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International consultant in peri- & neonatal care – Neonatologist, Sukhumi, Georgia
**Job no:** 591666
**Contract type:** Consultant
**Duty Station:** Tbilisi
**Level:** Consultancy
**Location:** Georgia
**Categories:** Health
**Background / Purpose of the Assignment**
The hostilities of 1992–1993, along with the subsequent prolonged isolation, have had enduring negative impacts on the economic and social well‑being of people living in Abkhazia, Georgia. Over the past three decades, the protracted nature of the conflict has hindered development and continues to affect human rights and the living conditions of conflict‑affected communities, including their access to essential social services, human security, and opportunities for sustainable peace.
The healthcare system in Abkhazia remains rooted in an outdated, inpatient‑oriented model. Services are delivered across central, district/urban, and rural levels; however, primary healthcare (PHC) facilities – including antenatal care clinics – are often under‑equipped and face shortages of qualified personnel. These gaps lead to frequent referrals to higher levels of care. Significant disparities in the distribution of healthcare workers further constrain service availability, with urban areas comparatively better staffed than rural and remote regions. Only around 19 percent of doctors work in PHC, and opportunities for continuing professional development are extremely limited. Many health workers were trained outside Abkhazia region and lack access to ongoing medical education. At the same time, nurses’ skills remain underutilized, contributing to low public confidence in nursing services. Additional systemic challenges including limited supplies of essential medicines, outdated medical equipment, deteriorated WASH infrastructure, and high out‑of‑pocket costs – further undermine the quality and accessibility of healthcare and discourage timely care‑seeking.
Despite the sustained efforts of UNICEF and other international development partners, notable gaps persist across the health sector. Limited availability of essential medicines, shortages of trained personnel, inadequate health data, and constrained capacities for planning and managing health interventions continue to affect access to essential services.
These challenges are especially evident in maternal and child health – an essential pillar of public health. In Abkhazia region perinatal services are delivered through one republican maternity hospital in Sukhumi and maternity wards within seven district hospitals (Gagra, Gudauta, Gulrypshi, Gali, Tkuarcheli, and Ochamchyre). However, several facilities operate at reduced capacity due to low delivery numbers and resource constraints. Seven women’s consultation (antenatal) clinics operate in the same locations, but coordination between primary and secondary levels of care (antenatal clinic – maternity – PHC) remains limited, with many services following vertical structures and not sufficiently integrated.
UNICEF, as a leading advocate for children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, implements strategic interventions across health, education, and child protection in Abkhazia, Georgia. UNICEF Georgia has maintained a Field Office in Abkhazia since October 2005. Since 2011, UNICEF has supported the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) and has worked with health workers to adopt internationally recognized maternal and child health (MCH) and Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) standards. UNICEF has further contributed to the development of clinical guidelines and the provision of specialized equipment for safe neonatal transport across the administrative boundary line (ABL). A network of health professionals has also been established to support guideline development, trainings, and supportive supervision, particularly within PHC and MCH services.
Addressing maternal and child health challenges in low‑resource settings requires a comprehensive, lifecycle‑based approach. In Abkhazia region, the shortage of trained personnel, limited use or absence of evidence‑based clinical standards, and lack of targeted public health interventions pose significant risks to maternal, newborn, and child health. Health workers require strengthened knowledge and skills, supportive supervision – which to date has been implemented only on a pilot basis – and availability of/access to reliable health data.
To address these challenges, and within the EU‑funded UNICEF/WHO joint initiative “Support provision of basic health services for conflict‑affected people living in Abkhazia, Georgia,” UNICEF will support the strengthening of risk‑appropriate maternal and neonatal care in the region. The planned interventions will be informed by a comprehensive assessment of the quality of neonatal and obstetric care in Abkhazia, using a methodology that includes analysis of medical documentation, facility inspections, and interviews with medical staff. The assessment will be conducted with ‘Integrated quality of hospital care assessment and improvement tool for maternal and neonatal health’ World Health Organization (2024): https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/379487.
The assessment will place particular emphasis on the organization of care for sick newborns, including the availability of effective referral and transport pathways and the functionality of intensive care units and availability of structured handover and continuity of care with primary health care settings upon neonatal discharge. It will also focus on the development and integration of priority clinical care protocols, as well as the continued analysis of quality of care to inform a plan of action at both maternity/local and regional levels.
**Scope Of Work**
To address the critical needs in peri- and neonatal care in Abkhazia region, UNICEF is recruiting international consultants: 1) Obstetrician/Gynaecologist (Team Leader), Neonatologist and Midwife to work as a team to plan and carry out Assessment of the quality of neonatal and obstetric care in Abkhazia, Georgia using the ‘Integrated quality of hospital care assessment and improvement tool for maternal and neonatal health’, World Health Organization (2024): https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/379487.
Guided by the team leader, consultants will complete all modules of the tool on-site at the Republican Maternity Hospital in Sukhumi, as well as in the maternity wards of seven district hospitals (Gagra, Gudauta, Gulrypshi, Gali, Tkvarcheli, and Ochamchyre) and in seven women’s consultation (antenatal) clinics in the same locations.
The completion of modules and their respective chapters – each addressing specific parameters, will be allocated among team members according to their professional expertise.
More specifically, the following dimensions for peri‑ and neonatal care in the region will be assessed:
* **Hospital Resources** – availability of essential resources for maternal and newborn care, including:
* Physical infrastructure and amenities
* Health management information systems
* Human resources for health
* Availability and management of medicines, equipment, and supplies
* Laboratory services
* **Hospital-level Policies and Organization of Services** covering:
* Availability, content, and implementation of hospital policies
* Infection prevention and control
* Continuous quality improvement
* Organization of maternal and newborn care
* Access to hospital care and continuity of care
* Protection of mother and newborn rights
* **Provision of Health Care**
Evaluation of case management for common maternal and newborn conditions according to WHO standards:
* Maternal health: pregnancy, intrapartum, and postpartum care
* Newborn health: readiness to manage newborns at birth; care for healthy and sick newborns; facility preparedness for advanced newborn care
**Additional Areas To Be Assessed**
* Monitoring and follow-up practices for women with obstetric complications
* Monitoring and follow-up practices for sick newborns
* **Experience of Care**
Collecting perspectives from mothers and caretakers through structured face-to-face interviews, focusing on:
* Experience of care received by pregnant women, mothers, caretakers, and newborns
* Perceptions of the quality and respectfulness of care
* **Motivation and Perspectives of Human Resources**
Assessment of factors influencing health providers’ ability to deliver quality care, through structured face-to-face staff interviews including:
* Availability of physical resources
* Hospital policies on professional development
* Organization of relevant services
* **Feedback and Action Planning**
Supporting a Standards‑based Audit Process To
* Analyse the overall quality of care at facility level
Develop action plans for improvement at both maternity/local and regional levels including:
* Development of effective referral and transport pathways
* Defining the requirements and needs for establishing functional maternal-neonatal intensive care units (ICU).
* Facilitating a formalized discharge handover to primary health care providers to ensure uninterrupted post‑discharge neonatal follow‑up and continuity of care
* Participate in the formulation and integration of the 5 (five) prioritized clinical care protocols, and support continuous quality‑of‑care evaluation to guide evidence‑based action planning.
Interested experts should apply for the Neonatologist role of the assignment indicating lumpsum fee in the Cover Letter.
**Work modality**
Hybrid with international trips to the duty station anticipated.
**Work Assignment Overview:** The consultation envisages both online and hybrid modalities (to come as a part of the offer)
**Tasks/Milestone for Neonatologist**
**Task**
Provide technical expertise for neonatal components of the assessment by supporting tool adaptation, conducting neonatal-related evaluations across facilities, contributing to draft and final reports, developing neonatal clinical protocols and training materials, and participating in workshops under the guidance of the Team Leader.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Written technical inputs for the neonatal components of the assessment plan.
Proposed neonatal-specific additions/adaptations to the assessment tool/modules.
**Timeline**
June 2026
14 in-country days (Tbilisi)
**Task**
Technical participation in a stakeholder workshop (introductory presentation of the assessment plan and tools to local stakeholders in the Abkhazia region, including the management and staff of all targeted facilities), supporting neonatal-related topics and clarifications.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Contribution materials (slides/notes) provided for neonatal topics.
Technical input documented through a workshop report.
**Timeline**
June 2026
7 in-country days (Sukhumi)
**Task**
Complete The Assigned Modules (in Neonatology) Of The Assessment Tool At The Republican Maternity Hospital In Sukhumi And Maternity Wards Of Seven District Hospitals (Gagra, Gudauta, Gulrypshi, Gali, Tkuarcheli, Ochamchyre), With Specific Focus On
* Development of effective referral and transport pathways
* Defining the requirements and needs for establishing functional maternal-neonatal intensive care units (ICU)
* Facilitating a formalized discharge handover to primary health care providers to ensure uninterrupted post-discharge neonatal follow-up and continuity of care
* Formulation and integration of the five prioritized clinical care protocols
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Finalized list of neonatal clinical protocols required for adaptation/development.
Completed modules with neonatal-specific inputs, findings, and recommendations.
**Timeline**
June 2026
**Task**
Support the Team Leader and contribute to the development of the draft assessment report. Draft neonatal clinical protocols with evidence references and neonatal-specific training materials.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Inputs to the draft assessment report provided/shared with the Team Leader.
Draft versions of neonatal clinical protocols submitted (with evidence sources, references, and required equipment lists).
Neonatal training materials (slides, job aids, checklists) submitted.
**Timeline**
July 2026
15 online days
**Task**
Co-facilitate protocol development workshops with peri-neonatal health personnel, providing neonatal expertise and facilitating relevant sections.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Technical contributions delivered during the five protocol development workshops (documented in workshop reports).
**Timeline**
October 2026
7 in-country days (Sukhumi)
**Task**
Finalize neonatal components of the clinical protocols.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Fully elaborated neonatal components of the clinical protocols submitted.
**Timeline**
October 2026
7 online days
**Task**
Provide technical inputs to the final assessment report and validation from the perspective of a neonatologist.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
All neonatal-related corrections, clarifications, and technical contributions for the final assessment report submitted.
**Timeline**
October 2026
**Task**
Support the preparation of the final presentation, ensuring accuracy of neonatal findings.
**Deliverables/Outputs**
Verified and finalized neonatal input for the final presentation delivered.
**Timeline**
October 2026
**To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…**
**Minimum Requirements**
**Knowledge / Expertise / Skills Required**
* A medical degree, at least Master’s degree in Neonatology is required. An advanced academic degree is considered an asset.
* A minimum of ten years of clinical experience in the field of neonatology is required.
* Experience in implementing assessments of neonatal and obstetric care quality using the WHO tool is required, supported by documented evidence of participation and contributions (e.g., reports, analytical inputs, or references).
* Proven experience in developing or adapting clinical care protocols in peri- and neonatal care is required, with supporting documentation (e.g., endorsed clinical protocols from other countries).
* Proven experience in providing training in the relevant fields is required.
* Relevant experience working with UNICEF and WHO is required.
* Experience working in sensitive or protracted settings is considered an advantage.
* Fluency in English and Russian is required.
**For every Child, you demonstrate…**
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
**The UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…**
* Builds and maintains partnerships
* Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
* Drive to achieve results for impact
* Innovates and embraces change
* Manages ambiguity and complexity
* Thinks and acts strategically
* Works collaboratively with others
[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role].
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
**Remarks**
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable *[Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups]* are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
**Advertised:** 13 Mar 2026 Georgian Standard Time
**Deadline:** 10 Apr 2026 Georgian Standard Time