UNICEF:International Consultant to support the national Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) survey – Phnom Penh

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    CONTRACTOR
  • Posted:
    2 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Environment and Natural Resources, Healthcare, Research and Data, Youth and Adolescence
  • Deadline:
    15/12/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

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, dreams. 

UNICEF started operation in Cambodia in 1952 and opened first country office in 1973 in Phnom Penh. More information on what we do in Cambodia is available at https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/.

How can you make a difference?

The Toxic Truth report by UNICEF and Pure Earth (2020) highlighted lead as a potent neurotoxin causing irreversible damage to children’s brain development. Cambodia ranks among the highest in Southeast Asia for lead exposure, with an estimated 3.17 million children (over 50% of those under 18) having elevated blood lead levels above 5 μg/dL. This environmental health crisis is compounded by other toxic metal contamination, such as arsenic in groundwater and rice, and a high burden of household air pollution. Recent assessments, including Cambodia’s first Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) report supported by UNICEF, underscore the urgent need to address these risks. The CEH report identifies lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic as significant health hazards for children and pregnant women, linking them to sources like contaminated water, soil, crops, and consumer products. Despite these findings, Cambodia lacks comprehensive, national-level biochemical and environmental surveys to assess exposure and guide targeted interventions.
To bridge this critical gap, UNICEF, USAID, and the Cambodian government will collaborate to conduct a national survey assessing the prevalence of lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic among children (0–18 years) and pregnant women. This survey will also collect and analyze blood and urine samples alongside environmental samples from soil, water, food, toys, and paint to identify contamination sources and high-risk areas. The data will inform evidence-based policy decisions and public health interventions, strengthening regulations, such as establishing a national legal limit on lead paint. Additionally, the consultancy will support advocacy and visibility efforts to raise awareness of lead poisoning and environmental health issues while enhancing interministerial coordination to address these pressing challenges. UNICEF requires an international consultant with large survey and research experience to support the coordination and management of the CEH survey among stakeholders. This survey will be the first of this kind in Cambodia and globally.

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

  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Statistics, Epidemiology, Environment health, health research and evaluation or other related disciplines
  • Minimum of 5 years work experience in relevant areas with and proof of previous experience in carrying out health sector related research, studies, evaluations, M&E and surveys
  • Proficient in statistical analysis and software required, including regression analysis
  • Experience in carrying out similar scope large-scale surveys particularly in LMICs or similar contexts is an asset
  • Experience in research, studies or technical support to health programs in Cambodia or similar context is an asset
  • Experience in designing and conducting surveys with a strong focus on environmental health and biochemical exposure analysis would be an asset
  • Strong communication and written skills in English
  • Able to work well with others and in a team environment
  • Experience developing quality publications, policy briefs and manuscripts in the health sector
  • Must be available for the specific timeline and duration of the consultancy assignment
  • Some knowledge of Khmer or experience working in Cambodia, LMICs and similar settings is an asset

Please find the terms of reference for this consultancy and the financial proposal template in the attachments below.

ToR-CEH survey manager and coordinator tms.pdf

Financial offer template.docx

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