Overview
UNICEF Brazil prioritizes the quality of early childhood care services to ensure children's rights and full development.
In the Country Programme, early childhood development is mainstreamed across Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, and Social Policy, and delivered through core strategies such as the UNICEF Seal and #AgendaCidadeUNICEF.
A flagship urban initiative is UAPI (Unidade Amiga da Primeira Infância), created in collaboration with the municipal government of Fortaleza. UAPI provides technical assistance, training, monitoring, and certification to Primary Health Care Units (UBSs), Municipal Early Education Centers (CMEIs), and Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS). It strengthens professional capacity and results‑based management to improve services for pregnant women, children under six, and their families.
Nine capitals have signed 18‑month partnerships starting in September: Belém, Boa Vista, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo, and São Luís.
UNICEF has also expanded the UAPI methodology to the Social Assistance sector, reinforcing CRAS services and coordination with Health and Education. The pilot began in Rio de Janeiro and scaled to Belém and Recife. In the current cycle, UNICEF Brazil, in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Development and Health, established a unified UAPI methodology for Social Assistance and Health. This framework defines core guidelines, systemic outcomes, and key indicators to strengthen CRAS and UBS efforts to promote comprehensive child development. It supports consistent implementation, capacity building, and results‑based management across municipalities. Further details on the complete methodology are available upon request.
Consultant Role
To support UAPI implementation in Manaus, UNICEF will hire a consultant to provide technical support to strengthen municipal teams, analyze indicators, and understand territorial dynamics. The consultant will contribute to refining the UAPI methodology, developing an evaluation and certification framework, monitoring tools, an integrated training calendar, and baseline/intermediate indicator analyses to improve early childhood service quality.
Key Deliverables
Alignment meetings with UNICEF Manaus and municipal secretariats; a detailed work plan and schedule with indicator monitoring strategy.
Consolidated baseline report for Manaus using established UAPI indicators.
Integrated training plan for UBS, CMEI, and CRAS teams.
Technical reports from the first and second field missions documenting progress, challenges, best practices, and interim indicator analysis.
Final comprehensive report summarizing results, indicator analysis, field mission findings, training records, and recommendations for UAPI continuity.
SCOPE OF WORK
Provide technical support to the UNICEF team in Manaus in implementing the UAPI methodology, ensuring the integration of health, education, and social services.
Support UNICEF team in regular technical meetings with municipal secretariats and local scientific committees to facilitate intersectoral coordination, clarify doubts, and address challenges.
Conduct structured field missions to UAPI participating units in Manaus (UBS, CMEI, and CRAS), together with the UNICEF team, offering direct support to local teams.
Support the application of the methodology and monitoring tools, monitoring baseline and intermediate indicators, clarifying questions and providing support.
Support the structuring of an integrated training calendar, in line with municipal needs and UNICEF guidelines.
Produce periodic progress reports, highlighting lessons learned, good practices, and recommendations for strengthening intersectoral implementation.
DELIVERABLES (Timeline and Payment)
Initial report and work plan (up to month 1): Holding alignment meetings and delivering a detailed work plan and schedule; 1st payment – 15% (by month 1) after delivery and approval.
Baseline analysis report (by month 2): Consolidated report analyzing the initial situation; 2nd payment – 15% (by month 2) after delivery and approval.
Training schedule and training plan (by month 3): Integrated training plan; 3rd payment – 15% (by month 3) after delivery and approval.
Report on the first field activities (by month 4): Technical report on first field mission; 4th payment – 15% (by month 4) after delivery and approval.
Report on the second field activities and interim indicators (up to month 5): Technical report consolidating second field mission; 5th payment – 20% (up to month 5) after submission and approval.
Consolidated final report (up to month 6): Comprehensive report summarizing results, indicators, field activities, training records, recommendations; 6th payment – 20% (up to month 6) after delivery and approval.
DURATION OF CONTRACT
6 months
TRAVEL PLAN
No domestic or international travel is planned for this consultancy; all activities will be carried out in Manaus in coordination with the UNICEF Office and municipal departments. Field activities planned in products 4 and 5 will take place within the municipality, in units such as UBS, CMEI, and CRAS, with no additional travel costs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Academic background in Social Work, Social Sciences, Public Health, Public Policy, or related fields (bachelor's degree required; master's considered a plus).
At least 5 years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, or evaluating public policies focused on early childhood, with proven experience in the Unified Health System (SUS), Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), and/or early childhood education.
Solid knowledge of early childhood care policies, programs, and indicators related to basic social protection, early childhood education, and primary health care.
Experience in results‑based management processes and evidence use to support public policies.
Experience in intersectoral agendas with government agencies and municipal public services.
Excellent communication, technical writing, and report‑writing skills.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Brazilian Portuguese
UNICEF'S CORE VALUES
UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.
DEFINING OUR VALUES
Get acquainted with our Values Charter: UNICEF Values.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
UNICEF is committed to include everyone, irrespective of race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socioeconomic background, or any other personal characteristic. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities, including accessible software, travel assistance, or personal attendants.
REQUIRED SAFEGUARDING & BACKGROUND CHECKS
UNICEF has a zero‑tolerance policy for misconduct, including sexual exploitation, harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
All selected candidates will be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history, and may be required to provide additional information.
DISCLAIMER & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Consultants will not be considered "staff members" under the Staff Regulations; they are not entitled to benefits such as leave entitlements and medical insurance. Conditions of service are governed by the contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining tax liabilities and paying any applicable taxes or duties. They must ensure that any required visa and health insurance remain valid for the contract duration. If required, they must confirm full vaccination against SARS‑CoV‑2 with a WHO‑endorsed vaccine before assignment. This requirement does not apply to consultants working remotely without interacting with program delivery locations or communities.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
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