National Consultant to support MPI to review and revise the NPDP

UNFPA Office in Lao PDR is looking for a National Consultant to support Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to review and revise the National Population and Development Policy (NPDP)

Duration of the work:              20 working days within the period from late February to 30 June 2018.

Place of work:                         Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Scope of work of the national consultant:

The national consultant is expected to collaborate and work under the guidance of the international consultant, the Department of Planning of MPI and UNFPA on the following main areas;

Compile relevant background information through Lao secondary sources;

• Desk review of information pertinent to population policy in Lao language and translate relevant components into English to share with International consultant;
• Support DoP/MPI in facilitation of a technical working group (TWG) to draft the revision of NPDP; 
• Support and facilitate high level meeting to present the zero draft of the NPDP, gather input from all line ministries and relevant government stakeholders and development partners.
• Support international TA in preparation of a final draft revision of the NPDP and incorporate Lao comments and feedback generated through wider consultations; central and provincial consultation meetings and translate in English to share with international TA

Specific milestones:

1. Translate inception report of international consultant including the desk review and present to the TWG for input and comments for the international consultant
2. Support preparation of and facilitate meetings including:
   
   1. Technical Consultations
   2. Stakeholders consultation
   3. High-level meetings
3. Consolidate feedback and comments from consultation meetings and work closely with the international consultant to incorporate in the revision process.
4. Collaborate closely with international consultant to draft the revised NPDP

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree, preferably master degree, in population, demography, public policy, Public Health and/or other related social sciences
• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant working experience in development, implementation and assessment of Population Programs and Policies;
• Familiarity to population issues in general and Lao contexts in particular; should be culturally sensitized,
• Demonstrated professional leadership and ability to coordinate a multi-stakeholder team of professionals in development sectors;
• Substantive experience of working with public sector especially in policy planning and advocacy;
• Excellent facilitation skills, familiarity with dealing with government systems on policy and operational issues;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability of making effective presentations to diverse audiences. 
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and policy advice are essential.
• Familiarity with information technology, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Lao.

Experience in working with UNFPA or other UN Agencies will be an asset.

All interested applicants should submit the following:

A cover letter, CV in English with Personal History Form (P11 Form) (providing details of the required experience enumerated above), listing three references and consultancy rates quoted in US Dollars.

Applications should be sent to UNFPA Office, Ban Hatsady, Lane Xang Avenue, P.O. Box 345, Vientiane (Tel: 856 21 267777, 267633) or email to: laos.office@unfpa.org  indicating “Application for National Consultant to support MPI to review and revise the NPDP”. To obtain full Terms of Reference or P11 form, please contact UNFPA office or download from http://lao.unfpa.org

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 16 February 2018

Terms of Reference of the consultancy can be shared upon request.

We will only consider applications with complete P11 attached. UNFPA will only be able to respond to those applicants in whom UNFPA has a further interest. UNFPA reserves the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process.