National Consultant for the Mid-Term Review of the UN Joint RMNCH Programme in Laos
Closing date: 10 May 2019
Job Number: 521153
Locations: Asia and the Pacific: Lao,Peo.Dem.Rep
Work Type : Consultancy
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.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as the Convening and Administrative Agent of the UN Joint programme, is seeking qualified consultants to undertake the MTR, which is scheduled for May-June 2019. The National Consultant will be engaged for a total of 30 working days between the period May to June 2019 and will be supervised by the UN Joint Programme Coordinator, Health and Nutrition Section, UNICEF Lao, PDR. The consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR with field travels to provinces.
For every child, Health and Nutrition
By 2021, more children and women in Lao PDR, especially most vulnerable and hard-to-reach, utilize quality essential health and nutrition services and benefit from positive care practices during pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood.
How can you make a difference?
1. Background
In Lao PDR, the Ministry of Health, the Government of Luxembourg and UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO are working together to advance RMNCH through a United Nations (UN) Joint Programme.
Following two years of implementation (2017-2018), a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the programme will be carried out to assess progress against outputs, management and coordination aspects, and recommend necessary adjustments for the 2nd half of programme implementation (2019-2020) as well as recommendations for strategically positioning the programme beyond 2020.
2. Purpose of the assignment
The main objectives of the MTR are to:
- assess programme design, objectives, implementation strategy, and governance and management arrangements in light of changes in context
- take stock of progress, challenges and opportunities
- verify the continued relevance of the programme and the sustainability of its results
- make recommendations on how to improve programme performance, identify areas which require specific attention to achieve expected results and identify strategic elements of joint programme support beyond 2020
3. Work assignment
The MTR will cover the following areas:
- analysis of the context and environment for programme implementation
- programme design and results framework
- programme governance, management and coordination
- implementation of programme activities (quantity, quality and utility)
- progress towards achievement of programme results (outputs, outcomes)
The MTR will be based on the following assessment criteria: Strategic Relevance & Added Value, Effectiveness, Organization & Efficiency, and Sustainability. Review questions, developed on the basis of these criteria, will guide the review process.
4. Roles, responsibilities and tasks
The MTR of the UNJP will consist of a document review, key informant interviews at central and sub-national level, field visits, discussions with direct and indirect beneficiaries of the programme and a participatory review with UNJP staff of the programme results framework.
The responsibilities and tasks of the national consultant are outlined below:
- Support the international consultant in preparing an inception report that should include but not be limited to: a list of review questions in line with the key assessment criteria outlined in section 3, a detailed work plan incl. a schedule of meetings and field visits.
- Support the international consultant in conducting a document review, incl. relevant policies, strategies, action plans, work plans, reports, studies and other relevant documents to inform the review process.
- Based on the agreed review questions, facilitate a participatory review process incl.:
- Setting up meetings with representatives of participating UN organizations, the Ministry of Health, Provincial and District Health Offices in UNJP focus provinces and key development partners in line with the stakeholder mapping provided by UNICEF
- Organizing field visits to the 3 UNJP focus provinces (Bolikhamxay, Bokeo and Savannakhet)
- Collecting lessons learned to date through UN Joint Programme implementation
- Throughout, liaise with the Ministry of Health staff at central level and with relevant staff from Provincial Health Departments and District Health Offices to facilitate the review process.
- Support the international consultant in preparing a document that presents the lessons learned so far from modelling.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Lao nationality
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Social Sciences or other related area.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. - At least 10 years of relevant experience and knowledge of the health sector in Lao PDR
- At least 7 years of experience in programme design, management and evaluation and conducting participatory research
- Familiarity with the Ministry of Health structure and relevant departments.
- Familiarity with the UN system, including the participating UN organizations.
- Good command of written and spoken English (required). Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
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.
Opening Date Thu Apr 04 2019 16:10:00 GMT+0700 (Indochina Time) SE Asia Standard Time
Closing Date Fri May 10 2019 17:00:00 GMT+0700 (Indochina Time)