The National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN) 2026-2030 establishes a strengthened accountability and coordination framework to improve multisectoral nutrition governance, joint planning, implementation monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management at national and subnational levels. The NPAN recognizes that subnational structures require greater support to move beyond information sharing towards joint planning, budgeting, implementation monitoring, and accountability. The plan further calls for standardized dashboards, biannual reviews, annual reporting, structured feedback loops, and strengthened secretariat capacity. The consultant will support the National Nutrition Committee (NNC) Secretariat in operationalizing these provisions through quarterly coordination support, monitoring of NPAN implementation, facilitation of evidence-based planning and review processes, and capacity strengthening of Provincial Nutrition Committees (PNCs) in priority provinces

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Nutrition Governance and Coordination Consultant.pdf

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

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

Education: Advanced university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Systems Management, Development Planning, Public Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related field
Work Experience:
- Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience supporting government-led nutrition programmes or multisectoral coordination mechanisms.
- Experience in strategic planning, work planning, monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience supporting subnational planning and implementation.
- Experience facilitating multisectoral stakeholder consultations and review meetings.
- Experience working with government institutions in Lao PDR.
Language Requirements: Excellent written and spoken English and Lao language.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
- Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
- Strong facilitation and coordination skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and capacity-building skills.
Desirables: Previous experience with UNICEF, nutrition coordination mechanisms, or national nutrition plans is an asset

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) Financial proposal National Nutrition Consultant.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 Nutrition Governance and Coordination Consultant (remote with travel for 12 months)