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, Immunization

In the 1970s UNICEF established presence in Yemen to respond to the urgent needs of children in the poorest country in the Middle East. In 1991, Yemen ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it was enacted immediately.  Since then the country has been making steady progress for children until it plunged into a brutal conflict in 2015 but even before that, Yemen needed large amounts of humanitarian assistance.

In collaboration with local authorities, non-governmental organizations and community partners, UNICEF is working in all the governorates in Yemen to respond to the needs of children throughout the country with a continuum of services to help children survive and grow to their full potential through the following programmes: Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Basic Education, and Child protection.

For more on our work in Yemen, please visit our website: https://www.unicef.org/yemen/

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Yemen is seeking a highly skilled and experienced consultant to support the EPI program in Yemen by generating evidence around gender barriers to immunization programs at system and community level and develop strategic recommendations and actionable activities to enhance gender equality in immunization, improving immunization coverage and public health outcomes through female community-based interventions.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Immunization is a crucial public health intervention that significantly reduces childhood morbidity and mortality. However, global immunization coverage has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with countries experiencing setbacks, particularly those with large birth cohorts, weak health systems, or conflict. In the MENA region, DTP1 coverage dropped to 85% in 2023, a 7%-point decrease since 2019, with conflict and humanitarian crises disproportionately affecting women and children. Yemen alone has contributed to 35% of the region’s zero-dose children, with 580,000 children not receiving a single dose of DTP1, representing one in five children in Yemen. (please see the full background in the ToR attached to this consultancy).

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Under the overall supervision of the YCO office in Aden and the direct supervision of the Gender and Development Officer, the consultant will research, write, and produce a Gender Analysis in Immunization, focusing on community-based and service delivery assessments.

This analysis will aid in designing and implementing initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by women and children, exploring effective gender-based initiatives to improve immunization coverage and public health outcomes. It will focus on the roles, opportunities, needs, challenges, and risks faced by the female community health workforce in Yemen, providing a detailed understanding of gender-related barriers and developing effective gender-responsive strategies for immunization programs, particularly in reaching hard-to-reach communities and zero-dose children.

The analysis will focus on five main objectives:

1. Improve coverage of immunization services and public health outcomes through equity, equality, and inclusion.
2. Increase midwives’ involvement in immunization.
3. Expand the reach of women by enhancing and supporting the female community health workforce within their work environment, duties, and communities.
4. Boost community participation and engagement.
5. Engage men and boys in child health.

To view the specific tasks and the required deliverables, scope of the work and full details of the job profile, hold CTRL & double-click on the following link:  Terms of Reference (Gender Analysis in Immunization) Final (003).pdf

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

Education:

An Advanced university degree in the fields of gender an immunization, planning, economy and finance, and any related fields.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Technical knowledge:  Strong technical knowledge and of relevant experience of at least 8 years of in:
  • Public Health and Immunization: In-depth understanding of immunization programs, vaccine-preventable diseases, and public health principles.
  • Gender Analysis: Knowledge of gender dynamics, gender equality, and how gender norms impact health outcomes.
• Yemen Context: Familiarity with Yemen’s socio-political environment, health system, and the specific challenges faced by women and children in conflict zones.
• Community Health: Understanding of community-based health interventions, particularly those involving female health workers and midwives.
• Humanitarian Settings: Knowledge of working in humanitarian crises, including navigating security concerns and limited resources.

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Reading & Speaking Arabic is an asset.

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.

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: 

• This consultancy is home-based. However, the consultant might be required to conduct some travels and a visit to Aden as part of their assignment to finalize the assigned tasks.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. 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 for ensuring that the 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, programmme 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.
• Candidates are required to provide an all-inclusive fee proposal (in U.S.D) as part of their application. It is better to attach a table which shall include fees for the deliverables, living allowance, accommodation, and travel cost.
• Candidates are required to provide a technical proposal as part of their application. The technical proposal might include highlights on the below points:
• Background information that includes an interpretation and understanding of the terms of reference.
• Methodology and approach outlining a clear conceptual and analytical framework for the work to be undertaken.
• Proposed work plan outlining clear timeframe and logical steps in conducting the assignment.
• Name and brief background of the vendor/consultant, including existing experience and expertise that will be of benefit to the proposed assignment.
• Names and contact information of referees for the 3 most recent and relevant projects