Namibie

UNICEF recruits 01 Consultancy, To conduct a survey on iodine nutrition status of school-age children in Namibia

UNICEF recruits 01 Consultancy, To conduct a survey on iodine nutrition status of school-age children in Namibia

Consultancy, To conduct a survey on iodine nutrition status of school-age children in Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia (for Internationals only)
Job Number: 519969 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Namibia
Work Type : Consultancy
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, dedication
How can you make a difference?
Background and Justification
Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are a significant challenge to Namibia’s efforts to sustainable social and economic development. IDD is responsible for impaired brain development causing mental retardation in children[1], poor pregnancy outcomes, reduced productivity, academic performance and earning capacity as adults. 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 are at increased risk of being small at birth, and at much greater risk of permanent physical or mental disability and death.
The main intervention for the prevention of iodine deficiency is the universal iodization of all edible salt (USI) which provides enough iodine to meet physiological requirements and achievement of optimal iodine intake in the population.  In 1994, the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) passed a decree on mandatory salt iodization that specified the salt types, chemical composition, storage and labelling including the penalties for defiance of the regulations. The regulations stipulate that all salt, including that for animal consumption, should be iodized with potassium iodate (KIO3). The potassium iodate content added in the salt should be not less than 50ppm and not more than 80ppm[3]. The salt was to contain not less than 98.4 % of sodium chloride in its water-free substance and not more than 4% of moisture. The 2013 Demographic and Health Survey estimated that about 76% of households are using salt with any iodine, suggesting that large segments of the population are consuming non-iodized salt. Furthermore, a recent assessment of the programme indicated that these fixed limits set by the law represent a challenge for the producers as KIO3 is not part of the National Core Medical Supply and is expensive for small producers.
The revised Food  and Nutrition Security Policy (2018-2028) explicitly highlights  salt iodization as the main strategy to address IDD  and reaffirmed the need to 1) continue mandatory iodization of all salt for human consumption; 2) promote the consumption of adequately iodized salt; 3) effectively enforce the legislation on salt iodization; 4) maintain salt control using quantitative and qualitative methods, and 5) ensure a monitoring of iodine deficiency disorders through sentinel site surveys.
Furthermore, to help support implementation of the program, GRN put in place a regulatory body under the leadership of Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) that has several members: Ministries (Trade, Agriculture, Home Affairs and Justice), salt producers and partners (UNICEF, WHO, and USAID). This regulatory body was established and mandated to help coordinate and enforce regulations on salt iodization, strengthen surveillance mechanisms on IDD and promote the consumption of iodized salt but has rarely met nor been called upon to provide inputs to health sector plans.
The first local survey on IDD was conducted in 1994 in the Caprivi which showed a high prevalence of IDD (34.5%) in children aged 6 to 18 years. In response the MoHSS launched a campaign to sensitize the public on the consumption of iodized salt and passed legislation on mandatory salt iodization. The campaign involved use of various media houses that included TV, radios and newspapers that conveyed messages on the negative consequences of iodine deficiency on the child and mother. To further reach-out to most vulnerable categories, leaflets, posters and distribution of T-shirts with messages on iodine deficiency translated in the local languages were undertaken in the community, places of worship and health facilities. The massive campaigns were highly successful and a follow up survey in 1999 indicated complete elimination of goitre.
From 2000 onwards, salt iodization campaigns have not received particular attention in the country and no major public awareness activities have been conducted. It’s therefore perceived that this could have derailed the gains made in combating IDD in the 1990s. The National Demographic and Health Surveys of 2006/7 and 2013 found only 60% and 76% of the population consume iodized salt respectively. The low levels of iodized salt consumption probably reflect the limited knowledge of people on the nutrition benefits of iodized salt and negative consequence of un-iodized salt.
Namibia’s close proximity with the Atlantic Ocean presents it with rich deposits of salt that resulted in the establishment of a number of industries mainly along the south-western coastline. Due to rich salt deposits, Namibia produces sufficient amount of salt for home consumption as well as for export. The country is a major exporter of salt to Angola, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana. The volume of salt mined and exported has increased overtime. In 2016, the country produced about 880,000 metric tons of salt, an increase of 20% from the previous years. Of this annual production, 5% was locally consumed. The major salt producing company include: Salt and Chemical Limited, Salt Company Limited, Walvis Bay Salt Refineries Limited and Bay Salt Holdings Limited. Salt and Chemical Limited is leading salt producer with a market share of about 75%.
The WHA (2005) mandates member states to provide data every three years on the iodine nutrition status of their population. However, the Global Scorecard of Iodine Nutrition in 2017, indicates that Namibia does not have data on the iodine nutrition status of its population. The MoHSS with support from UNICEF and USAID therefore has planned to conduct a survey on the iodine nutrition status of the school age children in the whole country. The findings will inform policy and interventions tailed to elimination of IDD in Namibia.
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. Iodine deficiency in particular, is a leading cause of preventable mental retardation. In countries affected by iodine deficiency, its sustainable elimination through universal salt iodisation (USI) can contribute to socio-economic development. Universal Salt Iodisation is a cost-effective strategy capable of covering a wider at-risk population even in remote areas that are often neglected by national programs. Through the implementation of USI programs, the world has made remarkable progress in the last decades in the elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) with iodine deficient countries decreasing from 54 in 2004 to 32 and the number of countries with adequate iodine intake increased from 67 to 107[4].
In 2005, the World Health Assembly (WHA) called on national governments to report on their iodine nutrition every three years. However, the 2017 Iodine Global Network Global Scorecard indicated that Namibia has no data on iodine status of its population. Studies conducted in 1990s reported high prevalence of iodine deficiency with over 50 percent of the population with urinary iodine of less than 100µg/L. The highest prevalence of iodine deficiency was reported in the northern regions[5]. The need to conduct an assessment on the iodine nutrition status of the Namibian population is apparent and results are critical in guiding the government and development partners to develop cost-effective interventions to address the IDD challenge.
Under WHA (1986) resolution on the prevention and control of IDD and WHA (1990) resolution on the global elimination of IDD, the Government of the Republic of Namibia committed to providing data regularly on the iodine nutrition status of its population. In pursuant of this commitment the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), UNICEF and USAID will undertake a survey to determine the iodine nutrition status of the population. The findings will be instrumental in guiding the government policies and interventions on.
Scope of Work
Goal and objectives
The assignment will involve collecting urine from school age children 6-12 years and salt samples from households. The information about the type of salt used and the frequency of consumption of processed foods will be collected from households. The assignment will also involve working closely with MoHSS, Ministry of Education Arts and Culture (MoEAC), and Namibia University of Science and Technology. The overall supervision will be provided by the Chief Program Officer-MoHSS and Chief CSD UNICEF, supported by the Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF.
In collaboration with stakeholders mentioned and based on the survey framework, the consultant will:  develop technical documents, including but not limited to:
Detailed survey protocol, including sample design and sampling methodology
Data collection and entry tools
Training modules for fieldworkers and supervisors
Field manual
Management of urine specimen collection and transport to a central lab
Strategy for data quality control;
Checklist for supplies and logistics
Community sensitization plan including messaging
Arrangement for logistics
Define content and prepare kits for field teams;
Develop Community sensitization fieldwork plan;
Develop the team deployment plan with vehicle allocation plan;
Develop supervision plan with checklist for supervisors.
Recruitment and training of fieldworkers and supervisors
Develop terms of reference for each category of fieldworkers and supervisors;
Ensure quality control in the selection of fieldworkers and supervisors with consideration of language requirements in different provinces;
Facilitate the training of fieldworkers and supervisors.
Supervision of data collection and data entry
Back up, remotely and in the field to survey supervisors;
Organize the deployment of survey coordinators with checklist for coordinators;
Direct supervision of data collection in the field;
Daily data review and quality check and feedback to teams and supervisors;
Development of data analysis plan.
Data analysis and report writing
Provide oversight and coordinate laboratory analyses, entry of data and analysis
Compile survey report with recommendations
Finalization of survey report based on technical workshop recommendation.
Develop power point presentation of survey results
Develop Response plan based on survey recommendations
The Ministry of health and social services in collaboration with the consultant and UNICEF will;
manage the procurement of materials necessary for the survey including storage facilities for the samples while in the field, transportation of materials to the laboratory, recruit and supervise field workers
The Namibia University of Science and Technology will assist in laboratory analysis of urine and salt samples, data entry and analysis.
Geographical area to be covered
While the operational base for the assignment will be in Windhoek, the overall scope of the assignment will be country wide. While the consultant will be based in Windhoek, he/she will be required to travel frequently to the field to provide oversight and guidance to the project. The sample frame for the survey will be nationally representative.
-Target groups
The assignment will involve collection of data from school-age children 6-12 years and their mothers or caregivers. The mothers and caregivers will provide information on the type salt used, Â frequency of consumption of processed foods and any other relevant information.
Major Tasks, Deliverables and Timeframe
Activities Deliverables Estimated # of days Due date Duty station Payment schedule
  1. Develop inception report
Inception report with detailed workplan

10

1 March, 2019 Home based 20% of the total payment upon completion of the assessment protocol, tools and inception report with work plan.

 

2. Finalization of survey preparatory documents Final version of the survey protocol

Appendices:

–  Questionnaires

– Training modules

– Field manual

– Strategy for data quality control

–  Checklist for supplies and logistics

Community Sensitisation plan including messaging

30

12 April, 2019 Home based
3. Arrangement for Survey logistics. -Checklist of equipment and supplies completed

Team deployment and supervision plans

5

19 April, 2019 Windhoek
4. Recruitment and training of fieldworkers and supervisors -Report on fieldworker and supervisor recruitment and training

-Completed team deployment plan

5

26 April, 2019 Windhoek 30% of the total payment after training and data collection

 

7. Supervision of data collection, laboratory analyses and data entry -Report on data collection

-Databases available

Data analysis plan

35

21 June, 2019 Windhoek 30% of the total payment upon completion of data collection, data base development and data analysis

 

8. Data analysis and Survey report writing -1st draft of the survey report

 

10

 

 

Home based 20% of the total payment upon submission of completed and final assessment and response plan reportÂ

 

 

validation workshop for the survey report

5

 

2 August, 2019

Windhoek
Response plan developed

10

Home based
Final report and response plan

10

Home based
Total

120

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
Minimum of 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 experience in design and management of large scale micronutrient status surveys, including data analysis and report writing
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 organisation 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.
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] Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia, 1994.
[4] IGN Scorecard 2017(http://www.ign.org/cm_data/Scorecard_2016_SAC_PW.pdf
[5] Malnutrition in Namibia, 2011
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)

Laisser un Commentaire

En savoir plus sur Concoursn.com

Abonnez-vous pour poursuivre la lecture et avoir accès à l’ensemble des archives.

Continue reading