National Individual Consultancy: Individual contract to provide support for the implementation of the RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan in Bokeo province

Contract

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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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The UN Joint Programme (UNJP) for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) 2017-2021 supports the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR to implement the national RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2025. UNJP support includes capacity development of the national RMNCAH Secretariat to coordinate the implementation of the national RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan as well as capacity development of selected provinces to implement the RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan at sub-national level.

On behalf of the UNJP, UNICEF in Lao PDR is looking for a national consultant to provide support for the implementation of the RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan in Bokeo province. The consultant is expected to assist the Provincial Health Department in Bokeo to implement the RMNCAH Strategy and Action Plan at provincial and district level, through coordinated planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

The expected contract start date is 1 January 2021 and this contract will be for 11.5 months with the possibility of renewal depending on satisfactory performance and extension of the programme. The consultant will be based in Huayxay, Bokeo province, Lao PDR.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Support the Provincial Health Department in coordinated planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting on RMNCAH Strategy implementation in collaboration with all relevant units in Provincial and District Health Offices and hospitals.
• Provide backstopping, training support and coaching for provincial and district level RMNCAH activities.
• Support the availability, analysis and utilisation of RMNCAH data recorded in DHIS2.
• Maintain an overview of development partners supporting RMNCAH in the province and establish contacts to improve synergy and coordination of activities.
• Facilitate the implementation of UNJP-supported activities in Bokeo province in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA (UNJP partners).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will need to have:

Qualifications and Experience

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, International Development or another relevant area.
• At least three years of relevant experience in planning and coordinating health programmes at provincial and/or district level, with a specific focus on RMNCAH.

Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with the UN’s procedures on the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) is considered an asset.
• Previous work experience in Bokeo is considered an asset.

Competencies

• The ability to work and collaborate with Government, UN agencies and NGOs.
• A team player with excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A hands-on, practical approach.

Languages

• A good command of English (speaking and writing) is required.
• Proficiency in local ethnic languages is considered an asset.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including field travel cost required for carrying out the assignment.

The deadline for applications is 15 December 2020.

Assessment Criteria

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

1. Technical Proposal: including a cover letter, updated CV, and copies of 2 relevant evaluations performed earlier by the consultant.

2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer incl. consultancy fee, travel costs (economy class), per-diem to cover lodging, meals. The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment.

1. Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70%

• Relevant degree (10 points)
• Knowledge of national RMNCAH strategic framework (30 points)
• Experience in supporting the implementation of health / RMNCAH programmes at sub-national level in Lao PDR (40 points)
• Quality of past work (20 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30%

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 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other financial proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment as part of the financial proposal submission.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.