International Consultant – Health/HIV Specialist, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (11 Months in country)

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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) is facing a growing public health emergency, with HIV infections rising rapidly; particularly among women and children. Since 2010, new HIV cases have doubled, reaching an estimated 11,000 in 2024 (approximately 30 new infections daily). HIV testing in 2024 revealed a national positivity rate of 3%, with some Provinces reporting rates as high as 4–5%. Among pregnant women, the positivity rate was 1.72%, with eight provinces recording rates between 2–3%, signaling a concerning spread within the general population.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains alarmingly high at 36%, the highest in the region, resulting in approximately 2,700 infants born with HIV annually. Of the estimated 255,814 pregnant women in 2024, only 63% attended at least one ANC visit, and just 47% of those were tested for HIV, meaning only 30% of all pregnant women were tested. These gaps highlight critical weaknesses in antenatal HIV testing and treatment coverage.

With a national HIV prevalence of 1.5%, and 11 of 22 provinces exceeding 1% prevalence, the National Department of Health (NDOH) has declared HIV a National Emergency. Significant gaps persist in funding, health workforce capacity, and weak systems for delivering quality HIV services. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities to strengthen integration, coordination, and advocacy to accelerate progress toward Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDOH) and partners, with support from DFAT and other donors, is actively engaged in designing and implementing high-impact interventions to reverse the alarming trends in vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in Papua New Guinea. To accelerate progress toward zero vertical transmission, a critical priority is building the capacity of health care workers at all levels to rapidly scale up antenatal care (ANC) testing for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and the integration of HIV/AIDS interventions into MNCH services. In this context, UNICEF seeks the services of an experienced international consultant to lead the capacity-building effort, ensuring effective implementation of integrated testing and treatment strategies that will fast-track the reduction of mother-to-child transmission and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes nationwide.

PURPOSE OF ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will provide technical assistance to support NDOH and UNICEF in the design, implementation and monitoring of high-impact interventions aimed at reducing vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B. The role will focus on improving antenatal HIV testing and integration of HIV/AIDS interventions into MNCH services, strengthening health systems, and ensuring alignment with national strategies such as the National STI and HIV Strategy 2024–2028, PNG Triple Elimination Strategy, and the Ministerial HIV Emergency Response Plan.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: Specifically, the consultant will:

• Accelerate implementation of high-impact interventions for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in line with the Ministerial Emergency Response Plan
• Strengthen integration of HIV interventions into maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services at all levels
• Scale up ANC testing of HIV and Syphilis in selected provinces.
• Support capacity building for Village Health Assistants and health workers to improve uptake and quality of HIV services & increasing community awareness
• Support NDOH in HIV surveillance data management

TASKS AND ACTIVITIES: The consultant will:

• Facilitate training and mentoring for health workers and Village Health Workers on PMTCT protocols, HIV testing and mSupply.
• Support NDOH in the review and finalization of the PPTCTC training curriculum and manual
• Support forecasting and quantification for HIV commodities (2026–2030)
• Support integration of PMTCT interventions into MNCH platforms, including digital health tools and supply chain systems.
• Work with NDOH and other partners to strengthen the functionality and coordination of PPTCT TWG
• Regular attendance and active participation in VHA meetings at national and subnational levels.
• Attend monthly meetings of the HIV and PPTCT TWG meetings

DELIVERABLES: The consultant will deliver the following:

• Strengthened Policy environment for the delivery of PPTCT services Work with other partners to support the review and finalization of the PPTCTC training manuals (facilitators and participants)
• TA provided to NDOH for the adoption of the policy to use LEN-PrEP into the national prevention strategy
• Expanded capacity for Antenatal testing of HIV and Syphilis HCWs in selected provinces trained on HIV/Syphilis testing
• SOP and Job Aids on PPTCT reviewed, updated and distributed
• Capacity Building of VHAs and Community Engagement:
• Support the PHAs to train VHAs using the existing NDOH updated training curriculum focusing on integrated MNCH, Immunization, nutrition and PPTCT messaging
• Development and roll out of communication strategy for HIV/AIDS control

TIMELINE: March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027

REPORTING:

• The consultants will report progress regularly on deliverables to NDOH and UNICEF Quarterly Progress Reports on implementation and outcomes.
• Final Report summarizing achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, such as Public Health, Medical Degree, MNCH, or a related field; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Years of Experience: At least 8 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in public health, HIV/AIDS, MNCH, health program management, or other relevant programs; experience with health systems strengthening is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations.
• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge in areas such as maternal and child health, infectious diseases, health policy, and health education.
• Experience working with UN agencies (including UNICEF), international organizations, or donor-funded programmes is desirable.
• Experience in Papua New Guinea and/or the Pacific region is considered an advantage.

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.