The objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation and strengthening of the Early Childhood Friendly Units (UAPI) initiative within selected primary health care units, in close collaboration with UNICEF.

UNICEF in Brazil implements its health strategies at the national, state, and local levels, in close collaboration with government counterparts and strategic partners. One of the key initiatives in this area is the Early Childhood Friendly Units (UAPI) programme, which aims to strengthen the quality of public health services for children aged 0 to 6. The initiative combines continuous professional development, monitoring of key indicators, and the certification of health facilities that promote holistic early childhood development, thereby contributing to the improvement of care provided to children and their families.

The consultant selected for this assignment will work in close collaboration with UNICEF, supporting the engagement and capacity strengthening of professionals in selected primary health care units. The consultant is expected to contribute to enhancing the competencies of the health workforce, support the monitoring and analysis of relevant indicators, and identify, document, and systematize good practices.

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The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation and strengthening of the Early Childhood Friendly Units (UAPI) initiative within selected primary health care units, in close collaboration with UNICEF. In accordance with the details specified under the “Deliverables” section, the consultant will:

1) provide training to health professionals working with children aged 0 to 6 and their families;

2) analyze official data;

3) support planning processes;

4) systematize good practices related to early childhood basic health services in São Paulo;

5) Provide analytical reports to UNICEF outlining the state of the art and presenting recommendations to improve the methodology proposed by UNICEF and its field-level results.   

DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products, developed through participatory, evidence-informed, and collaborative methods in close coordination with the Municipal Department of Health and UNICEF:

1. INCEPTION REPORT AND DETAILED WORK PLAN

1.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:

  • One (1) inception report (max. 20 pages) including:
    • Situational analysis of UAPI implementation in selected units;
    • Stakeholder mapping;
    • Detailed methodology for capacity strengthening and monitoring;
    • Work plan with activities, milestones, and timeline. 

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

  • Conduct at least 3 alignment meetings with UNICEF and the Municipal Department of Health;
  • Review existing UAPI documents, protocols, and available data;
  • Visit at least 3 selected primary health care units (one per region).

1.2. Deadline: End of month one

1.3. Estimate Budget: 10% of the general budget

2. ENGAGEMENT AND CAPACITY STRENGTHENING PROCESS

2.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:

  • At least 9 documented training or facilitation sessions with health professionals, reaching at least 100 professionals (cumulative);
  • Direct technical support to at least 3 groups of primary health care units;

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

  • Use participatory methodologies (case discussions, peer learning, reflective practice);
  • Combine group workshops with on-site coaching;
  • Adapt materials to local needs and UAPI standards.

2.2. Deadline: Month 10 (months 2 – 10)

2.3. Estimate Budget 40% of the general budget

3. MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF UAPI INDICATORS

3.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:

  • Two (2) brief analytical reports including:
  • Progress on selected UAPI indicators;
  • Identified gaps and bottlenecks;
  • At least 3 actionable recommendations.

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

  • Analyze oficial data from the Ministry of Heath and the Municipal Department of Health
  • Analyze trends and compare performance across units;
  • Present findings in at least one meeting per quarter with municipal counterparts.

3.2. Deadline: End of month 2 and 10

3.3. Estimate Budget: 20% of the general budget

4. DOCUMENTATION OF GOOD PRACTICES

4.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:

At least 3 documented case studies, covering:

  • Context and challenge addressed;
  • Process implemented;
  • Results achieved;
  • 2 human interest stories;
  • Lessons learned and replicability.

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

  • Conduct at least 6 interviews with health professionals, managers and families;
  • Observe practices in the field in at least 3 units;
  • Use a standardized case study template agreed with UNICEF.

4.2. Deadline: Month 10

4.3. Estimate Budget: 20% of the general budget

5. FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:

One (1) final report (max. 30 pages) including:

  • Summary of activities and achievements;
  • Evidence of contributions to UAPI strengthening;
  • Systematization of lessons learned;
  • At least 5 strategic recommendations to continue the programme in 2027.

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

  • Integrate findings from training processes, monitoring data, and case studies;
  • Validate key conclusions in one final workshop with municipal stakeholders;
  • Submit draft for UNICEF feedback, then deliver final version.

5.2. Deadline: Month 10

5.3. Estimate Budget: 10% of the general budget

DURATION OF CONTRACT:

10 months 

TRAVEL PLAN

Not applicable

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT

  • Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Psychology, Early Childhood Development, Health Systems, Public Administration, or other relevant fields; or
  • First University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the same areas combined with at least five (5) additional years of relevant professional experience beyond the minimum required below.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working in public health, primary health care, early childhood development, or related areas;
  • Demonstrated experience working with municipal or state health systems in Brazil;
  • Proven experience in capacity strengthening, training, or coaching of health professionals;
  • Experience with monitoring, analysis, and use of indicators to inform decision-making and quality improvement is highly desirable;
  • Experience in documentation and systematization of good practices, case studies, or lessons learned is an asset.
  • Strong analytical and conceptual skills related to health systems and early childhood policies;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, health professionals, and multidisciplinary teams;
  • Excellent facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills;
  • Demonstrated capacity to translate technical evidence into practical recommendations;
  • Results-oriented approach with ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines;
  • Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse contexts.
  • Familiarity with UNICEF or UN system programming is an advantage;
  • Availability to work in close coordination with municipal authorities and UNICEF teams.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Portuguese as a native language. Working knowledge of English is desirable.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

  • A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.

UNICEF’S CORE VALUES

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

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.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

  • Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
  • Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
  • No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed.
  • Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
  • The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

  • Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
  • A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.
  • The payment will be based on submission of agreed 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.

INSURANCE AND HEALTH COVERAGE

  • The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health, and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
  • The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

RESTRICTIONS

  • Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract. 
  • In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

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.

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.

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