National Consultant for Basic First Aid Training Package and Trainer Guide Development, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan nationals only

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a standardized and national Basic First Aid Training Package and Trainer Guide suitable for a two-day training format, which is tailored for youth participants across 26 districts.

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:

The Ministry of Health is initiating a crucial national initiative to significantly enhance community resilience and immediate response capacity by training 14,000 youths across the country on essential First Aid skills.

The Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases has been tasked with providing the technical and implementation for this countrywide training initiative. This program is being undertaken in collaboration with the UNICEF and the National Youth Service Centre (NYSC),

The objective of this initiative is directly aligned with the goals of emergency preparedness, response, and building the capacity of first responders for Basic Life Support, early detection, notification, and local response. More importantly, this activity falls under the scope of the Pandemic Fund for which UNICEF is the designated Implementing Entity.

UNICEF provides technical and financial support for the development and national roll-out of this training package. A national consultant is required to design the core training materials, trainer guide and provide the technical guidance needed for the subsequent Training of Trainers (ToT) of master trainers and the rolling-out across all 26 districts of the country.

Goal & Objective

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a standardized and national Basic First Aid Training Package and Trainer Guide suitable for a two-day training format, which is tailored for youth participants across 26 districts.

BACKGROUND:

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) of the Ministry of Health under this task. The TWG, is chaired by the Deputy Director General of Non-Communicable Diseases (DDG, NCD), includes key stakeholders from Ministry of Health such as Director Non Communicable Disease Unit, National Programme Manager (Injury Prevention and Management) of the NCD Unit, National Youth Service Centre (NYSC) and UNICEF Country Offices. The consultant expected to collaborate with the National Programme Manager (Injury Prevention and Management), NCD unit.   This collaboration is desirable for incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring a comprehensive approach to the development and updating of the trainer guide and training package.

The consultant will:

• Develop a comprehensive standardized Basic First Aid Training Package (including presentation slides, handouts, and practical exercises).

• Develop a detailed Trainer Guide to ensure standardized, quality and scalable delivery of the training across all 26 districts.

• Technically support the translation process of the developed materials for both Sinhala and Tamil languages. 

• Support and facilitate the Training of Trainers (ToT) program for master trainers/facilitators.

Scope of the work

Desk Review:

Basic First Aid Training Package: Conduct a desk review of the national guidelines developed by the NCD Unit and international first aid guidelines relevant to the local context.

Finalize the core content areas for the training package (e.g., CPR, bleeding control, managing common injuries, trauma, fracture management, lifesaving etc., ensuring relevance to youth and community emergencies).

Design and develop the two-day training curriculum and module structure, ensuring a strong focus on practical, hands-on skills.

Develop the full set of training materials (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, participant handouts, pre/post-tests, and evaluation forms).

Trainer Guide

Develop a detailed Trainer Guide providing instructions for each session, methodologies, and required resources

Training of Trainers (ToT)

Facilitate as a resource person for the initial Training of Trainers (ToT) for the designated master trainers from the Ministry of Health, Youth Council and the Community-Based Organizations (CBO) recruited for cascade the training in 26 health districts.

Translation of the developed materials

Technical assistance for the translating the developed materials into Sinhala and Tamil language

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Report and Detailed Workplan (including Content Outline)

• Draft Basic First Aid Training Package (2-day curriculum, presentations, handouts)

• Draft Comprehensive Trainer Guide

• Finalized Training Package and Trainer Guide

• Report following the three ToT programmes including recommendations for the roll-out

• Providing technical assistance for the translating the developed training materials and trainer guide

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

Minimum requirements:

Minimum Qualifications required:

PHD in Public Health, Obstetrics, Child Health

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Medical degree with postgraduate qualifications in internal medicine, emergency medicine, public health, or related fields.

• At least 5 years of experience in development of curriculum on health systems strengthening, emergency medicine, disaster preparedness, or public health training.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in curriculum design, training material development, and conducting ToT, preferably in the health or emergency response sector.

• Proven expertise as a certified First Aid/Emergency Medical Trainer

• Demonstrated experience in working with youth groups or large-scale community training programs.

• Prior experience working with the Ministry of Health is desirable.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one local language (Sinhala and/or Tamil) is essential.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multicultural and multidisciplinary teams (Ability to work in English is essential) including senior-level health ministry officials

• Strong presentation and facilitation skills

Duration of the consultancy: Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 (40 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. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

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 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.

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.