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UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, commitment 

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

Background

In Nigeria, malnutrition and food insecurity are prevalent. Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa and number two in the world in terms of the magnitude of malnourished children (under 5 years). An estimated 15 million children are stunted, while about 3.5 million are wasted.  The Northwest region is affected with high acute malnutrition levels (Sokoto 11%, Kebbi 11% and Zamfara 8.5%). Stunting is very high with almost 1 in 2 children being stunted. Children in this region are also suffering from anaemia at 42%, which is of great public health concern.

The UNICEF nutrition programme aims to deliver high-impact nutrition services in an integrated manner with a focus on the prevention of malnutrition in both humanitarian and development settings. With a focus on system strengthening, UNICEF works with the government and other partners in scaling up nutrition services in the targeted states. Monitoring of the nutrition situation and programme performance is of high value to ensure accountability for resources and results. Nutrition data systems in Northwest requires strengthening to ensure the key components (people, data, technology, processes, and procedures) are functional. There are two main nutrition data types in Nigeria – population level survey data and administrative routine programme data. At population level the key surveys implemented in Northwest include Nutrition SMART surveys. The routine programme data includes District Health Information System 2 (DHIS-2) and programme monitoring of data managed by various organizations.

UNICEF is also supporting the focus states in the rollout of the Nigeria Health Logistics Management Information System. This is expected to build institutional capacity on nutrition commodity management, distribution and reporting.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support in nutrition programme delivery in the focus states as well as strengthening nutrition data systems (nutrition data and logistics) in the states under the Sokoto Field.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be required to among others:

1. Support nutrition programme design and implementation in the targeted states
2. Support the roll out of the nutrition module of District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) in the targeted states and LGAs
3. Support the roll out and operationalization of the  Nigeria  Health Logistics Management Information System
4. Coordinate planning and implementation of Nutrition SMART surveys in the states under the Sokoto Field Office
5. Technical support in food security analysis and IPC Acute Malnutrition Analysis
6. Support programme performance analysis, monitoring and reporting
7. Support the capacity development of government and partners on nutrition data
8. Support the collation and analysis of third-party monitoring reports/checklists for patterns, trends and field observations.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

1) Nutrition programme support, evidence generation, reporting, and data quality assurance 

Deliverables/Outputs:

•  Finalize SMART survey report for Sokoto FO
• Update monthly nutrition bulletin or dashboard
• Provide technical assistance during the MNCHW campaign exercise.
• Update the PMS for the Nutrition Section and IMAM database for Sokoto FO states.
• Conduct nutrition data management and IMAM training for government and partner staff.
• Facilitate monthly reporting on NHLMIS for the three states

2. Tasks/Milestone:

Capacity building, scale-up of programme implementation and knowledge sharing were enhanced.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Conduct nutrition data management and IMAM training for government and partner’s staff.
• Validate MNCHW data for the Sokoto FO states
• Ensure monthly reporting on NHLMIS for the Sokoto FO states
• Update PMS for the Nutrition Section and IMAM database for Sokoto FO states.
• Support the scale-up of nutrition programming in the states
• Prepare nutrition supply inventory report
• Consolidate and analyze third third-party facilitators' report with recommendations

3. Tasks/Milestone:

Routine programming, data compilation, and cleaning process strengthened.

    Deliverables/Outputs:

• Ensure monthly reporting on NHLMIS for the three states
• Update PMS for the Nutrition Section and IMAM database for Sokoto FO states.
• Initiate the planning for round 1 MNCHW campaign.
• Technical support provided on DHIS2 data entry and consistency checks.
• Support the scale-up of nutrition programmes in the states
• Prepare nutrition supply inventory report
• Consolidate and analyze third third-party facilitators' reports with recommendations

4. Tasks/Milestone:

Programme support, evidence generation through survey, reporting, and data quality assurance

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Support the FO operational plan for MNCHW
• Support the implementation of MNCHW in the targeted states
• PMS for the Nutrition Section and IMAM database updated for Sokoto FO states.
• Ensure monthly reporting on NHLMIS for the three states
• Plan for annual SMART survey and survey protocol finalized.
• Prepare nutrition supply inventory report from the state CMS
• Consolidate and analyze third-party facilitators' reports with recommendations

4. Tasks/Milestone:

CH/IPC AMN pre-analysis activities completed and 2027 HAC preparation

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Data quality assurance plan developed
• Pre-analysis dataset prepared for CH/IPC completed and reported
• PMS for the Nutrition Section and IMAM database updated for Sokoto FO states.
• Ensure monthly reporting on NHLMIS for the three states
• End of assignment report

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  VA 20251103 Nutrition Data Consultant_Sokoto FO_FINAL.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• A professional with over 3 years experience in nutrition or public health
• Evidence of planning, implementing, analyzing, and reporting on routine nutrition programme data, nutrition SMART surveys, IPC Acute Malnutrition, and Food security analysis.
• Experience working in public health/food security/nutrition-related activities.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Experience in health/nutrition program/project development, especially within a UN system agency or organization, is an asset. 
• Evidence of developing communication and knowledge management products in health and nutrition
• Strong communication skills - both oral and written in English
• Experience in working for UNICEF or UN agencies.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.