UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Purpose of Assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to work in close coordination with an international consultant to conduct a comprehensive mixed-methods analysis identifying underlying causes and system bottlenecks driving preventable maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality in Lao PDR.

Between 2017 and 2023, Lao PDR made notable progress in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH). The Total Fertility Rate declined to the national target of 2.5, and major survival indicators improved despite persistent health system constraints. Maternal mortality declined sharply, with Lao PDR ranking among the countries with the highest percentage reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio globally—an 82 per cent decline between 2000 and 2023. According to UN estimates, the MMR stood at 112 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Neonatal mortality reached the SDG target of 12 per 1,000 live births, improving from 18 per 1,000 in 2017. Under-five mortality declined from 46 to 28 per 1,000 live births, approaching the SDG target of 25, while infant mortality fell from 40 to 25 per 1,000 live births.

Despite this progress, preventable deaths and poor health outcomes among women and children remain unacceptably high in many parts of the country, particularly in remote, ethnically diverse, and underserved communities. Large disparities persist in geography, wealth, education, and ethnicity. Barriers include delayed care-seeking, limited physical access to services, variable quality of care, financial constraints, and social and cultural factors that influence health behaviors.

As Lao PDR prepares to update its RMNCAH strategy for 2026 and beyond, there is a critical need for a comprehensive, equity-focused analysis that goes beyond national averages to identify where, why, and for whom progress is stalling. This analysis will use the most recent national data sets and qualitative evidence to generate actionable insights into the key bottlenecks and delays contributing to preventable maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality by:

• Analyzing recent national data (LSIS III, LECS, and other relevant sources) to identify patterns, disparities and risk factors across the RMNCH continuum of care.
• Examining bottlenecks using the Four Delays Model to understand barriers in care-seeking, access, quality and referral.
• Triangulating quantitative findings with qualitative evidence from key informants and communities.
• Generating practical, policy-relevant recommendations to inform the RMNCAH Strategy 2026+, UNICEF programming and partner investments.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy's scope of work and expected deliverables, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToRTMC0002031.pdf

Minimum requirements: (Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in public health, epidemiology, demography, economics, social sciences, or related field.
• Work Experience:
• At least 8 years of professional experience in health systems, RMNCH, equity analysis, or related areas.
• Proven experience analyzing large household survey datasets (e.g. DHS, MICS, LSIS, census or similar).
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills using Stata, SPSS, R, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative research design, data collection, and thematic analysis.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in Southeast Asia.
• Skills (optional): Having knowledge of RMNCH will be an asset
• Having knowledge, the procedures of obtaining ethnical clearance in the Lao context
• Language Requirements:  English and Lao
• Desirables (If provided in the ToR):
• Excellent analytical writing and presentation skills in English.
• Experiencing in accessing different types of key informants with little support

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

This vacancy is for the recruitment of two national consultants. Therefore, applicants may propose their own team composition, outlining the specific roles and functions of each supporting member within their separate application. Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System): 

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal TMC0002031.docx

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.