Consultancy for developing and piloting a minimum package to prevent linear growth failure and stunting in under five children, Tehran 225 views

Consultancy for developing and piloting a minimum package to prevent linear growth failure and stunting in under five children

Job no: 532315

Position type: Consultancy

Location: Iran Division/Equivalent: Amman(MENA)

School/Unit: Iran

Department/Office: Teheran, Iran (Islamic Rep. of)

Categories: Consultancy

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Purpose: developing and piloting a minimum package to prevent linear growth failure and stunting in under five children

Location: : Sistan & Balouchestan, South Khorasan

Duration of Contract: 200 working days

Start Date: July 2020

Reporting to: Nutrition Unit, UNICEF Iran

Background

Stunting reflects chronic under-nutrition during the most critical periods of growth and development in early life. It is defined as the percentage of children aged 0 to 59 months whose height for age is below minus two standard deviations (moderate stunting) and minus three standard deviations (severe stunting) from the median of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. With a greater understanding of the short and long-term consequences of under-nutrition, UNICEF has focused its efforts to reduce the incidence of stunting among under five children.

CANDS-IR* 2017 results demonstrated that

• 8% of under five children in the country suffer from moderate and severe stunting, however the prevalence of stunting in Sistan & Balouchestan, and South Khorasan is 16.2%, and
• 7, respectively. To sustain the gains on nutrition indicators, bridging inequity gaps and enhancing the nutritional status of children, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF identified the need for pilot tested minimum package of interventions to prevent stunting in the selected areas in light of new evidences generated through the CANDS-IR 2017^*.

2.Objectives

The proposed consultancy will support the MoH and UNICEF to have a minimum package of interventions to preclude linear growth failure and its progression to stunting in the less advantaged areas.

In particular, this consultancy will contribute to achieve the following key objectives:

• To identify the main determinants of stunting in under 5 children in the targeted areas
• To map main MOHME interventions for tackling stunting and addressing possible gaps and barriers in service delivery
• To develop a minimum package of interventions to prevent stunting
• To pilot a minimum package of interventions to prevent stunting in selected areas

3. Methodology and Technical Approach

The proposed approach will focus on vulnerable group(s) in the less advantaged areas. Data and information collection methods will include, but are not limited to: (1) structured document review and content analysis of key documents; (2) primary and secondary analyses of data; (3) semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with informed individuals including, trained personnel, relevant officials of MOH, and etc. The consultant will conduct roundtable discussions with stakeholders on analytical reports and proposed interventions/packages. A proposed package of interventions to prevent stunting should be evidence based and contextualized. Detailed implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework should be a part of the package. Detailed implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework should be part of this package. Lessons learnt and the recommendations from the pilot study will be considered for a potential scaleup of the package.

^*Children Anthropometry, Nutrition, Development Service Indices, Iran 2017

4. Activities, Deliverable, Indicators, Time frame, and Schedule of Payment

Activity 1

1.1 Analysis of primary and secondary data to identify the key determinants of stunting in children under five in selected provinces.

1.2 Mapping the main interventions designed for stunting and identifying possible gaps in service delivery

1.3. Conduct of roundtables with stakeholders to discuss reports and suggested interventions and incorporate comments

Deliverable

Report of the root cause analysis of stunting in under 5 children in selected provinces

Time Frame: 20 working days

Payment: 20%

(UNICEF/MOHME agree on the finalized report of the root cause analysis)

Activity 2

2.1. Identifying the intended results and priority interventions through formulation of a Theory of Change;

2.2. Developing a minimum package to prevent stunting in children under five including practical and strategic framework for integration of a minimum package into the PHC, estimated budget and M&E framework including relevant indicators

2.3. Conduct of roundtables with stakeholders to discuss minimum package and incorporate comments

Deliverable

2.1 Report of the intended results and priority interventions

2.2 A minimum package

Time Frame: 20 working days

Payment : 30%

(agreement on a minimum package)

Activity 3

3.1 Piloting* a minimum package in priority provinces including evaluation & monitoring of the study

Deliverable: Progress report

Time Frame: 150 working days (over a period of 6 months)

3.2 Submission of the final report

Deliverable Final report

Time Frame: 10 working days

Payment activity 3: 50 %

(Acceptance of the final report)

Total number of required working days: 200 working days

N.B. All reports and presentations should be submitted in electronic version in English and Persian.

• Piloting the package is subject to the control of the COVID-19 outbreak in the selected areas.

The final deliverable; should include an English executive summary and a PowerPoint with key findings/recommendations of the consultancy.

5. Management and Organization

Management: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Nutrition officer. The responsible government partner is Department of Nutrition-MOH.

6. Conditions of Work

The consultant shall use his/her own facilities to manage the work, but, where circumstances demand otherwise, shall be allowed to make use of available UNICEF office space, computer and internet facilities with prior notification and arrangement with the supervisor and UNICEF Admin/ICT. The provision of these facilities by UNICEF shall be subject to their availability.

Domestic travel arrangements (ticket & accommodation) will be reimbursed by UNICEF based on actual travel at the applicable rate.

7. Qualifications

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• PhD, MD/PhD or post graduate degree in public health nutrition, nutrition sciences.
• Minimum ten years of working experience in the field of public health nutrition at the national level
• Previous working experience with UNICEF/UN is an asset.
• High level of written and oral communications skills in English is required.

• Tags

  medical education

  monitoring and evaluation

  oral communication

  stunting

• Possess the following skills and competencies:
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops
  • Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with government and development partners
  • Must be result-oriented, a team player, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and integrity

8.Call for proposals

A proposal shall include the following:

• • • Cover letter
• Full curriculum vitae of the researcher/his or her qualifications and experience
• The technical proposal including the approach that the researcher will follow in executing the assignment
• Reference to similar work (final products that are available and accessible)
• Financial proposal

9. Evaluation process and method

The technical proposal shall account for 75 points of the total score for selection. The minimum passing score for the technical evaluation is 60. The financial proposal shall account for 25 points of the total score for selection.

10. Ethical note

All the products, including data and analyses, developed in the course of this programme are the intellectual properties of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran. These products may not be shared without the expressed permission and acknowledgement of UNICEF Iran and MoHME. All the products developed in this programme comply with the standards of research integrity.

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:

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.

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.

Advertised: Jun 21 2020 Iran Daylight Time Application close: Jul 05 2020 Iran Daylight Time