Call for EOIs: Strengthening Community Health Workforce (Uganda)

Deadline: 21-Sep-2026

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking partners to strengthen Uganda’s community health workforce through the recruitment, training, deployment, and retention of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The initiative aims to improve primary healthcare delivery and health outcomes for vulnerable populations while supporting young women and contributing to Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

About the UNICEF Uganda Community Health Workforce Initiative

The initiative is designed to transform Uganda’s community health system by supporting 33,033 Community Health Workers. A strong focus will be placed on empowering young women aged 18–35 and creating dignified employment opportunities for young people. The partnership will strengthen community-level healthcare services for: - Neonates. - Children under five. - Adolescents. - Women during pregnancy. - Women after pregnancy. The initiative will also contribute to stronger community health and nutrition systems across Uganda. Training and Capacity Building A major component of the initiative is comprehensive training for Community Health Workers and Village Health Teams (VHTs).

Key activities include:

- Competency-based and gender-responsive training for 17,073 VHTs over nine days. - Refresher training for 15,960 CHWs. - Digital health information system (eCHIS) training for more than 3,090 VHTs. - Systems for monitoring competencies and performance. - Certification and skills progression. - Strengthened supervision, coaching, and mentorship. - Performance management tailored to a predominantly female workforce. These activities are intended to improve the quality and consistency of community-level healthcare services. Strengthening Community Health Systems The partnership will also support sub-national governments in developing and implementing policies and operational plans for integrated community health and nutrition services.

Key areas of support include:

- Integrated community health and nutrition planning. - Evidence-based decision-making using digital health technologies. - Stronger supervision and performance management. - Improved logistics and supply chain systems. - Better referral systems. - Continuous availability of essential commodities and services. Supporting Digital Health Systems Digital health technology will be an important part of the initiative. More than 3,090 VHTs will receive training on the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). The initiative will use digital health systems to strengthen information management and support evidence-based decision-making within community health services. Supporting Young Women and Dignified Employment The initiative places particular emphasis on young women aged 18–35, recognizing the predominantly female nature of the community health workforce.

The partnership will support:

- Safe working conditions. - Respectful and gender-responsive workplaces. - Performance management appropriate for a predominantly female workforce. - Skills development and progression. - Sustainable career pathways. - Dignified employment opportunities for young people. Career Pathways for Community Health Workers Eligible partners are expected to work with government, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to establish sustainable career pathways for Community Health Workers. This approach is intended to strengthen the long-term community health workforce rather than focus only on short-term training. Partners will contribute to systems that support competency development, certification, skills progression, supervision, and continued professional growth. Indicative Budget The indicative budget for the partnership is 7,844,944,119. The funding will support activities including: - Training and equipping Village Health Teams. - Timely payments. - Quality assurance. - Community health workforce development. - Strengthening community health systems. - Integrated community health and nutrition services. The initiative will cover activities across 64 districts. Initial Implementation in Seven Districts Implementation will begin with seven districts where 5,090 VHTs are ready for training. This initial phase will help establish the training and support systems required for the broader community health workforce initiative. Partners will be expected to deliver high-quality, integrated community health and nutrition services while working closely with relevant government and other stakeholders. Who Can Participate as Partners? The initiative seeks partners capable of supporting the development and delivery of Uganda’s community health workforce.

Partners are expected to collaborate with

- Government authorities. - Academic institutions. - Community health stakeholders. - Other relevant partners. They should have the capacity to support high-quality integrated community health and nutrition services and contribute to sustainable career pathways for Community Health Workers. Key Facts About the UNICEF Uganda Community Health Workforce Partnership

- Organization: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

- Location: Uganda

- Focus: Community health workforce strengthening

- Community Health Workers supported: 33,033

- Priority group: Young women aged 18–35

- VHTs receiving nine-day training: 17,073

- CHWs receiving refresher training: 15,960

- VHTs receiving eCHIS training: More than 3,090

- Indicative budget: 7,844,944,119

- District coverage: 64 districts

- Initial districts: Seven

- VHTs ready for initial training: 5,090

- Key areas: Recruitment, training, deployment, retention, supervision, digital health, logistics, referrals, and career pathways

- Health focus: Neonates, children under five, adolescents, and women during and after pregnancy

Frequently Asked Questions About the UNICEF Uganda Community Health Workforce Partnership What is the UNICEF Uganda Community Health Workforce Initiat