Overview
The Nutrition Research Specialist will contribute to the nutrition team’s support to the Government of Lao PDR on ongoing research nutrition research efforts, aiming to translate evidence into scalable programme solutions and strengthen nutrition interventions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise ongoing operational research initiatives.
- Liaise with IRD, CSOs, project managers, site coordinators, and government counterparts to monitor implementation.
- Ensure timely implementation of research protocols, adherence to timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
- Support data cleaning, validation, database oversight, and data analysis.
- Facilitate coordination meetings and technical exchanges among partners.
- Contribute to research outputs (reports, briefs, publications, restitution meetings).
- Participate in strategic program discussion on planning of projects/activities related to nutrition research and nutrition sensitive interventions.
- Provide technical and operational support during programming planning processes.
- Lead and coordinate UNICEF activities on Complementary Feeding and Moderate Acute Malnutrition treatment pilot intervention.
- Support preparation of behaviour change materials, technical booklets, and guidelines.
- Work with government counterparts and implementing partners to design and adapt implementation packages, develop training materials, oversee capacity-building activities, and field implementation.
- Support to draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews.
- Prepare reports and contribute to identifying gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management.
- Provide technical support for the implementation of projects for healthier diets and sustainable food systems for children.
- Support the development of technical guidance and communication & information materials pertaining to food systems.
- Support UNICEF’s contribution to multi-sectoral and multi-agency initiatives on nutrition, sustainable food systems and climate resilience.
- Act as the technical focal point for UNICEF-led components under food systems related joint programmes.
- Support coordination meetings, activity planning and follow-up.
Required Experience
- 3 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating and supporting nutrition research and operational research activities.
- Experience in data analysis, interpretation of findings, and preparation of technical reports, briefs, or publications.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Nutrition/Public Health.
