International Consultant to develop the National MIYCN guidelines
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a passionate and diverse culture.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership and coordination for the development of two interconnected national guidelines for Lao PDR: the Maternal Nutrition Guidelines and the Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Guidelines. The consultant will ensure that both guidelines are aligned with current evidence, international recommendations, and national programme priorities. This role is crucial in addressing the high burden of child undernutrition in Lao PDR, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life, by updating and strengthening national MIYCN guidelines to improve the quality, consistency, and equity of nutrition counselling and service delivery across the country.
Responsibilities
The consultant will lead the development of the National Maternal Nutrition Guidelines and the revision and updating of the Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Guidelines for Lao PDR. This includes ensuring alignment with the latest WHO and UNICEF recommendations, emerging global evidence, and the current national policy and programme context. The consultant will also ensure that the guidelines are aligned with global standards and national priorities, supporting delivery through key service platforms such as antenatal care (ANC) services and Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) platforms. Responsibilities include providing technical leadership, coordinating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders, and ensuring the guidelines are practical and context-specific to strengthen the capacity of health workers, programme managers, and implementing partners to deliver an integrated package of Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition services.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in public health and nutrition, with a significant focus on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programming. Experience in guideline development and working with government ministries in developing countries is essential.
Skills
Guideline development, Maternal and child nutrition, Public health programming, Nutrition policy analysis, Stakeholder coordination, Capacity building, Research and analysis, Project management, Report writing, UNICEF/WHO guidelines, Lao PDR context, Interpersonal skills