Project Manager-Nutrition

The role

We are currently looking for Project Manager – Nutrition based in Vientiane Capital.

Role Purpose

UNICEF, in close coordination with the Ministry of Health (MoH) Lao PDR, is implementing a multi-year Wasting Prevention and Treatment Programme to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes, particularly among vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations across different 11 high-burden provinces. The programme focuses on strengthening community and facility-based nutrition services, improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) practices, expanding access to quality preventive and curative services, and reinforcing health system leadership, coordination, and accountability mechanisms.

Save the Children International (SCI), as an implementing partner of UNICEF, works in close collaboration with national, provincial, and district health authorities to strengthen the capacity of health workers and Village Health Volunteers (VHVs), improve service delivery platforms (including IMAM, GMP, outreach services), and promote evidence-based, community-driven nutrition practices for six provinces in Lao PDR. The programme also supports strengthening DHIS2-based data systems and piloting innovative, food-based approaches for managing malnutrition.

The Project Manager is responsible for leading and ensuring high-quality, timely, and effective implementation of the programme across target provinces and districts, in alignment with UNICEF requirements, national guidelines, and SCI standards. The role will ensure strong coordination with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, effective management of programme resources and teams, and delivery of results against planned outputs and outcomes.

Specifically, the Project Manager will:

• Lead and be accountable for overall programme implementation, ensuring alignment with UNICEF agreements, national policies (e.g., NPAN, RMNCAH), and organizational procedures
• Manage and supervise the project through setting up PRIME system of SCI, supervise project staff and coordinate closely with technical, MERL, operations, and finance teams to ensure effective delivery
• Strengthening coordination and partnerships with MoH at national, provincial (PHO), and district (DHO) levels, as well as with UNICEF and other stakeholders
• Ensure the development and implementation of detailed action plans, and oversee delivery of programme activities across community and facility platforms.
• Ensure strong monitoring systems are in place, with timely, high-quality reporting (monthly, quarterly, annually) in line with donor requirements
• Promote adaptive management through regular performance tracking, data use, and documentation of lessons learned and best practices.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.
• Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.

Key responsibilities:

Key Area 1: Program / Project Management

• Lead and be accountable for the high-quality and timely implementation of the Wasting Prevention and Treatment Programme across target provinces and districts, ensuring full alignment with UNICEF requirements, Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines, and SCI policies and standards.
• Develop and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual workplans for programme implementation across community and facility levels, ensuring delivery of planned outputs and achievement of programme targets.
• Set-up Project workplan in PRIME and Monitor regularly with the support from M&E team.
• Manage team performance through work planning, regular reviews, and accountability for results
• Strengthen the capacity of project staff and government counterparts through on-the-job coaching, supportive supervision, regular performance feedback, and identification of training and development opportunities.
• Lead programme operational planning and implementation, ensuring that all components are effectively delivered.
• Lead MoU 6 monthly and annual meetings at National & Sub-national level.
• Ensure all programme components are supported by robust planning tools, including Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs), phased budgets, procurement plans, and HR/staffing plans.
• Monitor implementation closely, including activity progress, budget utilization (BvA), procurement, and recruitment processes, and take timely corrective actions to address delays and bottlenecks.
• Ensure effective financial and grant management, including budget planning (each quarter), expenditure tracking, reporting back to Unicef every quarter and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate closely with technical, MEAL, finance, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure integrated and efficient programme delivery.
• Identify and proactively manage programme risks (operational, financial, safeguarding, and implementation risks), ensuring mitigation measures are in place

Key Area 2: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Establish and ensure effective implementation of a robust MEAL system, aligned with UNICEF requirements, national systems (including DHIS2), and SCI standards.
• Analyze programme data regularly to identify gaps and improve performance and outcomes.
• Lead preparation and submission of high-quality donor reports and MOU report for the government (monthly, quarterly, annual) with required documentation.
• Ensure functional accountability mechanisms, including community feedback systems, and use feedback to adapt programming.
• Promote learning and adaptive management, documenting and applying lessons, best practices, and innovations.
• Monitor performance of project staff, health workers, and VHVs to ensure programme quality and results.
• Support documentation and dissemination of evidence and learning at sub-national and national levels

Key Area 3: Coordination, Networking and Representation

• Represent the programme in national and sub-national coordination forums, technical working groups, and relevant stakeholder meetings.
• Lead and maintain strong coordination with MoH (National, PHD’s, DHO’s), SCI, UNICEF, and other partners to ensure aligned planning and implementation.
• Facilitate regular communication and joint planning with government counterparts and partners at district, provincial, and national levels.
• Participate in and support joint monitoring visits with UNICEF and government counterparts.
• Ensure effective linkages with other programmes and partners (e.g., GCF project, MFAT project, and others) to promote learning, synergy, and avoid duplication.
• Contribute to communication and visibility efforts, including success stories, reports, and stakeholder updates.
• Promote government ownership and sustainability by integrating programme activities into existing health system structures and processes

Others

• Identify, report, and manage risks within the scope of the role, ensuring appropriate controls are in place.
• Ensure compliance with SCI policies and procedures, including child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, and equal opportunities.
• Ensure gender-responsive, inclusive, and equity-focused programme implementation, prioritizing vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations
• Uphold and promote Save the Children’s child safeguarding commitments, values, mission, and standards in all aspects of work.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s or master’s Degree, preferably in public health (MPH), Nutrition

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing public health, nutrition, or health systems strengthening programmes.
• Strong experience working with government counterparts (MoH, PHO, DHO), including capacity building, training, and supportive supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and representation with UN agencies, donors, partners, and government stakeholders.
• Strong skills in team leadership, mentoring, and performance management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills, including use of programme and monitoring data.
• Solid understanding of programme design, implementation, and community-based approaches.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with cultural and political sensitivity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong coordination and process management skills, ensuring quality and timely delivery of outputs.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Lao language skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Proven experience in project management, including planning, implementation, budget oversight, and multi-grant management.

Desirable:

• Familiar with the Nutrition program of Lao PDR
• Previous experience of working on Nutrition program and projects
• Trained on IMAM, IYCF, SBCC and other nutrition interventions.
• Advanced knowledge of the Health System and structure of Laos
• Experience working with UNICEF

Contract length: Fixed term (1 year with the possibility of extension)

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.