Terms of Reference
Nutrition in Emergency Training
Job Title:
Nutrition in Emergency (NiE) training Consultant
Place of Work:
TBD
Reports to:
Global Nutrition Cluster Coordinator
Works with:
Nutrition Cluster, Country Cluster Partners
Duration
Number of Positions
available:
Three months
Three positions:
- Two positions to work as a team to support the ESARO and MENA
offices and
countries (Somalia, N. Sudan, S. Sudan and Yemen)
-One position to work as a team with the Capacity Building Advisor to support the
WCARO and ROSA offices and countries (Niger, DRC and Chad, Afghanistan)
Background
Nutrition practitioners involved in emergency nutrition often have to deal with a wide range of
activities such as prevention and treatment of moderate and severe malnutrition, promotion and
support of infant and young child feeding (IYCF), control and prevention of micronutrient
deficiency disorders and management of nutrition information. Until recently, for each of these
topics, guidelines existed but were of various quality and often outdated. As knowledge was
spread though many documents, it was also not easy for field workers and emergency nutrition
practioners to access these technical document and effectively use them to improve the
programming.
In order to fill these gaps, the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) developed Harmonized Training
Package (HTP) and a toolkit for addressing Nutrition in emergency situations. Both materials
summarized the most up to date knowledge and practice in the main domains of emergency
nutrition. The development of these tools was ensured through the concrete support of the GNC
coordination team and GNC partners as well as donors, where the project was led and managed
by ENN/NutritionWorks.
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1
A toolkit for addressing Nutrition in emergency situations can be accessed from the GNC
website1. The toolkit provides an overview of essential practices in the domains of Infant
and young child feeding, Treatment of diarrhoea, management of vitamin A and
micronutrient deficiencies, treatment of moderate and severe malnutrition, associations
http://oneresponse.info/globalclusters/nutrition/Pages/default.aspx
between nutrition and HIV/AIDS, psychosocial aspects of nutrition, nutrition for special
needs groups, logistics aspects of food management and household food security and
livelihoods.
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The Harmonized training package is a reference material (21 modules) containing a
summary fact sheet, Technical Notes, additional resources, and training exercises. The 21
modules cover the same as the Toolkit, but in a more detailed and trainer-friendly format,
in addition to essential modules on the basic knowledge around malnutrition (definitions,
detection, monitoring, etc.) and on practical aspects of practitioners work (linking health
and nutrition, working with communities, etc.). In 2010, half of the modules of the HTP
were revised, with the remaining modules to be revised in 2011. The updated versions are
hosted on the UNSCN website2.
In 2008, the HTP modules were piloted in Somalia, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Philippines, however
the dissemination and the roll of these tools at country level has remained limited, as was
documented in a review of GNC tools in 2009,3 though the materials themselves were very much
appreciated and used by those who were aware of them.
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The Toolkit was particularly used at the country level by cluster members including
Governments. It was well appreciated as an advocacy tool on nutrition-related
interventions with (non-technical) managers.
The HTP was considered to be of good quality and to be comprehensive with large
potential when used as a support in larger capacity building strategies on NiE.
The first priority for the GNC is that, nutrition managers and nutrition cluster coordinators be
given a clear understanding of what both tools can provide them, so that they can apply updated
knowledge into their daily practice and ensure that interventions are of optimal relevance and
quality. UNICEF did adapt the HTP into a Nutrition in Emergencies training package for
selected modules for UNICEF staff but the modules selected focused on UNICEFs the Core
Commitment for Children (CCC) in Emergencies, with session outlines and practical work. The
materials were piloted by UNICEF in in 2009 in Bangkok and 2010 the first training was used to
modify material which were in three majority of regions, however these trainings were not
linked to specific scale up plans. The materials were updated and adapted in each country
context, however lessons learned from each training which were documented in training reports
were not necessarily feasible to incorporate into subsequent materials.
In order to address the gap, the GNC is proposing to address scaling up and training for NiE in a
more systematic manner through (i) update of the NiE materials (ii) piloting training in eight
priority countries selected by cluster partners under the ECHO capacity building project Somalia, Yemen, Chad, Niger, DRC, Afghanistan, Sudan and South Sudan (iii) promote linkages
with other training initiatives through engaging the GNC capacity development working group
and UNICEF Programme Division in the process resulting in a clear strategy for future training
and capacity development in NiE.
2
3
www.unscn.org
Ververs, Mija (2009). Review of Global Nutrition Cluster Tools (available on GNC website)
The target audience of the one week NiE training will be program managers, officers and Cluster
Coordinators. The one week training is envisgaged to provide them with all the necessary
knowledge of appropriate guidance and tools for assessing populations’ needs and designing,
implementing and monitoring a nutrition program in emergency situation.
Initial work has been done to elaborate the Updated NiE Training Package. This process will be
further harmonized by the consultants in consultation with the GNC Coordination Team. It is
envisaged that four consultants will be required for the process, operating in two teams of two
consultants, each covering four countries.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
1. Contribute to the finalisation of the NiE Training Package material in collaboration with
the other consultants and GNC coordination team
 Review of the NiE training reports from 2009-2010 pilot
 Review of specific modules (TBD)
 Incorporation of relevant technical material and images
 Writing supporting text and material as needed
2. Contribute to development of the evaluation tool for the training and ensure that the
evaluation of each training session is part of the activity outline at country level.
3. Support the preparation for the training sessions at country level in four countries
 Coordinate with the Nutrition Cluster Coordinators (NCCs) and GNC Capacity
Building TA in preparation of participant list and the availability of all necessary
equipment and tools needed for the training (including handouts, projectors,
laptops and stationeries and CD containing key resources).
 In consultation with the NCCs, collect key information on the country specific
contexts that will be used for the practical sessions of the training.
 Incorporate relevant country specific materials into the template NiE Training
Package
 In consultation with the NCCs, identify relevant country level resources for
facilitation of sessions
 Help facilitate discussion between the GNC and NCC in terms of the linkage of
the training to other capacity development strategies and longer term plans for
NiE in country level
4.Travel to four countries and co-facilitate a one week training on NiE based on the prepared
materials (The details of which country will be covered by which consultant will be agreed upon
with the consultant)
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Coordination with the other training consultant in the two person team, the NCC
and relevant country level resources for facilitation to ensure roles and
responsibiliteis around the agenda and the facilitation of the training are clear.
Where necessary, prepare country level facilitators.
Conduct a six days training on NiE in collaboration with the country cluster
coordinator based on the training package provided by the GNC. Gather feedback
from participants on the training process and contents.

Evaluate each trainee at the beginning of the training, and the end of each
session/training. Compile and share the session/training evaluation report with the GNC
team.
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As a part of the two person training lead team, write a comprehensive report which
should outline the country level overview of achievements, strengths and weaknesses of
the training process and the outcome including the outcome of the individual session
evaluation. As part of the overall report, the consultant is also expected to produce
recommendations for improving both training tools and processes (types of trainees
selected, review of the training package, and review of the training process) for similar
trainings at country level. Relevant country level input should be sought prior to
departure, and incorporated.
5.Compile a summary training report at the end of the 4 training sessions, drawing from the main
observations and themes in each country, in collaboration with the other 3 training consultants. Specific
emphasis should be on the training content, process, and linkages to capacity building stratgies.
6. Collaboratively update and amend the NiE material based on feedback from the field and the
summary review of the material
Expected Output
1. Updated NiE Training Package materials, including facilitation guides, powerpoints,
handouts and evaluation formats
2. Four country level trainings are prepared for and facilitated, with reports written after
each training
3. A summary report of the training and lessons learned in process and content for the 8
countries
4. Revised NiE Training Package based on feedback from the field and the summary report
conclusions.
The reports will be shared with country level and with the Capacity Development Working
Group by the GNC Coordination Team capacity building TA.
Consultant profile
To achieve these objectives, the NiE training consultant needs to show skills and experience in
developing training materials, and as a trainer, able to work with a broad range of people and
agencies. Fundamental skills are the ability to train others in an interactive way, balancing
between the provisions of key knowledge, the sharing of experiences and practical case studies
related activities. The consultant should demonstrate his/her ability to communicate easily with
various audiences.
Education and qualifications

Graduate degree in nutrition or public health.
Professional experience
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At least 5 years experience in field work and coordination with international agencies and
organisation in the field of emergency nutrition
Good knowledge of the UN system and NGO humanitarian community and cluster approach
Knowledge of main nutrition guidelines (with emphasis on NiE) and practices is necessary
(assessment, treatment, surveys, surveillance, monitoring and prevention)
Experience in provision of training is compulsory
Managerial and Coordination Skills
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Good communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to work with many different functions
from high level decision makers to technical specialists to nutrition experts and program managers
Able to manage and work in or with a multidisciplinary team of nutrition practitioners
Good written and oral presentation skills
Must be able to work in respect of deadlines
Technical Skills
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Strong capacity for training, specifically in the domain of nutrition in emergency.
Good understanding of nutrition programming in general and emergency nutrition response in
particular.
Experience in various humanitarian training contexts is essential
For two positions, fluency in English is required. For one position fluency in French is required.
Duration
Three months for development, delivery, reporting and finalization of materials. Ability to travel
to X countries
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to email a cover letter with subject line: “Consultancy,
Nutrition in Emergency Training”, CV and P11 form (which can be downloaded from our
website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to
pdconsultants@unicef.org by 11 July 2011. Given that this announcement is made for three
positions, please specify if you are applying to work in the English or French speaking countries.
Also provide a sample of any written report, write up or publication related to communication
and/or nutrition issues. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to
undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not
be considered.