NATIONAL CONSULTANT: For Developing the National EmONC Prioritization and Investment Report, Cost-Savings Analysis, and Gap Costing, Nepal

Nepal has achieved remarkable milestones in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality over the past decades. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has decreased significantly from 539 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 142 in 2023, while the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has declined from 50 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1996 to 21 in 2022. However, despite this progress, the current pace of reduction must be accelerated to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) comprises a package of evidence-based, life-saving interventions designed to manage the major causes of maternal and newborn mortality. Strengthening EmONC is recognized globally as one of the most effective strategies for reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths and is a key pillar of Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) acceleration plan developed under the leadership of Family Welfare Division Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS).

To strengthen equitable access to quality maternal and newborn care, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS), in partnership with UNFPA, initiated a programme to optimize Nepal's national network of EmONC facilities. The programme applies geospatial accessibility analysis, service readiness assessment, and evidence-based prioritization to identify a network of high-impact facilities that can provide comprehensive EmONC services while ensuring timely access for the majority of the population. The optimization approach enables more strategic investment in infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and quality improvement by concentrating resources where they will have the greatest impact.

In May 2026, the Family Welfare Division of the MoHFS, with technical support from UNFPA, completed the national EmONC prioritization exercise across all seven provinces. The analysis demonstrated that while the current network comprises 371 designated EmONC facilities providing an estimated 98.95% population coverage, a strategically prioritized network of 267 facilities could maintain approximately 98.8% population coverage while reducing the number of facilities requiring investment by 28%.

The consultancy aims to compile and analyze the provincial EmONC prioritization findings; develop a comprehensive National EmONC Prioritization and Investment Report; estimate the investment requirements and potential cost savings associated with the optimized EmONC network; and generate evidence to support strategic planning, resource allocation, and advocacy for strengthening quality EmONC services.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Working under the guidance of the Programme Analyst, SRH, and in close collaboration with the SRHR team, the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Clean and consolidate data sets generated through the EmONC prioritization and optimization exercises.
• Develop a national EmONC Prioritization and Investment Report summarizing the methodology, provincial findings, national results, accessibility analysis, investment implications, and recommendations.
• Develop and apply a costing methodology to estimate:
  1. Investment required to strengthen the prioritized EmONC network in Lumbini Province;
  2. Estimate the potential cost savings of investing in the prioritized EmONC facilities compared with continuing investments in the currently designated 371 EmONC facilities.
• Develop an evidence-based investment case demonstrating the efficiency and value-for-money of the optimized EmONC network to inform national and provincial planning and budgeting.
• Prepare a scientific manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal describing the methodology, findings, accessibility analysis, and costing of the EmONC prioritization exercise.
• Present preliminary findings to UNFPA and the Family Welfare Division and revise deliverables based on technical feedback.

• Advanced degree in Health Economics, Public Health, Medicine, or related fields.

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in preparing national reports and performing costing analysis, investment case and contributing to documentation and publications.
• Strong experience in analytical and mathematical skills.
• Familiarity with Nepal’s health system, maternal health programming, and local governance structures.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of UNFPA mandates and SRHR programming is an asset.

• Excellent command of English and Nepali.

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change.

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.