UNICEF seeks to recruit a consultancy – Nutrition research consultant for evidence generation and use for 11 months (open to both National and International professionals)

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, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

 

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the consultant will contribute to improving the nutritional status of children and women in Uganda by facilitating the use of evidence for strategic decision-making. The specific objectives of the consultancy are to plan and coordinate implementation of UNICEF-supported research, to facilitate dissemination and use of UNICEF-supported research, and to support the Government of Uganda (GoU) and DPs to plan and coordinate all nutrition-related research in the country.

 

Background

UNICEF Uganda plays a key role in the generation and use of nutrition evidence through its support to programme implementation and coordination mechanisms, such as technical working groups and committees. Research is a core component of several, current programmes supported by UNICEF Uganda.

The Karamoja Nutrition Programme (KNP) is a 3.5-year (2018-2021) joint programming approach by UNICEF and the World Food Programme that is financially supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The KNP seeks to reduce child and maternal undernutrition and anaemia, while strengthening the effectiveness and resiliency of the overall health system in the Karamoja Region of Uganda. Partners of the KNP agreed to adopt an adaptive approach to programming; where strategies, activities and budget are periodically reviewed and revised based on improved knowledge. A key output of the KNP for adaptive programming is ‘Evidence Generation and Application,’ which includes activities to evaluate innovative malnutrition prevention approaches, to conduct implementation research, to quantify micronutrient deficiency, to determine the causes of anaemia, and to improve nutrition data use.

Strengthening Nutrition Governance for Multisectoral Response is a 4-year (2018-2021) programme supported by the European Union and UNICEF. The goal of the programme is to contribute to scaling up nutrition services by strengthening nutrition governance in Northern Uganda. There are several research focus areas in the programme, including generating evidence on the link between agriculture and nutritional outcomes and improving understanding of the determinants of undernutrition and food insecurity.

UNICEF Uganda is currently supporting components of the Uganda National Information Platform for Nutrition (U-NIPN), which is part of a global initiative of the European Commission, DFID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The global initiative is being developed and coordinated internationally in 10 countries by a Global Support Facility, and the Uganda platform started in 2018. The goal of the platform is to strengthen nutrition information systems and to improve the use of evidence for strategic decision-making.

In addition to the evidence generation activities with direct support from UNICEF, nutritional research is supported by several Development Partners (DPs) in Uganda. There is a need to ensure the quality of UNICEF-supported nutrition research and to facilitate application of nutrition evidence generated in Uganda.

 

Key Tasks :

1.  Planning, coordination and technical support for UNICEF-supported nutrition research :

1. Develop micro-plan of UNICEF-supported research in collaboration with UNICEF Nutrition Specialists and the UNICEF Nutrition Manager ;
2. Define appropriate methodologies and develop Request for Proposals and Terms of Reference for nutrition research ;
3. Ensure that all research requirements, such as ethical approval, are carried out ;
4. Act as the office focal point for nutrition research, communicating with and providing technical support to UNICEF staff and contracted institutions/individuals ;
5. Review UNICEF-supported nutrition research methodology, tools, and reports.

2. Dissemination and use of UNICEF-supported research :

1. Develop dissemination and advocacy materials from nutrition research ;
2. Organize dissemination events and presentations of research findings to technical working groups, committees, and other appropriate forums ;
3. Ensure that nutrition research supports the U-NIPN.

3. Support to GoU and DPs for planning and coordination of nutrition research :

1. Review nutrition research methodology, tools and reports shared with UNICEF by GoU and DPs ;
2. Provide technical support to MoH Nutrition Division and OPM UNAP Secretariat for prioritization and planning of nutrition research ;
3. Provide technical support to MoH Nutrition Division and OPM UNAP Secretariat for integration of nutrition research priorities into government plans, strategies, and road maps.

 

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

• A Master’s degree or a PhD in nutrition, public health, health sciences, medicine, biological sciences, or any related subject ;
• If holding a Master’s degree, at least 6 years’ experience in the management, design, analysis and reporting of nutrition research. If holding a PhD, at least 3 years’ experience in the management, design, analysis and reporting of nutrition research. The following experience will be an asset: both quantitative and qualitative research, implementation/operational research, nutrition surveys, programme monitoring and evaluation, working in a low or middle-income country with UNICEF or another UN agency ;
• Proven ability to write and publish technical reports, documents or papers in English; to use statistical software packages; and to synthesize and communicate research findings in English.

 

Competencies :

1. Core Values (Required) :  •       Commitment       • Diversity and Inclusion      • Integrity
2. Core Competencies (Required) : • Communication    • Working with People • Drive for Results
3. Functional Competencies (Required) :  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts       • Persuading and Influencing; • Relating and Networking    • Applying Technical Expertise

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

 

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 technical 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.

 

Remarks :

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.