Consultant – National Community Health Strategy Development (Zambia)

About the role

UNICEF is seeking an experienced consultant to lead the development of Zambia's Costed National Community Health Strategy (NCHS) for 2027‑2031 and its accompanying five‑year operational plan. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Health’s Community Health Unit and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the strategy is evidence‑based, fully costed, and ready for implementation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic, technical and advisory support throughout the design, formulation and finalisation of the NCHS and operational plan.
• Lead a participatory process involving government, partners and civil society to secure national ownership.
• Ensure the strategy is results‑oriented, technically sound and fully costed.
• Conduct extensive consultations with community health stakeholders at all stages.
• Produce high‑quality government documents, SOPs and protocols as required.

Required profile

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Community Health, Health Systems, Health Policy or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in health system optimisation, strategy design and health programme development.
• Proven experience in costing national health strategies and investment cases.
• Familiarity with the Zambian community health landscape is an advantage.
• Fluent English; knowledge of local languages is a plus.

Required skills

• Costing of national health strategies and investment cases.
• Operational planning for health programmes.
• Health policy analysis and development.