Consultancy: Update UNICEF’s Programming Guide on Infant and Young Child Feeding, Nutrition Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition #513029

UNICEF’s Programming Guide on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) was developed by UNICEF in 2011. Since then, the guide has been serving as a single reference document on IYCF programming to guide programme planners and implementers in countries across the regions. The programme guide is primarily used by UNICEF staff, and by some partners. The guide contains detailed programming information and recommendations on IYCF, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding and infant feeding in general and in especially difficult circumstances including in the context of HIV and in emergencies.

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Summary:

Working closely with the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Senior Advisor and other team members of the Early Childhood Nutrition, the consultant will work on updating UNICEF’s existing programming guide on IYCF with a focus on improving young children’s diets in the first 2 years of life. As part of updating the programme guide, the consultant will be expected to undertake a series of tasks involving, literature review, drawing programme pathways, developing multi-sectoral action frameworks, updating existing guidance in light of up-to-date global guidance and coordinating the review and finalization process of the updated guide.

Purpose of the Positions

UNICEF’s Programming Guide on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) was developed by UNICEF in 2011. Since then, the guide has been serving as a single reference document on IYCF programming to guide programme planners and implementers in countries across the regions. The programme guide is primarily used by UNICEF staff, and by some partners. The guide contains detailed programming information and recommendations on IYCF, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding and infant feeding in general and in especially difficult circumstances including in the context of HIV and in emergencies.

Between 2011 and 2018, IYCF programming evidence has evolved and we have better understanding of the IYCF programme approaches together with Global updates and recommendations. With this and drawing on experience of using the existing guide, there is a need to update the existing IYCF programming guide to-

1. reflect most recent evidence and recommendations,
2. provide detailed programme guidance on complementary feeding, especially defining its linkages with other sectors, and,
3. update/revise it to improve narrative to be more ‘actionable’, concise, user friendly and visually appealing.

UNICEF HQ is seeking to hire a full-time consultant, who will work closely with members of UNICEF Early Childhood Nutrition team, to update the programme guidance within the set timeframe.

Work location

The position will preferably be office-based in UNICEF HQ, New York and may involve 2-3 travels to relevant meetings (need-based).  All daily rates should account for insurance and related costs. Official travel away from home will be paid separately with daily travel allowances.

Duration of Contract

Start Date: 15 June 2018
End Date: 15 May 2019

Key responsibilities

• Developing the structure of updated IYCF programming guide (UNICEF’s programming guide to improve the diets of young children)
• Updating the modules on IYCF general concepts and enabling environment
• Developing the Complementary Feeding Module, which will involve literature review, revisiting existing conceptual frameworks around stunting, complementary feeding and diet quality linkages to food systems, developing action framework/s with defined programme pathways and linkages with key delivery systems, coordinating the review and finalization of the overall complementary feeding module and development of briefs and presentations (and other tools as needed) for key components of module to facilitate consensus building and sharing with partners and regional offices
• Updating other modules of programme guide to reflect most recent evidence and recommendations and improve the narrative to be more ‘actionable’ and user friendly together with providing links to relevant resources.
• Coordinating the review of the updated programming guide
• Incorporate feedback and finalization of all modules of the updated programming guide together with development of needed tools (briefs, presentation etc).

Key Expected Results/Deliverables

Overall Deliverables:

1. Agreed structure of updated IYCF programming guide
2. Complementary feeding module including new sub-modules
3. Updated Programme guidance with all modules revised

Note: The sequence of deliverables listed below can change during the course of consultancy based on the agreed structure of the programme guide.

Qualifications of the Successful Candidate

• An Advanced University Degree in Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, International Health and Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition, or other nutrition-related science field is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in Public Health Nutrition
• Proven experience in the area of complementary feeding programming, IYCF programme design and implementation and in conducting literature reviews is a major asset.
• Expertise in Infant and Young Child Nutrition is an asset.

Competencies:

• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills
• Demonstrable analytical and research skills, review and synthesis of data and information       
• Excellent oral and written English skills are required.

Evaluation method

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individuals or consultants or vendors whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical skills and financial proposal specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: (80%)
Financial Criteria Weight: (20%)

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.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.