Consultancy |Provincial Health Coordinators, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 12Months (4 positions, only nationals of PNG to apply)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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For every child, the right to Health

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has faced significant challenges in improving key health outcomes, failing to achieve any of the health-related Millennium Development Goals. The country’s maternal, infant, and under-five mortality rates remain higher than the averages for lower middle-income countries, and child malnutrition has not improved in over a generation, with nearly half of children under five being stunted. Limited readiness to deliver frontline services is a major constraint to progress in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCAH). A situational analysis by the National Department of Health identified that many causes of maternal and neonatal mortality are preventable with timely interventions by healthcare workers, including early diagnosis, treatment, and referrals, proper hand hygiene, and delivery of Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC).

To support the GoPNG implement interventions that will fast tract the achievement of RMNCAH results at all levels, UNICEF with support from WB and NDOH will work with the PHAs and other partners to upskill health care providers and the community members to deliver quality integrated MNCH and HIV services.

To facilitate the process of upskilling and strengthening the capacity of HCWs and Village Health Assistants, UNICEF is deploying provincial health consultants to support the Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) in the development, implementation, monitoring and supervision of the upskilling of health care workers and village health assistants.

 

DUTY STATION

The Provincial Health Support Officers (Consultants) will be placed at the Provincial Health Authority in the following provinces:

1. Central
2. Chimbu
3. East New Britain
4. East Sepik

 

PURPOSE OF ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT

Under the direct supervision and functional guidance of the PHA Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Public Health and with technical guidance of UNICEF Health Specialist and Health Section programme managers, the Provincial Health Coordinators will undertake amongst others, the following key tasks:

1)  Work with the PHAs and DHAs to support the planning, coordination and monitoring of the upskilling of health care workers and VHAs.

2)  Support the conduct of skills development workshops at the provincial and district levels.

3)  Work with the PHAs and DHAs in the identification of HCWs and VHAs to be trained in all the clinical modules along the RMNCAH continuum of care.

4)  Support the use of Digital Learning for upskilling Healthcare Workers using the remote health care worker training platforms and online resources

5)  Work with the training teams to support the conduct of trainings for HCWs and VHAs including the coordination of the logistics necessary for the successful conduct of each training

6)  Work with NDOH and partners support the conduct of joint monitoring visits to ensure quality of trainings in each province

7)  Support the conduct of advocacy, networking, and partnership building in each province to ensure successful conduct of upskilling of PHAs and VHAs.

8)  Support the development and use of training manuals, tools and supervisory etools.

9)  Ensure strong coordination and engagement with World Bank CNSP and IMPACT Health projects and other DFAT supported activities in each province

10)  Support the use of Innovation, documentation, and knowledge management.

 

TIMELINE:  1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 (12months)

 

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A degree in Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification in RMNCAH or a related discipline is preferred.

Years of Professional Experience: At least 5 years of experience in training and capacity buildingin the health sector, with a focus on RMNCAH.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in training methodologies and tools.
• In-depth knowledge of RMNCAH issues, national health policies, and international guidelines.

Language skills. Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required. Knowledge of another local language of the province is considered as an asset.

Other necessary/desirable skills/qualifications.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to travel and work in field and emergency environments

Other requirements.

• Candidate must be a national of PNG.
• Candidate should preferably be from the same province where the position is located and should indicate the province/location name s/he is applying for in the application cover letter.
• Interested applicants must submit a cover letter together with their CV and performance evaluations.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

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.

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.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

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