National Consultancy to coordinate and support implementation of nutrition interventions through health system

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is seeking an Individual National Consultancy to coordinate and support implementation of nutrition interventions through health system. This assignment will last for 06 months, starting as soon as possible. The consultant will work remotely (home based).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

In coordination with UNICEF’s Nutrition team, the consultant will:

• Facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of emergency nutrition activities in health facilities of Lugamnatha & Vientiane Capital, including MUAC screenings, capacity-building on prevention and treatment, and establishing treatment services with robust data management.
• Provide technical support for high-level advocacy events on wasting to raise awareness among stakeholders, including government, donors, and partners, on prioritizing wasting prevention and reduction.
• Organize technical and task force meetings on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM)  to enhance coordination among government departments and development partners.
• Advocate for the inclusion of RUTF in the EML as to  prioritize it for tax-exemption and consider it as life-saving commodity under domestic government funding and allocations.
• Support a randomized control trial assessing the equivalence of a newly developed RUTF to standard RUTF for treating SAM in collaboration with LFHC and IRD.
• Support the coordination of field visits to showcase the ongoing progress of IMAM programme  and emphasize the need for increased investment to achieve the goals and targets outlined in the national plan and strategy.

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

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Master’s Degree in Medical doctor with preferably Public Health background or similar qualification.
• At least 10 years of proven experience of working with government health system and good understanding of nutrition specific interventions in  the Lao context .
• Familiar with global guidance and protocol of treatment and management of  severe acute malnutrition programmes.
• Excellent understanding of National IMAM program and key OBGY/Pediatric/BF/EENC services and practices in Lao PDR.
• Experience of undertaking surveys  on casual factors of malnutrition and   community perception and acceptability studies
• Previous work experience includes  good organization skills including advocacy and dialoging skills with the government officials at decision making levels
• Excellent written and spoken English, an advantage.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost (Consultation fee, Local travel cost “if applicable”, DSA and health insurance)
• The deadline for applications is 11^th December 2024

Assessment Criteria:     

1. Technical Evaluation (minimum 50 and maximum 80 Points) 75 points

The passing mark of the technical evaluation 60 points

1. Degree/ Education in ……… (15 points)

• Medical doctor with preferably Public Health background or similar qualification
• Strong interpersonal communication, persuasion, and training skills

2. Knowledge of …….. (20 points)

• Familiar with global guidance and protocol of treatment and management of  severe acute malnutrition programmes
• Excellent understanding of National IMAM program and key OBGY/Pediatric/BF/EENC services and practices in Lao PDR.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of the government internal process and administrative procedures related to the nutrition programme
• Strong Lao language skills
• Excellent written and spoken English, an advantage

3. Experience in…….. (20 points)

• At least 10 years of proven experience of working with government health system and good understanding of nutrition specific interventions in  the Lao context .
• Experience of undertaking surveys  on casual factors of malnutrition and   community perception and acceptability studies

4. Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology) (20 points)
   • Assessment of previous work including good organization skills including advocacy and dialoging skills with the government officials at decision making levels
   • Reference checks
5. Financial Proposal (maximum 50 and minimum 20 Points) 25 points

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum (_60__) points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find the TOR here:  Terms of Reference for Individual Consultants (Health System)- TMS.pdf

Financial proposal template to be fill by candidate:   Financial Proposal Template-updated Oct 2024.doc 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history.

Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.