Individual Consultancy for provision of Technical Support and Field Coordination of the Nutrition Emergency Response for Asylum Seekers from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Nchelenge District of Zambia

This is a 6 months consultancy to be based in Luapula Province of Zambia with frequent travel to Nchelenge District. The main purpose of the consultancy is to support the District Health Office deliver coordinated quality emergency nutrition services for the asylum seekers from DRC and host communities in Nchelenge district.

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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

To support the District Health Office deliver coordinated quality emergency nutrition services for the asylum seekers from DRC and host communities in Nchelenge district.

Assignment Tasks

In collaboration with the District Health Office and the Camp Coordinator (Refugee Officer), the consultant will accomplish the following tasks: 

1. Capacity strengthening of district health staff and community volunteers on community mobilization, treatment of acute malnutrition, IYCF counselling and micronutrient supplementation. This includes ensuring:

   1. Readiness of trainers, training material and job aids
   2. Selection of staff and community volunteers
   3. Readiness of other required logistics
   4. Supervision of training sessions
   5. Create, maintain and update a training database

2. Supportive supervision and mentorship to trained health staff and community volunteers for quality nutrition services delivery to under five children, pregnant and lactating women and elderly:

   1. Community mobilization and active case finding and referral through monthly door-to-door MUAC screening sessions by community volunteers
   2. Defaulter tracing by community volunteers
   3. Treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition as per national standards
   4. Micronutrient supplementation and deworming
   5. Prevention of undernutrition through nutrition education and blanket feeding
3. Referral of special cases for other services, such as, water and sanitation, education, child protection, health, etc.

4. Continuous monitoring of the nutrition situation and the delivery of nutrition services:

   1. Review and ensure availability of monitoring tools
   2. Ensure completeness and timeliness of reporting from community volunteers and health staff
   3. Regular review of stocks of commodities for nutrition services
   4. Data management, including an analytical interpretation of best available information in order to benchmark progress of the emergency response over time,
   5. Provide feedback to DHO with relevant recommendations for quality improvement/maintenance of service delivery and monitoring
   6. Provide weekly updates to NFNC with copy to UNICEF

5. Active contribution to the multi sectoral emergency response coordination at district and national level

1. Active participation at District health coordination meeting
2. Active participation at District multi sectoral emergency response coordination meetings
3. Weekly updates and monthly report to NFNC and MoH with copy to UNICEF.

Expected Deliverables

The key deliverables of this consultancy are:

• Training report and database for health staff and community volunteers;
• Timely and complete weekly updates, including a description of the situation of nutrition and the service delivery, as well as key deliberations and recommendations from coordination meetings;
• Timely and complete monthly reports submitted to NFNC and MoH with copy to UNICEF. The report must include the status of the assigned tasks, as well as the results related to coverage and quality of nutrition services.

Reporting Requirements:

• The deliverables defined above will meet the reporting requirements. The overall process will be overseen by the Nutrition Specialist), UNICEF, whom the selected consultant will be answerable to for the fulfilment of this assignment. 
• All documents (reports and PowerPoint presentations) will be submitted in English to the contract supervisor in soft and hard copy in “word” format.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate 

Education

• University degree in Nutrition, Public/Community Nutrition, Public/Community Health

Years of relevant experience

• At least four years of relevant experience (programming in IMAM/IYCF services; public participation; workshop preparation and animation; capacity development; community participation; facilitating dialogue; health sector governance);

Additional Knowledge Required

• Strong track record of working with multiple stakeholders (including governments, civil society organizations, grassroots organizations, UN agencies, donors etc.);
• Familiarity with Nutrition programming in emergencies;
• Excellent communication skills (writing of documents for senior level audience; fluency in English);

Competencies of Successful Candidate 

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.