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Call for EOIs: Health, Nutrition and WASH Community Engagement (Timor-Leste)

Deadline: 13-Mar-2026

UNICEF is inviting expressions of interest to support social behaviour change and community engagement programs in Timor-Leste. The initiative targets health, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and emergency preparedness, aiming to reduce child malnutrition and improve maternal and child survival by 2027 across key municipalities.

Overview of the Initiative

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking partners to strengthen social behaviour change, community engagement, and health promotion initiatives in Timor-Leste. Key focus areas include health and nutrition interventions, sanitation, hygiene, and water management (WASH), disability inclusion, gender equality, emergency preparedness, and climate action. The initiative prioritizes community-driven approaches, ensuring sustainable improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health.

Why This Initiative Matters

Childhood illness and undernutrition remain critical challenges in Timor-Leste. High levels of stunting, wasting, and underweight affect children under five. Limited access to nutritious food and essential health services, combined with vulnerability to droughts, flash floods, and landslides, exacerbate the problem. Poverty further restricts families from accessing adequate care and education. Addressing these challenges requires community involvement, enhanced health infrastructure, and targeted nutrition programs.

Target Focus Areas

The program encompasses multiple sectors:

  1. Child Health and Nutrition

    • Infant and young child feeding

    • Maternal and newborn care, including emergency obstetric services

    • Malnutrition prevention and treatment

    • Micronutrient supplementation

  2. Sanitation, Hygiene, and WASH

    • Promotion of toilets and handwashing facilities

    • Climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions

    • Disaster preparedness and water conservation

  3. Social Inclusion and Empowerment

    • Gender equality and women empowerment

    • Disability inclusion

    • Community-led health advocacy and engagement

  4. Emergency and Climate Response

    • Health in emergencies and immunization programs

    • Climate action and environmental protection measures

Who is Eligible?

UNICEF is looking for NGOs, community-based organizations, health and nutrition specialists, and development partners with experience in WASH, maternal and child health, or disaster risk reduction. Eligible entities must be capable of implementing programs in municipalities such as Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque.

How the Program Works

Community Engagement Approach

  1. Problem Identification: Communities assess local health, nutrition, and WASH challenges.

  2. Planning Interventions: Collaborative design of solutions tailored to community needs.

  3. Implementation: Community Health Volunteers and Mother Support Groups deliver programs locally.

  4. Monitoring and Sharing Outcomes: Regular reporting and feedback to ensure sustainable impact.

Collaboration with Key Stakeholders

The program works with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, community leaders, national health systems, and volunteer networks harmonized into Community Health Volunteers. This strengthens early detection and treatment of maternal and childhood malnutrition while increasing demand for essential health services.

Budget and Timeline

Indicative Budget: USD 500,000
Implementation Period: Through 2027
Target Municipalities: Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Lautem, Viqueque

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Neglecting community participation

  • Limited collaboration with existing health networks

  • Ignoring environmental vulnerabilities

  • Overlooking gender and disability inclusion

FAQs

1. What is the main goal of this UNICEF program?
To reduce malnutrition among children under five and pregnant/breastfeeding women, while improving maternal, newborn, and child survival in Timor-Leste.

2. Which municipalities are targeted?
Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque.

3. Who can submit an expression of interest?
NGOs, community-based organizations, health specialists, and development partners experienced in health, nutrition, WASH, or emergency preparedness.

4. What is the program’s budget?
Approximately USD 500,000.

5. How does the program engage communities?
Through community-led problem identification, planning, intervention implementation, and outcome sharing.

6. What health issues are addressed?
Childhood malnutrition, maternal and newborn health, immunization, hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition emergencies.

7. How does the program incorporate climate action?
By strengthening disaster preparedness, water conservation, and climate-resilient WASH services.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s initiative in Timor-Leste offers a comprehensive, community-centered approach to tackling malnutrition, poor hygiene, and health disparities. By integrating health, nutrition, sanitation, gender equality, and climate resilience, the program empowers communities and ensures sustainable improvements in maternal and child well-being by 2027.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.