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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Early Childhood Development/Education team of the UNICEF Thailand Country Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide support to the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre in developing the 5-year Nutrition Action Plan for the Southern Border Provinces (SBP). The plan will consolidate existing initiatives, identify remaining gaps, and define the additional actions required to deliver more coordinated and effective interventions to address malnutrition. The plan should also be aligned to the National Nutrition Strategy and relevant provincial development plans and/or other sectoral strategies, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Work Assignment and Deliverables:

The consultant will work with UNICEF and SBPAC and focus on developing the Nutrition Action Plan to improve nutrition status of young children in the Southern Border Provinces (SBP).

The tasks under this assignment include:

PHASE 1: Preparation and Planning

1.1 Define the scope and objectives of the Nutrition Action Plan (target groups, geographical areas, focus on undernutrition and stunting, timeframe, and key expected outcomes) in consultation with UNICEF and SBPAC.

1.2 Develop a detailed methodology outlining analytical frameworks, data collection tools, and consultation methods.

1.3 Develop the work plan and timeline in consultation with UNICEF and SBPAC.

1.4 Map key stakeholders and partners, including government, local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, academia, and community representatives and propose a multisectoral / multi-province coordination team/ task force for SBPAC’s endorsement.

Deliverable:

a) Concept note and detailed workplan with a) methodology and timeline and b) stakeholder mapping and proposed coordination structure.

 

PHASE 2: Strategy Development

2.1 Conduct a comprehensive situation analysis, including: Review of existing nutrition-related policies and programs and budget across all sectors in SBP (e.g. health, food security, local administrations, water and sanitation, education, social protection).

• Mapping of institutional roles and coordination mechanisms
• Identification of policy, financing, human resources, and data gaps that hinder effective nutrition action.

2.2 Facilitate stakeholder consultations (workshops, interviews, group discussions) to define strategic priorities, interventions, and coordination mechanisms.

2.3 Develop a draft 5-year Nutrition Action Plan that includes: a) Vision, goals, objectives, and key result areas b) priority interventions by sector and partners c) indicators and targets d) implementation, coordination, and monitoring arrangements e) capacity development considerations & f) resource and budget frameworks.

Deliverables:

b) Brief analytical report on the existing nutrition-related policy and programs – summarizing findings, and gaps and bottlenecks.

c) Consultation workshop(s) conducted and documented.

d) Draft 5-year Nutrition Action Plan (Thai and English)

e) Presentation of the draft plan to UNICEF and SBPAC for feedback

 

PHASE 3: Validation and Finalization

3.1 Organize and facilitate the validation workshop with all key stakeholders to review and agree on the Nutrition Action Plan.

3.2 Incorporate feedback and finalize the draft Nutrition Action Plan ensuring alignment with national policies and SDG targets - for submission to SBPAC

Deliverable:

f) Validation workshop conducted and documented

g) Final Nutrition Action Plan - to be approved by SBPAC. (Thai and English)

Activities	Deliverables	Timeline
PHASE 1: Preparation and Planning
1.1 Define the scope and objectives of the Nutrition Action Plan (target groups, geographical areas, focus on undernutrition and stunting, timeframe, and key expected outcomes) in consultation with UNICEF and SBPAC.	Concept note and detailed workplan with a) methodology and timeline and b) stakeholder mapping and proposed coordination structure.	Jan 2026
1.2 Develop a detailed methodology outlining analytical frameworks, data collection tools, and consultation methods.		Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
1.3 Develop the work plan and timeline in consultation with UNICEF and SBPAC.		Jan 2026
1.4 Map key stakeholders and partners, including government, local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, academia, and community representatives and propose a multisectoral / multi-province coordination team / task force for SBPAC’s endorsement.
PHASE 2: Strategy Development
2.1 Conduct a comprehensive situation analysis	Brief analytical report on the existing nutrition-related policy and programs – summarizing findings, and gaps and bottlenecks.  Consultation workshop(s) conducted and documented. Draft 5-year Nutrition Action Plan (Thai and English) Presentation of the draft plan to UNICEF and SBPAC for feedback	Jan – Feb 2026
2.2 Facilitate stakeholder consultations (workshops, interviews, group discussions) to define strategic priorities, interventions, and coordination mechanisms.		Feb – Mar 2026
2.3 Develop a draft 5-year Nutrition Action Plan that includes: a) Vision, goals, objectives, and key result areas b) priority interventions by sector and partners c) indicators and targets d) implementation, coordination, and monitoring arrangements e) capacity development considerations & f) resource and budget frameworks.		Mar – Apr 2026
PHASE 3: Validation and Finalization
3.1 Organize and facilitate the validation workshop with all key stakeholders to review and agree on the Nutrition Action Plan.	Validation workshop conducted and documented Final Nutrition Action Plan - to be approved by SBPAC. (Thai and English)	May 2026
3.2 Incorporate feedback and finalize the draft Nutrition Action Plan ensuring alignment with national policies and SDG targets - for submission to SBPAC		June 2026

 

Duration of Contract:   December 2025 – June 2026 (A total of 70 working days)

A monthly online meeting with the contract supervisor to discuss the progress of the assignment will be required.

 

Duty Travel: The consultant will work from their own premises, with approximately 6–8 trips to the southern border provinces required.

 

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

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/ experience required

• Advanced degree in health, nutrition, early childhood development, or related field.

• More than 10 years of working experience related to government planning in Thailand.

• Experience in developing government strategies and plans.

• Good understanding of issues affecting maternal and child nutrition, and the socio-economic, political, administrative context in the SBP.

• Familiarity with Thai government system and planning and budgeting.

• Excellent oral and written communications in English and Thai is required.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, cover letter, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and daily financial proposal in USD by 9 December 2025

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.