Consultancy to support the implementation

At the same time, Thailand is experiencing a rapid increase in overweight and obesity. In the last 15 years, overweight and obesity prevalence has more than doubled among children under 5 years of age and quadrupled in 5–18-year-olds. Currently, around 1 in 8 children in Thailand is overweight or obese. The cost to health and to the economy is significant. Overweight and obesity is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes type II, cardiovascular diseases, certain forms of cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and premature mortality. It can also lead to depression and lower school attainment.

Malnutrition in Thailand is closely associated with changes in diet from fresh, local foods to higher consumption of ultra-processed foods full of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt. Thailand now ranks highest among 54 low- and middle-income countries for adolescent fast-food intake and sales of ultra-processed food and drink are rapidly increasing. These changes are being driven by the food environment in which access to healthy foods is decreasing while ultra-processed products are abundant, cheap, and heavily marketed.

The Government of Thailand, under the leadership of the Department of Health (DoH), is responding to the nutrition challenges through a range of legislative, policy and programming approaches. UNICEF Thailand Country Office (TCO) is supporting and enhancing government efforts and has recently developed a two-year Nutrition Operational Plan for 2025-2026. The plan adopts a systems approach with the food system at the center supported by contributions from other key sectors and integrated into broader programme approaches in Early Childhood Development, Education, Adolescent Development and Participation and private sector engagement.

In this context, UNICEF TCO is seeking a nutrition expert to support implementation of the Nutrition Operational Plan by building on existing initiatives and strengthening UNICEF TCO’s nutrition support to the Royal Thai Government.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced University degree in nutrition from a recognized university
• A minimum of fifteen years of experience in developing nutrition strategies, including evidence generation, policy, and advocacy, in the areas of prevention of overweight and obesity, school nutrition and environment, and early childhood malnutrition.
• Previous experience of engagement of food retailers for creating healthier retail environments
• Previous experience with government/development partners at senior levels.
• Previous experience of work with international organisations.
• Knowledge of the nutrition context in East Asia.
• Ability to work with local language documents via use of ai translation tools; and proven ability to conceptualize, write briefs, concept notes, and nutrition updates in English language.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/577922