ZONAL CONSULTANT/MENTORS–CHILD SURVIVAL, Uttar Pradesh
Consultancy Duration : Until December 31, 2026 (extendable based on performance)
Duty Station : Agra
Application Closing Date : March 13, 2026
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Zonal Consultant / Mentors– Child Survival
1. Background
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of approximately 240 million, is the most populous state in India. The state has achieved a significant decline in maternal mortality over the past decade, currently standing at 141 per 100,000 live births as per SRS 2021–23. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 26 per 1,000 live births, accounting for 62% of all under-five deaths in the state. Despite these improvements, Uttar Pradesh is likely to miss the SDG targets if progress continues at the current pace. To achieve the MMR target of 70 and NMR < 12, the rate of reduction must accelerate substantially. Evidence indicates that improving the quality of care during childbirth and the management of sick and small newborns offers the highest return in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Uttar Pradesh in child survival efforts, including Facility Based Newborn Care (FBNC), Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and strengthening quality of care in labour rooms.
To achieve a faster decline in newborn mortality, concentrated efforts are required to enhance care within health facilities, particularly for small, vulnerable, and sick newborns, those at the greatest risk of mortality and morbidity beyond survival.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined detailed Standards for Improving the Quality of Care for Small and Sick Newborns (SSN) in Health Facilities (2020). These standards provide a comprehensive framework for standardizing and improving inpatient care for newborns requiring specialized medical attention. They emphasize interventions such as kangaroo mother care (KMC), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), early initiation of enteral feeding and family involvement in care.
The revised FBNC guidelines (2023) incorporate key clinical and caregiving practices previously underemphasized, aligning them with WHO standards. There is an urgent need to revitalize the implementation of FBNC guidelines, focusing on “newer” interventions such as antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) for preterm labour, CPAP, iKMC/KMC with zero separation even for unstable babies and early enteral feeding.
Despite the ongoing efforts of the Government of Uttar Pradesh for MMR and NMR reduction, significant implementation gaps persist. Many WHO recommended standards are only partially implemented or absent in health facilities in Uttar Pradesh. These gaps are not merely procedural, they reflect systemic weaknesses in knowledge translation and institutional capacity, stemming from limited provider training and low awareness of new evidence. Addressing these challenges is critical for Uttar Pradesh to make meaningful progress toward national and global neonatal health targets.
2. Purpose Of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to assigned health facilities for strengthening the Facility Based Newborn Care programme, with a focus on newer interventions such as antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) for preterm labour, CPAP, iKMC/KMC with zero separation even for unstable babies, early enteral feeding and translating WHO recommendations for small and vulnerable newborns into policy and program implementation.
3. Programme and Specific Project Involved
RCH programme: Output 101: By 2027, government and stakeholders, have enhanced institutional capacity to ensure that women, children, and care givers, especially the most vulnerable, have access to equitable, resilient, and quality RMNCAH services, and that communities are empowered to practice healthy behaviors and demand quality services.
4. Objectives
- To provide technical support in assessment of Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) on WHO Quality of Care standards
- To provide technical support at facility level for the implementation of high impact interventions such as Antenatal corticosteroids administration, CPAP, iKMC/zero separation and early enteral feeding in implementation of newer high impact initiatives such as Antenatal corticosteroids administration, CPAP, iKMC/zero separation and early enteral feeding.
- To provide technical and planning support to facilitate establishment and operationalization of Mother Newborn Care Units (MNCU) and Lactational Management Units (LMUs) in selected facilities.
- To provide technical assistance in strengthening SNCU mentoring mechanism and data driven decision making
Duty Station: Agra.
Duration: Up to 31st December 2026 (extendable based on performance)
Supervisor: HOD Community Medicine, KGMU with technical supervision from Health Officer- Maternal & Newborn Health, UNICEF Office for Uttar Pradesh
Official Travel Involved: Travel to assigned districts in UP
Qualifications
- Essential Qualification: MBBS/BDS/BAMS/BHMS with a minimum of two years’ experience at district, divisional, and/or state level. Preference will be given to candidates holding MD (Community Medicine, Pediatrics or relevant stream) or MPH degrees.
- Desirable Experience: Familiarity with national flagship programmes and prior experience working in the government sector, particularly in child health programmes, will be considered an asset.
- Communication Skills: Strong proficiency in written and spoken English and Hindi, with the ability to deliver effective presentations.
- Core Competencies: Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
- Technical Skills: Good working knowledge of computer applications, especially MS Office.
Application Procedures:
- The appointment will be made by the Project Coordinator, UNICEF Project, Department of Community Medicine & Public Health, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Please complete the Application form by March 13, 2026, by using the Google link provided below and upload your CV : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D33TQJ1j3vCNVUubPujxmd4kNOrWvjEtF5DVzMYTOXM/edit#responses
- Only short-listed candidates will be approached for the next level of selection.
- The selection will be done based on meeting the qualification outlined in the advertisement, results of the written/interview.
- Any attempt to unduly influence selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
- Please note, no fee will be charged during any stage of the selection process.
- Joint applications of two or more individuals will not be accepted.
- We encourage diversity and inclusion within the workforce and encourage qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, to apply.
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the advert attached below.