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UNICEF : Consultant – Desk review on gender-sensitive female community workforce policies and practices in South Asia – Kathmandu

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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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, a future

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Community health workers, acting as frontline advocates, bridge the gap between healthcare systems and local populations, contributing significantly to the success of public health initiatives. To address inequalities embedded within health systems, it is critical to ensure that sufficient mechanisms are in place to capacitate community health workers to deliver gender-responsive/transformative services. Yet, this remains a critical gap in the region and there is a need to identify entry points for interventions.

The objective of this study is to assess the current landscape of gender-sensitive policies and practices related to female CHWs in South Asia, particularly as they pertain to recruitment, training, retention, remuneration, professionalization, and support systems. In addition, the assignment aims to develop a practical guidance/guideline to inform the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive policies that promote the participation, empowerment, and well-being of female CHWs in the 8 countries comprised in the South Asian region. The desk review will include existing legal and programmatic frameworks and guidelines, capacity-building initiatives, compensation schemes and family-friendly policies afforded to female community workers.  With the support of Country Offices, a qualitative approach including interviews with Health Workers will be deployed in 5 identified countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), and will complement the regional desk review. The overall study will highlight best practices and illustrative case studies and include recommendations for designing more evidence-based and gender-responsible policy and programme architectures for the female community health workers.

Purpose of assignment:

The review aims to evaluate existing policy and programmatic frameworks and gains focusing on enabling environments to foster a healthy, well-compensated and content female health workforce as well as gender-responsive services and provisions. The study will identify best practices and promising models for gender-responsive policies, guidelines and frameworks in the nexus of workplaces and healthcare facilities.

The specific objectives include: 

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  • To review existing national policies, strategies, roadmaps/operational plans and programme guidelines focusing on addressing gendered professional and personal needs of female CHWs in the 8 countries of the Region, and to conduct deep-dives in 5 identified countries with the support from Country Offices.
  • Identify both regional and country-specific policy, coordination and programmatic gaps and challenges that affect the participation, motivation, and empowerment of female CHWs.
  • Identify both regional and country-specific best practices and evidence-based recommendations for strengthening gender-sensitive community health workforce policies and programmes.
  • Develop a practical guidance/guideline to inform the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive policies and programmes that promote the participation, empowerment, and well-being of female CHWs in South Asia (the guidance should include both country-specific recommendations and a regional perspective)

The study will primarily employ a qualitative approach to gain an understanding of the experiences, challenges, and opportunities of female CHWs in South Asia. The desk review is expected to draw on a wide range of literature produced by South Asian governments, UNICEF, academic researchers, UN agencies, NGOs and others. The deep-dives realized in 5 selected countries will include Key Informant Interviews, coordinated and supported by Country Offices. Two travels to selected countries will be organized in the frame of the assignment.

Key Assignment:

The selected consultant will be responsible for the design and implementation of the study over a period of 47 days. The major tasks involved are the following:

  • Literature Review/Desk review: The consultant is expected to conduct an extensive review of national, regional and international literature related to female frontline healthcare workforce, labour conditions, compensations, and domestic responsibilities. The literature review examines existing evidence as well as evidence gaps, theoretical frameworks and existing programmes and services targeting female CHWs in South Asia.
  • Case Studies: With the aim to highlight effective policy design, programme approaches and innovations, case studies will be developed highlighting the impact of these programmes on female CHWs.
  • Analysis and Report Writing: The consultant should propose a clear strategy for analyzing both the qualitative and quantitative data collected during the literature review. It is expected that the analyses take advantage of the most current approaches to quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Techniques should ensure sufficient attention to issues of human rights and equity including dimensions related to gender, disability status, social and economic status, and geography. The analysis should clearly answer the questions outlined in the objectives. The consultant is expected to develop an inception report and a final report with both regional and country-specific policy and programmatic recommendations based on the results of the study.

Key Deliverables:

  • Final inception report and tools (in Ms. Word); required number of days – 6
  • Comprehensive draft report (In Ms. Word); required number of days – 20
  • Draft practical guidance/guidelines on strengthening gender-sensitive policies and programs; required number of days – 8
  • A summary PPT presentation of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations; required number of days – 2
  • Final guidance/guideline on strengthening gender-sensitive policies and programs; required number of days – 11

Note: This is a home based consultancy. Please submit your application with the financial proposal.

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

Education: A master’s degree in public health with a focus on gender/development studies, social sciences, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, Gender studies, or other related fields is required.

Work Experience:

  • At least Eight (8) years of work experience in public health, gender and development at international organization(s), with significant experience in community health, nutrition and Gender.
  • Strong background in Gender Analysis and equitable policies and experience in Gender and Health
  • Proven track record of conducting gender-related literature /desk reviews, syntheses, and critical appraisal of literature.
  • Knowledge and experience in community health/primary health care systems and programmes
  • Ability to identify key health qualitative and quantitative data and technical information from various policies, guidelines reports and other sources, and present it in a less technical manner.
  • Experience in providing technical assistance and thought leadership surrounding the analysis, design, and implementation of primary health care and/or health system strengthening.
  • Knowledge and experience in health financing is an advantage.
  • Familiarity or relevant experience in the South Asia Region is considered as an asset
  • Demonstrated experience in working with UN agencies and governments would be an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required.

 Skills and Competencies:

  • Experience in reporting on qualitative and quantitative analytics
  • Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

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.

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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 jobs-near-me.org 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


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