TOR - Consultant to Provide technical support to revise the Maternal Neonatal and Child Health COVID guidelines

The consultant will work very closely with stakeholders that participate in the guidelines working group to review the MNCH COVID-19 guidelines, consolidate input and review the guidelines in line with the current evidence and inputs from the group. The consultant will lead the process and finalize the MNCH guidelines.

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, a future

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by a newly emergent coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that was first recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The Minister of Health, on 05 March 2020, made an official announcement of a local confirmed COVID-19 case in South Africa, of a 38-year old man from KwaZulu-Natal who travelled to Italy. The disease spread rapidly, subsequently Government instituted measures to curb community transmission which included social distancing, wearing of masks as well as national lockdowns. As of 29 March 2021, South Africa recorded 1,545,979 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 57,710 deaths. The first COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the country on 01 February but the start of the vaccination roll-out was delayed, as the country sought to source and start its campaign with Johnson & Johnson vaccines that were reported to be more effective against the new 501.V2 COVID-19 variant in the country.  South Africa is aiming to vaccinate 67% of the population during 2021, some 40 million eligible people. This includes procurement of vaccines through the UNICEF, WHO and GAVI supported COVAX facility to cover around 10% of the population.   During early stages of the pandemic, the National Department of Health developed Maternal Neonatal Child Health guidelines to provide clinical guidance on COVID prevention and management in maternal and child health settings. At the time there were no recorded cases of COVID in pregnant women nor neonatal cases. However, this has changed over time, pregnant women have contracted COVID as well as neonates and children, several deaths have also been reported. The SA MRC (2020) pointed out that in South Africa, of all hospital admission 3,8 were children under 19years with a case fatality rate of 3.6%. The South African government would like to the Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH)clinical guidelines include recent evidence and further clinical guidance on prevention and management of COVID 19 in pregnant women and children.  

How can you make a difference?

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Work Experience: a minimum of five years' experience in the public sector
• Experience in writing government guidelines
• Languages needed: English. Working knowledge of the languages spoken in South Africa is an added advantage.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

How to apply…

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=540897 by 15 June 2021.

This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica, UN Job List, UN Jobs

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in ZAR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).  

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

The individual must have demonstrated ability, understanding and experience in coordinating stakeholders and developing MNCH guidelines. An understanding of the South African public health system, and experience in working with multiple stakeholders the different levels of health care service delivery, as well as prior experience with developing.  Experience in working with the South African Departments of Health (national, province and district) and close partners is an asset.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

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.

Remarks:

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