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 National Consultant for Communication & Youth Engagement. The duration of this assignment is 12 months starting as soon as possible and the consultant will be based at the UNICEF office in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

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 National Communication Consultant will be responsible for:

1.  Media Coordination:

• Coordinate with the Communication Specialist to develop and implement a media strategy to maximize the visibility of UNICEF Lao PDR's work relating to the Youth Development portfolio and Immunization programme work, Vroom and Parenting package promotion, and USAID and Australian funded programmes.

• Support with press conferences, interviews, and media events to promote UNICEF's work relating to Youth Development.

• Ensure the quality of all media materials produced for distribution, including press releases, photos, and radio and creating content highlighting support from key donors such as Government of Australia, Luxembourg, Bezos Family Foundation, USAID, GAVI and EU.

2.   Public Relations:

• Develop and execute a public relations strategy designed to raise awareness and understanding of UNICEF Lao PDR's work relating to Youth Development, immunization, UN Joint Programme with Luxembourg and Parenting programmes. .

• Serve as a spokesperson for UNICEF Lao PDR at events as needed, and liaison with external stakeholders to communicate UNICEF's position and views.

• Ensure that public-facing materials, including communication materials, publications, and web content, illustrate UNICEF's commitment to assisting children and their families.

3.  Youth Development:

• Support the office with roll out of the Youth Advocacy Guide / Youth Champions initiative

• Support with the implementation of the UpShift bootcamps and roll out

• Liaise with Lao Youth Union and other partners on relevant youth initiatives

• Contribute to the development of a Youth engagement/Green Rising plan

4.  Coordination Support:

• Contribute to the coordination of UNICEF Lao PDR's Youth Development programmes.

• Identify opportunities to collaborate with other programs within UNICEF Lao PDR and partner organizations.

• Assist in planning and organizing events and meetings.

• Provide support to the Youth Development team as needed.

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

Qualification and experience:

• Bachelor Degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences or other related field.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience at national or international level in the areas of advocacy, communication, resource mobilisation and partnership. 

Knowledge and skills:

• Ability to work in a team. 
• Ability to cope with stressful and difficult conditions and political/cultural sensitivity and ability to work in international and multicultural environment. 
• Proven experience in implementing time limited projects. 
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form and to produce reports in a timely manner;
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team in an international, multicultural and interdisciplinary environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Fluency in Lao and English is essential, excellent drafting skills as well as oral presentation skills. 

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 Qualification, 75 points

• Bachelor Degree in Communication, public relations or similar (20 points)
• Knowledge of advocacy and communication tactics (20 points)
• Experience in leading youth advocacy initiatives (20 points)
• Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology) (15 points)

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 50 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

Please find the TOR here:  ToR for Individual consultant Comms Final version for 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.