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 Results
UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.
In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.
UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.
We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.
In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.
For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.
Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.
Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground. For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The International Health Regulations (IHR) are the primary global instrument for preventing, detecting, and responding to public health events of international concern. Effective IHR implementation requires strong public health systems with a trained and competent workforce from national to grass root level.
To address this need, UNICEF as the implementing entity, is supporting the Education Training and Research Unit (ET&R) of the Ministry of Health to strengthen its public health and community workforce funding through the Pandemic Fund. The goal is to build a more resilient system capable of safeguarding communities against future pandemics.
As an initial step of this initiative, a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of frontline health workers is conducted, along with the development of new training curricula. To complement these efforts, UNICEF is planning to recruit a consultant to develop Standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these frontline workers. These documents will serve as the foundation for training front line health workers, enabling them to respond effectively to future health crises
Goal and Objective:
The primary objective is to engage a consultant to develop a comprehensive set of competency-based Standards and SOPs for frontline health workers at central, district and local levels and assist in piloting the training program
The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:
The consultant will be expected to work in close collaboration with a Technical Working Group (TWG) appointed by the Ministry of Health. The TWG, chaired by the Deputy Director General, Education Training and Research (ET&R), includes key stakeholders from the relevant units of the Ministry of Health such as Director-Training unit, Quarantine Unit, Epidemiology Unit, Health Promotion Bureau, as well as representatives from the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara, WHO and UNICEF Country Offices. This is needed for incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring a comprehensive approach to developing Standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the frontline workers.
Review of documents: The consultant needs to review and refer relevant standards and SOPs if available nationally or developed by other countries relevant to the identified areas to inform the development process and ensure direct alignment with the needs. Need to refer to the documents perused in the Training Needs Assessment and the Curriculum development by the MoH.
Development of Standards: Develop clear, measurable, and action-oriented standards together with the SOPs that define the essential competencies required for frontline Health workers to effectively implement the International Health Regulations (IHR) at all levels.
Development of SOPs: Draft and review a complete set of practical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for frontline workers. These SOPs will provide detailed guidance for key IHR-related functions such as disease detection, notification, emergency response, and risk communication.
Validation of the draft documents: Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders to review, refine, and finalize the drafted documents. This will be supported by expert reviews and consultations to ensure all documents are practical and effective.
Finalization of Documents: Incorporate all feedback from the stakeholders to produce the final, approved versions of the Standards and SOPs.
The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
• Inception Report: A desk review of the relevant documents, detailed work plan, methodology and the tentative timeline for the consultancy.
• Specific areas along with the list of Standards and SOPs planned to be developed
• Draft Standards and SOPs: A complete first draft of the documents for stakeholder review.
• Final Standards and SOPs: The final, signed-off versions of the Standards and SOPs, incorporating all feedback.
• Final Consultancy Report: A summary report on the consultancy process, challenges, and recommendations.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Minimum Qualifications required:
PHD - Public Health, Health Management
Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public health, public health management, workforce development, or health systems strengthening with experience in public health, infectious disease control, or emergency preparedness.
• Doctoral Degree in Community Medicine or Medical Administration, board-certified or equivalent.
• Proven experience in developing official government technical guidelines, or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Knowledge and broad understanding of International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) and its core capacities.
• Exceptional analytical skills to conduct desk reviews, analyze assessment data, and identify key capacity gaps.
• Active engagement in public health emergency preparedness and response, with direct involvement during pandemic situations such as COVID-19.
• Ability to work in English is essential
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
Working with multidisciplinary team environment and with senior-level health ministry officials
Duration of the consultancy: 5 months (70 days)
Duty station – Colombo (Home based)
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents
Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system.
Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable)
Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered
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
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.
If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
