Consultant to coordinate the development of a Nutrient Profile Model for Lao PDR
- Location
- Vientiane, Vientiane Capital
- Category
- NGO & development
- Job type
- Contract / temporary
- Positions
- 1
- Job description
- Lao PDR, like neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, is undergoing a nutrition transition characterized by the so-called triple burden of malnutrition, i.e. the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and increasing rates of overweight and obesity, but also diet-related noncommunicable diseases. For this reason, improving food environments is a growing priority in Lao PDR, particularly as dietary patterns and food systems profile are rapidly shifting. The development of a Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is a critical step to support the enforcement of school food regulations and broader nutrition policies including marketing restrictions, front-of-pack labelling, nutrition standards for institutional procurement, etc. The NPM will serve as a scientific and regulatory tool to classify foods and beverages based on their nutritional composition, enabling the Government of Lao PDR to: - Restrict the availability of unhealthy foods and beverages; - Guide procurement, school menus and canteen/food stalls' offerings; - Regulate marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods, including commercial complementary foods; - Establish front-of-pack nutrition warning labels; - Set school food and nutrition standards; - Inform fiscal policies, including the taxation of unhealthy food and beverage products; - Align food environments with the National Nutrition Strategy 2026-2035 and related National Plan of Action on Nutrition 2026-2030. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health to develop a context-appropriate, evidence-based NPM in Lao PDR, aligned with global and regional guidance and adapted to the national food environment. The NPM will be developed through a Technical Working Group (TWG), following a structured approach that includes defining scope, adapting suitable WHO NPMs, identifying food categories, setting nutrient thresholds, and validating the model with different stakeholders, among others. Partners to be involved include, but are not limited to, National University of Laos Faculty of Agriculture, Lao Tropical Public Health Institute, Government departments with expertise in food processing, nutrition, and public health, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, Lao Nutrition Association, FAO, CRS, etc. This consultancy aims to provide high-level lead, facilitation and coordination support to the Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, as the lead, to design, develop, validate, and support approval and application of the NPM, ensuring it is scientifically sound, feasible to use, context-adapted and aligned with national policies.
- Skills & qualifications
- - Ability to work independently with limited supervision. - Good analytical and writing skills. - Excellent communication skills. - Familiar with Lao PDR's government processes, particularly on nutrition. - Knowledge and expertise in Nutrition Policy and Science, School Nutrition, Food Profiles, Multistakeholder coordination, Programme management, in the context of Lao PDR (or ASEAN) - Understanding of the Lao contex - Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required- both in oral and written communication. - Desirables: Lao language
- Experience needed
- At least 5 years
- Education required
- Master's degree
- Field of study
- Nutrition, Public Health, Food Policy, Social Sciences, International Development, or other clearly related disciplines
- Working days & hours
- remote for 6 months
- How to apply
- Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System): - An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV) - Cover letter - A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal Lao Nutrition Consultant.docx
How to apply
🔗 Apply on the organisation's website or link ↗jobs.unicef.org
↗ You will leave CareerLaos and continue on the organisation's website.
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