National Consultant for Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Analysis

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and providing attractive compensation and benefits.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive mixed-methods analysis to identify the underlying causes and system bottlenecks driving preventable maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality in Lao PDR. The consultant will work closely with an international consultant to analyze national data sets and qualitative evidence, generating actionable insights to inform the RMNCAH Strategy 2026+. The analysis will focus on disparities in health outcomes, barriers to care-seeking, and the quality of services, particularly in underserved communities. The consultant will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary quantitative analysis with primary qualitative research, to provide a thorough understanding of the challenges faced in maternal and child health in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct secondary data analysis using national datasets (e.g., LSIS III, LECS) to identify patterns, disparities, and risk factors across the RMNCH continuum of care.
• Utilize the Four Delays Model to examine bottlenecks in care-seeking, access, quality, and referral processes.
• Collect and analyze qualitative data from key informants and communities to triangulate findings.
• Generate practical, policy-relevant recommendations to inform the RMNCAH Strategy 2026+, UNICEF programming, and partner investments.
• Collaborate with the international consultant to ensure comprehensive analysis and reporting.
• Prepare and present findings to stakeholders, ensuring clarity and actionable insights are communicated effectively.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in public health, epidemiology, demography, economics, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in health systems, RMNCH, equity analysis, or related areas.
• Proven experience in analyzing large household survey datasets (e.g., DHS, MICS, LSIS, census).
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills using statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, or R.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research design, data collection, and thematic analysis.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in Southeast Asia.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, either a Master's or PhD, in relevant fields such as public health, epidemiology, demography, economics, or social sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure a deep understanding of the complexities involved in maternal, neonatal, and child health analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in health systems, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH), or related areas. Candidates should have a strong track record of analyzing large datasets and conducting qualitative research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with a preference for experience in Southeast Asia.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Lao is mandatory for this position. Excellent analytical writing and presentation skills in English are also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is for the recruitment of two national consultants, allowing applicants to propose their own team composition. The position is expected to be full-time, and candidates must submit an up-to-date TMS profile, CV, cover letter, and a separate financial proposal. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Background checks will be conducted for selected candidates.