Individual Consultant (Maldivian National) Technical support to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), to coordinate the implementation of SBCC strategy for the first 1000 days of life, Maldives.
Job no: 537317
Position type: Consultancy
Location: Maldives Division/Equivalent: Kathmandu(ROSA)
School/Unit: Maldives
Department/Office: Male, Maldives
Categories: Health, Nutrition, NO-1, Early Childhood Development, Consultancy
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Advert: TOR/2020/55
Individual Consultant (National) Technical support to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), to coordinate the implementation of SBCC strategy for the first 1000 days of life, Maldives.
Purpose of assignment & Background:
The nutrition status of the Maldivian population has shown slight gains over the past decades; however, these improvements are not in pace with major other developments the country has witnessed. Malnutrition of under-five children is still at a worrying level - with stunting (15.3%), wasting (9.1%), and overweight (4.9%) (DHS, 2016-2017). More recent assessments indicate that inadequate child feeding skills, lack of support to caregivers leading to low food diversity and density, coupled with heavy reliance on packaged food, and other related factors contribute to the malnutrition problem. The first 1000 days of life -from the start of a woman's pregnancy until her child's second birthday- offer a critical window of opportunity to develop a strong foundation to shape a child's future. The right nutrition during this period is critical for brain development, healthy growth, a strong immune system, and protection from chronic diseases later in life. If children do not get the right nutrients in the right quantities during this period, the damage is often irreversible. It provides an opportunity to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in the Maldives. Social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) interventions are key for addressing social and cultural barriers to achieving nutrition goals, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality from nutrition-preventable health causes.
The Health Protection Agency with the support of UNICEF and other donor agencies designed a Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy (SBCC) for the first 1000 days of life, and was launched in late 2019. The SBCC strategy provides key directions to effectively protect, promote and support appropriate maternal nutrition and infant and young child feeding (IYCF). The accompanying action plan provides detailed guidance for implementing the strategy, including concrete actions and timelines. In 2020, rollout of several key activities of the action plan were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNICEF is seeking a national consultant to support HPA, to provide technical support and coordination to implement the SBCC strategy and action plan.
Objectives:
The purpose of the assignment is to coordinate and implement activities planned under the SBCC Strategy and other relevant nutrition activities implemented in the target islands, and advise relevant departments, stakeholders, and managers to strengthen the existing service delivery platforms. The main objective is to provide technical expertise and operational support to roll-out of activities of the SBCC Strategy and action plan. The specific objectives are to:
Duty station: The consultant will be based in the Health Protection Agency in Male'. There will be travel/outreach support to SBCC demonstration sites and islands.
Supervisor: Programme Specialist from UNICEF Maldives Country Office, (on-site support by HPA head of nutrition)
Major tasks to be Accomplished:
The consultant will be coordinating and implementing the activities outlined in the SBCC strategy and action plan. Key tasks and deliverables include, but is not limited to the following: Objective: Support the implementation and coordination of the SBCC strategy at the central level, and support implementation in public health units of 12 target islands
Tasks:
Deliverables:
Objective: In consultation with relevant managers and decision makers in HPA, coordinate the implementation of activities in the SBCC strategy for the first 1000 days of life, to improve health workers' capacity in optimal maternal nutrition and infant and young child feeding, and early childhood care.
Tasks:
Deliverables:
Objective: Support the integration of SBCC key messages within the Growth Monitoring Promotion and Infant Young Child Feeding Counselling services as well as anti-natal care programme provided at health centers in the target 12 islands.
Tasks:
Deliverables:
Objective: Strengthen and build healthcare institutional capacity to implement and manage maternal nutrition and IYCF behavior change communication at key contact points at healthcare facility and community levels.
Tasks:
Deliverables:
Objective: Enhance visibility and positioning of maternal nutrition and IYCF at all levels and breadth of society.
Tasks:
Deliverables:
Note: Consultant will be placed in HPA. detailed activities are included in the SBCC action plan.
Estimated duration of contract: The estimated duration of the project is approximately 11 months starting from January 2021.
Official travel involved (itinerary and duration): Travel to project islands to implement and monitor SBCC activities, as and when required.
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.
Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required
Deadline for applications: 28th January 2021, 06:00pm (Maldives Time)
Application link:
https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=537317&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us
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:
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: Jan 07 2021 West Asia Standard Time Application close: Jan 28 2021 West Asia Standard Time
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This vacancy is archived.