks:

Closely liaise with the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel appointed by the Ministry of Health under the chairmanship of DDG/PHS II (referred to as TWG) : The Ministry of Health will establish a multidisciplinary expert panel comprising of professionals, researchers, and relevant stakeholders who have expertise in quality management in MNCH+FPs system. This panel will provide diverse perspectives and ensure a comprehensive approach to maternal, newborn, child health + FP quality improvement plan. This committee will be reporting to the TAC on Maternal Health and TAC on Newborn and Child Health

Landscape analysis of the QoC initiatives in Sri Lanka using the WHO quality of care landscape analysis tool kit (may need to adapt the tool): Conduct a thorough review of the existing national policies, strategies, previous MNH quality plans, standards and, guidelines (fhb.health.gov.lk/ ), and best practices related to quality assurance and improvement in MNCH+FP services including WHO and UNICEF global guidance on MCH quality improvements (https://www.who.int/health-topics/quality-of-care) based on the guidance provided in Improving the quality of care for maternal, newborn and child health;   Implementation guide for national, district and facility levels guide. May need to adapt the tools for landscape analysis according to the country context.

Identify implementation gaps, programmatic and system constraints: The gaps in ongoing process of quality initiatives at the national level and selected district/ facility level needs to be identified in the maternal, newborn, under 5 child health + Family Planning programmes. Suitable solutions need to be identified and included to the road map and operational plan accordingly.

Develop quality road map for the MNCH+FP and an operational plan for the quality improvement: Analyze the evidence and synthesize into actionable recommendations. The interventions to improve MNCH + FP quality need to be identified and presented with the recommendations. The consensus for the road map needs to be achieved through a workshop with the participation of key stakeholders of the MNCH + FP quality.

National operational plan for quality improvement in MNCH + FP should be according to the model of implementation (with the consultation of TWG) and selected quality interventions for the country. It shall identify processes, resources and actions need to implement QoC.  The final operational plan needs to be validated through a workshop with the participation of key stakeholders. Monitoring and evaluation component for the operational plan needs to be developed with identification of key indicators including options to for updating RHMIS to capture Quality improvement interventions at various levels. M&E plan should be aligned with relevant global and regional M&E frameworks.

Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder mapping needs to be conducted. Seek inputs and feedback from relevant stakeholders including healthcare providers, professional organizations, and policymakers. Their perspectives will help ensure the relevance, applicability, and feasibility of the maternal and child health quality improvement plan and the road map.

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

PHD in Public Health, Obstetrics, Child Health

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

10-year experience in MNCH related quality assessment, development of improvement plans. Experience in conducting similar assessment in LMIC countries is an advantage. Experience in development of quality road maps and quality improvement plans for LMIC countries is essential.

Experience in working with public health institutions, mainly the Hospitals, Public Health Institutions on Quality improvement in MNCH + Family planning is required.

Broad understanding of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health including child immunization programme, Child Nutrition programme and Family Planning Programme is an advantage.

Prior experience in conducting similar service mapping exercises will be an added advantage.

Ability to work in English is essential.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable)

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered

Duration of the consultancy: 3 months (60 days)

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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: 

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.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

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