Re-advertisement: International Individual Consultancy: Policy Analysis Advisor, National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN), Lao PDR

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 an International Individual Consultancy: Policy Analysis Advisor, National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN), Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 11.5 months and the consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR with intermittent travels to provinces/districts

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The core activities of the consultant shall include the following;

1. Support the functions of the NIPN Policy Analysis Unit

• Develop workplans including milestones, for implementation of NIPN workplan as well as foster linkages between the Data Analysis and Policy Analysis Units.
• Provide technical guidance for reviewing existing policies related to nutrition, generate evidence for planning and budgeting at national and sub national levels
• Support in knowledge management for documentation and archiving of the policies, reports and project related information.
• Guide the collection, analysis and synthesis of the nutrition situation in Lao PDR based on the country context and internationally standards and in response to questions posed by the NIPN Advisory Committee and decision makers.
• Facilitate the identification of policy relevant questions from nutrition stakeholders and develop a framework for answering them.
• Work closely with the Data Analysis Unit, UNICEF Country Office and other stakeholders to design and provide oversight for research management processes; effectively commission and administer research on topics of relevance to Nutrition. This includes the selection of research topics, drafting research proposals, assessment and technical appraisal criteria.

2. Strengthen the capacities of the NIPN Policy Analysis Unit:

• Support national and sub-national capacity strengthening through learning by doing to conduct policy analysis, and reporting across line ministries and departments under the National Nutrition Committee.
• Develop a clear capacity development plan aimed at strengthening existing capacity of Government institutions based on NIPN priorities by focusing on the quality of research and policy formulation.
• Organize regular country reviews focusing on the status of nutrition, including levels and use of financial resources.
• Develop national expertise towards the formulation of national nutrition strategies/policies, improve coherence across different sectors on nutrition policy development and implementation.

3. Present the findings of analysis and knowledge materials in suitable formats to multiple stakeholders

• Interpret results of data analysis in the light of current knowledge.
• Produce written documents for multiple audience and stakeholders, such as analytical papers, reports, reviews and policy briefs.
• Facilitate the dissemination of findings and new evidence to policy makers and programme planners at both national and sub national levels as per visibility and communication plan.
• Support Policy Analysis Unit in preparing reader-friendly materials that could be disseminated using multiple channels. This could involve web and media communications; publications; policy briefs; organizing local events; and participation in conferences, meetings and annual NIPN events.
• Undertake other relevant tasks to support the work of Policy Analysis Unit as requested by the Head of Policy Analysis Unit and Nutrition Section of UNICEF.

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

Qualifications and Experience

• An advanced university degree, Masters or above in any relevant field including, but not limited to: social science, social policy, policy development or international Health and Nutrition.

Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum of 8 years of International development experience, including work in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience in formulating social policies, designing and implementing analytical activities.
• Proven ability to write policy briefs, research papers, articles, technical reports and documents in English.
• Demonstrated experience in global health & Nutrition and/or social services; legislative processes and policy formulation.
• Demonstrated professional and interpersonal communications skills suited for donor clients, government and other stakeholders (including data visualization, report writing and presentations).
• Track record of successful delivery of high-level expert advice to governments and international organizations
• Experience in providing technical assistance to government for sector development and capacity building
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to meet deadlines.
• Experience in using statistical software and relevant analytical tools for both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Understanding of Lao language would be an added advantage.

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 breakdown by fee, living allowance and travel if any for this assignment.

The deadline for applications is 15 March 2022.

1. Assessment Criteria

A two-stage procedure shall be used in assessing the applications;

1. Assessment of qualification and previous works in related areas.
2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee, travel costs (economy class), per-diem to cover lodging, meals, and any other cost related to the consultant's stay in Vientiane, including transportation inside the city and other costs. The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

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

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

• Education: An advanced university degree, Masters or above in any relevant field including, but not limited to: social science, social policy, policy development or international Health and Nutrition (30 points)

• Knowledge: (20 points)

• • Demonstrated experience in formulating the social policy and designing and implementing analytical activities.
  • Proven ability to write policy briefs, research papers, articles, technical report, documents in English.
  • Demonstrated experience of global health & Nutrition and/or social services issues, the legislative process and key policy issues; and a strong advocacy approach.
  • Demonstrated professional and interpersonal communications skills suited for donor clients (including data
  • visualization, report writing and presentations, and experience in developing research dissemination products and protocols.
  • Track record of successful delivery of high-level expert advice to governments and international organizations;
  • Experience of providing technical assistance to government for sector development and capacity building
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to a deadline.
  • Experience in using the statistical software and relevant analytical tools for both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of International development experience, including work in developing countries in related areas. (30 points)
• Quality of past work: (e.g. understanding, methodology) (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 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 a TOR here: Policy Analysis Advisor 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.