Home based : Nutrition Information System consultant (NIS RRT) - 264 working days between August 2023 and July 2024 - Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, an advocate

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen Nutrition information system capacity of clusters/sectors/WGs coordination mechanisms at the country level to prepare for, plan and deliver quality, predictable, timely, effective, and evidence based integrated nutrition responses through provision of quality NIS related support and capacity strengthen (mentoring and training).

Scope of work

The Nutrition Information Systems (NIS) helpdesk is a core Cluster Coordination team member. The purpose of this support is to reinforce the Nutrition information systems at the regional, county/national, and sub-national level with more focus on L2 and L3 & HRP countries. The consultant with the support of the GNC Coordination team, and in collaboration with UNICEF regional/country offices provides a day to day one on one needs based remote support to countries on nutrition assessment, needs analysis, response planning, and emergency response preparedness. The GNC helpdesk on Nutrition Information Systems. The consultant is responsible for providing predictable, timely technical support and strategic leadership; and will be responsible for ensuring that NIS effectively contributes to a well-coordinated, coherent, and effective response by partners in the country Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group coordination mechanisms in a manner that promotes accountable to affected population.

The Tasks/ responsibilities of the NIS Helpdesk include:

• Act as a focal point for the needs analysis initiatives at global level for nutrition sectoral and intersectoral (i.e. Joint Inter-agency Analysis Group (JIAG) initiatives, Global NIS Working Group.)
• Adopt and promote the use of global standards for NIS, maintain and regularly update the Nutrition Cluster Coordination checklists/ Toolkits to ensure that it includes latest guidance and best practices and promote its adaptation by countries.
• Support country cluster/sector coordination teams for the establishment and strengthening of NIS TWG at country level to ensure a coherent and high-quality assessment and analyses are carried out on ongoing basis.
• Maintain regular communication with the NIS Working Groups at country level and follow up on the ad hoc requests in the priority countries. Participate in the monthly Global NIS TWG calls and update the group on the support provided to the countries on needs assessment and analysis, as well as seek their feedback on outstanding unresolved issues brought by countries or at regional or global levels.
• Act as focal point for matters involving MSNAs, inclusion of nutrition indicators in MSNAs and coordination with REACH Initiative global team· Contribute to nutrition inputs for country and global multi-sector rapid needs assessment tools and their modifications as needed. ·
• Provide a day-to-day one-on-one needs-based remote support to priority country coordination teams on all aspects of NIS. ·
• Support rolling out of the IPC Acute Malnutrition to priority countries (those with Humanitarian Response Planning (HPC) process)
• Support country cluster/sectors in formulating nutrition cluster/sector response plans based on evidence and provide technical inputs to the Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNOs) and Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) developed by country clusters/sectors prior to their finalization, to ensure quality of a comprehensive NiE response plan.
• Liaise with NIS Working Group (NISWG) and NIS technical Helpdesk under the GNC-Global Technical Alliance (GNC-TA) in the development and adaptation of rapid nutrition assessment tools including application of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.
• Supporting the implementation of the cluster coordination performance monitoring exercises (CCPM) and the development of plan of actions, which clearly articulate action required from GNC-CT to support the implementation of the plan of action.
• Regularly follow up with countries to support them in developing the assessment plans and ensuring that they are being implemented; and consolidate countries’ assessment plans at global level.
• In coordination with the GNC Information Management Specialist, support countries in systematic ways of organizing on nutrition and nutrition-related determinants by using appropriate assessment data repositories.
• Support countries in inclusion of cross-cutting issues such as GBV risk mitigation and multisectoral indicators in the existing nutrition assessment tools. Ensure cross-cutting issues such as GBV, disability and AAP is taken into consideration in NIS workstream.
• In coordination with the GNC Information Management Specialist, support countries in the analysis of response monitoring data including periodic tracking of implementation of HRP and identification of priorities through periodic gap analysis.
• Contribute to the GNC operational support team efforts to strengthening Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) by ensuring regular risk monitoring, early warning and analysis takes place at country level.
• Support the GNC capacity strengthen activities/ trainings and mentoring program and providing orientating/mentoring of newly appointed cluster/sector coordinators on NIS in addition to conducting webinars and/or organize specific training sessions on NIS related topics including on, Needs Assessment guidelines and process, IPC AMN and HPC processes.
• Regularly, communicate issues raised by the NIS TWGs and coordination teams to the Global Nutrition Cluster Coordination Team through weekly calls & monthly reports.
• Contribute to GNC mid-year and Annual reports.
• Any other task assigned by supervisor.

Deliverables

Tasks / Milestone******Deliverables / Outputs******Timeline / DeadlineSupport the launching of the implementation of Joint Inter-agency Analysis Group initiatives (JIAG 2.0)Piloting process for JIAF 2.0 was concluded & the implementation of the new guidelines/ tools launched 100% participation of JIAF technical meetings (20 days)August- September 2023Adopt and promote the use of global standards for NIS, maintain and regularly update the Nutrition Cluster Coordination checklists/ Toolkits to ensure that it includes latest guidance and best practices and promote its adaptation by countries.Cluster coordination checklists/toolkit are maintained/updated (5 days)August- September 2023Regularly follow up with countries to support them in developing the assessment plans and ensuring that they are being implemented; and consolidate countries’ assessment plans at global level. Support countries in systematic ways to organize and analyze assessment data on nutrition and nutrition-related determinants by using appropriate assessment data repositories.75 % of the GNC priority countries have assessment plan in place Repository of the most updates assessments is created & updated timely (15 days)September- November 2023Contribute to the production of the GNC Mid-year reportInputs for MYR were provided timely (3 days)September- November 2023Support country cluster/sectors in formulating nutrition cluster/sector response plans based on evidence and provide technical inputs to the Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNOs) and Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) developed by country clusters/sectors prior to their finalization, to ensure quality of a comprehensive NiE response plan.At least 2 webinars on HNO/HRP conducted. Feedback provided to at least 90% of the GNC priority countries on their HNO/HRP (20 days)September- November 2023Supporting the implementation of the cluster coordination performance monitoring exercises (CCPM) and the development of plan of actions, which clearly articulate action required from GNC-CT to support the implementation of the plan of action.Support provided to CCPM exercise in at least 5 countries and post exercise plan of action developed (20 days)November 2023- January 2024Facilitate the discussion with REACH at country- and global-level, particularly for matters involving MSNAs and inclusion of nutrition indicators · Contribute to nutrition inputs for country and global multi-sector rapid needs assessment tools and their modifications as needed.100% of country support request for MSNA are responded timely. (7 days)December 2023- April 2024Support country cluster/sector coordination teams for the establishment and strengthening of NIS TWG at country level to ensure a coherent and high-quality assessment and analyses are carried out on ongoing basis. Maintain regular communication with the NIS Working Groups at country level and follow up on the ad hoc requests in the priority countries. Participate in the monthly NIS WG calls and update the group on the support provided to the countries on needs assessment and analysis, as well as seek their feedback on outstanding unresolved issues brought by countries or at regional or global levels.60% of priority 1 countries have NIS TWGs (15 days)

100% of NIS TWG meetings attended (12 days)

December 2023-April 2024Contribute to the production of the GNC annual reportInputs for GNC annual report were provided timely (3 days)December 2023-April 2024Support countries in the analysis of response monitoring data including periodic tracking of implementation of HRP and identification of priorities through periodic gap analysis.Tracking of HRP implementation was done for at least 10 countries. (10 days)February 2023- July 2024Support countries in inclusion of cross-cutting issues such as GBV risk mitigation and multisectoral indicators in the existing nutrition assessment tools. Ensure cross-cutting issues such as GBV, disability and AAP is taken into consideration in NIS workstream.80% of the planned/ implemented assessments include cross-cutting issues (10 days)February 2023- July 2024Support rolling out of the IPC Acute Malnutrition to priority countries (those with Humanitarian Response Planning (HPC) process)IPC acute malnutrition implemented in 60% GNC priority countries. (12 days)February 2023- July 2024

Contribute to the GNC operational support team efforts to strengthening Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) by ensuring regular risk monitoring, and analysis takes place at country level.Contribute to at least 5 ERPs from GNC prioritized countries (10 days)September 2023- June 2024

Support the GNC capacity strengthen activities/ trainings and mentoring program and providing orientating/mentoring of newly appointed cluster/sector coordinators on NIS in addition to conducting webinars and/or organize specific training sessions on NIS related topics including on IPC AM, HNO, SMART guidance to country coordinators, new tools, and guidelines.At least 4 blended training are supported. (8 days) Mentoring provided to at least 2 mentees (10 days) 4 NIS Webinar and 2 regional meetings conducted (6 days)September 2023- June 2024

Support the NIS GTWG in the development and adaptation of rapid nutrition assessment tools including application of qualitative methods of data collection and analysisRNA tools developed. Orientation session on RNA provided to the GNC targeted countries (13 days)September 2023- June 2024

Provide a day-to-day one-on-one needs-based remote support to priority country coordination teams on all aspects of NIS35 countries received NIS support (35 days)August 2023- July 2024

Regularly, communicate issues raised by the NIS TWGs and coordination teams to the Global Nutrition Cluster Coordination Team through weekly calls & monthly reports.90% of requests for support responded within 48 hours 90% of the weekly calls are attended. 100% of monthly reports are prepared/ shared on time (30 days)August 2023- July 2024

Estimated Duration of the Contract

264 working days from 01 August 2023 to 31 July 2024

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a Home based consultancy.

As part of this assignment, there will be approximately 6 travels from the duty station to selected countries such as Yemen, Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali (the final list is to be confirmed based on emerging needs)The consultant will arrange her/his travel as and when they take place and related costs will be reimbursed.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. Please propose a Professional Fee (in USD) for 264 working days from 01 August 2023 to 31 July 2024 to undertake this assignment.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master) in one of the following fields is required: Nutrition, Public Health, Information Management or Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, Social Sciences, or another subject area relevant to Information Management system or to the Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group.
• Formal training in Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group Nutrition information system is considered an advantage.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in Nutrition information system, Nutrition cluster/ sector coordination, information management, Nutrition assessments, situation analysis and/or PM&E. Work experience with the UN/NGO is an asset.
• Experience of demonstrating very strong Nutrition information system management skills in a professional context is essential for this consultancy.
• Experience in a humanitarian context is required, with experience of working in the humanitarian coordination system considered an asset.
• Extensive work experience outside the humanitarian sector which is relevant to this consultancy may be considered as a replacement for humanitarian experience.
• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of other UN languages is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), 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:

Please include a full CV, and a Financial Proposal in your application by indicating your availability and a lumpsum (in USD) based on 264 working days to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.