NATIONAL CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT THE CO-DESIGN OF THE FOUR-YEAR (2026–2030) PROJECT WORKPLAN, MEAL PLAN, REGION-SPECIFIC ACTION PLANS AND PROJECT INCEPTION AT UNICEF – NOVEMBER 2026

Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Job Title: National Consultant – Project Workplan, MEAL Plan and Regional Action Plans
Job Number: 596855
Contract Type: Consultant
Level: Consultancy
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Location: United Republic of Tanzania
Category: Nutrition
Advertised Date: 9th November 2026
Application Deadline: 15th November 2026

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil 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 offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development while serving children and communities across the world. The organization welcomes individuals who want to contribute to its mission within a diverse and inclusive working environment.

BACKGROUND

Tanzania is one of five countries included in Phase II (2026–2030) of the UNICEF–Ireland partnership to accelerate the Global Action Plan (GAP) on Child Wasting.

Despite progress, child wasting, poor diets, and maternal anaemia remain significant concerns in Tanzania.

The Accelerating Prevention and Management of Child Wasting project will focus on six high-burden regions:

Mainland Tanzania:

• Pwani
• Tanga
• Dar es Salaam

Zanzibar:

• Kaskazini Unguja
• Kaskazini Pemba
• Mjini Magharibi

The project is structured around four key outcomes:

1. Strengthened nutrition-responsive social protection, including a cash-plus model within PSSN III.
2. Improved prevention, early detection, and treatment of child wasting.
3. Improved maternal nutrition.
4. Improved infant and young child feeding practices and children’s diets.

To translate the approved project proposal into an operational plan, UNICEF seeks to engage a national consultant to facilitate the co-design of the four-year (2026–2030) project workplan, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) plan, and region-specific action plans for the six target regions.

The consultant will also support project inception activities at national and regional levels, working with the Government and partners to strengthen government ownership and sustainability.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Review, consolidate, and finalize the draft project workplan and MEAL plan co-developed by stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the project scope, four outcomes, indicators, and annual targets in the results framework.
• Support the six target regions and their respective councils to co-design region-specific action plans aligned with the project workplan and integrated into council plans and budgets.
• Facilitate validation of the project workplan, MEAL plan, and regional action plans with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), PMO-RALG, TFNC, TASAF, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, RHMTs, and CHMTs.
• Support the planning and facilitation of national and regional project inception meetings and document agreed actions and responsibilities.
• Document the workplan co-design and inception process through a case study and a two-page learning brief.

KEY ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Inception and Desk Review

• Review the UNICEF–Ireland project proposal, results framework, draft workplan, and MEAL plan.
• Review relevant national guidelines and plans.
• Conduct consultations with UNICEF, MoH, PMO-RALG, TFNC, TASAF, and Zanzibar Ministry of Health.
• Agree on the consultancy approach, methodology, and timelines with relevant stakeholders.

2. Workplan and MEAL Plan Finalization

• Consolidate stakeholder inputs into a four-year costed project workplan.
• Develop annual milestones, responsibilities, and timelines for the four project outcomes.
• Finalize the MEAL plan, including indicator definitions, baselines, data sources, reporting frequency, and the learning agenda.

3. Regional Action Planning

Facilitate planning sessions involving Regional Health Management Teams (RHMTs), Council Health Management Teams (CHMTs), regional and council nutrition officers, and social welfare officers in the following regions:

• Pwani
• Tanga
• Dar es Salaam
• Kaskazini Unguja
• Kaskazini Pemba
• Mjini Magharibi

The consultant will:

• Facilitate the co-design of region-specific action plans.
• Ensure alignment with the overall project workplan.
• Support integration of the action plans into council plans and budgets.

4. Stakeholder Validation

• Prepare presentations and validation materials.
• Facilitate stakeholder validation meetings.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the project documents.
• Produce final versions of the project workplan, MEAL plan, and regional action plans.

5. Project Inception

• Support UNICEF and Government in planning and facilitating national and regional project inception meetings.
• Prepare meeting materials and relevant presentations.
• Document agreed actions, roles, and responsibilities.

6. Documentation and Learning

• Document the workplan co-design and project inception process.
• Capture the approach, stakeholder engagement, good practices, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Prepare a case study and a two-page learning brief.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Education

• Advanced university degree in Health, Nutrition, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field.

2. Work Experience

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in nutrition or public health programme planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation, preferably working with UN agencies, government institutions, NGOs, or international organizations.

3. Knowledge, Expertise and Skills

Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Experience in nutrition or public health programme planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
• Experience developing multi-year workplans, results frameworks, indicators, annual targets, and MEAL plans.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating participatory planning with national and subnational government stakeholders.
• Ability to develop region- or council-specific action plans aligned with programme priorities, plans, and budgets.
• Ability to review and consolidate technical and stakeholder inputs.
• Strong understanding of results frameworks and monitoring data.
• Ability to define indicators and data sources and produce clear, costed, and operational workplans and MEAL plans.
• Proven experience preparing and facilitating stakeholder validation and project inception meetings involving government and development partners.
• Ability to document agreed actions, roles, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Experience documenting participatory planning and inception processes and producing concise case studies, learning briefs, and reports.
• Familiarity with Tanzania’s nutrition policy, planning, programming, and coordination context is desirable.

4. Language Requirements

• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in Kiswahili.

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts, is also required.

UNICEF CORE VALUES

Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate UNICEF’s Core Values, known as CRITAS:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

UNICEF COMPETENCIES

The competencies required for this consultancy include:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships.
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
3. Drive to achieve results for impact.
4. Innovates and embraces change.
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity.
6. Thinks and acts strategically.
7. Works collaboratively with others.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child and is committed to building an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

The organization encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, or disability, including neurodivergence.

UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process for candidates with disabilities.

Special Consideration: Eligible and suitable female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for this consultancy.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding, and background verification checks, which may include:

• Verification of academic credentials.
• Verification of employment history.
• Screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases.
• Requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers.
• Criminal and other relevant background checks, where applicable.

Appointment and continued engagement are subject to satisfactory completion of all required checks.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, fraud, and corruption.

IMPORTANT REMARKS

• UNICEF does not charge any processing fees at any stage of its recruitment, selection, or hiring processes.
• UNICEF will never request applicants’ bank account information.
• Government employees considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment.
• All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to facilitate background checks.
• UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer if required visa, medical clearance, or inoculation requirements are not met within a reasonable period.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. Staff at all levels may be called upon to support humanitarian responses and strengthen community resilience and national capacities.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications online through the official UNICEF Careers Portal.

Official Application Link:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Applicants should review the consultancy requirements and ensure that their applications demonstrate the required education, professional experience, technical expertise, and language proficiency.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

15th November 2026 – East Africa Standard Time (EAT)

Job Number: 596855
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Contract Type: Consultancy
Organization: UNICEF