National Consultant for Child Wellbeing Advocacy

About the role

UNICEF in Vientiane is seeking a National Consultant to design and implement advocacy strategies that improve child wellbeing in Lao PDR. The four‑month, home‑based assignment focuses on child marriage and nutrition, delivering concrete, costed action plans for government and partner audiences.

Key responsibilities

• Develop two concise advocacy strategies – one to end child, early and forced marriage and another to secure domestic financing for nutrition – each with a prioritized agenda and costed action plan.
• Map key audiences and policy hooks across ministries, the National Assembly, provincial assemblies, donors, media and communities, and tailor messages to each.
• Produce advocacy products such as budget briefs, briefing notes and coordination meeting materials in both Lao and English.
• Align strategies with national plans (e.g., National Plan of Action on EVAW/EVAC, National Nutrition Strategy) and coordinate with existing World Bank, ADB and SUN initiatives to avoid duplication.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, public policy, development studies, public health, law or related field; advanced degree desirable.
• Minimum seven years of progressive experience in advocacy, public policy or strategic communication, including at least three years in Lao PDR.
• Proven ability to author advocacy strategies, policy briefs, investment cases and budget advocacy materials for government audiences.
• Fluent in Lao (native or near‑native) and professional working proficiency in English, with strong drafting and editing skills in both languages.