Emergency Nutrition Officer (Consultant)

Emergency Nutrition Officer (Consultant)

Duty Station:  Partner/IP Office (Office Base)

Contract Duration:  6 Months

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone.          

Contract Start Date:  Immediate

Reporting to: Nutrition Specialist

A.    Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to ensure regular programme monitoring, resolving on site programmatic challenges and building capacity of local level actors (managers and frontline workers, Government Partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)/NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders) for planning, implementation, supportive supervision, monitoring and reporting of emergency nutrition interventions and activities in the FDMN & Host Community settlements of Cox’s Bazar.

B.    Background

Over the past five years (2017-2022), there has been a significant decrease in Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM), declining by 6.9 percent from 19.3 percent in 2017 to 12.4 percent in 2022 among the Rohingya population residing in Cox’s Bazar. However, the SENS survey conducted in November 2023 show that the overall GAM rate has increased from 12.4 percent in 2022 to 15.4 percent (3 percent point increase from 2022) in 2023 and hence exceeding the WHO-UN Agency emergency thresholds and representing the most critical acute malnutrition situation since the 2017 influx. On the other hand, prevalence of GAM was highest (20.1 percent) among children aged 6-23 months compared to those aged 24-59 months (10.9 percent). Additionally, severe wasting has increased from 0.7 percent in 2022 to 2.1 percent in 2023 and continues to be a cause for concern. Besides GAM, stunting among Rohingya children aged 6-59 months is alarmingly high at 41.3 percent. Furthermore, more than one-third (38.1 percent) of children under five years suffer from anemia, with a significantly higher prevalence (56.0 percent) among those below two years. The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age is of medium public health concern at 24.1 percent.

On IYCF, only 69.9 percent of children under six months are exclusively breastfed an improvement compared to 2022 (62.3 percent). Among children under 2, there has been a decline in minimum dietary diversity (consumption of at least 5 out of 8 recommended food groups) from 30.2 percent to 26.6 percent; minimum meal frequency from 68.6 percent to 47.3 percent and minimum acceptable diet from 28.2 percent to 16.3 percent from 2022 to 2023. The overall vulnerability levels among the Rohingya community are alarmingly high.  Limited  access  to  regular  income  and livelihood opportunities  has  left  97  percent of  households vulnerable,  relying  on  humanitarian assistance,  and 78  percent  (an increase  from  44  percent  in 2022) experiencing insufficient food consumption1

Food insecurity, resulting in inadequate food consumption, is a major challenge. Compounding this issue, the General Food Assistance (GFA) provided by WFP as part of the humanitarian response was reduced from $12 per person equivalent to 2100 Kcal to $10 in March 2023 and further decreased to $8 in June 2023. Anticipated negative consequences of these cuts on the nutritional status are particularly concerning for the most vulnerable populations within the Rohingya refugees. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the well-being and nutritional health of the Rohingya population, particularly the most vulnerable groups. In light of the aforementioned challenges, it is increasingly important to scale up and strengthen preventive services through IYCF interventions and continue to treat children with severe malnutrition, both with and without medical complications.

In order to address the complex emergency situation in Cox’s Bazar due to the influx of Rohingyas from August 2017, UN Agency has been providing technical, logistical, programmatic as well as Human Resource support to establish and scale up Emergency Nutrition services and ensure accessibility of the services by the Undocumented Myanmar Nationals along with those living in Registered camps and host communities. UN Agency through the Nutrition section is therefore proposing to extend the contract of one Emergency Nutrition Officers (ENO) from September 1st, 2024, to 31st August 2025, to continue providing this crucial technical and operational response support.

C.    Objectives, and Expected Results

The purpose of this assignment is to regularly monitor the program, problem identification and solving, hand holding of local GO and NGO staff and building capacity of local level actors (relevant stakeholders, Government Partners, partners NGOs, frontline workers, and managers) which includes planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of emergency nutrition intervention activities. Working as part of the UN Agency Nutrition team in Cox’s Bazar, the incumbents will provide complementary human resource capacity, supporting field monitoring, and strengthening linkages with local government entities who are responsible for improving nutrition as well as other implementing partners. The ENOs will be responsible for Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazillas to support 26 integrated nutrition facilities (INFs) along with the newly taken over 8 from UNHCR in Rohingya camps as well as support to Civil Surgeon Office and District Sadar Hospital for mainstreaming nutrition programming in the host communities.

To achieve the expected results, the ENOs will be providing technical support to the partner NGOs & relevant Government Partners - Civil Surgeon Office & District Sadar Hospital in implementing their projects. In addition, they will support coordination efforts with key stakeholders in the Rohingya camps; strengthening surveillance, reporting and planning. In addition to providing on the job training and timely technical assistance for partner staff, the ENOs will establish linkages across key stakeholders, ensure that quality standards are being met during implementation, activities are regularly monitored with recommended actions, and progress reported in a timely manner. Acting as the first line of support for MOH, Government Partners and other nutrition partners in Camps ENOs will identify bottlenecks, undertake corrective actions, report back to the Nutrition Section on results achieved against key indicators.

D.    Key  Tasks and Responsibilities

The ENOs will support the Implementing Partners to implement the activities of the UN Agency funded Nutrition projects. In addition, they will coordinate with key stakeholders at camp & host community level, strengthening surveillance, reporting and bottom-up planning. They will provide on-the-job training, timely technical assistance for partner staff and organize different nutrition events including National Nutrition Week or Nutrition Action Week (NAW)/Vitamin A Supplementation & Deworming Campaign, World Breastfeeding Week, MUAC Mass screening, establish linkages across key stakeholders, ensure that quality standards will be met during implementation, activities are regularly monitored, and progress reported in a timely manner. The ENO wills be the first line of support for nutrition partners at camp & host community level while identifying bottlenecks, providing corrective actions and feedback to the Nutrition Section on results achieved against key indicators.

E.    Deliverables 

F.     Payment

Consultant will get BDT 2,16,000.00 (All payments are subject to income tax deduction at sources, if any)

G.    Administrative issues

·  The consultants will report to the Nutrition Specialist/Nutrition Officer, UN Agency Cox’s Bazar and submit the deliverables outlined under-reporting requirement

·  For payment by E-Zone on due time, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmed of receiving expected deliverables for the respective period.

·  If the consultant is required to travel outside their duty station, prior approval will be required, then the costs will be reimbursed at actuals.

·  Consultant will be responsible to pay all taxes as per government rules and regulations.

H.    Qualification requirement

· Advanced university degree in Health, Nutrition, or related technical field. A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

·  At least 3 years' working experience in nutrition and public health required.

· Demonstrated strong competencies in drive for results, communication and working with people Knowledge of the local health system is essential.

· Experience in working with government counterparts and civil society organizations will be an asset.

· Excellent communication and presentation skills.

· Willingness to travel frequently, including hard-to-reach and remote areas.

I.  Language Requirements

Fluency in Bangla and good English communication skills are required.

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photograph by uploading their application .

Last Date of Application:  October 22, 2024

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.