National Research Consultant – Impact of Debt Crisis on Children in Laos

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for a National Research Consultant Impact of Debt Crisis on Children in Laos. The duration of this assignment is 03 months, starting as soon as possible and the consultant shall be home based.

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

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For every child, the right to support

In Lao PDR, UNICEF works in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR and partners to promote and protect the rights of children and women in Lao PDR. With over 50 years of service, we are one of the longest-serving international organisations in the country.

Visit unicef.org/Laos to learn more about what we do at UNICEF in Lao PDR.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for a National Research Consultant Impact of Debt Crisis on Children in Laos. The duration of this assignment is 03 months, starting as soon as possible and the consultant shall be home based.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The consultant is expected to deliver an 8000-10,000-word report focused on assessing the impact of the debt crises and other economic challenges on children in Lao PDR. The research process will include a literature review, compiling quantitative data on debt, social spending, service provision, and child outcomes and analyse trends overtime. The researcher is expected to use all this data to present a comprehensive picture on the current debt situation, the impact of the debt crisis on children, the political economy drivers of these outcomes and some national recommendations. The report will inform and be part of the UNICEF and ADB work on impact of debt.

The overarching question: How has the crisis in debt, the reductions in ODA and economic volatility been affecting children? How might this evolve in the future and what might be key policy actions to address the situation?

Objectives

1.Outline debt and economic context (including changes in economic growth, ODA, trade and employment)

2.Identify the impacts of the debt, ODA and economic crisis on children in as real a way as possible

3.Explain the political economy drivers of these impacts

4.Develop national recommendations for action

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Terms of Reference for Individual Consultants -Debt Consultant-VA.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s degree or Advanced degree in development related field
•  At least 3 years' work experience.
•  Demonstrated experience in undertaking complex research processes including analysing quantitative data and doing key informant interviews.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written).

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including medical insurance with medivac, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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:  

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.