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.

For every child, the right to health.

How can you make a difference?

Lao PDR is strengthening its immunization programme to sustain and improve routine immunization coverage, reduce inequalities in access and coverage, and ensure that zero-dose and under-immunized children and missed communities are identified and reached with appropriate vaccination services. The programme also requires continued strengthening of immunization information systems and data use, sub-national programme performance and coordination, supportive supervision, and preparedness to respond effectively to outbreaks of polio, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The assignment aims to provide targeted technical assistance to the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and relevant provincial and district health teams to strengthen programme planning, implementation, monitoring and performance management. The consultant will support the programme to translate immunization data and evidence into practical actions, identify and address coverage and equity gaps, strengthen approaches for identifying and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children, and improve coordination and accountability across national and sub-national levels. The consultant will also support preparedness and implementation of priority immunization activities, including supplementary immunization activities and MR/HPV campaigns, follow-up of EVM-related programme recommendations, and documentation of lessons learned and good practices. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the capacity of national and sub-national teams through supportive supervision, mentoring, training and use of relevant learning platforms. Through this assignment, the consultant is expected to contribute to improved programme performance, stronger datadriven decision-making, increased reach among missed and underserved populations, and strengthened readiness to prevent and respond to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in Lao PDR .If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0006200 External ToR.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in medicine or public health or any other related field (master's an Advantage)

Work Experience: 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in immunization programmes, preferably at national and/or sub-national level.

Demonstrated experience in routine immunization programme planning, implementation, monitoring and performance improvement.

Experience supporting micro-planning, supportive supervision and/or immunization campaigns

Skills: Good knowledge of routine immunization programme implementation, monitoring and performance management, including approaches to improve coverage and reach zero-dose and under-immunized children.

Knowledge and practical experience in sub-national coordination, supportive supervision, micro-planning, monitoring and follow-up of programme actions.

Experience in supporting outbreak preparedness and response for vaccine-preventable diseases and/or supplementary immunization activities and vaccination campaigns.

Familiarity with EVM and broader immunization programme quality improvement processes would be an advantage.

Familiarity with the Lao PDR health system and immunization programme context.

Ability to provide mentoring, facilitate training/orientation sessions and build capacity of national and sub-national health teams.

Language Requirements: Proficiency in English and Lao languages is required

Desirables: Previous experience working with the Ministry of Health, National Immunization Programme, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi or other development partners in immunization or public health programmes.

Experience working in Lao PDR or in a similar country context.

Experience in supporting zero-dose and equity-focused immunization initiatives, EIR strengthening, campaign monitoring or outbreak response would be an advantage

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.

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 (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0006200 Financial proposal.docx

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable 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.

National Immunization Consultant, Vientiane, Lao PDR,12 Months,Office based (With Travel). Nationals Only#596423