Consultant - Regional Guiding Framework for Vitamin A Supplementation Reprioritization, East and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, 90 Days (Over A 12-Month Period)

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.

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How can you make a difference?

*Goal and Objective*****: Under the supervision of the ESARO Nutrition Specialist (MIYCN) with close collaboration with WCARO Nutrition Specialist, the consultant will provide technical support for the VAS program in ESA and WCA regions. Specifically, he/she will:

1. 1. Outline a methodology for developing VAS prioritization framework using available secondary data including DHS, MICS, UNICEF data (Nutridash), UN IGME, and DHIS2 .
   2. Develop a regional VAS prioritization framework clearly stating assumptions used.
   3. Outline a step-by-step method of using the VAS prioritization framework in situations where the VAS delivery approach is campaign, blended and routine.
   4. Develop a flow diagram (Decision Tree) of the VAS prioritization framework.
   5. Using existing datasets, conduct testing of the VAS framework in 4 countries and make necessary adaptations
   6. Conduct a dissemination and sensitization workshop for VINA supported countries in ESA and WCA regions.

The following are the tasks to be delivered under phase one of the contract:

7. 7. List secondary data sources and links and define indicators to be computed.
   8. Develop methodology for the VAS prioritization framework and clearly identifying limitations and the assumptions being made.
   9. Conduct validation meeting of the developed methodology (UNICEF will identify the audience).
   10. Develop a VAS prioritization framework clearly stating assumptions used and a detailed step by step outline of using the framework at country level for each VAS delivery approach, that is routine, blended (routine and campaign) and campaign.
   11. Develop a flow diagram of the VAS prioritization framework

The following are the tasks to be delivered under phase two of the contract (this phase will start after successful completion of phase 1 activities)

12. 12. Support development of methodology for country level adaption.
    13. Facilitate validation of the methodology through dissemination and validation workshop
    14. Conduct country-level adaptation of the VAS framework in 4 countries using existing datasets.

• • . Submit a report for both phase 1 and phase 2.

16. 16. Develop a scientific paper for publication

    Work relationships: The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Nutrition Specialist, MIYCN, ESARO, supported by the Regional Nutrition Advisor in collaboration with the nutrition team in WCARO

17. The Regional Nutrition Specialists in ESARO and WCARO will facilitate communication between the consultant and the country offices. They will also facilitate invitations for the various validation meetings.

18. The consultant will complete all activities and deliverables listed within the allotted time-frame.

End consultancy performance review will be conducted upon receipt of all deliverables by the consultant, and finalized by ESARO

Deliverables

Duration

(Estimated # of days

Timeline/Deadline

1Schedule of payment

1. Inception paper detailing the methodology for developing the VAS prioritization framework

10 days

By 30th August 2023

10% of the total amount of the contract will be paid on submission

2. Regional VAS prioritization framework clearly stating assumptions used and a detailed step by step outline of using the framework at country level

30 days

By November 2023

30% of the total amount of the contract will be paid on submission

3. Guidelines for adapting VAS framework at country level for blended, campaign and routine VAS delivery

35 days

By March 2024

40% of the total amount of the contract will be paid on submission

4. 1 Regional synthesis report and 1 publishable scientific paper

15 days

By August 2024

20% of the total amount of the contract will be paid on submission

The final report regional synthesis report will detail the support provided to countries, clearly detailing experiences in implementation including the methods used, challenges and lessons learnt. This report will be used for developing publishable article for information sharing.

Payment Schedule

Payment shall be made on satisfactory completion of the deliverables for phase one, as detailed above, in four payments.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• Education: An Advanced Medical or University Degree in nutrition, public health, pediatric health, child health, or other health related science is required. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with at least ten years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of eight (8) years progressively responsible professional level experience in nutrition programming, including child survival, infant and young child nutrition, and/or maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition programs including experience in developing countries. Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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.

1. Administrative issues

• The contract will run for a period of twelve months (90 billable days) and it is expected that the consultant will be paid for completed deliverables according to the timeframe stipulated in the TOR and under the proposed contractual arrangement.
• The focal point for this work will be the Nutrition Specialist MIYCN ESARO, with oversight from the Regional Nutrition Advisor.

• The consultant is expected to be home based and required to be available as and when required during the working period 10am to 4pm Nairobi time. The consultant is expected to be available for scheduled monthly update meetings.

• The consultant is expected to travel to at least 4 countries in ESAR & WCAR from the following list Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, Madagascar and South Sudan; Benin, Burkina Faso, CAR, Cameroun, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leon and Togo. This will be to provide dissemination and sensitization of the newly developed VAS framework. Travel will be in economy class. If the consultant is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country. Ideally, the trips to countries must be done back-to-back to manage costs. All travel will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.

• 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.
• 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.

Conditions

• The consultancy is based remotely. No office space or equipment will be provided from UNICEF and will be the sole responsibility of the consultant.
• The consultant is expected to use their own IT equipment (laptop, cell-phone etc.), where operating communication costs – long-distance calls, internet if any should be part of the overall quoted fees (no reimbursement will be applied).
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is 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.
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is 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”.
• 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.

Risks

• Risks include a delay in progress of the work due to country level instabilities like elections or changes in political situation that can impact on decision making of policy makers. To avoid any foreseen and unforeseen delays, this will be mitigated having regular check in calls with targeted countries to monitor progress of the consultancy.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel or subsistence allowances to the 4 countries under phase 2. For the purpose of developing the financial proposal, applicants are recommended to use travel costs to Nairobi, Kenya for the 2 countries in ESA region and Dakar, Senegal for the two countries in WCA region. Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

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Remarks

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

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.

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.