Individual National Consultant – Social & Behavior Change Maternal Child Health and Nutrition

UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

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For every child, health. 

The Constitution of Nepal mandated basic health care as a fundamental right of all citizens, and all levels of government are responsible for ensuring this right is honored. The federal context has increased the responsibility of locally elected representatives and other local government stakeholders to make basic health services accessible, effective, and efficient, as the primary responsibility of delivering these services lies with the local governments.

The Government of Nepal has endorsed the Nepal Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2030 (2079/80–2087/88). The implementation of NHS-SP – 2022-2030 is the priority for the Federal Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), and the departments, divisions, and sections need to work in coordination to achieve the strategic objectives, outcomes, and outputs of the plan. Output 1.6.1. Strengthened preparedness for public health emergencies, output 2.1.2. Operationalized multi-sectoral collaborations by establishing institutional mechanisms and output 2.2.1. Modified behavior of citizens for a healthier lifestyle has strategic actions related to SBC. The Multi Sectorial Nutrition Plan (MSNP) III – 2023-2030 has identified SBC as one of the key interventions to address harmful social and cultural norms, traditions, beliefs, and behaviors specific to health and nutrition-related issues.

There are various existing SBC strategies and action plans; some of them have expired, some are expiring soon, and some need to be formulated. Currently, MoHP/NHEICC is developing the overarching health promotion strategy, andthere is and need to have SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines aligned with the health promotion strategy and MSNP III.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

The consultancy will perform the following tasks:

• Outline and present an inception report on the approach to achieving objectives. The report will include a robust methodology, including consultation meetings, FGDs, KII, IDI, field observation and timeline for gathering the information and data required for the delivery of the assignment.
• Review all relevant global and national documents and secondary data on SBC Neonatal Maternal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines, including NDHS 2022, NMICS 2019, HMIS, the health-seeking Behavior study, and other relevant studies.
• Examine the potential effect of innovative and digital SBC approaches and their potential use in program implementation.
• Examine the readiness of available SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines for its preparedness status on the accountability for affected populations during humanitarian crises.
• Assess the progress made in the implementation of MNCHN communication strategy at the federal, provincial, and local levels through secondary data analysis, literature review, and meetings.
• Organize multi-stakeholder meetings, participatory workshops to identify bottlenecks and challenges in implementations of MNCHN communication strategy to achieve objectives.
• Organize multi-stakeholder consultative meetings, workshops including the federal ministerial and interministerial, provincial, and local stakeholders and technical meetings with the existing sectorial Technical Working Committee for the SBC Maternal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines
• Draft the new SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines, result matrix, key milestones and key SBC messages as per the decentralization framework of Nepal and with a multi-stakeholder participatory approach
• Facilitate the review and validation process among the stakeholders at the different levels, including the endorsement of the progressive timeline for its implementation.

The SBC Maternal Child Health and Nutrition will function under the operational guidance, oversight, and reporting of the delegated capacities both from the MoHP/NHEICC and the Nutrition Section at UNICEF, with technical guidance of the SBC Chief or the delegated capacity in UNICEF Nepal Country Office, and in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders at the national and subnational levels as required.

TASK:

Task 1:

Conduct desk reviews, data analysis and develop inception report for the overall assessment.

Task 2:

Organize and facilitate high level discussions and consultation meetings at the Ministry Department, interministerial and partners (in different periods of the consultancy). Include Provincial and local government participation where appropriate. Develop the progress report for the current SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines, gather input and finalize it.

Task 3:

Draft the SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines 2025- 2030 and share it with the technical working committee at NHEICC/MoHP, incorporate the inputs and submit the final guidelines.

First Deliverable:

• Inception report submitted

Second Deliverable:

• Organized consultation meetings and high-level consultation workshops
• Progress report incorporating the feedback

Final Deliverable:

• Endorsed SBC Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition guidelines in Nepali
• Finalize orientation presentations

Duration:

The duration of the contract is for six months, tentatively starting from mid-August 2025

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

Education:

Masters degree  in Public Health, Nutrition, Social Sciences, Behavioural Science, or a related field

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in

• Maternal Neonatal Child Health & Nutrition (MNCHN),
• Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Expertise,
• Research & Data Analysis Skills
• Policy and Program Design Experience

Proven 5 years of experience managing and leading projects, preferably in health or nutrition settings.

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.

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:  

female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

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 health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.