National Consultancy for Development of the National Strategic Plan on Child Health (2026–2032), Incorporating Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) (remote for 2.5 months)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to health

How can you make a difference?

To provide time-bound technical and facilitation support to the Family Health Bureau to develop a comprehensive, evidence-informed and nationally owned NSPCH 2026–2032, incorporating IYCF, based on the findings of the preceding end-term review and structured multisectoral stakeholder engagement.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  Consultancy for Development of the National Strategic Plan on Child Health.pdf

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

Minimum requirements: |(Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

• Education: PhD in Community Medicine, Public Health, Child Health, Nutrition, Health Policy or related discipline.
• Work Experience: At least 10 years
• Language Requirements: English
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
  • Experience in health policy, strategic planning, programme management, monitoring and evaluation or comparable assignments.
  • Demonstrated experience developing national strategies or action plans, preferably in child health, early child care development, children with special needs, maternal and child nutrition or IYCF.
  • Proven ability to facilitate multisectoral consultations, synthesize complex evidence and produce high-quality strategic planning and policy documents.
• Desirables:
  • Experience working with Sri Lankan government health systems, professional institutions and development partners is desirable.
  • Strong written English, presentation, coordination and analytical skills; capacity to work with Sinhala/Tamil consultation inputs through appropriate arrangements is desirable

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal Consultancy for Development of the National Strategic Plan on Child Health.docx