Consultant_Developing the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)

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Vacancy Announcement

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JOB TITLE: Consultants for developing the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)

TYPE & LEVEL OF CONTRACT: National Consultant, SC9

NUMBER OF POSITION : 2

UNIT/DIVISION: Nutrition Unit/ UNREACH hosted by WFP

DUTY STATION (City, Country):  Basically, based in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Other locations with remote work may be possible as needed and discussed.

REPORT TO: Head of Nutrition

DURATION: 12 months (with possible extension)

OPENING DATE OF APPLICATION: 05 December 2022

CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION: 19 December 2022

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THR ASSIGMENT

Food Based Dietary Guideline (FBDG) offers country-specific advice and recommendations on food and nutrient intake and healthy diets to promote health and well-being and to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases in a country. Additionally, FBDG shall inform agricultural diversification for sustainable food production for healthy and diversified diets.

The development of FBDG is based on scientific evidence that links food intakes and dietary patterns to optimal growth and development, health maintenance and well-being, and disease prevention, The developmental process follows a set of globally accepted standard methodology and rigorous consultation with multi-stakeholders. The FBDG prototypes would be pilot tested before finalization of key FBDG recommendations, messages and related graphics. Therefore, FBDG development is an evidence-based process. The package of FBDG outputs are context specific and user friendly for Myanmar people, namely behavior change Communication (BCC) materials, food atlas and food exchange lists for different food groups.

In Myanmar, the first FBDG was developed and published in 2003. FBDG was being revised from time to time, and the third edition was published in Myanmar language in 2007. The FBDG focused broadly on general messages/guidance.

Due to needs of the revision and update to address evolving nutrition and health concerns in the wider target populations, the revision of FBDG was initiated developed for specific age groups as well as physiological groups since 2019. During 2020 and 2021, the process became delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and the political instabilities. Yet, two sets of FBDGs were developed for Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and Children Under five years of age (CU5) by forming the Interim Technical Task Force (ITTF) in 2022, in order to synergize efforts from different agencies working on nutrition guidelines development for specific target groups and to avoid duplication of efforts.

While partners started implementing the FBDGs for PLW and CU5, the ITTF agreed to continue the development additional three sets of FBDGs for age school children, adolescents, and adults for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention. Each age group has a technical lead agency, and the below are assigned agencies for each age group.

• WFP for school children
• UNFPA for adolescents
• WHO for adult and diet related NCD

There will be two national consultants and one international consultant who will be responsible for the development of three FBDGs, in close collaboration and supervision of ITTF members.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop the FBDGs in the Myanmar context in close collaboration with technical partners such as UN Network, FAO, WHO, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, etc. This is a joint UN effort to develop FBDGs, and its roll out and dissemination to fight against all types of malnutrition in Myanmar. The national consultant will be responsible for developing the Evidence Reviews and providing support to FBDG ITTF members mainly at the national level.

The ER is a part of them. Based on the developed ER under this contract, other parts of the FBDGs are expected to continue being developed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To perform evidence-based review of literature and related existing dietary practice in the context of Myanmar and to develop three ERs for Adult and diet related  Non-communicable disease (NCD), School children (5 to 9 years old) and adolescents (10 to 19 years old) in collaboration with other national consultant and international consultant, in consultation with/under supervision of ITTF members in following items. The ER will be the foundation of the FBDGs which gather, assess and analyze the evidence and information underlying food, diet, lifestyle and health as well as the food environment influencing people’s choices. It also increases transparency of how dietary recommendations are developed. Based on the ER, recommendations, key messages, and IEC materials are developed.

• Food production, sustainability, and agro-ecological potential
• Food consumption, dietary pattern, nutrient intake
• Food availability, access, and safety
• Review of nutrition and health policies and programs
• Food environment and settings
• Exposure to food and nutrition information
• Behaviors, food related habits and practices
• Risk factors and problem associated with diet

2. To conduct Literature Review and analysis to serve the scientific basis for FBDGs development for school age children, adolescents and adults:

• Energy and macro- and micro-nutrient requirements.
• Global science-based evidence on food intakes and dietary patterns that promote optimal growth, good health and well-being, and disease prevention including non-communicable diseases.

Additional food composition data needed for supporting foods and food groupings in the optimal diet models.

3. Provide inputs and coordinate the drafting of IEC materials: poster, graphics, handbook, and provide support for the IEC materials endorsement process by the ITTF members.

4. To ensure coherence on the process of FBDGs development, including food and food groupings, graphics, key recommendations and messages of the three new sets of FBDGs, with those of already developed FBDGs in 2021-22 (PLW and CU5).

5. To provide inputs in the development of strategies, guidelines and roll out plan for communication, advocacy and implementation.

6. To present progress of the FBDG development

7. To provide inputs in development of Training of Trainers (TOT) packages and, participate and facilitate workshops/ TOT or advocacy as needed.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• The specific workplan to be developed and agreed by technical supervisors and ITTF.
• Implement the workplan, monitor, update progress with the FBDG development regularly to ITTF.
• The ERs to be developed for Adult and Non-communicable disease (NCD), School children (5 to 9 years old) adolescents (10 to 19 years old), in collaboration with another national consultant and international consultant.
• Three evidence reviews (ER) report to be developed for the assigned age groups in collaboration with the national consultants and ITTF
  • School children
  • Adolescent
  • Adult and non-communicable diseases (NCD)
• The Report on the scientific basis for setting FBDGs recommendations for the target populations,
• IEC materials: posters, graphics, booklets, etc., ToT training packages, support the revision of FBDGs communications and implementation plans,
• Pilot test developed material in collaboration with the ITTF members.

SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

• Administratively,
  • WFP to convey the recruitment process for national consultant, and WFP nutrition unit head to be the overall supervisor administratively and logistically.
  • Daily administrative and logistic work for consultant to be managed by UNN in close coordination and communication with WFP.

• Technically,
  • FAO to lead the process and provide overall technical supervision on the national consultant in consultation with ITTF.
  • Each technical lead UN agency to provide technical inputs and supervise/manage day-to-day work on each age group.
  • The national consultants work under the guidance of the international consultant to develop the FBDGs.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:       Completed Master's degree from an accredited academic institution preferably in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health or any discipline related to Nutrition.

Experience:     Minimum of 3 years professional experience in food and nutrition, public health or a related field; In lieu of Master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree could be acceptable with 5 years of relevant working experience in abovementioned sectors.

                         Experience in engaging with diverse nutrition stakeholders.

                         Prior experience in survey, data analysis and evidence generation.

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Excellent knowledge on nutrition, food security and health system in Myanmar is mandatory.
• Knowledge and experience in nutrition, food security or health related surveys and assessments in Myanmar.
• Knowledge and experience in analyzing scientific data and writing scientific reports, including evidence in publishing papers
•  Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills to proactively establish and maintain working relations, and to promote synergies with other stakeholders.
• Ability to take initiatives and work independently and systematically.
• Knowledge and experience on FBDG.
• Knowledge and experience with development of nutrition and food security guidelines.
• Knowledge and experience in working with UN and NGOs.
• Strong skills in using Microsoft software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Language:       Ability to write clearly and precisely in English. Fluency in spoken English is required.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. At WFP, we are driven and defined by our mission to fight world hunger, save lives, feed people’s dreams of a brighter future, reduce risk and help enable people, communities and countries meet their own food and nutrition needs. WFP goes anywhere it’s needed and does what it takes to get the job done. You will find our people at the heart of every major humanitarian intervention around the world, providing the essential life-saving foundation required for those furthest behind. Each year, we reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries. Delivering our mission requires deep respect for personal and cultural differences and close collaboration between every member of our global team. While the 16,000-people working for WFP reflect the rich diversity of the world in which we work, the vital importance of our shared mission underpins a remarkably close community of purpose.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is offering life-changing job opportunities you are unlikely to find in other organizations. Working at WFP will give you the opportunity to work beyond your expectations, to be enriched by truly meaningful work and deepen your professional expertise.

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.