National consultancy vacancy in Health & Nutrition section in UNICEF, Myanmar. The duty station is in Nay Pyi Taw with possible travel to Yangon as required. Interested Myanmar national applicants with relevant qualifications and experience are eligible to apply.
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 fulfill 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, the right to health
UNICEF Myanmar Youtube Channel - https://youtu.be/JcCzi5xBC_c?si=FWfQID3Ui8C6gT2k
UNICEF Myanmar Website - https://www.unicef.org/myanmar/take-action/work-us
How can you make a difference?
Support the International Consultant in developing the SRMNCAH-N NSP 2026–2030 and related action plans by providing national data, coordination, facilitation, drafting support in close collaboration with UNICEF, and Child Health Division, MoH and also need to support integration of Adolescent Health and Nutrition in coordination with concerned focals, MOH.
Scope of Work:
National consultant for the Development of National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition in Myanmar under this assignment will assist the international consultant (technical experts) and primarily focus on newborn, child health (NCH), adolescent health (AH) and Nutrition. National consultant NCH will also need to closely work with the other national consultant who will primarily focus on MRH.
Below is overview of indicative workplan assignment/tasks:
- Support desk review and situational analysis in coordination with the international consultant
- Facilitate national and subnational stakeholder engagement activities
- Provide national inputs for drafting NCH & AH strategic framework (2026-2030)
- Support drafting of NCH & AH action plans (2-years action plan but yet tbc.
- Assist in validation workshops and finalization of SRMNCAH NSP deliverables
Background: Myanmar continues to experience significant newborn and child health challenges, with mortality rates remaining high. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) stands at approximately 21 per 1,000 live births, and the under‑five mortality rate (U5MR) at 39 per 1,000 live births as of 2023. Service disruptions since covid-19 have impeded progress in newborn survival, with preterm complications and intrapartum‑related events remaining among leading causes.
Low institutional delivery coverage and wide disparities in access to quality newborn care, including neonatal resuscitation, Kangaroo Mother Care, and management of small and sick newborns, continue to hinder improvements.
As the SRMNCAH NSP 2021–2025 has expired, Myanmar requires a new SRMNCAHN Strategic Plan (2026–2030) aligned with national priorities, the SDGs, updated global and regional guidance (e.g., ENAP, IMNCI, Adolescent Responsive Health System Initiative, WHO/SEARO SRH Framework), and the realities of a fragile health system.
Duty Station:
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The duty station will be Nay Pyi Taw and consultant will be based there. During the assignment period, the consultant might need to travel to Yangon 3-4 times with short stay of 2-3 overnights; therefore related cost of these to be all included in the fees proposal.
Duration of Contract:
5 months
Description of Assignment:
Tasks 1:
Collaborate with international consultants MoH-Child Health Division, UNICEF, WHO prepare inception report
Deliverables 1:
Inception Report (methodology, workplan, consultation schedule)
Timeline: 1 week of May 2026
Tasks 2:
Conduct a comprehensive desk review and analysis to inform the NCH and AH components of the SRMNCAH Strategic plan (2026-2030)
Review policies, SRMNCAH NSP 2021–2025, programme documents, surveys, and assessments relevant to newborn, child adolescent health and Nutrition
Analyse updated NCH and AH data (NMR, U5MR, adolescent fertility rate, immunization, pneumonia/diarrhoea treatment, nutrition indicators, facility readiness, referral systems.
Map existing NCH interventions, gaps, bottlenecks, inequities, and conflict‑related service disruptions
Produce an NCH and AH situational analysis summary for strategic planning inputs
Deliverables 2:
Completion of Desk Review & Situational Analysis Report
Timeline: Mid-May 2026
Tasks 3:
Assist facilitation of structured stakeholder engagement to gather insights and recommendations for the NCH and AH strategic priorities
Conduct consultations with MOH (DoPH, CHD Division, Adolescent Health Programme and concerned divisions), WHO RMNCAH Team, UN partners, INGOs, LNGOs, professional societies, and subnational stakeholders (states and regional health departments) (virtual or in‑person where possible).
Document stakeholder inputs on priority NCH and AH issues, service delivery barriers, opportunities, and cross‑cutting considerations (equity, gender, rights, humanitarian constraints).
Consolidate findings to guide formulation of NCH and AH strategic priorities and interventions.
Deliverables 3:
Completion of Stakeholder Consultations Summary Report (MOH, WHO, partners, sub-national actors).
Timeline: End May 2026.
Tasks 4:
Assist in developing the NCH and AH strategic framework, including priorities, indicators, and operational guidance for 2026-2030.
Draft NCH and AH strategic priorities under SRMNCAH umbrella, aligned with WHO/SEARO SRH Framework (2025–2030), Global RMNCAH guidance, Myanmar health system realities and service readiness and Myanmar SRHR policy
Propose monitoring indicators for NCH and AH
Identify capacity building needs for newborn and child health care
Together with consultant for MRH Component of the Plan, prepare a draft SRMNCAH Strategic Plan with NCH and AH chapter, and share with WHO/UNICEF and MOH for review
Deliverables 4:
Submission of Draft NCH and AH Strategic Priorities & Results Framework for SRMNCAH Strategic plan 2026-2030
Timeline: Mid-July 2026
Tasks 5:
Assist the development of the NCH and AH action plans based on the SRMNCAHN strategic framework
Draft the NCH and AH action plans for next two years based on the SRMNCAHN strategic framework
Finalize the NCH and AH action plans with the consultation of MRH unit, MOH and the related UN agencies and partners
Deliverables 5:
Submission of Draft NCH and AH Action Plan
Timeline: Mid-August 2026
Tasks 6:
Support to validate and finalize the NCH and AH components of the SRMNCAH strategic plan 2026-2030
Support the organization and facilitation of a national validation/finalization workshop with MOH and key stakeholders
Incorporate feedback from WHO, MOH, partners, and technological groups
Produce the final NCH and AH sections for inclusion in the full SRMNCAH strategic plan 2026-2030
Together with international consultants and national consultant for MRH Component of the Plan, finalize the SRMNCAH Strategic Framework/Plan for Myanmar and submit clean, edited, ready‑to‑publish document content to UNICEF
Deliverables 6:
Submission of Final SRMNCAH Strategic Plan including NCH and AH sections, and support to national validation processes; final edited, layout ready content
Timeline: Mid-September 2026
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education
Masters degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Policy, or related field.
Experience
Minimum 7 years’ experience in public health preferably in RMNCAH programme implementation
Experience in program management at national level
Expertise in data management, analysis and reporting preferably at national scale
Experience of liaising/consultation with stakeholders and partners to achieve results
Working experience with MoH &/or UN agencies at national level
Strong analytical, coordination, and communication skills
Fluency in English
Please ensure to complete and attach the following "Expression of Interest" form in your applications: 
Final 31032026 Expression of Interest (EOI)- RMNCAH NSP national consultant.doc
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.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
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.
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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.