National Consultant – To contribute to the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in 12 UNICEF assisted states of Nigeria, Abuja Nigeria, 9 Months.

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, Care.

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally – click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are preventable and treatable diseases, they affect over 1.7 billion people across the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. Two (2) out of every 3 Nigerians harbor at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)i. Seven of these diseases are highly prevalent and include ascariasis, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and trachoma.

These diseases result primarily from poor housing and poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) provisions. The conditions are perpetuated by the vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance, and disease. NTDs can lead to long-term disability that can limit the life expectancy and productivity of an individual. NTDs bring about stigmatization of affected individuals; they have ruined more than a billion lives. NTDs affect families’ ability to earn income because of debility, the diseases reduce self-worth and confidence due to stigma, and some women lose their marriages when affected by some NTDs like genital Schistosomiasis, Leprosy, and Elephantiasis.

Whole communities become infected since most of the diseases are communicable. Local populations can become impoverished due to endemic NTDs. NTDs have huge impact on economies because of their devastating impact on health, long-term disabilities, and stigma, which can result in mental health challenges.

Rationale:

In view of the importance of providing a focused and frequent field support to the FMoH and twelve states supported by UNICEF in the NTDs elimination efforts, the services of an independent national consultant with local expertise, knowledge and understanding of NTD issues in Nigeria and its linkages with WASH is required. The support to the twelve states requires expert technical support of a parasitologist. The assignment requires carrying out multiple activities concurrently and needs ample time and travel to achieve objectives as the program covers 12 states. The assignment will also involve documentation and support for epidemiological reviews of UNICEF’s technical support to NTDs elimination in Nigeria.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

The National Consultant is expected to provide technical support to Federal and State Ministries of Health, NTDs Unit of State Primary Health Care Development Boards, Water Resources, Ministries of Environment, WASH institutional structures, and other relevant stakeholders involved in NTDs elimination and WASH program, and directly report to the WASH Officer (WASH in Institutions).

With guidance from the supervisor (WASH Officer) and the WASH Manager, in close collaboration with sector stakeholders, the following are the key assignments of the consultancy:

Work Assignment/ Overflow:

Task/Milestone:

1.Produce a detailed work plan for the consultancy and inception report.

Deliverable Outputs:

Inception Report including detailed work plan outlining the specific deliverables, strategies, activities, timeline and expected outputs is submitted to the supervisor.

Task/Milestone:

2.Facilitate local ownership and resource mobilization in collaboration with policy and decision-makers, including traditional rulers, professional bodies, private sector individuals, corporate organizations, etc. to generate resources in support of NTDs elimination.

Deliverable Outputs:

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

• An advanced university degree in Parasitology or Public Health or any other specialist field related to Health and WASH.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in National and subnational work in WASH/NTD implementation.
• Experience with facilitation, research, and consultations.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the national and state level policy, institutional, regulatory, and legal frameworks for NTDs.
• Evidence of solid knowledge of stakeholder in the country, in particular national institutions, ministries, departments, and agencies in Health and WASH sectors.
• Willingness to travel to rural and semi-urban areas of the country.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Remarks:  

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

Applicants must submit their financial and technical proposals along with this application. Applications without these will not be considered. Use this form to provide your financial proposal. 

 All-Inclusive Financial Proposal Form-Current.docx

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.