Country: Thailand
Closing date: 04 Feb 2016
The Nutrition Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Office is seeking an individual consultant to conduct statistical analysis of nutrition data, and develop recommendations for implementation of multi-country nutrition and early child development (ECD) and adolescent nutrition programmes in East Asia and Pacific Region.
Work Assignment and Expected Deliverable:
Under the supervision of the Regional Advisor Nutrition, the consultant will perform the following tasks:
i) Conduct Re-analysis of MYCNSIA Data for Philippines (20 working days)
For the baseline and end-line surveys for the Maternal and Young Child Nutrition Security Initiative in Asia (MYCNSIA) project in 2015 conduct a thorough and independent investigation of the survey and data quality for both the end-line and baseline is needed and comparison with other surveys. The consultant will conduct a review of the data collection methodology, survey methods, and statistical analysis of baseline and end-line MYCNSIA survey to validate raw data and data findings. From the re-analysis findings, provide interpretation of the effect of the programme with influencing variables to children’s nutrition status and behaviors and practices of caregivers.
Deliverables: Findings report on the re-analysis of survey data and interpretation of findings against programme objectives.
ii) EAPRO support for roll out of ECD-Nutrition and Adolescent Toolkits (estimate 30 days)
General guidance was produced in 2015 for UNICEF ECD and nutrition focal points on the design of an integrated early child development programme with nutrition and health with recommended action points for UNICEF to prioritize. Along similar lines, a toolkit on adolescent nutrition was also produced, with a focus on the school setting. The proposed second phase of the work on both areas involves working with specific country teams to develop country specific recommendations on key points of integration for nutrition and ECD/education and to provide technical assistance in the implementation of recommendations through the development of action plans and through piloting of key recommendations.
There are two categories of countries proposed. The first category is countries with existing integrated ECD platforms such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines. In these countries, the consultant will work with UNICEF nutrition and ECD focal points to develop country specific recommendations on strengthening existing platforms of service delivery to provide key ECD and nutrition interventions. The consultant will provide technical assistance in modifying global and regional documents to each country context, provide assistance to develop action plans for UNICEF based on recommendations and in piloting key activities based on UNICEF core competencies.
The second category of countries proposed for the contract are countries with developing integrated ECD programmes such as Laos and DPR Korea. In these countries, the consultant will work with nutrition and ECD focal points to develop targeted recommendations based on available platforms for ECD, health and nutrition and provide technical assistance to pilot recommendations where available. In addition, the consultant will provide overall advocacy and technical support to increase awareness for integration ECD.
For adolescent nutrition, the toolkit requires further work to incorporate analysis of existing WHO mapping and efforts and produce and conduct a webinar session. At least three countries which have prioritized this area – Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia (the latter under assignments 4) – will be supported in the initial analysis and design phase of UNICEF support. If opportunities arise, the consultant will also contribute to the development of funding proposals for further EAPRO work in the areas of adolescent nutrition and overweight/obesity.
Deliverables
Key deliverables include country specific recommendations for the integration of ECD and nutrition and for adolescent nutrition within existing platforms and action plans for UNICEF based on determined core competencies. For specific countries, technical assistance may be provided for piloting of developed action plans in which written documentation of activities will be provided. As needed, the consultant will provide assistance with the development of publications and documentation of activities.
Other countries may also add support for data analysis or roll-out of the ECD-Nutrition and Adolescent Nutrition Toolkits during the year.
iii) Nutrition Technical Support to Malaysia Country Office for new country programme action plan (CPAP) 2016-2020 (30 days)
The Malaysia new CPAP has reflected a number of outputs for nutrition, to address both undernutrition and overnutrition and to improve the quality of available nutrition data, in its new country programme; thus the CO has requested consultancy support to conduct a study with Ministry of Health (MOH) on “double-burden” – viz, malnutrition for young under-5 children + obesity among adolescents/young people in Malaysia, including reviewing the existing policy and strategy and conducting a landscape analysis of programmatic actions and gaps. Advice from a nutrition perspective is sought on engagement with the private/corporate sector – as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR)/corporate engagement work – on food labelling, legislation, monitoring, etc. Further, in collaboration with the MOH and Ministry of Education(MOE), support is sought to advocate and provide technical support for improving school curriculum on healthy lifestyles (including the ECD and Adolescents Toolkits), and also on communications and Public Advocacy – including using communication for development (C4D) approaches to address social norms, etc. – public service announcement (PSAs), communication tools. Three missions to Malaysia are also requested during the year.
Deliverables: Report on review of policy and landscape analysis of the double burden; proposals for improved nutrition data; PowerPoint presentations and reports as requested for advocacy and guidance for nutrition-ECD, adolescent nutrition and nutrition legislation activity implementation and support; inputs on C4D as required.
Work Schedule and Expected deliverables:
Main Tasks: i. Conduct Re-analysis of MYCNSIA Data for Philippines
Deliverable: Findings report on the re-analysis of survey data and interpretation of findings against programme objectives.
Deadline: 10 March 2016
Estimated # working days: 20 days
Main Tasks: ii. EAPRO support for roll out of ECD-Nutrition and Adolescent Toolkits
Deliverable:
a. Country specific webinars, recommendations and roadmaps for the integration of ECD and nutrition and adolescent; nutrition/overweight prevention within existing platforms; adolescent toolkit completed
Deadline and Estimated # working days: 31 March 2016 (20 days), 31 July 2016 (5 days)
b. Recommendations and action plans for selected countries; funding proposals.
Deadline and Estimated # working days:15 December 2016 (5 days)
Main Tasks: iii. Nutrition Technical Support to Malaysia Country Office (MCO) for new CPAP
Deliverable:
a. Report on review of policy and landscape analysis of the double burden; proposals for improved nutrition data;
b. PowerPoint presentations and reports as requested for advocacy and guidance for nutrition-ECD, adolescent nutrition activity implementation;
c. 2 visits;
Deadline: and Estimated # working days: 31 July 2016 (15 days)
d. Reports and recommendations on advancing nutrition legislation and support; inputs on C4D as required;
e. 1 visit.
Deadline: and Estimated # working days: 15 December 2016 (15 days)
Estimated Duration of Contract: 80 working days during the period 15 February 2016 – 31 December 2016.
Official Travel: 3 visits to Kuala Lumpur; 1 visit to Indonesia; other travel to countries may be required in agreement with supervisor of the contract.
Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:
- Advanced University degree in Nutrition; Ph.D. an asset.
- At least eight years professional experience in nutrition.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of UNICEF’s global and regional nutrition strategies and priorities; knowledge of the EAPR countries and nutrition issues and programming an asset.
- Knowledge of early childhood development, adolescent nutrition and overweight/obesity.
- Experience in research, surveys and data analysis on nutrition issues.
- Proven ability to exercise analytical and conceptual thinking.
- Proven skills in communication, networking, policy advice, advocacy, and negotiation.
- Experience on training and capacity development for undertaking nutrition surveys and analyzing and interpreting data.
- Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
- Computer skills in software to analyze large data sets.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to submit CV or P-11, full contact information of minimum 2 references, availability, proposed daily professional fee and all-inclusive travel costs to/from, and within Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta in USD by 24:00 hrs. Bangkok time, 4 February 2016 to hrbangkok@unicef.org Please note the air tickets
under UNICEF contract shall be re-routable, refundable type (economy class and most direct route). The consultant will be responsible for own travel insurance, visa fee and terminal expenses.
----------------- Only short listed candidates will be notified. -----------------