Deadline: 22-Jan-2026
UNICEF is seeking partners to enhance Primary Health Care (PHC) in Ukraine by training health workers in Preventive Child Health Examinations (PCHE) and child development monitoring. This initiative aims to restore and scale Early Childhood Development (ECD) services across 60 priority hromadas, utilizing standardized training and essential service kits to improve outcomes for children affected by the war.
UNICEF has launched a strategic partnership initiative to bolster the capacity of family doctors and nurses in Ukraine. The program focuses on the early detection of developmental issues and the provision of preventive care during a period of significant health system disruption. By standardizing training and equipping frontline workers, UNICEF aims to secure the long-term human capital development of Ukraine’s youngest citizens.
Why It Matters: Post-War Recovery and Child Health
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has severely disrupted routine health services. This initiative is critical because:
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Early Intervention: Early childhood is a unique window for brain development; missing health milestones can lead to lifelong disabilities.
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System Resilience: Transitioning from emergency response to sustainable, facility-based, and home-based primary care strengthens the national health infrastructure.
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Responsive Parenting: By educating health workers, the program indirectly supports parents in providing the “nurturing care” necessary for child resilience in high-stress environments.
Key Program Pillars and Technical Concepts
The initiative is built upon three foundational health methodologies:
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Preventive Child Health Examinations (PCHE): Standardized clinical screenings used to evaluate physical growth, nutritional status, and overall health.
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Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD): A specialized tool used by health professionals to monitor developmental milestones and identify children with special needs or delays.
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Universal Access to ECD: The principle that every child, regardless of geographic location (hromada) or socio-economic status, should receive essential developmental screenings.
Who is Eligible?
UNICEF is looking for implementing partners with a strong presence in Ukraine and technical expertise in public health.
Eligible Organizations:
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International and National NGOs: Non-profit organizations with a focus on health, child protection, or education.
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Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Locally rooted groups capable of navigating community-level health governance.
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Academic and Research Institutions: Entities capable of developing high-quality online learning modules and video resources.
Mandatory Requirements:
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Proven experience in health worker training or primary health care delivery.
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Capacity to operate in 15 target oblasts and coordinate with 60 priority hromadas.
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Ability to work bilingually (Ukrainian/English) for technical material development and reporting.
How the Program Works: Step-by-Step Implementation
Selected partners will follow a structured methodology to ensure the scalability and sustainability of health services.
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Strategic Planning: Aligning the project with UNICEF’s Annual Work Plan and national health priorities.
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Infrastructure Readiness: Establishing or supporting Regional Training Resource Centers.
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Master Training: Developing a cohort of certified “Master Trainers” to disseminate knowledge using the GMCD and PCHE guides.
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Frontline Training: Executing standardized training for family doctors and nurses across priority hromadas.
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Kitting and Distribution: Overseeing the procurement and delivery of essential service kits required for physical examinations.
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Digital Scaling: Producing online courses and short video tutorials to facilitate continuous professional development.
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Monitoring: Utilizing standardized performance indicators to track training efficacy and service delivery quality.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Ignoring Local Governance: Failing to liaise with regional health authorities and hromada-level leaders can lead to implementation bottlenecks.
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Lack of Standardization: Using non-UNICEF or non-national protocols for PCHE and GMCD training.
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Neglecting the Home-Based Model: Focusing only on clinic-based care while ignoring the critical “home-visiting” component of ECD services.
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Inadequate Digital Quality: Producing learning materials that are not mobile-friendly or culturally adapted for the Ukrainian context.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What geographic areas does the project cover?
The project targets approximately 60 priority hromadas across 15 oblasts in Ukraine.
2. What are the specific training guides used?
The training is based on the Preventive Child Health Examinations (PCHE) protocols and the Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD).
3. Does the partner need to procure the equipment?
Yes, selected partners will manage the procurement and distribution of “Essential Service Kits” to health workers in the target regions.
4. Who are the primary beneficiaries?
The direct beneficiaries are primary health care workers (doctors and nurses), while the ultimate beneficiaries are young children and their parents.
5. Is there a digital education component?
Yes. Partners must develop online modules and short video clips to support remote learning and responsive parenting.
6. How is the project monitored?
Partners must coordinate with UNICEF and regional centers to monitor performance indicators, resource management, and alignment with national health priorities.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Primary Health Care Capacity Building initiative is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy. By empowering health workers with the skills and tools to deliver comprehensive ECD services, this partnership ensures that children’s health and development remain a priority despite the challenges of conflict. Successful partners will be those capable of combining technical health expertise with robust logistical and digital delivery capabilities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.