Writer Consultant/Office of Director, Health-PG, NYHQ, remote. Req# 589151

The assignment will provide dedicated writing support for Goal Area 1 (Health) reporting, including the Annual Report, Executive Director’s Annual Report (EDAR), Results Assessment Module (RAM) narratives, speechwriting for the Executive Director and Regional Directors for health-related events, and the World Fit for Children Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Report – Health. The year 2025 marks the final year of implementation of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025. As the programme cycle concludes, all reporting must deliver a comprehensive assessment of progress achieved since 2022, measured against the baselines established in the Strategic Plan. In addition, it is essential that a consistent UNICEF Health voice is maintained across all products, clearly reflecting key results, strategic priorities, and lessons learned. These outputs will provide a critical evidence base to inform the development and implementation of the forthcoming UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and support the introduction of the Center of Excellence structure globally.

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines fordeveloping countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Consultancy: Writer Consultant

Duty Station: Office of Director, PG-Health

Duration: 15 January 2026 – 31 December 2026

Home/ Office Based: Remote

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The assignment will provide dedicated writing support for Goal Area 1 (Health) reporting, including the Annual Report, Executive Director’s Annual Report (EDAR), Results Assessment Module (RAM) narratives, speechwriting for the Executive Director and Regional Directors for health-related events, and the World Fit for Children Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Report – Health.

The year 2025 marks the final year of implementation of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025. As the programme cycle concludes, all reporting must deliver a comprehensive assessment of progress achieved since 2022, measured against the baselines established in the Strategic Plan. In addition, it is essential that a consistent UNICEF Health voice is maintained across all products, clearly reflecting key results, strategic priorities, and lessons learned. These outputs will provide a critical evidence base to inform the development and implementation of the forthcoming UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and support the introduction of the Center of Excellence structure globally.

Scope of Work:

The writer will:

• Draft, edit, and refine narratives for Annual Report for Health (and in collaboration with the other teams inputting to Goal Area 1), EDAR, and RAM (Health).
• Prepare speeches and talking points for senior leadership, tailored to high-level events and audiences.
• Draft a 300-word input for the World Fit for Children SG Report (Health).
• Ensure consistency of messaging across all outputs.
• Incorporate feedback from technical teams and finalize drafts.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1.  Draft a 300-word input for the World Fit for Children SG Report

-  1 300-word document written and edited for submission

31 January 2026

2.  Timely and high-quality Health programme chapters for the Annual Results Report

-  Annual Results Report (all Health Chapters) written and edited for submission

31 May 2026

3.  Timely and high-quality Health programme chapter of EDAR (1,300 words)

-  1 1,300-word count EDAR prepared for GA1

30 April 2026

4.  Copy-edit Health Programme’s 2025 RAM narratives (1,500 words each)

-  22 RAM Reports copy-edited

30 April 2026

5.  Prepare speeches for the Health Director and the Executive Director for Health Related Events

-  10 speeches drafted

31 December 2026

Qualifications

Education:   

Advanced degree in Public Health, International Development, Communications, or related field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• At least 10 years of mid-level professional writing experience in public health, report writing, documentation and investment case development
• Experience in copy-editing, fact-checking and policy analysis, particularly in public health;
• Knowledge of results-based management and results oriented approach to project implementation;
• Knowledge of Country programming principles, INGOs and NGO networks, and strong knowledge of partnership principle in development work;
• High level proficiency in standard computer software, in particular, Microsoft SharePoint, Word and Excel;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Familiarity with the UN and UNICEF programmes is an assets
• Previous UN/UNICEF report experience required

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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.