International Individual Consultancy to conduct causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support MoH with strategic planning

International Individual Consultancy to conduct causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support MoH with strategic planning | UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund

International Individual Consultancy to conduct causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support MoH with strategic planning

UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund Podgorica International Consultant - Contractors Agreement level Speaks English, Montenegrin, Montenegrin

Application deadline: March 24, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

UNICEF is seeking an International Individual Consultant to conduct a causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support the Ministry of Health with strategic planning. The consultant will update the 2020 Root Cause Analysis (RCA) by identifying bottlenecks and developing targeted action plans to improve immunization coverage. This role involves desk reviews, interviews, focus group discussions, and workshops at both local and national levels. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Early Childhood Development Officer and produce deliverables in English or local language.

Candidate Requirements:

Master's degree in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology or related field

Minimum 8 years of public health experience

Expertise in root cause/bottleneck analysis in immunization

Experience in developing strategic documents and action plans

Working experience in Europe & Central Asia, Montenegro preferred

Experience in designing and facilitating workshops

Excellent writing and presentation skills

Knowledge of English or Montenegrin language

UNICEF is looking for an International Individual Consultancy to conduct causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support MoH with strategic planning.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from diverse populations, including but not limited to people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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 fulfil 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, the best start to life.

Immunization remains a key public health priority in Montenegro; however, coverage rates have declined in recent years, particularly for the first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR1). A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) conducted in 2020 identified systemic bottlenecks, including service delivery gaps and vaccine hesitancy. Following the analysis, a number of initiatives were implemented to address these challenges and strengthen the immunization system. These efforts have been consolidated and further advanced through the Programme of Measures for Immunization 2026–2028, which aims to improve coverage, equity, and public confidence in vaccination.

How can you make a difference?

This consultancy will help to  update the 2020 RCA by   reviewing  critical bottlenecks and root causes of low routine immunization coverage at subnational level in Montenegro and develop ing updated  targeted action plans (including system-specific fixes), to increase and  maintain  high immunization coverage to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases . The plans should also  feed into the implementation of the National Programme of Measures for Immunization [Click the Apply button below to see the contact details] . The assignment will include a combination of desk review, interviews and focus group discussions at local and national level, as well as workshops at subnational and national level to  identify  and discuss main bottlenecks/root cause analysis of low immunization coverage at subnational level from both supply and demand  and  consolidate  at national level .   To implement this task, UNICEF Montenegro  seeks  to  identify  a n inter national consultant that should work under the supervision  of  the Early Childhood Development Officer  and  to   carry  out t he  specific tasks described in detail in the Work Assignment Overview section below.   All deliverables should be produced in  either   local  or English  language  and UNICEF will ensure translation when and where  required .

Work Assignments Overview

Tasks/Milestone  

Deliverables/Outputs  

Timeline                           

Develop inception report based on review of National Programme of Measures, previous RCA and other relevant documents

Inception report with desk review of relevant immunization related documents and timeline of field mission

8 May 2026

Conduct root cause analysis in 3 low-performing municipalities or Montenegro as selected in consultation with MoH

Reports on Root cause analysis in 3 selected low-performing  municipalities or Montenegro

29 May 2026

Develop costed action plan to improve routine immunization coverage in three selected municipalities, reviewed and cleared by UNICEF and MoH

Costed action plans to improve routine immunization coverage  in three selected municipalities

5 June 2026

Facilitate two day workshop for remaining 15 municipalities to develop costed plans

Two day workshop for remaining municipalities to develop costed plans

19 June 2026

Develop final report  

Final report with  recommendations for both local and national level to improve routine immunization coverage

23 June 2026

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Master's degree in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Management and Administration. Also, Economics, Legal studies, Social sciences, or related relevant sciences.

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of experience in the area of public health

Proven  expertise  in undertaking root cause/bottleneck analysis  in the area of  immunization

Proven experience in development of strategic documents, action/operational plans in the area of immunization

Working experience in the Europe & Central Asia region required, experience in Montenegro an advantage

Experience in designing and facilitating workshops.

Previous  work experience with UNICEF or another international organization will be an advantage.  

Language:

K nowledge of either English or Montenegrin language (both spoken and written) while knowledge of other languages in official use in Montenegro will be considered as an asset.

Other:

Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills .

Ability to work with different stakeholders  and good networking skills. Demonstrates tact and  high  sense of responsibility and discretion.

Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards.

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.    

The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices, as follows:

1 st  t ranche will be paid  upon  successful  submission of the  deliverables 1- 2 .

2 nd  tranche will be pa id  upon  successful  submission of the  remaining deliverables  3 - 5 .  

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online UNICEF courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.

Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF

Prevention of of Authority

Prevention of

Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course.  In addition to above, any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract:   

Fraud Awareness.

General Information Security Awareness Course  (only for consultants/individual contractors with a UNICEF email address ).    

The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link:  AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org) . Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.   

Selection method:

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria :   

 A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points:70  

1. Interview-70 % of total evaluation

Education: 10

Previous experience: 20

Sample of a legal report or piece of legislation that the candidate authored: 30

Other:  10

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (e.g. who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation  

B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal -  Maximum points:30  

The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal consisting of a professional fee for the services to be provided.   The applicants are requested to submit their lump sum financial proposal consisting of a daily professional fee, proposed travel costs for north, central and south area of the country and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) when applicable which will be paid up to a maximum of the official UN rate.  Reimbursement of travel costs / accommodation expenses will be based on actual expenses.  Travel costs and Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

Remarks:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF offers  reasonable accommodation  for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel  assistance  for  missions  or personal attendants. We encourage you to  disclose  your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and  objectives  of the United Nations and UNICEF, including e, , abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include  the verification  of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may  be required  to provide  additional  information to conduct a background check.  O nly shortlisted candidates will be

[Click the Apply button below to see the contact details]