National consultancy to provide technical support to UNICEF’s nutrition programming, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 6 months (for Tajik nationals only) (deadline extended-16 Oct. 2021)

Consultant Programme & Policy

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,

Since 1993, UNICEF’s Office in the Republic of Tajikistan has been working in close cooperation with government institutions, civil society, media, professional associations, and academic institutions in Tajikistan to help the Government fulfill its obligation to empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

To learn more about what we do, please visit our website.

Tajikistan has high malnutrition rate in the Central Asia. Despite improvements over the last decade, under nutrition in Tajikistan remains a significant public health problem. In response, major efforts have been made by the Government and various donors through implementation of nutrition specific interventions such as promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary feeding, salt iodization, management of acute malnutrition, and Vitamin A and micronutrient powder distribution. However, the 2017 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) identified that 21 percent of children under 5 years old are stunted, 6 percent are wasted, and 8 percent are underweight.

UNCIEF has been supporting Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) in treating children with SAM since 2016. Between 2017 and 2018, UNICEF worked alongside with the WHO and WFP to support the MoHSP in updating the National Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) guidelines ensuring the compliance with 2013 WHO global recommendations on SAM. Most recently, with the aim of increasing SAM treatment coverage, together with MoHSP and other partners developed a national plan on scaling up the IMAM programme in the country to be implemented with UNICEF technical support. In this regard, UNICEF requires additional technical support of appropriate and experienced nutrition professional to provide support for the implementation of IMAM programme in the context of COVID-19.

Considering the above, there is a need to strengthen advocacy with the government counterparts and provide substantial support to the government at national, regional and district levels in coordination and technical assistance in nutrition programming. In order to accelerate this process, UNICEF seeks a national expert to provide support UNICEF and MoHSPP in advocacy, coordination and technical assistance in nutrition programming and development of the Country Programme Document.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of this consultancy service is to seek a qualified national individual consultant who will support UNICEF and MoHSPP during CPD consultation process, introduction of the national nutrition policies at the district and regional levels, coordination support to the country Scaling Up Nutrition movement, as well as provision of coordination, advocacy and technical support to the IMAM programme with recommendations on financial feasibility and constraints of IMAM programme.

Description of the assignment:

Under the close supervision of the Nutrition Specialist, the consultant will work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population and other relevant departments and centers of MOHSP to do the following:

1. Provide technical support to government in the IMAM programme and recommend to UNICEF, government and partners on the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of IMAM in coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.
2. Provide technical inputs and support to MoHSPP, Republican Pediatric Research Center for submission of monthly and annual reports of SAM treatment programme at outpatients (Khatlon and Dushanbe) and inpatients facilities (68 hospitals accorss the country) to UNICEF.
3. Provide support to UNICEF and MoHSPP in organizing the field mission for Ministry of Finance in visiting of SAM outpatients and inpatients facilities.
4. Provide technical support and assist MoHSPP in conduction of the presentation of the National 1000 days communication programme 2020-2024 and Multisectoral Action plan for Nutrition 2021-2025 at district and regional levels.
5. Facilitate discussion with national counterparts and provide technical support for UNICEF Country Programme Development consultations on nutrition sector;
6. Provide technical support to UNICEF and SUN coordination committee in organizing the N4G summit consultation and facilitate the discussion with SUN coordination committee about the government commitment on nutrition for N4G summit.
7. Provide editing of the relevant documents delivered under this ToR task as required for the submission to MoHSP (Tajik and/or Russian);
8. Produce final consultancy report with recommendations and follow-up actions

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

*Estimated duration**:* *105 w/d over six months period between Oct 2021 until 30 March 2022.*

Duty station**: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

On-site working days: 105 w/d

KEY DELIVERABLES/TIMEFRAME/PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

#

Tasks/Milestone

Deliverables/Outputs

Number of days

Timeline

Payment schedule

1

Provide technical support to government in the IMAM programme and recommend UNICEF, government and partners on the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of IMAM in coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.

Report with recommendations on the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of IMAM submitted

15

October 20th, 2021

20% upon submission of deliverables

2

Provide technical inputs and support to MoHSPP, Republican Pediatric Research Center for submission of a monthly and annual reports of SAM treatment programme at outpatients (Khatlon and Dushanbe) and inpatients facilities (68 hospitals across the country) to UNICEF.

Monthly reports (Sep 2021-March 2022) and the 2021 annual report submitted

18

On monthly basis

20% upon submission of deliverables

3

Provide support to UNICEF and MoHSPP in organizing the field mission for Ministry of Finance in visiting of SAM outpatients and inpatients facilities.

At least 2 visits to the regions organized

10

February 25th, 2021

20% upon submission of deliverables

4

Provide technical support and assist MoHSPP in conducting of the presentation of the National 1000 days communication programme 2020-2024 and Multisectoral Action plan for Nutrition 2021-2025 at district and regional levels.

Presentation conducted in the regions, particularly in UNICEF targeted districts.

15

December 28th , 2021

20% upon submission of deliverables

5

Facilitate discussion with national counterparts and provide technical support for UNICEF Country Programme Development consultations on nutrition sector.

CPD consultations on nutrition conducted

25

Regularly

20% upon submission of final report and its approval by UNICEF

6

Provide technical support to UNICEF and SUN coordination committee in organizing the N4G summit consultations and facilicatate the discussion with SUN coordination committee about the government commitment on nutrition for N4G summit.

At least 2 consultations conducted and the government commitments for nutrition is submitted

15

October 30th , 2021

7

Provide editing of the relevant documents delivered under this ToR task as required for the submission to MoHSP (Tajik and/or Russian);

List of the edited and translated documents

5

Regular

8

Produce a final report, summarizing the process and outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions

A final report with a set of recommendations

2

March 15th, 2022

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. No. of meetings with the stakeholders);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant’s work.

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

• Education: Advanced degree in Medicine/Pediatrics Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology or related field
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Medicine/Pediatrics Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health, Communication for Development, Early Childhood Development, or other related disciplines and experience of working with top-management of national ministries and local authorities would be an advantage. Training on monitoring IMAM programme will be an added advantage
• Relevant technical expertise and consultancy experiences with international/UN organizations in the field of nutrition system strengthening.
• Competencies: Solid knowledge and work experience with grounded understanding of Government processes and procedures in Tajikistan. Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.
• Language: Fluency in Tajik and Russian languages (written and oral), knowledge of English is an asset.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate (as well as travel and subsistence costs, as applicable).
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least two references

Queries can be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “National consultancy to provide technical support to UNICEF’s nutrition programming”. Applications must be received in the system by 16 Oct. 2021 (deadline extended) on our website: http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/544772?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining travel insurance.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS:

Individual consultants/contractors will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30.

Only candidates who obtain a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal

Please provide an all-inclusive price for delivering professional services in accordance with the assignment described under this TOR.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

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