UNICEF Implementation Research (IR) Consultant Jobs in Tanzania

UNICEF Implementation Research (IR) Consultant Jobs in Tanzania

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.

It can take as long as 10-20 years for new evidence-based innovations and interventions to be included into national health policies and programmes. These delays lead to substantial and unnecessary loss of lives.

The poorest and most marginalized segments of the population are the most likely to be affected, as their access to health and social services is already low and often compromised due to disadvantages in socio-economic circumstances, education, and geography.

In addition, there is continued low and inequitable coverage of many well-established interventions that are already part of national plans, many times due to inadequate attention on how to ensure that these interventions reach all those who need and would benefit from them. An implementation strategy that works well in one setting and for one population group may not necessarily do so in another.

Implementation Research (IR) can help reduce these gaps and inequities, accelerate uptake of innovations, and provide the real-time evidence needed for decision-makers to scale up their Primary Health Care (PHC) policies, programmes, and practice.

A recent review of IR in the context of UNICEF funded interventions, show that where IR was embedded into programmes, and where corrective action was taken with regards to programme implementation, child mortality was reduced by up to 63%.

Implementation research has been a focus of the health section of UNICEF Tanzania Country Office (TCO) since 2020. Through a partnership with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), IR has been embedded within the implementation of new national guidelines for Community Based Health Services in Kigoma Region and closely engaged key stakeholders and implementers at all levels throughout.

IR is also ongoing to identify the “mechanisms of effect” of a complex bundle of interventions to improve perinatal health in Mbeya Region as well as on the integration of COVID-19 and routine immunization across several regions. UNICEF HQ has facilitated IR on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the national level, with important findings for national AMR strategy.

In September 2022, UNICEF and MUHAS co-hosted an IR symposium which took stock of the learnings throughout this work. Linked to this symposium, a one-day workshop with government stakeholders was held to initiate the first steps of institutionalization of IR within routine structures and processes, cognizant of the potential benefit of IR if used more systematically.

Several entry points for institutionalizing IR within government systems was identified during this workshop, as were necessary next steps.

How can you make a difference?

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide high-quality technical and scientific contributions to UNICEF TCO’s Implementation Research agenda across four specific objectives:

IR Capacity building – for ability

The ability to conduct IR among stakeholders is fundamental for its application and use on a routine basis. Under this deliverable, the consultant will focus on adapting available IR materials (such as those available from TDR, WHO and other institutions) for hands-on and relevant learning by policy makers and programme implementers within the government’s PHC research unit at the President’s Office for Regional and Local Government (PORALG) and within UNICEF TCO.

Specific activities will include:

Develop in-service training plan for UNICEF TCO health staff and government PHC research unit staff

Prepare in-service training materials for UNICEF health staff and government PHC research unit staff, including for use by government staff at subnational level, including module on beneficiaries' participation in IR - specifically action research with adolescents, gender, environment, and climate.

Conduct in-service training of

UNICEF health staff and government PHC research unit staff

Follow-up mentorship with UNICEF TCO health staff and PORALG research unit staff

IR institutionalization – for sustainability

Review and provide regular updates into UNICEF TCO internal IR repository, to ensure ongoing programmatic use of findings

Draft a national road map for implementation research in PHC, based on a series of consultations with government, UNICEF, and other stakeholders

Draft Standard Operating Procedures/guidance for conducting IR and utilizing IR findings within routine systems based on a series of consultations with government, UNICEF, and other stakeholders

Provide Technical Assistance in the development and use of the government’s IR repository for Primary Health Care, in collaboration with PORALG’s ICT and Research unit Institutionalization of IR within routine systems is a long-term goal and the early steps were identified in the first IR symposium held in September 2022. Under this specific objective, the consultant will support institutionalization within both UNICEF and government systems

IR practice – for the improvement of primary health care

The practice of IR, its application, should lead to adaptations and improvement in programme implementation. This requires timely, engaged, and relevant IR protocols with quicker than usual turn-around times for results dissemination to guide corrective action. Under this specific objective, the consultant will provide technical assistance in the drafting and review of IR studies supported by UNICEF, including but not limited to IR on urban community health and IR on client feedback mechanisms in PHC.

IR documentation and dissemination – for shared learning and wider impact

The documentation of IR is important at all stages. High quality technical review can enhance the quality of this documentation with greater clarity and impact on programmes as a result. In addition, documentation for various purposes, including scientific manuscripts for peer review and policy briefs for decision makers at different levels are needed. Under this specific deliverable, the consultant will provide technical assistance in drafting and reviewing research reports, manuscripts and policy briefs based on the conducted IR.

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

A minimum of eight years’ experience in the conduct and management of Implementation Research (IR) in the context of LMIC Health systems and services, including experience of teaching, supervising and mentoring others.

Experience in engaging with initiatives and networks for implementation research and working with national and subnational levels, including in demand-driven IR

Experience in stakeholder engagement and communication at both, national and sub- national level

Documented contribution as first or last author to a minimum of 6 publications of studies using implementation research methodology.

Excellent understanding of the current state of IR, challenges and opportunities facing the field, and linkages with larger global health agendas.

Ability to conceptualize and develop high-quality IR outputs including journal articles to inform health system strengthening in LMICs.

Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills to engage with high-level policymakers in Tanzania, and in teaching and mentoring for IR skills development.

Proven programme management skills towards ensuring timely production of high-quality deliverables.

Documented excellent written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages depending on the intended audience.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with international and national staff at all levels.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required

Proficiency in Swahili is an asset

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UNICEF Implementation Research (IR) Consultant Jobs in Tanzania

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