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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 looking for a International Consultancy for Nutrition Advocacy. The duration of this assignment is 12 months starting as soon as possible and The consultant will be working from the designated government office at the Socio-economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI), LASES, where she/he will be based for the duration of the assignment.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The National Communication Consultant will be responsible for supporting UNICEF Lao PDR's communication and advocacy work related to the Youth Development portfolio. Specifically, the consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the Communication Specialist to coordinate and implement UNICEF Lao PDR's media and public relations activities, develop communication products such as speeches, and support in the coordination of Youth Development programmes.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Consultant shall be based in Laos at Socio-economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI), Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES) with frequent travel to provincial level. She/he supports various streams of work at the Policy Analysis Unit (PAU), hosted by the SPRI, LASES. The consultant will work closely with the Data Analysis Unit (DAU) hosted by the Development Research Institute (DRI), Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the UNICEF Nutrition team. This shall include the following:

1. Policy analysis and strategic planning

• Provide technical support to the Policy Analysis Unit (PAU) in strengthening stakeholder capacity in nutrition governance, advocacy, policy analysis, financing and evidence-based decision-making.
• Utilize and update policy landscape analysis of nutrition, existing financial and sectoral programme data to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Assist the government in prioritize key nutrition issues based on evidence and develop strategic solutions for integration into national and subnational development plans.
• Support the government in developing a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy, aligned with national nutrition priorities to secure sustainable financial and technical resources for nutrition.
• Facilitate the nutrition-sensitive policy integration workshop at central level to support the key sectors in the inclusion of nutrition objectives in their broader sector policies and strategies.

2. Advocacy and communication

• Support the SPRI in design and execute advocacy matrix with targeted audiences for nutrition, focusing on key objectives, messages, channels and desire outcomes.
• Technical support in producing and disseminating advocacy materials such as budget briefs, infographics, fact sheets, and analytical reports tailored to different audiences.
• Support the government in facilitate regular multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together Government sectors, donors, UN agencies, academia, private sector stakeholders, and civil society to promote inclusive public debates and nutrition policy adoption.
• Strengthen the capacity of PAU in communicating findings and recommendations to a broad audience, including national and subnational stakeholders, using various platforms to advocate for improved public investments in nutrition.
• Support the UNICEF nutrition team in conducting targeted advocacy campaigns and preparing for high-level meetings to influence policy makers, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in national development and urging for stronger policies and legislations.

The consultant will be working from the designated government office at the Socio-economic Policy Research Institute (SPRI), LASES, where she/he will be based for the duration of the assignment.

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

Qualification and experience:

• Master’s or an advanced university degree in public health, nutrition, economics, development studies, international affairs, political science, social sciences, public policy or other relevant discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in development of policies, strategies and advocacy for nutrition and delivery of similar products and materials.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven experience in conducting policy analysis and advocacy, development of strategies, particularly in nutrition, with a deep understanding of how to influence and shape policy decisions.
• Extensive knowledge of challenges and opportunities in the nutrition sector, including familiarity with global, regional and national nutrition policies, frameworks and strategies.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to craft compelling advocacy messages and materials, and experience in engaging and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge in data analysis and evidence-based advocacy including interpreting data and using it to create compelling, evidence-driven arguments for effective policy influence and decision making.
• Ability to conduct rigorous research, analyze complex data, and generate evidence-based recommendations for policy and advocacy work, with experience in using data to inform strategy and decision-making processes.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, implementation and monitoring of advocacy initiatives, with experience in developing and executing strategic plans to achieve measurable impact in nutrition policy and programming.
• Excellent skills in diplomacy, facilitation, institutional change and dialogue creation to achieve consensus.
• Experience in convening multiple governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and facilitating a dialogue and creating a debate.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• 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, including travel, accommodation cost and insurance with Medevac for this assignment as per work assignment

Assessment Criteria:

A) Technical Evaluation (minimum 50 and maximum 80 Points), 80 points           

Degree Education in ……… (10 points)

• Master’s or an advanced university degree in public health, nutrition, economics, development studies, international affairs, political science, social sciences, public policy or other relevant discipline

Knowledge of ........... (20 points)

• Extensive knowledge of challenges and opportunities in the nutrition sector, including familiarity with global, regional and national nutrition policies, frameworks and strategies.
• Knowledge in data analysis and evidence-based advocacy including interpreting data and using it to create compelling, evidence-driven arguments for effective policy influence and decision making.

Experience in ......... (40 points)

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in development of policies, strategies and advocacy for nutrition and delivery of similar products and materials.
• Proven experience in conducting policy analysis and advocacy, development of strategies, particularly in nutrition, with a deep understanding of how to influence and shape policy decisions.
• Ability to conduct rigorous research, analyze complex data, and generate evidence-based recommendations for policy and advocacy work, with experience in using data to inform strategy and decision-making processes.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, implementation and monitoring of advocacy initiatives, with experience in developing and executing strategic plans to achieve measurable impact in nutrition policy and programming.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to craft compelling advocacy messages and materials, and experience in engaging and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in convening multiple governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and facilitating a dialogue and creating a debate.
• Excellent skills in diplomacy, facilitation, institutional change and dialogue creation to achieve consensus.

Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology) (10 points)

• Assessment of previous work including written and analytical skills
• Reference checks

B) Financial Proposal (maximum 20 and minimum 10 Points), 20 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 50 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 the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find the TOR here:  TOR for Individual consultant Nutrition Advocacy VA.pdf

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.