National consultant - to support strengthening of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) in Myanmar (Open to Myanmar National Applicants Only)

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

National consultant_ to support strengthening of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) in Myanmar

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, HOPE

Background:

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have been recognised in Myanmar since the 1890s. Universal salt iodization (USI), as the single long-term strategy to eliminate IDD, was established in 1997. In 1998, a notification under the Salt Enterprise Law of 1992 was issued to facilitate the iodization of edible salt. Surveys since 2001 record the availability of iodized salt in the majority, and an increasing proportion, of households. The most recent surveys of 2008 and 2011 suggest that more than 90% of households use iodized salt; with less than 10% of households using non-iodized salt. A significant proportion of household salt contains iodine levels less than the national requirement of 15ppm at household level however, with little improvement in recent years. Surveys to assess iodine status in school age children in 2006 indicated adequate status nationally and in two of three regions. In the remaining region it was borderline however (100.2ug/L) and no assessments of iodine status of this population group have been carried out since this time. No data exists on iodine status in other population groups. UNICEF Myanmar grew concerned about the status of the programme in 2014/15 following the release a Preliminary Assessment of the programme by AusAID.

While IDD elimination received high levels of political attention in Myanmar, in particular in the 2000s, it appears that focus on IDD elimination has waned in recent years; potentially due to a much more crowded and complex nutrition environment and agenda. The relative success of the programme up until 2006 may also have contributed to an impression that the programme was being implemented well and even that IDD was eliminated. IDD has not been eliminated, however. Moreover, the use of the term elimination is misleading because IDD easily returns if interventions to increase intake of iodine are not maintained. Available data on household use of iodized salt suggests some back-sliding at worst and stagnation at best. In addition, there appears to be little awareness amongst key stakeholders of the current, relatively poor status of IDD elimination and USI activities.

A regional USI expert international consultant from UNICEF EAPRO conducted a visit to Myanmar in March 2016 to consult with various USI stakeholders (Government, partners) and review data and documents. Key barriers and bottlenecks were identified with priority recommendations made. Overall, especially with the change in new Government, high level advocacy and technical discussions need to be supported with Government to re-assess the Governance structure for USI which is currently limited in its functioning and effectiveness. This would include reviewing existing USI legislation/regulations, policies and supporting the identification of effective and sustainable USI implementation modalities and Governance structures, with a clear prioritised Government workplan to strengthen USI.

UNICEF Myanmar has received funding from USAID from 01 July 2020 to 31 December 2021 to strengthen USI programming in Myanmar and the recruitment of a national USI consultant will be critical to supporting the UNICEF nutrition team and Government in implementing priority recommendations, which can be supported by this USAID funding.

UNICEF recruited a USI national consultant in 2017 and 2018 where key achievements with Government were achieved, in line with UNICEF's joint workplan with Governments and donor proposal. These included the completion of a national policy and legislation review for salt, consensus on a new coordination and governance structure for the salt iodisation program and the drafting of a new five year national strategy and workplan for Iodine Deficiency Disorder Elimination (IDDE). Given these achievements and national momentum by Government to strengthen USI over the past year, it is critical for UNICEF to provide continued, dedicated technical assistance through another national USI consultancy, as per the objectives and deliverables of the current ToR.

Objectives of the consultancy:

General Objectives:

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to support Government in finalizing of legislation, assess and support in implementation of IDDE five-year plan of action.

Specific objectives:

1. Support finalisation of salt standard and USI order
2. Support review of IDDED five -year plan of action and prepare to take necessary action accordingly
3. Support in development of update database on mapping of raw and iodized salt production, iodized salt distribution and related facts in disaggregated data as per states and regions
4. Support strengthening of Government systems for implementation USI, including enforcement systems, PIRF, coverage monitoring and impact evaluation

Geographic Area:

The consultant will be based in Yangon with travel to Nay Pi Taw and some states/regions as required.

Duration:

11 months (From 01 September 2020 to 31 July 2021) Full time consultancy for 11 months.

Description of Assignment:

Tasks 1:

Support finalization of salt standard and submit to Standard Committee for strengthening USI

Deliverables 1:

Salt Standard is finalized and submit to standard committee to have approval.

Tasks 2:

Support finalization of USI order based on the approved salt standard

Deliverables 2:

USI order is finalized and disseminated.

Tasks 3:

Support review meeting of IDDE Five Year Plan of Action

Deliverables 3:

Report progress of meeting, meeting minutes, recommendations and way forwards is submitted.

Tasks 4:

Support in development of detail actions/activities with costing for remaining years of Five-Year Plan of Action

Deliverables 4:

Detail actions/activities with costing for remaining years of Five-Year Plan of Action is submitted.

Tasks 5:

Support in development of IEC materials for salt producers, wholesalers and retailers on salt iodization

Deliverables 5:

IEC materials for salt producers, wholesalers and retailers on salt iodization are developed.

Tasks 6:

Developed and update database on mapping of raw and iodized salt production, iodized salt distribution and related facts in disaggregated data as per states and regions

Deliverables 6:

Database on mapping of raw and iodized salt production, iodized salt distribution in disaggregated data as per state and regions is developed and updated.

Tasks 7:

Support in Orientation/advocacy of IDDE programme and salt legislations in prioritized states and regions

Deliverables 7:

Orientation/advocacy of IDDED programme and salt legislation is completed at least three states and regions.

Tasks 8:

Review states and regions salt legislation and find out the gap to address and revise as per new approved salt standard or USI order.

Deliverables 8:

At least three states and regions salt legislations were reviewed and revised as per approved USI order.

Tasks 9:

Strengthen capacity of FDA to adopt its new role in IDDE/USI

Deliverables 9:

• Salt testing and lab system established within FDA.
• Salt monitoring protocol (at production and retail/import level), tools and checklists developed or updated.

Tasks 10:

Strengthen PIRF (Potassium Iodate Revolving Fund)

Deliverables 10:

• At least one PIRF is conducted with meetings minutes available in English.
• Restructuring PIRF management and submitted to IDDE subcommittee of Myanmar Nutrition Technical Network under Nutrition Promotion Steering Committee.

Tasks 11:

Prepare lesson learnt of IDDE programme and required documents for evaluation of IDDE Five Year POA.

Deliverables 11:

• Documents for final evaluation of IDDED Five Year POA is submitted.
• Final report for this consultant tasks submitted and accepted by UNICEF, including lessons learned and recommendations to strengthen IDDE program.

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

Qualification and specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:

• A Bachelor university degree in a subject area related to one of the following disciplines: health, governance, social policy, law, or other relevant discipline(s).
• At least 5 years professional work experience in government or with large national or international institutions working in social/health policy and programme development, or national development or improved governance.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic analysis, policy development, programme planning and implementation and consensus building, especially in key technical areas.
• Necessary to have excellent knowledge and experience in Universal Salt Iodization programme in Myanmar.
• Excellent knowledge of the Myanmar governance system.
• Experience in institutional capacity development.
• Legal expertise an advantage.
• Good reputation among the policy making community in Myanmar.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with Government, UN agencies and NGOs.
• Good skills in computer and software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

The following personal skills are required:

• Strong commitment to the UN values of humanity, impartiality, neutrality
• Flexibility, adaptability and tolerance
• Good diplomacy skills
• Good English language skills - oral communication, translation and writing

Detail Terms of Reference can be accessed here;

(1) ToR national consultant for USI 2020-21.docx

The Expression of Interest form to complete and include in the application can be accessed here;

(1) EOI USI.doc

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.

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 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.

Apply now

Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org