Deadline: 12-Mar-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting applications from qualified NGOs to support emergency nutrition interventions. The program ensures continuous delivery of essential nutrition services through health facilities, mobile teams, and community volunteers, with UNICEF providing technical oversight and in-kind nutrition supplies. NGOs will operate within a hybrid modality in areas such as supply transportation, screening, admissions, data management, and accountability to affected populations.
Program Overview
UNICEF’s Emergency Nutrition Program focuses on nutrition in emergencies, targeting populations affected by crises or high-risk situations. The initiative aims to maintain uninterrupted, high-quality nutrition services and strengthen health system resilience.
Objectives
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Ensure continuous nutrition service delivery in emergency-affected areas
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Strengthen supply chain management and logistics for nutrition products
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Facilitate effective screening, admissions, and case management
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Improve data quality, reporting, and accountability to affected populations (AAP)
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Maintain a safe and protective environment, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
Program Implementation
UNICEF employs a hybrid operational model, integrating multiple partners:
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Government Health Offices (GHOs) and District Health Offices (DHOs): Manage health facilities, storage, and community operations
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NGOs: Deliver last-mile support, including supply distribution, supervision, monitoring, reporting, and data quality assurance
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UNICEF: Provides technical oversight, manages the supply pipeline, ensures standards compliance, and coordinates emergency nutrition activities
Implementation Sites
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Fixed health facilities, including Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) sites
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Mobile health and nutrition teams
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Temporary service points in affected areas
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Therapeutic feeding centres
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Community health and nutrition volunteers (CHNVs)
Key Functional Areas for NGOs
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Supply Transportation: Safe and timely delivery of nutrition commodities
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Screening: Identification of malnourished children and vulnerable populations
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Admissions Management: Effective enrollment into nutrition programs
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Data Management: Accurate reporting, monitoring, and evaluation
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Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP): Ensuring community feedback, transparency, and participation
Expected Results
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Uninterrupted delivery of nutrition services at facility and community levels
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Functional supply chain ensuring timely availability of essential nutrition products
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Improved screening and case-finding to identify malnourished individuals
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Enhanced reporting systems for tracking program outcomes
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Strengthened mechanisms for accountability, ensuring affected populations have access to information and feedback channels
Eligibility Criteria
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NGOs with experience in emergency nutrition programming
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Capacity to operate within hybrid modalities alongside government partners
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Ability to implement programs in high-priority locations with monitoring, supervision, and reporting
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Commitment to UNICEF PSEA standards and safe program implementation
How to Apply
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Review UNICEF eligibility and program requirements for NGOs
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Prepare a proposal highlighting your capacity in supply, screening, admission, data management, and AAP
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Demonstrate experience in emergency nutrition, community engagement, and health systems collaboration
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Submit applications via the UNICEF portal or official call-for-proposals instructions
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Include detailed operational, monitoring, and reporting plans aligned with UNICEF technical standards
Why This Program Matters
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Addresses malnutrition and emergency nutrition needs in vulnerable communities
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Strengthens NGO-government collaboration for health service delivery
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Enhances community trust and engagement through transparent accountability mechanisms
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Promotes timely, safe, and high-quality nutrition services to children and vulnerable populations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Failing to demonstrate capacity to work in hybrid modality with GHOs/DHOs
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Submitting incomplete proposals or missing required technical details
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Overlooking UNICEF PSEA and child protection standards
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Ignoring accountability mechanisms to affected populations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply?
Qualified NGOs with experience in emergency nutrition programming.
2. What services are included in the program?
Nutrition service delivery through fixed facilities, mobile teams, therapeutic centres, and community volunteers.
3. What areas will NGOs work in?
NGOs operate in functional areas of supply transportation, screening, admissions, data management, and accountability to affected populations.
4. Does UNICEF provide supplies?
Yes, nutrition and related supplies are provided in-kind via UNICEF Long-Term Arrangement holders.
5. Are government partners involved?
Yes, GHOs and DHOs manage facilities, storage, and community operations while collaborating with NGOs.
6. What are the reporting requirements?
NGOs must submit accurate and timely reports on program implementation, data quality, and community accountability.
7. How does the program ensure safety?
All implementing partners must adhere to UNICEF PSEA standards, ensuring a safe environment for beneficiaries and staff.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Emergency Nutrition Program enables NGOs to deliver critical nutrition services during emergencies, ensuring children and vulnerable populations receive timely support. By partnering with government bodies and adhering to technical and safety standards, NGOs help sustain lifesaving interventions while strengthening local health systems and community accountability.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
