UNICEF Health Policy Advocacy & Health Political Strategy Consultant, Office of Director, Health, Programme Group, NYHQ, remote. Req#590496

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines fordeveloping countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries. 

Consultancy: UNICEF Health Policy Advocacy & Health Political Strategy Consultant

Duty Station: Office of Director, Health, Programme Group

Duration: 01 February 2026 – 15 February 2027

Home/ Office Based: Remote

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

To provide strategic guidance, political analysis, and high-level advocacy support for UNICEF’s global health agenda, ensuring that UNICEF’s priorities are reflected in the G7, G20, and IFI policy and financing outcomes throughout 2026.

• Develop and implement a political advocacy strategy targeting G7, G20, and IFIs to advance UNICEF’s health priorities.
• Strengthen UNICEF’s influence through coordinated messaging, policy briefs, and support engagement with key governments and institutional stakeholders.
• Provide political intelligence and forecasting to anticipate policy shifts and opportunities for UNICEF.
• Support global advocacy moments such as replenishments, ministerial meetings, and high-level political events.

UNICEF’s global health agenda in 2026 will be shaped by major geopolitical and financial trends affecting child survival and development. The agendas of the G7, G20, and International Financial Institutions (World Bank, IMF, regional development banks) are critical in defining global priorities, financing flows, and political commitments.

Key 2026 milestones include:

• Preparatory processes for G7 and G20
• Evolving global financing for primary health care (PHC), pandemic preparedness, immunization, climate & health, and maternal–newborn–child health (MNCH)
• Reforms and replenishments tied to IDA, Global Financing Facility (GFF), Global Fund, World Bank Health, Nutrition & Population portfolio, and pandemic financing mechanisms
• Increasing political polarization, competing global priorities, and constrained fiscal space for domestic health spending in many countries

To ensure UNICEF is clear on its value proposition, and to align with UNICEF’s new Strategic Plan, the existing UNICEF Health Strategy 2016-2030, has undergone a ‘refresh’ and finalization of the revised Health Strategy, including the development of an Executive Summary, will support the above advocacy objectives and will be undertaken by the consultant.

Scope of Work:

 A. Strategic Political Analysis & Intelligence

• Map political dynamics, key decision-makers, sherpas, health working groups, and influencers across G7, G20, and IFIs.
• Provide monthly analyses of geopolitical trends affecting global health financing and policy commitments.
• Identify windows of opportunity for advancing UNICEF priorities.

B. Advocacy Strategy Development

• Develop a comprehensive 2026 UNICEF Health Advocacy Strategy for G7, G20, and IFIs, including:

Priority outcomes for each forum

• Stakeholder-specific messaging
• Political risk and opportunity analysis
• Engagement timelines and recommended actions
• Support alignment across UNICEF HQ, regional and country offices.

C. Policy & Communications Products

• Draft or support production of:
• Policy briefs and position papers
• Sherpa briefing notes
• Ministerial talking points
• Financing analysis briefs
• Inputs to G7/G20 communiqués and working group statements
• Develop targeted messaging to influence high-level political decision-making.

D. Direct External Engagement Support

• Provide preparation and follow-up support for UNICEF senior leadership engagement with:
• G7/G20 presidency teams
• Sherpas and health tracks
• World Bank, IMF, and regional