Individual consultancy: to support development of Nutrition assessments methodology and national capacity building on emergency nutrition assessments (Mozambique)

Continued technical assistance support to assure that the capacity building continues and that the technical expertise at both institutions, SETSAN and the MoH, can solidify itself to assure high quality nutrition evaluations in the future.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE.

UNICEF and partners (particularly FAO and WFP), provides substantial technical and financial support to SETSAN assessments, and to the IPC acute malnutrition classification process since late 2015. Through this support quality of nutritional assessments made through SETSAN/MOH has constantly improved since the first exercise in November 2015. There is need to continue reinforcing the process to towards higher quality standards for up-coming nutrition assessments.  This will require adaptation of standardized methodologies to assess, monitor and classify nutrition situation in line with global standard (IPC and SMART) and technical assistance to ensure successful initial rolling out of the revised assessment methodology. Further, it will require support to build capacity to implement these assessments.

UNICEF proposed technical assistance allows capacity building of SETSAN and the MoH national and provincial nutrition department to generate and analyse emergency nutrition information. The central team of the MOH Nutrition department will join SETSAN field teams’ implementation of nutritional assessments during the planning, implementation, and analysis phases. At decentralized level, MOH nutritionists will be trained on both processes, SMART studies and IPC acute malnutrition analysis.

Last, during the drought, UNICEF invested in a real-monitoring system (Rapid-Pro) and mass screening through National Health Weeks and partners field teams, to ensure timely data to inform the evolving emergency nutrition response. While the flow and quality of the information received has considerably improved, further investment need to be made to ensure the system provide quality data and to ensure better integration into the routine system.

Overall purpose of the assignment: The above described processes will need continued technical assistance support to assure that the capacity building continues and that the technical expertise at both institutions, SETSAN and the MoH, can solidify itself to assure high quality nutrition evaluations in the future.

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL APPROACH.

Under the leadership of SETSAN (the food and nutrition security agency in charge of nutrition and food security surveys) and in coordination with the MoH and partners, the consultant will consolidate methodologies, practices and tools related to the emergency nutrition information implemented during the El-Niño response and build capacity of counter-parts in the use of these tools.

ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

• Compile the lessons learned from the various nutrition assessment, emergency monitoring implemented during the El-Niño crisis 2015-2017.
• Develop the nutrition component of the emergency food and nutrition security assessment guideline in line with global Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) for acute malnutrition standards.
• Identify learning needs and build the capacity of stakeholders in conducting nutrition assessments and SMART surveys.
• Co-facilitate one national master training on the revised FNS guideline and two sub-national trainings
• As needed, provide technical assistance to the mass MUAC screening exercises, currently forecast for Q4, 2017
• Support SETSAN/MoH monitoring and nutrition assessment including data collection, data analysis and timely reporting in districts with nutrition emergency response

DELIVERABLES.

• Food and nutrition security emergency assessment guideline approved by SETSAN, MoH and partners
• Integrated Food Security / Nutrition assessment training needs report, training plan and training materials for national and field level
• Three Food and Nutrition Security emergency assessment training co-facilitated
• Monthly monitoring report available for each of the emergency districts (i.e. districts in IPC phase 2/3 and 4)
• Final report with recommendations and follow up actions

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION. 

The consultant will report to the Nutrition Specialist, P-3. The incumbent is expected to work from SETSAN and MISAU 50% of her/his time. 25% travel the provinces is expected. The consultancy period is from October 2017 to June 2018.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE.

• Academic qualifications: At least a university degree in nutrition, or public health and nutrition or other relevant discipline.
• Work experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in food and nutrition security assessments specifically knowledge of IPC2 nutrition acute and SMART surveys methodology.  
• Language skills: Fluency in Portuguese and English

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The selection of the consultant will be based on a “best value for money” principle.  Interested candidates should, in addition to submitting their CV and cover letter, indicate their all-inclusive fees (including travel, subsistence costs, etc.) for the services to be provided.  The office shall select the individual who quoted the lowest fee from the list of individuals who are deemed technically suitable for achieving all tasks in time.  The technical evaluation criteria are stipulated below.