International Consultant: Documentation of Maternal Nutrition Policy and Programming in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia (home-based)

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A steadily growing economy isn’t benefiting all. Half the population still lives in poverty and children’s changes can vary dramatically depending on their families’ wealth or where they live.

For more information, visit the UNICEF Indonesia Country Office website: https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/

Title: International Consultant: Documentation of Maternal Nutrition Policy and Programming in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Duty Station: Home-based

Type of Contract: Individual Consultant

Duration: October 2021 – 28 February 2022 (35 working days)

BACKGROUND:

Despite the significant economic growth in the last few decades, maternal and child malnutrition remains a public health challenge in Indonesia. Nearly half (49%) of pregnant women suffer from anemia and almost one in five pregnant women are thin (Riskesdas, 2018). It is well established that the nutritional status of pregnant women has strong influence on their pregnancy and birth outcomes, with anemic and malnourished pregnant women having a higher risk of giving birth to low birth weight babies, which leads to stunted growth of the offspring. Anemic pregnant women also have a higher risk of hemorrhage during labor, which increases the risk of maternal mortality.

The Indonesian government has implemented various programs to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy, which includes provision of daily iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets during pregnancy, food supplementation in the form of high energy biscuits or dried rations, along with counselling during the antenatal care for pregnant women. However, the coverage and compliance of these programs remain low. Evidence suggests that the low coverage and compliance of maternal nutrition programmes might be due to inadequate counselling from health workers, low awareness of the benefit of maternal nutrition services, and lack of program monitoring and evaluation.

In response, UNICEF has supported the government to strengthen maternal nutrition programs in Indonesia to prevent anemia, chronic energy deficiency, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. As part of this effort, a landscape analysis of maternal nutrition program is currently being implemented to assess the current policy and programmatic context, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, UNICEF aims to develop a comprehensive document summarizing the key findings of the policy and programmatic landscape analysis of maternal nutrition in Indonesia. Accordingly, UNICEF Indonesia is seeking an international consultant with strong expertise in maternal nutrition program to lead the documentation process.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be requested to:

1.     Review the key findings of maternal nutrition policy and programme landscape analysis and relevant literature.

2.     Support the development of recommendations on improving maternal nutrition policy and programme in Indonesia

3.     Lead the documentation of maternal nutrition policy and programmatic landscape in Indonesia.

The key tasks and indicative timeline are provided below. The timeline can be adjusted in agreement with UNICEF as long as the tasks are completed by 28 February 2022. The tasks will be conducted in close collaboration with the UNICEF Nutrition Team in Jakarta

The key tasks and indicative timeline

Task

1. Review the desk review results and provide feedback on the report
2. Develop recommendations on maternal nutrition policy and programme
3. Develop a comprehensive report and publication on maternal nutrition policy and programme landscape analysis

 Deliverable and timeline

1. Revised desk review report of maternal nutrition landscape study – 7 days
2. Recommendations for maternal nutrition policy and programs in Indonesia – 7 days
3. First draft report on landscape study of maternal nutrition program – 6 days
4. Final draft report and publication on the landscape study of maternal nutrition program – 15 days

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• Post graduate degree in nutrition or public health sciences with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in maternal nutrition program
• Have strong writing, communication and advocacy skills
• Have experience working with UN agencies
• Have experience working in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
• Fluency in English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies:

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

Closing date:  19 October 2021 

Disclaimer: The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your profile to ensure accuracy and completeness. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.