Consultant - Global Action Plan on prevention and management of Anaemia

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the development of a Global Action Plan on the prevention and management of anaemia and in the formation of an Alliance for Anaemia Actions with WHO partners.

Background

The global burden of anaemia is recognized as one of the critical areas to address in the triple burden of malnutrition (undernutrition in the form of stunting and wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity). Recent WHO estimates of the global prevalence of anaemia indicate that 40% (269 million) of children 6-59 months of age, 37% (32 million) of pregnant women, and 30% (571 million) of women of reproductive age are affected by anaemia, with the WHO Regions of Africa and South-East Asia being most affected.

Although effective interventions are currently available and efforts have been made to increase awareness and action, the world is not on track for halving the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age by 2030 (SDG Indicator 2.2.3). Recently produced trends in the prevalence of anaemia for the years 2000 to 2019 indicate a slower decline in anaemia prevalence since 2010, as compared to the period 2000 to 2010. These trends indicate that only five countries have a ≥25% probability of meeting the Global nutrition target on anaemia.

The main determinants of anaemia include nutritional deficiencies, genetic haemoglobin disorders, infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and hookworm, and various conditions (e.g. gynaecological conditions in women, gastrointestinal disease, chronic kidney disease) that lead to blood loss or the destruction of red blood cells. Socioeconomic status, education, and gender inequality are tightly linked to anaemia, and affect its prevalence through several pathways. National studies are needed on the aetiology and distribution of anaemia, including on the causes of mild and moderate anaemia which tend to differ from those of severe anaemia. These studies will be critical for determining the most appropriate mix of interventions, and sectors necessary to engage for effective action (e.g. nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, poverty alleviation, agriculture, education).

WHO is planning to work with UN partner agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations, country and regional representatives, as well as all other relevant stakeholders in the development of a Global Action Plan (GAP) on the prevention and management of anaemia in order to step up leadership and facilitate coordination among these critical actors. The overall goal for developing a GAP on anaemia is to provide strategic, effective, and implementable actions for reducing anaemia and contribute to improving maternal and newborn health and wellbeing through achievement of the global nutrition and SDG targets on anaemia. Additionally, an Alliance for Anaemia Actions will be established to support the implementation of the GAP.

Deliverables

Output 1

Conduct situation analysis on what is currently known about the magnitude and distribution of anaemia, its determinants, country policies for the prevention and control of anaemia, and coverage of programmes addressing anaemia.

• Deliverable 1.1: Report of the results of the situation analysis on anaemia. Expected by: February 2022

Output 2: Facilitate the coordination of working group and advisory group meetings, and a Technical consultation with stakeholders, on priority areas to be covered in the Global Action Plan.

• Deliverable 2.1: Support working group meetings, take minutes and incorporate feedback on Global Action Plan. Expected by: February - September 2022
• Deliverable 2.2: Participate to biweekly or monthly (as needed) technical advisory group meetings and take minutes of meetings. Expected by: January - November 2022
• Deliverable 2.3: Facilitate technical consultation held with stakeholders. Expected by: March 2022

Output 3: Coordinate the development of a draft outline of the global action plan.

• Deliverable 3.1: Oversee the coordination of working groups for each priority area to develop a draft outline of the essential components to be addressed within the priority area. Expected by: April 2022
• Deliverable 3.2: Gather components of each outline developed by working group into one overarching outline/framework.Expected by: May 2022
• Deliverable 3.3: Hold regional meetings and solicit public comment on the draft framework and incorporate feedback. Expected by: June - August 2022

Output 4: Contribute to the development of a model roadmap for adaptation by countries in the development of national plans on the prevention and management of anaemia

• Deliverable 4.1: Draft model roadmap. Expected by: September - October 2022
• Deliverable 4.2: Participate in regional meetings on the draft model roadmap and incorporate feedback. Expected by: October - September 2022
• Deliverable 4.3: Final roadmap. Expected by: November 2022

Output 5: Contribute to the establishment of the Alliance for Anaemia Actions with global partners

• Deliverable 5.1: Develop a comprehensive landscaping of actors/partners working in anaemia. Expected by: January - February 2022
• Deliverable 5.2: Facilitate the organization and note-taking of meetings among stakeholders and working groups. Expected by: January - November 2022

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Advanced degree in nutrition or public health.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years’ experience in the field of public health, including nutrition
• 5 years’ experience in partnerships and collaboration among international partners
• 10 years’ experience in developing technical reports and documents

Desirable:

5 years’ experience in anaemia programmes

Skills/Knowledge:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Lanugage required

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

Knowledge of a second UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish)

Location

Home based – Off-site

Travel

Up to two travels to Geneva may be needed during the contract period in order to attend meetings.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C

USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months
1 January 2022 to 30 November 2022

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html