General

Description of assignment title: UNJP Coordinator

Assignment country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Duty stations: Vientiane

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 05/01/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good  health and well-being

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF’s mandate, mission and unique attributes provide a strategic advantage in promoting and supporting transformational change to achieve sustainable coverage at scale. After more than 45 years in Lao PDR, UNICEF Lao PDR UNICEF is one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country plays an important role in supporting the government, advocating for reform and leading coordination to scale-up results.

Context:

• • This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent  Health (RMNCAH) in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The host agency is UNICEF, established in 1946, with a mandate to protect the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. In Lao PDR, UNICEF works with the
  • Government, particularly the Ministry of Health, to strengthen health systems and improve equitable access to quality RMNCAH services.
  • The UNJP has supported the Ministry of Health since 2011 and is jointly implemented by UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA, with funding from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Building on previous phases,
• Phase IV (2026-2031), the final phase of the programme, focuses on integrated and people-centered RMNCAH service delivery, strengthened governance and coordination, capacity building through
• provincial Centers of Reference, and improved monitoring, supervision, and accountability. Given the programme’s multi-agency structure and close collaboration with government counterparts, effective coordination is essential to ensure coherence, accountability, and timely delivery of results. To this end, UNICEF seeks to recruit an experienced UNJP Coordinator to lead the overall coordination of the programme.

Task description:

• • The UNJP Coordinator leads the overall coordination of the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) to ensure coherent planning, implementation, and monitoring across participating UN agencies and government counterparts. Based within the Ministry of Health, the Coordinator serves as the primary liaison between partners and supports alignment of the programme with national systems, priorities,
  • and donor commitments.
  • Key tasks include:
  • Serving as the central focal point for coordination, communication, and information flow among UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, the Ministry of Health, and LuxDev
  • Organizing and supporting programme governance mechanisms, including Steering Committee, Joint Management, Heads of Agency, and Technical Team meetings, and preparing agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions
  • Coordinating high-level missions, technical visits, and major programme events, including preparation of briefing materials and post-mission documentation
  • Leading the preparation and consolidation of annual joint workplans and budgets across participating agencies
  • Monitoring programme implementation and performance against agreed plans, indicators, and timelines

• Consolidating technical and financial inputs from partners and supporting the preparation of periodic progress and donor reports
• Monitoring the use of the coordination budget and tracking related expenditures

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience: 7 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 7 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Systems, Public Policy, or a related field

Competencies and values:

• UNICEF Core Values (CRITAS):
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
• UNICEF CF-Competency Framework:
• Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
• Innovates and embraces change (2)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Thinks and acts strategically (2)
• Works collaboratively with others (2)

Skills and experience:

• Minimum seven (7) years of relevant experience in programme coordination, public health, development cooperation, or related programmes, including experience working with government counterparts, particularly Ministries of Health.
• Experience supporting alignment with national systems and priorities is an asset, as is experience working with the United Nations or other international development organizations.
• Experience coordinating multi partner or multi agency programmes, including collaboration with UN agencies and development partners; experience supporting joint programming processes is an asset.
• Experience in the preparation and coordination of workplans, budgets, monitoring frameworks, and progress reports, including tracking implementation progress and consolidating technical and financial inputs.
• Experience supporting monitoring, reporting, and accountability processes, including contributions to donor reporting; familiarity with UN or donor administrative and financial procedures is desirable.
• Experience in the organization and facilitation of meetings, missions, and stakeholder coordination processes at national and subnational levels.
• Strong coordination, facilitation, and relationship building skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in a multicultural and multi agency environment.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated accuracy and professionalism in drafting, documentation, and reporting.
• Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and internet based tools.
• Ability to work professionally and adapt effectively in a challenging context, with a strong commitment to teamwork and the values and principles of the United Nations.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Development programmes,  Health

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