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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 an International Consultant to support the strengthening of Village Health Volunteer (VHVs) Programme in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 6 months, starting as soon as possible. The consultant will be based at the Government Office (MOH/DHHP).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

The Consultant will support various streams of work on community based RMNCAH. This will include the following:

1. Work closely with the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion (DHHP)- Ministry of Health (MoH) to plan and facilitate refresher training sessions for central-level trainers with emphasis on building communication and counseling skills of facilitators.
2. Review and revise the current guidelines for Quarterly Community Meetings (involving VHVs, village chiefs, and health facility staff) at health centers in coordination with DHHP and UNICEF technical team).
3. Provide technical expertise to UNICEF’s T4D team, DHHP, the Department of Planning and Finance (DPF), and jointly work with T4D consultant for designing the online registry and reporting system for VHVs.
4. For facilitating effective learning based on RMNCAH manual develop a script for a demonstration and capacity-building video on VHV counseling during RMNCAH home visits. Coordinate and support UNICEF’s communication team, MoH/CHSI, and DHHP during the video production process.
5. Document best practices and lessons learned from the whole VHV capacity building initiative including field visits and provide actionable recommendations and propose solutions to address identified challenges.
6. Undertake field visits to provinces and districts to monitor and support sub-national teams in VHV trainings and VHVs conducting home visits (MoH+WVI) to identify gaps and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
7. Perform additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor, ensuring alignment with the scope of the consultancy and emerging needs.
8. Submit a detailed end of assignment report aligned with agreed deliverables.

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

• Post-graduate degree in Medicine, Public Health, Social Sciences, International Development or another relevant area. 

Qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills: 

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in Health systems including Community health workers’ curriculum development, capacity building, DHIS, Community Health Information system development, planning, coordination, and implementation of community primary health care health with a specific focus on community RMNCAH.
• Experience of working with MoH on community health programmes/systems would be an advantage.
• Experience in facilitating community- based workers training would be an advantage.
• Have hands-on experience of managing community health including community based RMNCAH would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Lao PDR community health system context is required.
• The ability to work and collaborate with Government, UN agencies and NGOs.
• Experience in providing technical assistance to the government staff and capacity building activities.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, report writing and communication skills.
• A good command of English (speaking and writing) is required.

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 (75 points)  

Degree Education in ………. (15 points) 

• Post-graduate degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, International Development or another relevant area. 

Knowledge of ........... (15 points) 

• Community health systems including community based RMNCAH
• Facilitation/ training of community health workers.
• Development of training materials/curriculum development for community health workers.
• Community engagement methodology.
• Social behaviour change.

Experience in ......... (30 points) 

• At least 10 years of relevant public health/Health systems including Community health workers’ curriculum development, District and Community Health Information system development, planning, coordination, and implementation of community primary health care health with a specific focus on community RMNCAH.

• Coordination with MoH, UN agencies and development partners

• Experience in providing technical assistance to the government staff and capacity building activities.

Quality of past work (15 points) 

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

B. Financial Proposal (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, if required. 

Please find attached the TOR here:  TOR International Consultant VHV Programme for VA.pdf

Financial Proposal to be filled by the consultant:  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 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.