Consultancy to monitor the coverage of nutrition-specific interventions in South Asia.

Strengthen nutrition information systems to monitor the coverage of nutrition-specific interventions in South Asia

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Purpose:

1. Conduct a mapping of the current ability of routine health and nutrition programme information systems to gather and report data on the coverage of nutrition-specific interventions in the eight countries of South Asia; and
2. Identify sources to collect key indicators related to the coverage and performance of services to treat SAM, and gaps in information system for the collection and reporting of these data in six countries of South Asia.

Under the guidance of the Regional Nutrition Adviser and with the support from ROSA nutrition team, the consultant will undertake the following work:

Phase 1: Conduct mapping of the current ability of routine health and nutrition programme information systems to gather and report data on the coverage of nutrition-specific interventions in the eight countries of South Asia (in collaboration with IFPRI)

 Key tasks:

• In coordination with UNICEF ROSA and IFPRI, design the mapping exercise, including the development of data collection instruments. See Box 1 for examples of the types of information that will be collected through the mapping exercise.
• Gather data and information for the mapping through a variety of means, including review of existing information (e.g. GAVI tracking sheet, DHIS2 tracking, online data portals), online surveys of country offices, document reviews and key informant interviews.
• Identify the main barriers and bottlenecks to the integration of nutrition indicators into HMIS and other routine information systems, and the actions required to address them. Also identify factors that support or hinder the use of data for action in these systems.
• Produce a report on the findings of the mapping exercise, including an inventory of country specific information and insights from the interviews.
• Conduct a webinar to share the findings with UNICEF ROSA, UNICEF country office staff, IFPRI and other stakeholders.

Phase 2: Identify sources of data collection for indicators related to the coverage and performance of services to treat SAM children in six countries of South Asia, and list information system gaps and capacity needs for the collection and reporting of these data.

 Key tasks:

• Based on the initial mapping (Phase 1), identify for each key indicator related to wasting the sources of data collection (HMIS, UNICEF or other information systems), the accuracy and frequency of reporting by UNICEF country offices.
• Assess the data collection methods and the comprehensiveness of nutrition indicators included in the routine information systems used by national governments and UNICEF country offices and identify potential gaps and challenges.
• In collaboration with country offices in South Asia, the planning section at ROSA and based on gaps identified, revise, update and/or provide recommendations on the nutrition data collection and reporting tools using existing national and/or UNICEF reporting systems (HMIS, NutriDash, SMQ, etc).
• Identify capacity needs of country office nutrition teams (including but not limited to training) on information management related to SAM treatment.
• Assess the feasibility for UNICEF Country offices to regularly report on SAM indicators and provide recommendations to both country and regional offices to develop a tracking system that will benefit to all offices.
• Organize and run a webinar to country and regional nutrition teams on the findings of the mapping (Phase 1) and the update and recommendations provided in Phase 2.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: Advanced university degree in health, nutrition, information management or related disciplines.

Work experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in nutrition programming, knowledge/information management or a related field.

• Experience of working on health and nutrition information systems in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with experience of working with public health nutrition data.
• Experience in monitoring programmes on the community-based management of acute malnutrition is an advantage.

Excellent oral and written English skills required

Competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills including use of HMIS data and system and other nutrition information systems (knowledge of UNICEF nutrition information systems an asset).
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify bottlenecks to improve information systems and provide recommendations.
• Excellent organization skills, drive for results and team work.

Working Conditions:

The consultant will be required to be in the ROSA Office for the inception period to facilitate briefings and orientation with nutrition and planning sections and allow rapid review and endorsement of the inception report. Thereafter, the assignment will be home-based, with regular communication with UNICEF ROSA as well as all country offices in the region. UNICEF ROSA will facilitate introductions to relevant UNICEF country office staff in the region. The consultant is expected to have a computer and telecommunication access for regular Skype calls.

Duration: 60 working days over four months, beginning October 2019 (start date is negotiable)

Note: Please quote your daily rate and other cost estimates while submitting the application. Application without daily rate, etc. will not be entertained.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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