Deadline: 09-Jun-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting applications to strengthen community engagement and digital health systems aimed at identifying and reducing the number of unvaccinated and under-immunized children in Madhesh, Nepal. The programme focuses on improving immunization equity through targeted outreach, digital tracking tools, and community-based interventions.
The initiative supports efforts to identify zero-dose and under-immunized children, address barriers to vaccination, and improve routine immunization completion rates through data-driven and community-led approaches.
Overview
Although Nepal has achieved generally high national immunization coverage, disparities remain in certain regions, including Madhesh. A small but significant proportion of children remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated due to geographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, and health system barriers.
This UNICEF-supported programme aims to close these equity gaps by strengthening local health systems, improving data use, and increasing community participation in immunization services.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Identify zero-dose and under-immunized children
- Improve routine immunization coverage and completion rates
- Strengthen community engagement in vaccination efforts
- Address behavioural and social barriers to immunization
- Enhance use of digital tools and GIS mapping for outreach
- Improve caregiver awareness and vaccine confidence
- Strengthen local health system capacity for immunization delivery
Geographic Focus
- Implementation area: Madhesh Province, Nepal
- Context: High national immunization coverage with persistent local equity gaps
Key Focus Areas
The programme emphasizes:
- Community-based identification of unvaccinated children
- Digital health solutions for immunization tracking
- GIS mapping for micro-planning and targeted outreach
- Behavioural insights to address vaccine hesitancy
- Strengthening routine immunization service delivery
- Engagement of caregivers, communities, and local leaders
- Data-driven outbreak preparedness and response
Expected Results
The programme is designed to achieve the following outcomes:
- Identification, counselling, and referral of at least 80% of zero-dose and under-immunized children
- Completion of full vaccination schedules within six months through follow-up systems
- Increased use of digital records and geo-located data for immunization planning
- Strengthened capacity of stakeholders in GIS mapping and behavioural analysis
- Improved understanding of local barriers to vaccination
- Sustained engagement of religious leaders and community influencers
- Increased caregiver confidence and reduced vaccine hesitancy
- Improved outbreak response through strengthened data systems
Implementation Approach
The programme applies an integrated strategy combining community outreach and digital innovation.
Key components include:
- Community-level identification and tracking of children missing vaccinations
- Use of digital immunization records and geo-mapping tools
- Micro-planning based on localized data
- Behavioural and social analysis to inform interventions
- Continuous follow-up to ensure vaccine schedule completion
- Engagement with community leaders to support awareness and trust-building
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Legally registered national and international organisations
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Civil society organisations
- Research and implementation partners
- Organisations with expertise in health systems, immunization, or digital health
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience in immunization or public health programming
- Capacity in community engagement and behavioural interventions
- Ability to use digital tools and data systems
- Experience working in similar humanitarian or development contexts
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Programme Requirements
Ensure your organisation:
- Is legally registered and eligible under UNICEF rules
- Has experience in immunization or public health programming
- Can operate in Madhesh, Nepal
Step 2: Develop an Intervention Proposal
Prepare a plan that includes:
- Community-based identification of zero-dose children
- Digital tools for tracking and data collection
- Behavioural change and awareness strategies
- Micro-planning using GIS mapping
Step 3: Build Implementation Capacity
Ensure availability of:
- Trained field teams
- Digital data systems
- Community engagement mechanisms
- Partnerships with local health authorities
Step 4: Submit Application
Submit a complete proposal outlining methodology, implementation strategy, and expected outcomes.
Tips for Applicants
- Prioritise accurate identification of zero-dose and under-immunized children.
- Integrate digital tools with community outreach activities.
- Engage local leaders to improve trust and vaccine acceptance.
- Use GIS mapping for precise micro-planning and targeting.
- Ensure strong follow-up systems for vaccine completion.
- Align interventions with local health system structures.
Why This Programme Matters
Despite strong national immunization progress in Nepal, inequities persist at the community level, leaving some children unprotected against preventable diseases. This UNICEF initiative strengthens both digital systems and community engagement to ensure that no child is left behind. By combining data-driven targeting with behavioural and social interventions, the programme improves immunization coverage, strengthens health systems, and enhances outbreak preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the main goal of this programme?
- To identify and reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in Madhesh, Nepal.
- Where is the programme being implemented?
- Madhesh Province, Nepal.
- What is a zero-dose child?
- A child who has not received any routine vaccinations.
- What are the expected coverage targets?
- At least 80% of zero-dose and under-immunized children should be identified and supported for full vaccination completion.
- What tools are used in the programme?
- Digital immunization records
- GIS mapping systems
- Community tracking and referral systems
- Who can apply?
- Legally registered national and international organisations with relevant health and implementation experience.
- What are key expected outcomes?
- Improved immunization coverage
- Reduced vaccine hesitancy
- Strengthened data systems
- Enhanced community engagement
- Better outbreak response capacity
Conclusion
The UNICEF immunization initiative in Madhesh, Nepal supports the development of integrated digital and community-based systems to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children. By combining data-driven tools with local engagement strategies, the programme aims to improve vaccination equity, strengthen health systems, and ensure that all children have access to life-saving immunization services.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
