BACKGROUND
Since January 2015, UNICEF is supporting the government of Malawi to respond to devastating floods characterised as the worst in a decade which resulted in widespread destruction of national infrastructure and community livelihoods in 15 of the 29 districts of the country. The nutrition cluster led by the Department of Nutrition and HIV/AIDS (DNHA) became operational for the first time in Malawi following the declaration of the floods emergency. As a global nutrition cluster lead, UNICEF Malawi is playing a duo role of supporting the DNHA to effectively coordinate the implementation of cluster-wide deliverables as well as ensuring the delivery of UNICEF specific outputs related to the core commitments for children (CCC) in emergencies.
The impact of the flood emergency on nutritional status is more apparent after 2-3 months. There is also looming emergency due to food insecurity in 17 districts according to MVAC. Thus, UNICEF Malawi is recruiting an emergency nutrition consultant to continue support its contribution to cluster activities aimed at delivering lifesaving nutrition interventions to children and women in affected districts in a manner consistent with international standards.
PURPOSE
Under the general guidance of the Chief of Nutrition, the incumbent will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF’s national and sub-national emergency nutrition activities in response to the floods disaster.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
- Ensure that UNICEF’s interventions are in conformity with the CCC and SPHERE Standards including existing government policy guidance, technical standards, gender and human rights legal obligations.
- Conduct analytical interpretation of best available information in order to benchmark progress of the emergency response over time. That is - monitoring indicators (quantity, quality, coverage, continuity and cost) of service delivery and track the progress in implementation, address bottlenecks, issues impeding sector response.
3.Support UNICEF country office to ensure regular reporting against cluster indicators to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the emergency response.
4.Contribute to the preparation of situation reports, sector reviews, preparation of programme, funding proposals and donor reports.
5.Ensure that interventions meet quality standards, in terms of clear goals definition, appropriate strategic choices and concrete results to be achieved in line with the CCC and suggest corrective measures if required.
6.Identify supply needs for UNICEF response and coordinate with country office staff for timely release and delivery of lifesaving supplies ensuring proper and timely accountability in accordance with UNICEF policies and procedures.
7.Undertake field visits in affected areas to monitor implementation of emergency interventions by implementing partners and provide technical assistance to the field hubs in Blantyre and Zomba as requested and travel to the field to fill gaps as required
8.Establish and maintain regular contacts with DNHA and implementing partners and participate in coordination meetings and follow up on implementation of recommendations and agreements
9.Assist country office staff to identify capacity building needs and support the development of a plan and participate in emergency nutrition capacity building activities.
10.Ensure the alignment of emergency interventions with the existing community based nutrition programme (SUN-NECS) as a critical transition from response to early recovery and community resilience.
DELIVERABLES
· Monthly UNICEF reports including SITREPS, EMT and donor reports are promptly prepared and submitted TO the chief of nutrition
· Monthly reports based on SWOT analysis assessing the state of implementation of emergency nutrition services in camps and affected communities are prepared and presented to the cluster
· Monthly cluster activities are monitored on the ground and the response and early recovery components of the cluster plan are constantly reviewed, updated to adequately, effectively and efficiently respond to the needs of affected communities both in terms of timing and quality execution.
· Monthly field mission reports and updates on progress in programme implementation
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
· April fee – upon completion of April deliverables
· May fee – upon completion of May deliverables
· June fee – upon completion of June deliverables
· July fee – upon completion of July deliverables
· August fee – upon completion of August deliverables
· September fee- upon completion of September deliverables
· October fee- upon completion of October deliverables
· November fee- upon completion of November deliverables
· December fee- upon completion of December deliverables
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
· An Advanced University Degree or higher in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, food security, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, or other health related science field is required
· A minimum of five years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, related research or planning and management in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition, at the international level and of which 2 years were in an emergency environment.
· Recent experience in Nutrition in Emergency programmes including, but not limited to, recent experience in Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition, including Therapeutic Feeding Program (TFP) and Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFP), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Micronutrients, Supplementation.
· Knowledge of and experience with the products and treatment protocols being used in CMAM programmes.
· Knowledge and experience with IYCF in Emergency is an asset.
· Experience in nutrition programmes communications (C4D).
· Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in the language of the humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language an asset.
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ) quoting the indicative fee range (Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered), as well as the consultancy title to:hrmalawi@unicef.org
All applications should be submitted by 21 April 2015.
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 the organization.
