UNICEF recruits 01 National Consultant

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Context of Consultancy Requirement

Both chronic and acute undernutrition rates among the urban vulnerable population are still alarming. While, one in every four children are moderate to severely stunted  in urban overall, this is almost twice as high in slums than in non-slums. As for acute malnutrition known as wasting,  more than two percent are severely wasted across urban and divisions. These high rates of undernutrition are the results of poor access to standard nutrition services and nutritional practices by the vulnerable urban population. Institutional leadership for addressing urban nutrition is hindered in ambiguity. In contrast to the rural areas, where the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) is responsible for nutrition service delivery, in urban areas the implementation responsibility lies with the Local Government Division (LGD) under the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives (MOLGRD&C) while MOHFW’s role is on the provision of policy and technical guidance. However, a clear working arrangement between these two ministries are currently absent and perhaps due to this reason, the standard nutrition services in urban areas has been compromised. The current urban health system under the MoLGD is primarily through the two large programmes (Urban Primary Health Care Service Delivery Programme – UPHSDP and NGO Health Service Delivery programme – NHSDP) which provide Direct Nutrition Interventions/services integrating with the health service contact points, such as with mothers and children through ANC, PNC, EPI services etc. However, coverage and quality assurance are not managed by the technical ministry (MoHFW).  On the other hand,  challenges remain with the capacity and accountability by the implementing ministry (MoLDRG&C) on utilizing the existing  system for standard nutrition service delivery with adequate quality and coverage. Stakeholders has suggested to identify the critical nutrition services in line with the national nutrition services (NNS) standard that can be delivered with quality and efficiency strengthening the existing system. Higher level policy makers from the relevant ministries specially the MoHFW and MoLGRD&C have recognized the need of a National Urban Nutrition Strategy which will guide in delivering the standard Nutrition Services with adequate quality and coverage in urban areas leading in improving the nutrition scenario and help achieving the national target/goal.

Objective of the Assignment

To support IPHN, MoHFW in development of National Urban Nutrition Strategy, Bangladesh including a essential direct Nutrition Intervention package, service delivery modality, key implementation plan of actions and collaborative arrangements which will be agreed by policy makers in MoHFW and MoLGD.

Expected outcome

• Background context, evidence based critical nutrition interventions and delivery modality and implementation strategies drafted under the overall guidance from IPHN (Director and Urban Nutrition PM) and direct supervision from the UNICEF-Bangladesh Urban Nutrition officer.
• Facilitated Technical Expert working Group meetings to get the draft inputs reviewed and feedback provided
• Draft strategy developed based on the literature review and technical expert group and presented to the Core Committee of Policy level personnel  in the relevant Government Ministries and strategic directions noted, finalized the draft and submitted with way forward recommendation.
• Finalized the draft National urban Nutrition Strategy  and submitted to the respective government body for endorsement.Scope of Work

  A thorough desk review, stakeholder consultations and explorations would be required to set the background context, identify the evidence based and so far proposed essential nutrition Interventions and feasible and efficient delivery modality (channels, platforms, governance) for urban areas. Facilitation of  Technical Expert group meetings regularly and consultation of the Core Committee formed for this purpose will be among the engaged jobs. This would require a strong knowledge based facilitation of discussion, and presentations of evidences for consensus and endorsement by these groups.  In order to achieve the expected result/outcome mentioned above, engaging of an external Senior level National Expert/ Consultant is needed who has knowledge, understanding  on the nutrition services, urban service delivery system and skillset for stakeholder consultation, expertise on the nutrition situation analysis, reporting, and policy/strategy formulation,  Therefore, this particular TOR is developed to hire a National Consultant to achieve the expected outcome

Major Tasks and Responsibilities

• Review existing evidences, reports, explore and consult with relevant stakeholders on the urban nutrition situation, all the relevant policies, strategies, programmes, interventions/services, delivery system/platforms/channels  exists with regard to identifying the strategy to deliver Minimum Standard Nutrition Interventions in Urban areas of Bangladesh. This requires both desk review, visiting the service delivery platforms/channels and bilateral & group stakeholder consultations.
• Facilitate the Technical Expert Group (TWG) Meetings and draft the minutes, note on the feedback and inputs for the draft strategy
• Present/share and get consensus on the proposed strategy to the relevant Policy/ Programme decision makers and development partners
• Based on the stakeholders/Expert group consensus finalize the draft strategy including the key implementation plan of actions
• Incorporate feedback and submission of final StrategyDeliverables:

1. Inception report with detailed activities and timeline in Gantt Chart
2. Outline strategy including background, key interventions and delivery modality drafted and shared with relevant stakeholders.
3. 15 TWG Meetings conducted, inputs compiled, and summary for revision shared
4. Presentation materials and agreed recommendations from the consultation with key stakeholders
5. Draft Strategy and recommendations to improve the document
6. Final Draft strategy
7. Suggestions for next steps toward endorsement by the Government

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Education: Master’s or higher degrees in Nutrition/Public Health/Social Sciences/Urban Studies, or relevant field (s).

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional work experience in Nutrition/Social Service situation analysis, service delivery program/intervention design, experience related to Urban programme, policy/strategy development and MoHFW/MoLGD will be an asset.
• Working knowledge on the Nutrition Policies/strategies, Plan of Action, NNS Operational Plan and other relevant strategies and urban service delivery system/platforms under the MoLGRD&C and others are essential.
• Proven experience working with the Government, Development Partners specially on consultative process is a basic requirement
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Strong inter-personal communication, proven ability on review, synopsis and compilation of required information, formulation of strategies and concepts, analytical skills and proven ability to design/develop suitable essential interventions and delivery modality following systematic framework/modelling.

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.

The competencies required for this post are….

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.
• Duration: 52 Working days over the period of 6 Months
• Professional Fees: BDT 7,80,000/- (Seven Lakh eighty thousand taka) for whole assingment inclusing all costs.
• Duty Station: Dhaka