UNICEF Nigeria is seeking a passionate and committed person to work remotely in the role of an estimation of severe acute malnutrition burden consultant for inclusive education and Jigawa and invites applications from highly motivated and committed persons who want to contribute to results for children. If you are that person, we encourage you to apply and become part of a highly motivated and committed team.
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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/
Background
In Nigeria, malnutrition, hunger and food insecurity are prevalent with 35 million people projected to be food insecure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 27 of the 36 states in the lean season (June to August 2026). Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa and number two in the world in terms of number of children malnourished. An estimated 15 million children are stunted and 10 million are wasted.
UNICEF provides technical and financial support to the government of Nigeria (national and state) on prevention and treatment of wasting. The 2023 – 2027 Nutrition Programme has three outputs focused on evidence informed enabling environment, system strengthening, diets and practices. Under evidence informed enabling environment data from Nutrition SMART surveys and National Demographic and Health Survey is used in IPC Acute Malnutrition Analysis and wasting burden estimation. The challenges with estimation of burden include accuracy of incidence correction factors, lack of coverage data, population estimates, and lack of severe acute malnutrition treatment data in some states
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of Assignment:
Nutrition data is part of UNICEF core commitments for children (CCC) in humanitarian action. Therefore, an accurate estimation of burden of children with wasting is critical in providing data for planning and response to wasting prevention and treatment.
The objective of the consultancy is to conduct a study on a method of determining incidence correction factor and a method of determining burden of wasting across the states in Nigeria. Specifically, the consultancy will focus on the following:
• Review of the quality of Severe Acute Malnutrition Programme data
• Review current methods of determining wasting incidence correction factors
• Review current methods of estimating burden of wasting
• Design and conduct a study or analysis to determine incidence correction factors for Nigeria
• Test the caseload calculator for the wasting cascade and provide feedback.
• Develop simplified tools for estimating wasting burden at national and state level in Nigeria
Scope of Work:
- Prioritize but not limited to Humanitarian Action States in the Northeast and Northwest Nigeria since the national burden of wasting cuts across the 36 states + Federal Capital Territory.
- Secondary review of wasting prevalence data, admissions data and coverage estimate
- Methodologically look at current burden estimation methods and parameters such as admissions data, wasting prevalence, population and determine suitable Incidence Correction Factors.
Work Assignment Overview:
Inception Phase
- Review of nutrition programme treatment data.
- Review current methods of determining wasting incidence correction factors
- Review current methods of estimating burden of wasting.
- Refine the geographic scope of the research
Deliverables/Outputs
Inception report with proposed methodology for determining burden of wasting.
Implementation.
- Design and conduct a study or analysis to determine incidence correction factor.
- Develop burden estimation tool.
- Test caseload calculator for wasting cascade
Deliverables/Outputs
- A study or analysis report on incidence correction factors for severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition.
- Burden estimation tool.
- Wasting cascade calculator tested and feedback provided.
Final Phase:
- Conduct validation meetings with stakeholders
- Analytical Presentations
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
An advanced degree in nutrition, public health, research, epidemiology, statistics or closely related areas.
Advanced experience in survey data, wasting treatment, burden estimation and programme coverage
Experience in writing publications
Excellent written and spoken English required as well as technical abilities and skills in reviewing literature and synthesizing information.
Experience in Africa and specifically West Africa.
Experience in stakeholder management and problem solving in complex situations.
All-Inclusive Financial Proposal Form UNICEF.docx
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.