Afrique

UNICEF recruits 01 Consultancy, Development of the National Food Fortification Strategy in Namibia

UNICEF recruits 01 Consultancy, Development of the National Food Fortification Strategy in Namibia

Consultancy, Development of the National Food Fortification Strategy in Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia (for Internationals only)
Job Number: 519968 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Namibia
Work Type : Consultancy
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1.0 Background and Justification
Micronutrient malnutrition is a significant challenge to Namibia’s efforts to sustainable social and economic development. It’s responsible for impaired brain development causing mental retardation in children[1], poor pregnancy outcomes, reduced productivity, academic performance and earning capacity as adults. The most common forms of micronutrient deficiencies include; vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, iodine deficiency disorders and zinc deficiency. Iodine deficiency in utero and childhood can result in the loss of up to 13.5 IQ points that affects learning ability and overall academic performance[2]. Children born to mothers with deficiencies’ in iodine, iron, folic acid and vitamin A are likely to be small at birth, and at much greater risk of permanent physical or mental disability and death. Anaemia and iron deficiency reduce individuals well-being, cause fatique and lethargy, and impair physical capacity and work performance[3]. Maternal anaemia is associated with mortality and morbidity in the mothers and baby, including risks of miscarriages, stillbirths, prematurity and low birth weight[4].
The Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 2013 indicates that 24% of children under-five years are stunted and 6% are wasted. Forty eight percent (48%) of children 6-59 months are anaemic with prevalence increasing with the age of the children signifying the poor feeding and hygiene practices characteristic of this age group. In fact, NDHS, 2013 shows that only 31% and 13% of children 6-23 months received the minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diets. This coupled with poor sanitation-70% of households in rural areas practicing open defecation puts children at greater risk of worm infestation and diarrhoeal diseases[5]. Among pregnant mothers, NDHS shows that 26% are anaemic and prevalence rate is higher in rural than urban areas[6]. Moreover, only 39 percent of pregnant women were reported to have taken iron tablets as per WHO recommendations. Only 7 percent of pregnant women took deworming tablets and 76 percent slept in households that consumed iodised salt.
The World Health Organisation has recommended several interventions to fight micronutrient malnutrition in the population and notable of these is food fortification. Food fortification has proved an effective strategy to fight micronutrient deficiencies in the populations where existing food supplies and limited access fail to provide adequate levels of the micronutrients in the diet[7]. The strategy results in rapid improvements in the micronutrient status of a target population and at very reasonable cost. However, an obvious requirement is that the fortified foods need to be consumed in adequate amounts by a large proportion of the target individuals in a population. It is also necessary to have access to, and to use, fortificants that are well absorbed yet do not affect the sensory properties of foods. In most cases, it is preferable to use food vehicles that are centrally processed, and to have the support of the food industry[8].
In Namibia, several foods are voluntarily fortified with various micronutrients, however, there is no regulatory framework to guide the food industries and small millers on the food fortification technology. Currently over 80% of commercially milled maize meal and 100% of wheat flour in Namibia are fortified with essential micronutrients based on the South Africa standards for levels of micronutrients in these food vehicles. Namib mill is the biggest milling industry in Namibia and covers an estimated 80% share of industrially processed commercial cereal flour and reaching an estimated 40% of Namibians with voluntary fortified maize meal and wheat flour. Overall only an estimated 40% of the cereal flour consumed in Namibia is commercially milled or industrially processed by large to medium scale milling industries[9]. The milling companies do not undertake any quality control analysis on fortified products and there is currently no government institution undertaking quality control analysis on fortified foods in Namibia. Namib mills currently supplies most of the fortified maize meal for the government funded school feeding programs in Namibia.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is the mandated institution controlling the quality and safety of foods in Namibia. The country is in the process of ratifying a food safety bill and establishing food safety control systems for its implementation. There is also a need to put in place an effective food fortification strategy and regulatory framework coupled with quality control systems to guide the food industries on micronutrient standards and safety measures to control micronutrient malnutrition.
2.0 Justification
Micronutrient deficiencies are major impediment to socio-economic development and contributes to a vicious cycle of malnutrition and underdevelopment in Namibia. It has long-term effects on health, learning ability and productivity. Micronutrient malnutrition leads to high social and public costs, reduced work capacity in the populations due to high rates of illness, disability and mortality. Malnutrition is driven by several factors, including food insecurity, poor intake of micronutrients, inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices, limited access to health care and changes in people lifestyles due to the rural-urban migration. Namibia is also experiencing the impact of climate change with increased frequency and severity of droughts and floods which have affected food security at household level. This exacerbates the rates of malnutrition and reduces the resilience of households to these shocks.
To achieve progress in the prevention and reduction of maternal and child malnutrition, Namibia must scale up proven cost-effective nutrition interventions to prevent micronutrient deficiencies, stunting and wasting. Food fortification for instance, has been proved to be effective and cost-effective strategy in addressing micronutrient malnutrition in high risk population due to its ability to allow for high population coverage and use of food vehicles easily accessed by the vulnerable groups. Food fortification in Namibia is still voluntary and there is no regulatory framework to guide the food industry on the standards. Under the Namibia Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN), a food fortification technical working group was established to oversee food fortification initiatives and enforce compliance to standards. This technical working group headed by the National Agronomic Board mandates millers-small and large-to fortify floor as a condition to obtain/maintain milling license.
Currently over 80% of commercially milled maize meal and 100% of wheat flour in Namibia are fortified with essential micronutrients based on the South Africa standards for levels of micronutrients in these food vehicles. Overall only an estimated 40% of the cereal flour consumed in Namibia is commercially milled or industrially processed by large to medium scale milling industries. The companies do not undertake any quality control analysis on fortified products and there is currently no government institution undertaking quality control analysis on fortified foods in Namibia.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) plans to develop a National Food Fortification Strategy intended to deliver on national nutrition goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development of the food fortification strategy will be undertaken as a sector-wide process led by MoHSS and in collaboration with key stakeholders in food fortification. The development of the fortification strategy will be informed by the findings of the food fortification feasibility assessment that will be conducted prior to the formulation of the strategy. The food fortification strategy will help to guide the food industry and provide direction for developing fortification standards and guidelines for Namibia.
3.0 Scope of Work
3.1 Goal and objectives
Under the supervision of the Chief Child Survival and Development the consultant will support the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) to conduct first, a food fortification feasibility assessment and then develop the national food fortification strategy that will guide the stakeholders in the food fortification industry.
The specific objectives of the assignment are;
1.1    Conduct a food fortification feasibility assessment to inform the development of the strategy
1.2    To develop the National Food Fortification Strategy to support fortification of foods with micronutrients
1.3    Conduct desk review and stakeholder consultations on food fortification
1.4    Conduct validation workshop on the feasibility assessment report and draft National food fortification strategy
3.2 Description of the assignment
The assignment will involve working closely with MoHSS, Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry (MAWF), Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development (MoITSD) and UNICEF. The overall supervision will be provided by the Chief CSD at UNICEF supported by the Nutrition Specialist and the Program Officer at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). The consultant will;
Conduct a food fortification feasibility assessment that will involve
determining the current land scape of food fortification such as regulatory environment, private sector role and potential of other sectors such as agriculture in fortification;
appraising the selected options for food fortification based on evidence on potential impact and feasibility of implementation
undertake an economic analysis of these options.
Based on the findings and recommendations of the feasibility assessment develop food fortification strategy.
Major Tasks, Deliverables and Timeframe
Activities Deliverables Estimated # of days Due date Duty station Payment schedule
Conduct extensive desk review on food fortification, develop inception report with detailed workplan Inception report developed and submitted 10 1 March 2019 Home based 20% of the total payment upon completion of the desk review and submission of inception report.

 

Conduct food fortification feasibility assessment Feasibility assessment reported developed. 30 13 April 2019 Windhoek  
Conduct validation workshop for the feasibility assessment report Feasibility assessment report validated and submitted 5 20 April 2019 Windhoek 20% of the total payment upon submission of the draft validated feasibility assessment report

 

Develop food fortification strategy Food fortification strategy developed 42 19 June 2019 Home based  
Conduct validation workshop for the food fortification strategy Food fortification strategy validated and submitted 5 26 June 2019 Windhoek 30% of the total payment upon submission of the draft validated food fortification strategy

 

Review, edit and submit the final food fortification strategy and assessment report Final and edited food fortification strategy and assessment reports submitted 10 10 July, 2019 Home based 30% of the total payment upon submission of completed and final assessment and food fortification strategy report

 

TOTAL   102
Desired profile
The qualifications and skills areas required for the international consultant include:
Advanced university degree in nutrition, food science, food technology public health, medical sciences, or related field
Five years’ experience in programme development, monitoring and evaluation in the field of Public nutrition and Maternal, infant and young child Health and Nutrition
Strong technical skills in food fortification, quality control and assurance and food safety. Knowledge in developing and review of health and nutrition policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
Previous experience in undertaking a similar assignment
Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders
Proven Analytical, conceptual ability, team work and documentation
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, disciplinary environment
Excellent communication skills with good written and spoken English.
Administrative issues
The consultant will be engaged full time in country however working days will be determined as per the prescribed duration of each deliverable.
The consultant will work on his/her own computer (s) and use his/her own office resources and material in the execution of this assignment. UNICEF will allocate office space for the consultant.  The consultant’s fee shall be inclusive of all office administration costs.
Local travel (outside Windhoek and airport transfers (where applicable) will be covered in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and tariffs. Flight costs will be covered at economy class rates as per GRN policies.
The consultant must ensure proper organization and documentation of workshops and consultation meetings held. In particular it must ensure that there is sufficient administrative, secretarial and interpretation provision (when required).
As per UNICEF policy, payment will be made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on
 https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/
Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.
Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, travel/flights, field trips, living allowance).
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.
 If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.
[1] Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders; A manual for health workers, 2008.
[2] Malnutrition in Namibia, 2008
[3] Horton S, Ross J. The economics of iron deficiency. Food policy. 2003: 28:51-75.
[4] WHO and UNICEF. Focusing on anaemia. Towards an integrated approach for effective anaemia control. World Health Organisation, 2004.
[5] Intercensal Demographic Survey (2016)
[6] NDHS, 2013
[7] WHO and FAO: Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients, 2006.
[8] WHO and FAO: Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients, 2006
[9] FOA: Brief on Technical consultations on micronutrient food fortification and multi-sectoral engagement on scaling up nutrition in Namibia
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.
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:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date Fri Mar 01 2019 22:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)

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