Country: Senegal
Closing date: 29 Sep 2019
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
Prevalence rates of stunting and wasting have remained stubbornly high across the Sahel over the last 10 years. UNICEF’smandate is to addressall forms of malnutritionwith a special focus on stunting in the region of West and Central Africa. Wasting plays an important role in the consistently high rates of stunting. However, limited long-term sustainable investment and resources are available for nutrition interventions which is compounded by the limited recognition that wasting prevention, early detection and treatment contribute to healthy growth.
Staggering population increases in this region mean that caseloads will likely dramatically increase over the coming decade, significantly overburdening already fragile health systems with admissions of SAM. To date however wasting prevention has been linked with stunting reduction packages, which have not empirically shown impact on rates of wasting. Furthermore, in fragile contexts wasting prevention tends to be almost exclusively focused on LNS supplementation using emergency funds. Linked to this is the consideration that wasting is a condition that only happens in humanitarian contexts.
Whilst the global policy environment is favorable to wasting and stunting reduction, with clear targets having been set via the WHA and SDGs, reviews demonstrate that we are off target to meet these global goals. In depth reflection is needed to better understand the context specific drivers of wasting, the intervention models and approaches that have demonstrated impact, and the opportunity for scaling up interventions which help to reduce wasting and are in line with stunting reduction initiatives.
How can you make a difference?
To move forward with the operationalisation of preventative action for wasting using an evidence-based approach, it is necessary to review the context specific drivers of wasting and the prevention approaches implemented across the Sahel. This review will compile publicly available data and literature, grey literature, project evaluations and program reports to map out the key drivers and intervention models to identify;
Scope of work
In collaboration with members of the Nutrition Section, this review seeks to identify key drivers and intervention design with regards to wasting prevention approaches in the Sahel.
As a first step, the consultant should conduct an evidence review on risk factors, associations to wasting and preventative approaches in the Sahel.
As a second step this review will identify country-level intervention approaches for the prevention of wasting based on national child health and nutrition action plans, policies, strategies and intervention models. Where possible, information should be analysed on the method of targeting and whether wasting prevention features only in humanitarian funding proposals, or also development funding proposals. Analysis should help to identify whether wasting prevention is considered directly or indirectly (i.e. as outcomes of stunting prevention approaches). This analysis should also seek to determine the key partners, donors and any other key stakeholders.
Finally, any evaluations or final reports of wasting prevention interventions/approaches should be analysed to identify promising approaches with potential for scale-up.
Deliverables and Schedules
Develop analysis framework and review methodology based on consultancy objectives
3
Analysis framework
Conduct evidence review on risks and associations linked with wasting and produce written report
12
Literature review
Conduct review on preventative intervention approaches and produce written report
25
Review on intervention approaches across Sahel
Consolidate all findings in to one, synthesized report and presentation
5
Final report and presentation
Administrative Issues
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
EDUCATION
University degree in public health, nutrition or related fields, with significant knowledge of nutrition interventions especially wasting treatment and prevention programs.
WORK EXPERIENCE
At least 5 years of experience in nutrition programs, and/or research posts related to public health nutrition. Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis required. Desirable experience in Sahel countries.
LANGUAGES
Fluency in English and French.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The competencies required for this post are
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:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=526507