National Consultant - Policy Intervention (PVAC) at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Consultant - Policy Intervention (PVAC)

Job No: 579716
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultant
Level: P-5
Categories: Consultancy
Duration: 12 months

Background

• The Policy Intervention Lead will drive PVAC's mission to build a robust, supportive environment that enables the sustainable development of the Nigerian healthcare sector.
• This role is crucial for addressing regulatory, financial, and operational barriers faced by healthcare stakeholders and promoting cross-sector partnerships that strengthen healthcare services delivery in Nigeria. Given the complexity and strategic importance of this role, it requires a high-level professional with extensive experience in healthcare ecosystem development, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.

How can you make a difference?
Main Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Strategy Development: Formulate and implement a comprehensive ecosystem enablement strategy targeting key priorities, including regulatory improvement, policy advocacy, talent development, R&D, and access to financing for the healthcare sector.
• Regulatory Advocacy: Lead efforts to engage with Nigerian healthcare regulatory bodies, advocating for policies that foster innovation, enhance accessibility to healthcare services, and improve the sector's investment climate.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Cultivate collaborative relationships across the healthcare value chain, including government entities, private healthcare providers, academia, and industry leaders, to foster alignment on key initiatives.
• Program Development & Oversight: Oversee the design and rollout of programs that address workforce development, R&D advancements, and operational support for healthcare organizations, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Trend Analysis and Strategic Insights: Monitor sector trends and identify challenges impacting Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, proposing solutions and actionable strategies to mitigate these issues.
• Team Leadership: Manage a team of specialists responsible for identifying and mitigating regulatory and operational challenges within Nigeria's healthcare ecosystem.
• Budget Management: Ensure effective management of the unit’s budget and resources, optimizing expenditures to maximize impact.

Work Assignments

• Develop a strategic framework for collaboration between PVAC and key stakeholders to advance locally relevant healthcare product R&D.
  • Deliverable/Output: Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration Strategy Document.
• Develop a comprehensive roadmap for regulatory improvement and capacity building to support local healthcare product manufacturing.
  • Deliverable/Output: Needs Assessment Report and Capacity Building Program Proposal.
• Develop a proposal for aligning PVAC initiatives with development partners' health programs in Nigeria.
  • Deliverable/Output: Partnership Proposal Document and Collaboration Plan.
• Prepare briefings for stakeholders on PVAC's healthcare initiatives.
  • Deliverable/Output: Briefing and Engagement Strategy Document.
• Identify areas for alignment on technology transfer with relevant stakeholders.
  • Deliverable/Output: Technology Transfer Opportunities Proposal.
• Develop a strategic plan to secure financial commitment from key Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to support PVAC programs.
  • Deliverable/Output: DFIs Engagement and Strategy Document.
• Enhance Nigeria’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem for specific disease control technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
  • Deliverable/Output: Strategic Ecosystem Development Plans for key diseases.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• A master’s degree in Public Health, Healthcare Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in the Nigerian healthcare sector, with a proven track record in ecosystem enablement, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading teams, formulating strategic initiatives, and influencing policy and regulatory changes.
• Strong abilities in negotiation and relationship-building with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Skilled in leading, managing, and motivating a high-performing team.
• Capability to assess complex regulatory and operational challenges and develop strategic solutions.
• Ability to manage and optimize budgetary resources.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and handle evolving priorities.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency contexts 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.

Application Closing Date
3rd February, 2025 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).