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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to health

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will provide strategic and technical support to UNICEF Guinea-Bissau and national partners to inform the 2028–2032 Country Programme and strengthen equitable, integrated and sustainable health and nutrition services. The assignment will cover community health, immunization, nutrition, and climate resilience, with particular attention to underserved populations and government ownership.

The consultant will review relevant policies, programme reports, evaluations, financing information and available data; consult UNICEF, government counterparts and relevant partners; and undertake a mission to Guinea-Bissau to inform the analysis and discuss recommendations. The consultant will be responsible for preparing the following analyses, strategic documents and actionable roadmaps.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: External ToR TMC0007403.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university (Masters) degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Management, and other relevant fields.
Work Experience:
At least 8 years of experience in maternal, newborn and child health, community health, primary healthcare and/or nutrition
Experience supporting government-led health systems strengthening initiatives.
Strong organizational, communication, and writing skills
Skills:
Strong knowledge of health systems, primary healthcare, community health and nutrition programming.
Strong analytical, writing and documentation skills.
Ability to facilitate technical discussions and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
Good understanding of results-based management and equity-focused programming.
Experience in Fiscal Space analysis and development of costed action plans or programmes
Knowledge of climate-resilient health systems and shock-responsive programming
Capacity to work independently and deliver quality outputs within tight deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Language Requirements: English, Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is an advantage
Desirables:
Strong knowledge of health systems, primary healthcare, community health and nutrition programming.
Strong analytical, writing and documentation skills
Experience in Fiscal Space analysis and development of costed action plans or programmes
Strong analytical, writing and documentation skills.
Strong knowledge of data analysis, data interpretation, and the use of analytical tools to support evidence-based decision-making

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

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal TMC0007403.docx

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

International Health and Nutrition Consultant, 4 months, Bissau, remote + travel, #596625