International Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Consultant
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Consultant Consultancy Internationallly Recruited Close on 16 Feb 2026
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
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Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to support
Between 2017 and 2023, Lao PDR made notable progress in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH). The Total Fertility Rate declined to the national target of 2.5, and major survival indicators improved despite persistent health system constraints. Maternal mortality declined sharply, with Lao PDR ranking among the countries with the highest percentage reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio globally—an 82 per cent decline between 2000 and 2023. According to UN estimates, the MMR stood at 112 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Neonatal mortality reached the SDG target of 12 per 1,000 live births, improving from 18 per 1,000 in 2017. Under-five mortality declined from 46 to 28 per 1,000 live births, approaching the SDG target of 25, while infant mortality fell from 40 to 25 per 1,000 live births.
Despite this progress, preventable deaths and poor health outcomes among women and children remain unacceptably high in many parts of the country, particularly in remote, ethnically diverse, and underserved communities. Large disparities persist by geography, wealth, education, and ethnicity. Barriers include delayed care-seeking, limited physical access to services, variable quality of care, financial constraints, and social and cultural factors that influence health behaviors.
As Lao PDR prepares to update its RMNCAH strategy for 2026 and beyond, there is a critical need for a comprehensive, equity-focused analysis that goes beyond national averages to identify where, why, and for whom progress is stalling. This analysis will use the most recent national datasets and qualitative evidence to generate actionable insights on the key bottlenecks and delays contributing to preventable maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Chief of Health, UNICEF Lao PDR, and in close collaboration with the Health Section and Social Policy Section, the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB), relevant Ministry of Health departments including the Nutrition Center, and WHO, LuxDev and other RMNCH partners. Regular progress updates will be provided through Bi-weekly coordination meetings and Written progress updates aligned with key milestones.
This study will apply a mixed-methods approach combining secondary quantitative analysis with primary qualitative research to identify the causes, bottlenecks, and inequities driving preventable maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality in Lao PDR. The analysis will be guided by an equity lens and structured around the Four Delays Model across the RMNCH continuum of care.
The consultant will:
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TOR- RMNCH consultant for VA.pdf
Financial Proposal Template to be filled by the consultant: Financial Proposal Template-updated Oct 2024.doc
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Proven experience analyzing large household survey datasets (e.g. DHS, MICS, LSIS, census or similar).
- Strong quantitative data analysis skills using Stata, SPSS, R, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience with qualitative research design, data collection, and thematic analysis.
- Experience working in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in Southeast Asia.
- Familiarity with Lao PDR or similar contexts is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, all eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
