date: 05 Oct 2016
VACANCY#:
UNICEF/MLW/2016/011
- BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
In Malawi 63% of children under five
were considered to be anemic and 37% of children under five were found to be
stunt
ed, with stunting slightly higher among male children (39% percent) than
among female children (35%) as identified by the Malawi Demographic Health
Survey (MDHS 2015-16). In addition, infant and young child feeding (IYCF)
practices are sub-optimal, with only 8% of children 6-23 months receiving
minimum acceptable diet[1] as compared to 19% in 2010[2]. Insufficient
nutrition (including inadequate calories, protein, or micronutrients) can have
detrimental effect on the health, growth and development of young children.
Inadequate nutrition can lead to improper growth, characterized by stunting,
wasting or underweight. It can also lead to micronutrient deficiencies (i.e.
iron, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies) which are associated with a range of
problems including impaired immunity, vision problems, and impaired cognitive
development[3]. The consequences of poor nutrition are pronounced among
children 6-23 months of age as this is a period of rapid growth and development
characterized by high nutritional needs. As a result, children 6-23 months are
at the greatest risk of developing micronutrient deficiencies and stunted
growth.
The National Micronutrient
Strategy has identified Home Fortification through the use of Micronutrient
Powders (MNP) in complementary foods for children starting at the age of 6
months up to two years as one of the key strategies for reducing micronutrient
deficiencies. Home Fortification with MNP is being introduced by the Government
of Malawi through an integrated community based nutrition platform as part of
the strategy to improve the quality, quantity and frequency of complementary
feeding for young children.
Home Fortification using MNP has
been selected as a complementary strategy in Malawi as it will promote improved
quality, quantity and frequency of complementary feeding and build on
caregiver’s existing knowledge of good nutrition and appropriate IYCF
practices. Trainings on the appropriate use of MNP will reinforce existing
positive practices such as the enriching porridges, appropriate complementary
feeding as well as build resilience by promoting the use and demonstrating how
to prepare a balanced diet using locally available ingredients. The introduction
of Home Fortification in Malawi
will also provide an opportunity for capacity building among service providers
in nutrition education, IYCF and supply management.
- CONSULTANCY SCOPE OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The key purpose of the assignment
is to provide technical leadership and oversight support to Ministry of Health
(DNHA) and UNICEF Malawi in the implementation of the home fortification
program using MNPs, while ensuring effective coordination and collaboration
with key stakeholders.
The selected consultant will
assist in undertaking the following activities:
Conduct
training of national level trainers in collaboration with the MNP taskforce
Work
with National MNP taskforce to support training of district health team members
on implementation of MNPs
Provide
technical support and mentorship to district health team members in orientation
of frontline workers and implementation of MNPs at community level
Support
implementation of communication activities for sensitization of communities on
MNPs
Support
integration of MNP implementation with existing IYCF and SUN care group
activities
Support
ongoing quantification of MNP requirements at district and national levels to
ensure timely procurement and distribution of MNPs to districts
Take
leadership in the development of a process document, to inform national scale
up
Provide
technical leadership in revision of existing materials for communication,
implementation, training, monitoring and evaluation as the different phases of
MNP roll out are implemented
Document
and share key lessons learned and best practices through existing Technical
working group foras
development of monthly distribution plans and any other supply chain logistics
related activities for MNPs
progress in roll out of MNPs including key progress indicators to be shared in
various coordination foras
4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
Under the guidance of Chief,
Nutrition and in consultation with Nutrition Specialist (L3), the incumbent
will develop deliverables for each month that is accepted and signed by Chief,
Nutrition in accordance with table below. This document will be referred to as
the Monthly Deliverable Schedule and 1/8th of value of the
consultancy will be paid upon successful submission of deliverables.
Task
Deliverable
Timeframe
Develop a detailed plan of action
for phased roll out of MNPs in line with national road map and implementation
plan
Action plan developed
Within 2 weeks of assuming
assignment
Develop guidelines for
mentorship, support and supervision of district health teams
Guideline developed
Within 4 weeks of assuming
assignment
Develop monthly distribution plan
for MNPs for districts
Distribution plan available
At the end of every month; monthly
payment will be made based on satisfactory submission of key end of month
deliverable plus these four key deliverables
Travel to the field and conduct
monthly support, mentoring and coaching to districts implementing MNPs
Detailed monthly district reports
with key progress indicators; lessons learned and best practices documented
Conduct monthly MNP taskforce
meetings and presentation of updates and progress reports
Meeting minutes, monthly update
report compiled
Support training of new districts
(when applicable)
Training reports
Review and update training
package
Training package updated
8 weeks from assuming assignment
Review and update MNP guidelines
Guidelines updated informed by
phase 1 and 2 implementation
12 weeks from assuming assignment
Review and update MNP Monitoring
and evaluation framework and tools
MNP Monitoring and evaluation
tools updated
16 weeks for assuming assignment
Review and update MNP IEC
materials
MNP IEC materials updated
20 weeks from assuming assignment
Support national launch of MNPs
in Malawi
MNP launch report
24 weeks from assuming assignment
Develop supply chain logistics
standard operating procedures for MNPS
Standard operating procedures for
MNPS in place
28 weeks from assuming assignment
Compile MNPs process
documentation
MNP process document in place
32 weeks from assuming assignment
5. LOCATION
AND DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
Assignment will be for 8 months
based in Lilongwe, Malawi with monthly travel to
implementation districts.
6. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
AND SPECIALISED EXPERIENCE
Master’s
degree in Nutrition, Public Health or other related Social Science
Minimum
of 5 years of experience working in the area of Micronutrient powders
Knowledge
and experience on Nutrition and child health programs related to design and
implementation of MNPs.
Documentation
experience in designing, coordinating and analysing quantitative and
qualitative research
Experience
in C4D and communication methods for uptake of nutrition programs
Previous
experience in developing IEC materials, monitoring tools and reports for MNPs.
Experience
working with governments, NGOS, UN agencies or other relevant development
partners.
Required for the Consultancy:
Proficient
in English
7. CONDITIONS (IMPORTANT)
The
consultant will be paid based on the deliverables
Consultant
will not be paid for working weekends and public holidays
All
remunerations will be within the contract agreement
No
contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the
consultant
No
consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the
commencement of the journey to the duty station.
The
consultant will be required to sign the health statement for consultants/individual
contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have
appropriate health insurance, if applicable.
The
Form ‘Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary’ has to be completed by
the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
The
consultant is not entitled to payment of overtime
[1] MDHS. Malawi Demographic
Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba, Malawi, National Statistical Office, May 2016.
[2] MDHS. Malawi Demographic
Health Survey 2010. Zomba, Malawi, National Statistical Office, September 2011.
[3] HF-TAG. A Manual for
Developing and Implementing Monitoring Systems for Home Fortification
Interventions. April 2013.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Qualified candidates are
requested to submit:-
A cover letter, performance
evaluation report (if applicable), CV and Personal History Form (P-11 form) to
be downloaded from the website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html),
a financial proposal (including all eligible fees, transportations and DSA for
desktop research, data collection, and fieldwork, communication, presentation
costs) on or before 05
October 2016 via e-mail address: hrmalawi@unicef.org
NOTE:
UNICEF
is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified
candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
Only
shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.
Applications
sent through the post office or hand delivered is not accepted.
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