Consultancy for Adaptation of Put Lead to Bed SBC and Promotion of WHO/UNICEF CEH e-learning (Lead module), Mexico City, Mexico, 8 months (Remote)

Work with UNICEF Mexico as a Consultant! UNICEF Mexico is seeking a consultant to adapt the global “Put Lead to Bed” package to the national context and to promote the use of the WHO/UNICEF lead exposure e-learning module among health professionals. The consultancy will support the development of culturally relevant messages and materials, as well as provide targeted training to strengthen institutional and community capacity to prevent childhood lead exposure. If you are interested and have the required experience, apply today!

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.

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

For every child, the right to health

Lead exposure in children poses a significant public health challenge in Mexico, affecting different regions and states in varying degrees. Mexico ranks second in Latin America and the Caribbean for Annual Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) attributed to lead exposure and third in the number of children with blood lead levels (BLL) greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). The impact of lead exposure is substantial, causing an estimated 20,138 annual deaths and accounting for 393,634 annual DALYs in the country. The main sources of lead contamination in Mexico include glazed pottery, which accounts for around 9% of exposure, and 91% comes from other sources like certain foods, urban dust, soil, and rivers, often contaminated through mining processes, improper disposal of lead-acid batteries, and recycling of electronic equipment. Recent data from the 2022 ENSANUT indicate that 16.8% of children aged 1–4 years nationwide have blood lead levels ≥ 5 µg/dL, with the highest prevalence in regions like the South Pacific, Central Mexico, Mexico City and the State of Mexico. Regions such as San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, Morelos and Chiapas are particularly impacted.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Mexico is supporting national partners to reduce childhood lead exposure through intersectoral coordination, institutional capacity building and behavior focused prevention strategies. This consultancy concentrates on enhancing awareness and knowledge of lead exposure prevention among health professionals and communities through culturally adapted Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies and targeted training programs.

Key Deliverables: 

• Inception Report. 
• Adaptation Framework and Draft Scripts/Messages for SBC Materials.
• Validated SBC materials, training package + e-learning promotion plan.
• National Training of Trainers report & final content package, and policy brief.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:588440_ToRs_Put lead to bed.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Biology, Sciences, Nutrition, Medicine, Anthropology, or related field.

Work Experience: 

• At least 5 years working in environmental health, public health or related fields.
• Experience participating in or implementing programmes and research projects addressing exposure to environmental contaminants (ideally lead).
• Demonstrated experience adapting SBC materials for low-literacy and culturally diverse populations. 

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in Spanish is required
• Proficient level of English (Ability to write and read in English) (with good comprehension of scientific articles) is required

Desirables:

• Master degree or PhD in in Public Health, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Medicine, Anthropology, Biology, Communication for Development, or related field.
• Experience in design and delivery of training and ToT for health professionals and community workers.
• Experience promoting and integrating digital learning (e-learning) into health workforce capacity-building
• Experience in scientific communication and dissemination, including drafting policy briefs, technical reports, and public-facing materials that support evidence-based decision-making and advocacy efforts.

Working Conditions:

This consultancy is remote and involves regular meetings via Teams and phone calls as needed, along with three planned trips within Mexico. 

For detailed information regarding the working conditions and travel requirements during the consultancy, please refer to the relevant section of the Terms of Reference: 588440_ToRs_Put lead to bed.pdf

Technical and Financial Proposal Requirements

All documents must be written by the consultant and submitted independently through the designated upload links in the application system. Only individual proposals will be accepted; corporate or business proposals will not be considered.

Technical Proposal:

• An updated curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating the required qualifications for the consultancy.
• Technical Proposal (maximum 5 pages): This document should detail the theoretical-conceptual framework, methodology, and work schedule. The technical proposal must have clear objectives identify, a list of sources to consult for the development of the products, and a general summary of how it proposes to comply with the terms of reference within a tentative timeline considering 8 months. 
• Portfolio of Relevant Previous Works: 3 or more documents (e.g., technical reports, peer-reviewed articles, communication materials, evaluations) that are relevant for the scope of this consultancy. Preferably, the documents should focus on environmental health, with particular attention to children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women. While not mandatory, materials addressing these populations will be considered especially relevant and valuable. 

Financial Proposal:

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. 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.

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 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 from underrepresented groups 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.