Consultancy: Analysis and documentation of Equity indicators and measurements (metrics) used in programs other than immunization (health, nutrition, WASH, social policy and protection, education etc.) - Health Unit, PD – NYHQ, Requisition# 506778

In this context, UNICEF Health Section, New York Headquarters seeks to hire services of a consultant, with skill set to analyze equity metrics and tracking methods used in programs other than immunization, to analyze and document equity metrics used in programs other than immunization, the effectiveness of providing the services to specified populations in pro-equity programming and lessons learnt that can be used by immunization programs. The consultant will scope and document equity metrics and tracking mechanisms used by non-immunization programs.

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 for developing 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.

1. Background

Today, national immunization programs reach approximately 6 out of 7 of the world’s infants, making it the most successful public health program. However, despite these successes, coverage gains have stagnated globally.  In 2015, approximately 19.4 million children did not receive three doses of DTP-containing vaccine, and increasingly these missed children are concentrated in disadvantaged and under-served communities, already exposed to health and nutrition threats.  

In 2011, the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) introduced a specific focus on equity by establishing an indicator to measure sub-national immunization performance and setting a goal for countries to achieve at least 80% DTP3 coverage for infants in every district and less than 20 percent point difference in coverage between wealth quintiles by 2020.  Yet, as we move closer to the end date of the Decade of Vaccines, there is concern within the immunization community that we have made inadequate progress on equity in immunization within existing implementation frameworks such as the GVAP and GAVI Alliance Strategy.  We are off track to meet our goals with only 52 countries estimated to have met the district-level goal[1] and 45 countries having achieved the goal related to wealth[2]. For many countries equity data is not available. This means that the lifesaving benefits of vaccines are still unlikely to be realized by the children who need them most, with pockets of inequity presenting additional risks to regional and global disease control and eradication goals. 

2. Purpose

In this context, UNICEF Health Section, New York Headquarters seeks to hire services of a consultant, with skill set to analyze equity metrics and tracking methods used in programs other than immunization, to analyze and document equity metrics used in programs other than immunization, the effectiveness of providing the services to specified populations in pro-equity programming and lessons learnt that can be used by immunization programs. The consultant will scope and document equity metrics and tracking mechanisms used by non-immunization programs. 

Specific tasks for consultancy as follows:

1. Conduct systematic review and analysis of metrics used to evaluate equity in maternal newborn and child health (MNCH), Water Sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, social housing programs

• Assessed how these programs track progress towards closing the equity gap

2. Review the effectiveness of cash transfers and social protection programs at providing services to specific populations, and what metrics they use to assess progress and impact.
3. Develop two working/discussion papers on equity metrics used in non-immunization programs (a) above and effectiveness of cash transfers in addressing inequities, detailing lessons to inform strategies to track immunization equity.

3. Duty Station

Location of assignment: Remote-based (with occasional office visits for meetings and discussions) 

4. Duration  

Provisional Start date:  11 September 2017   

Provisional End date:   29 December 2017  

Timeframe: up to 60 working days for the following deliverables. 

*Payment will be based on the deliverables accomplished, and on the actual number of days worked.

*Can include weekends/holidays, but only with supervisor’s written approval.

**This is an estimated deadline. Deliverables may be ongoing through the entire duration of the contract. 

5. Key competences, technical background, and experience required:

• Advanced university degree (Public Health, social science, economics or other relevant field)
• At least 8 years of relevant Mid/Senior level experience, including in developing countries
• Proven monitoring and evaluation skills
• Familiarity with how equity is measured and tracked in non-immunization programmes is an asset
• Proven writing experience and skills and peer reviewed articles in related field
• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Strong research, analytical, oral & written communication skills
• Proven excellence in developing presentations
• Fluent in English

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remark

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.