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, 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's maternal and newborn health indices have significantly improved in the last 2 decades, but progress is very slow and key indices for priority interventions in newborn health and immunization have stagnated. PNG has the highest rates of NMR & MMR in the region and is NOT on track to achieving the SDGs.
The NDOH is working with other partners to support the implementation of low-cost high impact interventions aligned to the National Health Plan 2021-2030 that will improve access and quality of MNCH services, accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage towards the achievement of the SDGs.
With 87% of the population of PNG living in rural areas, Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces significant challenges in maternal and newborn health due to difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and high rates of preventable morbidity and mortality.
Health care workers spend many years without upskilling and the cost of reaching those health workers in the rural areas is very high.
There are numerous NGOs trying to support the Government of PNG build capacity of health workers at different levels for improved quality of MNCH services. There exist numerous training curricula being used by different partners. The NDOH does not have a standardized training curriculum that is aligned to the New WHO Signal Functions for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care. Many NGOs and UN partners advocate for the use of the WHO approved training guidelines on emergency obstetric and newborn care but this is not what is practiced universally by all partners.
NGOs and UN partners are actively involved in capacity building of health care workers at different levels, but there is no standardized training curriculum for emergency obstetric and newborn care. To address this gap, the NDOH is seeking the services of suitable consultant(s) to lead the process of the development of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training manuals (facilitators and participants manuals) based on the New WHO Signal Functions for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care for the provision of quality MNCH services at different levels of the health care delivery system.
PURPOSE | SCOPE
The primary objective of this assignment is to support the National Department of Health in the review of existing training manuals and the development of National Training Manuals (Facilitators and Participants) that are aligned to the revised WHO guidelines on the NEW Signals Functions for the delivery of quality Emergency Obstetric, Maternal and Newborn Care at different levels.
MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: Specifically, the consultant will:
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- Review current MNCH training curricula used by NDOH and other organizations at all levels - PNG HSSDP, HMBS and SDA Modules, EENC and KMC Modules
- Develop a standardized training curriculum for maternal and newborn health focusing on the new signal functions for emergency obstetric and newborn care at different levels of care for Basic, Comprehensive and Intensive
- Ensure alignment with WHO-approved guidelines on the New Signal Functions for EmONC and local context.
TASKS AND ACTIVITIES: The consultant will:
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- Conduct a thorough desk review of existing training materials, including content, methodologies, algorithm and management guidelines and assessment tools.
- Conduct stakeholders’ consultations - engage with stakeholders, including health workers, training institutions, NGOs, UN partners, and NDOH technical experts using specific tools or guide questions.
- Develop a comprehensive outline of the training manuals (facilitators and participants) for approval by the National Department of Health.
- Develop detailed contents of the training manuals (participants and facilitators) based on approved outline that covers essential topics related to the new signal functions of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, including practical skills, audio-visual and skills videos, communication, teamwork components and other relevant visual aids.
- Develop guidance document on specific training delivery methods (e.g., participatory, workshops, e-learning, remote health care worker training approaches).
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- University degree in Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery or another related field
- UN experience is an added advantage
- Fluency required in English and any other UN language is an asset.
- Expertise in maternal and newborn health.
For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.
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 background 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).
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 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.
