International Consultancy - Human Resources for Health Roadmap, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 11.5 months (Onsite) - open only to non-Sierra Leoneans

UNICEF aims to hire a qualified international consultant to provide high-level technical assistance to the Directorate of Human Resources for Health, Ministry of Health.

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, health

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this consultancy is to assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) in enhancing and updating Sierra Leone’s Human Resources for Health (HRH) profile, as well as improving the collection and use of HRH data for planning and management. This will also provide critical insights for the development of a new HRH Strategic Plan. The specific objectives are:

1. Conduct an assessment to update Sierra Leone’s National HRH profile, including volunteer health workers in facilities, and produce advocacy materials for use by MOH and UNICEF.
2. Coordinate the development of HRH roadmap including the plan for gradual absorption and regulation of volunteer Health Workers (UHWs) into existing pin coded formal Health workforce.
3. Evaluate the existing Human Resources for Health Information System (HR HIS), identify key challenges, and offer recommendations, including the potential for digitalization and interoperability with other systems such as DHIS 2.
4. Deliver comprehensive technical assistance for the digitalization of HR HIS and ensure proper alignment with Directorate of Policy Planning and Information (DPPI), other key directorates, and partners.
5. Provide guidance and direct support to health sector leaders and partners on capacity-building initiatives related to using HRH data for planning and management.

Management, Organization and Timeframe:

The following deliverables, at the least, would be expected to be approved and provided to the UNICEF team in consultation with the MoH:

1. HRH assessment report
2. National HRH profile
3. At least three targeted advocacy briefs and materials based on needs expressed by MoH and UNICEF.
4. HRH Strategic Plan Roadmap, including the plan for gradually integrating and regulating volunteer health workers (UHWs) into the formal, pin-coded health workforce.
5. HRHIS evaluation report
6. Meeting notes and reports, to be circulated among key stakeholders.
7. Monthly activity reports.
8. Technical support reports
9. Summary reports of technical assistance, short training and coaching for capacity building

This is an individual consultancy for a 11.5-month assignment. The Consultant will be stationed in Freetown MOH / HRH directorate with an estimated 85 days of in-country travel.

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the of the Health Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening) at UNICEF Sierra Leone office and in close collaboration with the Director of HRH, MoH and other relevant directors in MoH.

Consultants are be expected to provide their own work tools including laptop and other communication tools required.

Mode of Submission of Applications

Candidates are required to submit a technical proposal and a financial proposal. The financial proposal should quote a lump-sum inclusive of fees, travel costs and communication costs and financial proposals may be negotiated.

You are strongly encouraged to access the full terms of reference here:   VA TOR - Human Resources for Health Consultant.pdf

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

• A minimum of master’s degree in economics, policy, health sciences, public health, or related subjects.
• Experience in HRHIS
• Experience designing, supporting, and managing large-scale HRH studies, strategies, and road map.
• Experience providing practical training, coaching, and mentoring in leadership development, with a focus on HRH planning and management.
• Experience in high-level and technical partner coordination, management and alignment.
• Ability to work in a team and in a diverse work environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Technical skills requirements

• Data analysis
• Strengthening electronic Health Information system preferably in HRHIS

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 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/individual contractors 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. 

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.