Consultancy to support the 2024 Nutrition Survey using SMART methodology in Guinea Bissau

Consultant Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead a national nutrition survey using SMART methodology in Guinea Bissau

You have:

• An advanced university degree - Masters in Public Health, nutrition, epidemiology, or a related field.
• Excellent facilitation and training skills.
• Experience using smartphones for data entry and analysis.
• Demonstrated skills in survey or evaluation report writing.
• Demonstrated presentation skills.
• In-depth understanding of malnutrition from nutrition/public health point of view.
• Certification or training in survey methodologies, SMART methodology, or related areas.
• Demonstrated skills with statistics analysis software (EPI-Info, SPSS, SAS, STATA or others).
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in SMART methodology or 03 surveys as principal consultant/coordinator.
• Fluent in French or English; Portuguese is an asset.

Contract

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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, [insert tagline]

1. Background

Guinea-Bissau has a small but young and rapidly growing population. Its human development classification is "Low" and is characterized by fragility due to low access to essential services and significant vulnerability to political and environmental shocks. According to the Children’s Climate Risk Index published by UNICEF in 2021, Guinea-Bissau ranks fourth, indicating that children in the country are among the most vulnerable to environmental stresses and extreme weather events (UNICEF, 2021). The country is ranked 177 out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) and faces severe development challenges (UNDP, 2022).

UNICEF Guinea-Bissau has been operational for over 40 years, with programs spanning Child Protection, Education, Health, HIV, Nutrition, and WASH. The current Country Programme, developed in 2021-22, will support all implementations until December 2026. Under this Country Programme Document, the UNICEF Nutrition Program will pursue multi-sectoral interventions with a focus on the first 1,000 days and preventive activities.

The rate of chronic malnutrition remains high among children aged between 6 and 59 months. According to the most recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), 28 percent of children under five years of age are stunted (have low height for age), and 5 percent are acutely malnourished or wasted (have low weight-for-height) (UNICEF, 2019). The last SMART nutrition survey conducted in 2019 reported a prevalence of 29.9 percent for stunted children and 7.3 percent for children affected by acute malnutrition.

The current trend is insufficient to reach the World Health Assembly target of a 40 percent reduction by 2025. Considering the recent global food crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected all spheres, leading to successive increases in the prices of fuel and other essential goods, the ability of families to meet their basic needs and guarantee food and nutritional security has been compromised.

Malnutrition significantly contributes to child morbidity and mortality. To continue monitoring the food and nutrition security situation, it is critical to have quality, relevant, and timely information. The National Nutrition Service/Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders (coordination group), has proposed to conduct a new national nutrition survey using the Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) method in the period from December 2023 to May 2024 in the most affected regions (Oio, Farim, Bafatá, Gabú, Quinara, Cacheu, Tomabli, and Biombo).

2. SMART METHODOLOGY

SMART is an inter-agency initiative launched in 2002 by a network of organizations and humanitarian practitioners. SMART advocates a multi-partner, systematized approach to provide critical, reliable information for decision-making, and to establish shared systems and resources for host government partners and humanitarian organizations.

The SMART Methodology is an improved survey method that balances simplicity (for rapid assessment of acute emergencies) and technical soundness. It draws from the core elements of several methodologies with continuous upgrading informed by research and current best practices.

The SMART Methodology is based on the two most vital and basic public health indicators for the assessment of the magnitude and severity of a humanitarian crisis:

1. Nutritional status of children under five. 2. Mortality rate of the population. These indicators are helpful in prioritizing resources and monitoring the extent to which the relief system is meeting the population's needs, and therefore the overall impact of the relief response.https://smartmethodology.org/about-smart/

ADVANTAGES OF USING SMART SMART ensures that consistent and reliable survey data are collected and analyzed using a standardized methodology. It provides technical capacity for decision-making and reporting and comprehensive support for strategic and sustained capacity building. An international consultant well-versed in using the SMART method will work with a local institution, national authorities, and other partners in nutrition, such as WFP, to lead and oversee the work.

3. Scope of Work:

"The SMART nutrition survey will provide data for timely action, resource mobilization, and program planning, including informing progress achievements towards the Country Programme (2022-2026) results, particularly for Health and Nutrition outcomes, as well as for long-term monitoring by the government, NGOs, and other nutrition stakeholders.

The consultant, under this consultancy, is expected to:

i) Lead the implementation of the SMART survey methodology, including the revision and adaptation of tools and protocols for the survey in collaboration with the Nutrition Direction Service, the national institution hired to undertake fieldwork, and all other relevant actors. ii) Provide high-quality technical assistance to the National Nutrition Direction Service and the engaged NGO supporting the various survey phases. iii) In collaboration with the selected NGO, the consultant will plan all stages of the survey, manage and train surveyors, and supervise the quality of processes and fieldwork. iv) Coordinate, lead, and guide by providing specific recommendations to the NGO engaged in managing the logistics and financial aspects of the survey. v) Ensure the quality of processes and the timely delivery of expected results. vi) Present an inception report reviewing all critical steps from planning to presenting results and the final survey report.

4. Specific tasks:

Planning phase: a. Elaborate/finalize the survey protocol, timeline of activities, data collection, final report, and presentation of results. b. Determine and document the sampling methods, implementing the sampling plan in close collaboration with the National Statistics Institute using the National Population Census of 2009. c. Ensure that all survey forms, phones, materials, tools, and equipment are ready for the survey. d. Finalize the survey tools, including the interview guide, questionnaire, standardization of anthropometry tools form, calendar of local events, and reference for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) before the training. e. Finalize the specifications for survey equipment and materials. f. In collaboration with NNS and MoH/INASA, ensure proper community and authorities' engagement in the selected survey clusters and at the regional/district level to secure support for the survey and availability of the target population for the interviews.

Training phase a. Conduct the survey training covering all details in the interviewer’s manual. b. The task force and the entire survey team should attend the survey training. c. Organize a field test to validate the questionnaire, the workflow, the recording, and data entry in an area that is not included in the first stage of sample selection. d. Organize the deployment of interviewer teams to the country's different regions with a plan indicating who will work, where, and how reporting by field teams will be done.

Fieldwork Phase: a. Ensure adequate supervision of each survey team during the entire data collection period. b. Make periodic supervision visits to the survey teams during their work to ensure high data quality. c. Review the entered data daily and provide prompt feedback. d. Document the constraints, difficulties, or potential biases identified during the survey implementation process.

Data Analysis and Report Writing: a. Analyze and interpret the results of the survey with task force members. b. Complete reports and all other activities promptly as per the agreed schedule. c. Share the survey results with the task force and the regional office for review. d. Present the survey methodologies and results during the survey dissemination workshop. e. Create copies of survey materials on OneDrive, Pen drive or other media device for archiving.

5. Work modalities and administrative issues: a. During the data collection phase, the contract duration is 108 days over 5 months, including 15 days of field missions. b. The selected candidate is expected to be based at the UNICEF office and have frequent contact with the Ministry of Health and National Nutrition team and other relevant actorsAnd UNICEF may provide office space c. The consultant payment will be made based on satisfactory deliverables and quality progress reports. The final payment will be based on performance and approved close-out report. d. Interested candidates should submit their application, including all costs related to this consultation. The financial offer must be all-inclusive (including fees, international travel costs, daily subsistence, and any other related cost).

NB: The final selection will be based on the "best value for money" principle.

Work Assignment Overview 1: Planning phase: • Elaborate the survey protocol, and timeline of activities, data collection, final report, and presentation of results • Determine and document the sampling methods and implement the sampling plan in close collaboration with the National Statistics Institute using the National Population Census, 2009. • Ensure that all survey forms, phones, materials, tools, and equipment are ready for the survey. • Finalize the survey tools: the interview guide, questionnaire, and standardization of anthropometry tools form, calendar of local events, and reference for children with SAM before the training. • Finalize the specifications for survey equipment and materials. • Collaboration with NNS and MoH/INASA ensure that proper community and authorities’ engagement in the selected survey clusters and on the regional/district level to secure support for the survey and availability of the target population for the interviews.

Deliverables/Outputs a: 15 days 1. Inception report with: a) Desk review of available technical documents. b) Approved sampling methodology. c) Survey protocol proposal for standardized survey tools.

Deliverables/Outputs b: 17 days 2. Approved equipment list and work plan for Consultations and Survey implementation. 3. Surveyors and training materials adapted. 4. Draft a communication plan for survey implementation.

Work Assignment Overview 2: Training phase: • Conduct the survey training covering all details in the interviewer’s manual. The task force and the entire survey team should attend the survey training. • Organize a field test to validate the questionnaire, the workflow, the recording, and data entry in an area that is not included in the first stage sample selection. • Organize the deployment of interviewer teams to the different regions of the country with a plan indicating who will work, where and how reporting by field teams will be done Deliverables/Outputs: 20 Days 1. Report on interviewers’ and supervisors' training 2. Report of field testing of survey tools and materials and 3. Finalized deployment plan of survey teams including supervision plan

Work Assignment Overview 3: Fieldwork • Ensure adequate supervision of each survey team during the entire data collection period. • Make periodic supervision visits to the survey teams during their work to ensure high data quality. • Review the entered data daily and provide prompt feedback. • Document the constraints, difficulties or potential biases identified during the survey implementation process. Deliverables/Outputs 35 Days: 1. A supervision report is available unfolding the major limitations, difficulties or potential biases identified during the survey implementation process as well as the quality score of the survey. 2. A preliminary report is prepared, and the survey results and findings are shared with the government and all other key partners.

Work Assignment Overview4: Data Analysis and Report Writing: Analyze and interpret the results of the survey with task force members. • Complete reports and all other activities in a timely manner as per the agreed schedule. • Share the survey results with the task force and the regional office for review • Present the survey methodologies and results during the survey dissemination workshop. • Create copies of survey materials and share it trought OneDrive, Pen drive or other media device for archiving.

Deliverables/Outputs: 21 days SMART survey report submitted and shared on OneDrive, with: • Cleaned dataset including anthropometry, IYCF practices, Minimum dietary diversity for women and mortality data, • Executive summary of findings of surveys.

[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]

How can you make a difference?

[Insert purpose of post and bullet points on main activities]

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree - Masters in Public Health, nutrition, epidemiology, or a related field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• Excellent facilitation and training skills • Experience using smartphones for data entry and analysis • Demonstrated skills in survey or evaluation report writing • Demonstrated presentation skills • In-depth understanding of malnutrition from nutrition/public health point of view • Certification or training in survey methodologies, SMART methodology, or related areas • Demonstrated skills with statistics analysis software (EPI-Info, SPSS, SAS, STATA or others… WORK EXPERIENCE • SMART methods (at least 03 surveys as principal consultant/coordinator or Minimum of 5 years’ experience in SMART methodology). LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY • Fluent in French or English. • Portuguese is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org