Consultant: Analysis of policy options to improve diets in Lao PDR

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

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for a Consultant:  Analysis of policy options to improve diets in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 3.5 months, on a part time basis, and the consultant should be in country, at least partially, during that period (could be split in 2 trips). Start date is as soon as possible and the Consultant shall be home based.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide a good understanding of the current landscape in terms of policies promoting healthy diets and regulating the promotion of unhealthy foods, and to present clear actionable recommendations on specific policy options that could potentially benefit Lao PDR.

Specifically, the consultant will:

(i). Conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of existing policies that promote healthy diets or protect children from the promotion and marketing of unhealthy foods in Lao PDR.

(ii). Analyze findings and propose a range of policy options that can support the promotion of a healthier food environment in the country. Policy options should also include fiscal policies to contribute to increase revenues that can be invested in nutrition.

(iii). Organize and convene stakeholders’ consultations to develop consensus on the set of priority policies and actions to improve diets in Lao PDR.

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

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Post- graduate degree in public health, nutrition, information management, international development or other clearly related disciplines
• At least 5 years professional work experience in related areas
• Relevant work experience in nutrition programming/research and or policy development.
• Knowledge of policy development, public financing for nutrition and dietary guidelines.
• Good analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required- both in oral and written communication.

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 medical insurance with medivac, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment

Assessment Criteria:

Evaluation Criteria (This will be used for the Selection Report (for clarification see Guidance)

A) Technical Evaluation (maximum 100 points), 75Points            

Degree Education in ……… (20 points)

• Post- graduate degree in Public health, nutrition, international development or other clearly related disciplines

Knowledge of ……….. (25 points)

• Policy development
• Nutrition policies
• Public financing for nutrition
• Dietary guidelines and marketing of unhealthy foods
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluency in English is required- both in oral and written communication.

Experience in ……… (30 points)

• At least 8 years professional work experience in related areas
• Experience in supporting countries develop and/or review policies
• Experience analysing data and writing reports

Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology) (25 points)

• Assessment of previous work including written and analytical skills
• Reference checks

B) Financial Proposal (100 points), 25points

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

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find the TOR here:  TOR for Individual consultant_policy options 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.