Consultant – Technology for Development (T4D) Consultant (Health), UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

The ICT & Digital Innovation Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to assist a multi-country Digital Health initiative spanning Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, PNG, Fiji, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands. This initiative is dedicated to UNICEF’s initiatives in strengthening the digital health and immunization systems in these countries.

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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The ICT & Digital Innovation Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to assist a multi-country Digital Health initiative spanning Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, PNG, Fiji, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands. This initiative is dedicated to UNICEF’s initiatives in strengthening the digital health and immunization systems in these countries.
 

Work assignment (remote/ home-based modality, not office-based), expected deliverable, and Delivery schedule.

The consultant plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction, implementation, and impact of "Digital Health System for Infectious Diseases Control" project portfolio, ultimately contributing to the improvement of healthcare delivery and outcomes in the 10 implementing countries.

The role involves several key responsibilities throughout the contracted period:

• Project Portfolio Management: The consultant coordinates the planning, implementation, and monitoring of technology-driven projects supported by the Government of Japan grant, aimed at improving health outcomes in targeted countries. This includes setting project goals, timelines, and budgets, and coordinating with team members and stakeholders to ensure successful project execution within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Technology Integration: The consultant supports the project teams in each country office in the process of identifying and leveraging appropriate technology solutions to enhance healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and health information systems in targeted countries.
• Strategic Planning: The consultant develops strategic plans and objectives for the portfolio of projects, aligning them with broader organizational goals and priorities. This requires conducting assessments, stakeholder consultations, and various research at the intersection of Technology and Health.
• Capacity Building: The consultant supports capacity-building efforts by participating as a resource person to provide training and technical assistance to project staff, partners, and beneficiaries.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The consultant establishes monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track project progress, measure outcomes, and assess the effectiveness of interventions. This requires analysis of data and feedback to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and use this information to inform decision-making and program refinement.
• Partnership Development: The consultant will foster partnerships with T4D and Health teams in each country office, Regional Health Cluster, government agencies, non-profit organizations, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to support project implementation and scale-up efforts.
• Knowledge Management: The consultant contributes to knowledge management efforts by documenting lessons learned, and best practices from project implementation. The specialist will disseminate findings through reports, presentations, and publications related to the field of T4D and Health as part of the overall communication plan for the GoJ-supported project portfolio.

1. Tasks:

The expected Tasks to be provided by the consultant are outlined below:

Task 1: Support Country Offices to develop accurate project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies.

Task 2: Support Country Offices to prepare and review ToR, Proposals, technical specifications and other technical documents for IIS/EIR solutions, procurement of IT equipment and others as required.

Task 3: Identify project risks and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Task 4: Hold regular meetings with Country offices, at least once a month with each country to deliver work in tasks 1 and 2.

Task 5: Conduct support missions to Country Offices (up to five missions) and Regional Office (up to three missions).

Task 6: Develop and deliver presentations summarizing regular reports to EAPRO senior stakeholders.

Task 7: Participate in regular meetings with the Regional office.
 

2. Deliverables schedule:

Deliverable 1

• Deliver accurate project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies for three countries.
• Deliver detailed project progress reports for the same three countries above.
• Notes from all meetings the consultant participated in during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 3 months after the consultant's start date.

Deliverable 2

• Prepare and deliver a progress presentation to the EAPRO Regional Health Adviser and Regional Chief of ICT including schedule and risk identification.
• Updated project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies for all countries.
• Notes from all meetings the consultant participated in during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 4 months after the consultant’s start date.

Deliverable 3

• Comprehensive risk assessment and risk mitigation strategy for half of the countries covered in the project.
• Updated project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies for all countries.
• Notes from all meetings the consultant participated in during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 6 months after the consultant’s start date.

Deliverable 4

• Prepare and deliver a progress presentation to EAPRO Regional Health Adviser, and Regional Chief of ICT.
• Updated accurate project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies for all countries.
• Updated risk assessment and risk mitigation strategy for half of the countries covered in the project.
• Notes from all meetings conducted during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 8 months after the consultant’s start date.

Deliverable 5

• Updated accurate project schedules, including work breakdown, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and interdependencies for the countries in deliverable 3.
• Deliver detailed project progress reports for the same countries above.
• Notes from all meetings conducted during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 10 months after the consultant’s start date.

Deliverable 6

• Prepare and deliver a progress report to the EAPRO Regional Health Adviser and Regional Chief of ICT including schedule and risk identification.
• Deliver detailed project progress reports for all countries.
• Notes from all meetings the consultant participated in during the period.
• Delivery schedule: 11 months after the consultant’s start date.

Deliverable 7

• Deliver the final complete project progress reports for all countries identifying the work that was implemented and the work that wasn’t completed along with the reasons why. The report needs to include budget execution, recommendations, and lessons learned.
• A completion - final report.
• Delivery schedule: 13 months after the consultant’s start date.
                

Duration of Contract:  1 June 2024 – 30 June 2025
 

Duty Travel:  The T4D Specialist (Health) is expected to visit at least five of the project countries to offer direct assistance in implementing the project and resolve any issues that could potentially impede its progress. Travel plans will be contingent upon the project's advancement, requirements, and upon approval by the supervisor.

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

Educational Background: An advanced university degree in Business Analysis, ICT Management, Computer Science, Innovation, Digital Development, Public Health, International Development, or another relevant technical field.

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field combined with seven years of professional experience may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Relevant Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in information communication technology for development (ICT4D), Digital Health, Digital Development, Digital Innovation, Digital Transformation, with particular emphasis on Digital Health in a large international organization and/or NGO is required.
• Experience in coordination with multiple stakeholders like government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, the private sector, etc. in implementing digital health and exploring space for collaboration and partnerships.

The following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Work experience in developing countries, particularly in the region, and/or familiarity with the region is considered an asset.
• Prior experience working with a multilateral or UN or NGO organization.

Availability: Geographically located within the East Asia Pacific region or available to work within +3/-3 hours of Bangkok Time zone.

Project Management: Experience in project management methodologies and practices, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation, is often required to successfully lead digital health projects from inception to implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Experience in engaging and building relationships with various stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and target audiences.

Communication: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for effectively liaising with stakeholders from different fields, including policymakers, researchers, and civil society, presenting findings, and documenting project activities. Strong analytical, research, report writing, and presentation skills.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 8 May 2024.

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.

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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 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. 

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. Consultants 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.