Individual Consultancy (for Maldivian Nationals) Nutrition & Child Health Data Management Consultancy

Contract

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Advert- Individual Consultancy (for Maldivian Nationals) Nutrition & Child Health Data Management Consultancy

Background and Rationale:

The nutrition status of the Maldivian population has shown slight gains over the past decades; however, these improvements are not in pace with major other developments the country has witnessed. Malnutrition of under-five children is still at a concerning level – with stunting (15.3%), wasting (9.1%), and overweight (4.9%) (DHS, 2016-2017).

Monitoring of maternal, child health and nutrition data are critical to determine the quality and impact of interventions on the target demographics, and facilitate timely evidence based decision-making and implementation. It enables perspectives and direction on performance data and different trends on issues such as stunting, anaemia, overweight and obesity and coverage of interventions such as Vitamin A supplementation and IYCF counselling. Addressing the gaps in data collection, management and analysis issues is urgently needed to strengthen the system and ensure timely collection, interpretation, analysis and management of RMNCAH and nutrition-related data for surveillance and monitoring of the situation, especially in the context of COVID-19.

In this regard, in order to strengthen the data system used for tracking coverage of maternal, child health and nutrition indicators, additional capacity and support is critical at the national level. By working closely with the national team and partners, a dedicated data officer on the ground will be instrumental for timely technical backstopping and implementation of data collection and analysis activities within the national programmes, while addressing the current gaps.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to support the Population Health Division of Health Protection Agency to strengthen the data collection, management, and analysis of reproductive, maternal, child health and nutrition surveillance of related activities. The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

1. To support the relevant national programmes to provide technical, administrative and operational support to collect, collate, manage and analyze programmatic data and indicators for surveillance, reporting, and evidence-based decision-making by programme managers.
2. To efficiently monitor and track routine RMNCAH and nutrition indicators.
3. Support to UNICEF health programme data needs, including monthly analysis report of program activity data and support other organizational data requirements, as well as provision and knowledge management of information and data related to global monitoring indicators

Duty station: The consultant will be based in the Health Protection Agency / Ministry of Health, Male’, with periodic visits to UNICEF Maldives Country Office.

Supervision and Guidance: The consultant will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Health, Nutrition & Child Development of UNICEF, with co-supervision and reporting lines to the head of Population Health Division, Health Protection Agency.

Major tasks of the Assignment:

In line with the objectives identified above, the consultant will work with the Ministry of Health, Health Protection Agency, and UNICEF to undertake the following specific deliverables and tasks:

1. Support systematic data collection, collation, analysis and reporting of RMNCAH and nutrition data (routine data on Nutrition and RMNCAH and other areas including nutrition surveillance, ECD monitoring, micronutrient supplementation, ANC/PNC, family planning report and other relevant surveillance areas) at various administrative levels, liaising with focal points, in a timely and efficient manner.

2. Support to prepare, compile and sort documents (concept notes, proposals, and other documents available) for data entry.

3. Support to review, update and revise the reporting formats, data analysis sheet, coverage reports, and health facility records.

4. Engage with relevant atoll focal points to assess and validate the data quality dimensions of documents and records for accuracy, completeness, reliability, timeliness, integrity and where necessary to follow the recommended data correction guidelines.

5. Support to prepare data quality assessment, monitoring tools and maintenance of data repository.

6. Support to maintain logbooks or records of activities and tasks conducted

7. Support to respond to emerging reporting requests for nutrition and RMNCAH indicators from MoH and UNICEF.

8. Support the maintenance of stock sheet, packing list, managing and forecasting of commodities at national, and subnational levels.

9. Assist in monitoring of RMNCAH and nutrition-related data, monthly reports, record keeping and documentation.

10. Contribute to monthly analysis report of program activity data and support other organizational data requirements such as COVID-19 and other humanitarian response data for management, regional and headquarter updates, Sitrep reports, and other reviews

11. Knowledge management of information and data related to global monitoring indicators, including support documentation of best practices and lessons learnt

12. Support to gather, analyze and share indicators and results required for UNICEF annual & mid-year reporting, including for ENAP, Nutri-Dash, RMNCHA, annual priority results, results assessment matrix indicators, as well as standard global monitoring questions and indicators in a timely manner.

Estimated duration of contract: 7 months (October 2022 – April 2023)

Official travel involved (itinerary and duration): If required, limited travel anticipated

Qualifications and Experience required:

Academic:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health or statistics, information management, or another relevant field. A Masters Degree will be given preference
• Undertaken a data analysis, or health information management (or similar) subject in the undergraduate or post-graduate level, or an external course

Experience:

• Education/learning or experience in project monitoring or RBM
• Advance level Competency to work with excel and other relevant data analysis of software and programmes
• Experience in an area of public health or health information management
• Exposure to the island context will be an advantage
• Experience or exposure working with UN-related programmers is considered as an asset

Other Competencies:

• Good analytical skills including use of essential computer software package, with good monitoring skills required
• Ability to organize, plan and coordinate activities to meet deadlines within an agreed timeframe.
• Able to work well independently as well as in teams. Proven ability to work in teams.
• Demonstrated good communication skills in Dhivehi and English (written and verbal)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 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.