UNICEF MALAWI
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS/
CONSULTANTS
Consultancy Title:
Location:
Duration:
Start Date:
Reporting to
Emergency Nutrition Consultant
Lilongwe, Malawi (with travel to districts)
01-May-15 to 20-Dec-15 (eight months)
01-May-15
Nutrition Specialist
BACKGROUND
Since January 2015, UNICEF is supporting the government of Malawi to respond to devastating floods
characterised as the worst in a decade which resulted in widespread destruction of national
infrastructure and community livelihoods in 15 of the 29 districts of the country. The nutrition cluster
led by the Department of Nutrition and HIV/AIDS (DNHA) became operational for the first time in
Malawi following the declaration of the floods emergency. As a global nutrition cluster lead, UNICEF
Malawi is playing a duo role of supporting the DNHA to effectively coordinate the implementation of
cluster-wide deliverables as well as ensuring the delivery of UNICEF specific outputs related to the
core commitments for children (CCC) in emergencies.
The impact of the flood emergency on nutritional status is more apparent after 2-3 months. There is
also looming emergency due to food insecurity in 17 districts according to MVAC. Thus, UNICEF
Malawi is recruiting an emergency nutrition consultant to continue support its contribution to cluster
activities aimed at delivering lifesaving nutrition interventions to children and women in affected
districts in a manner consistent with international standards.
PURPOSE
Under the general guidance of the Chief of Nutrition, the incumbent will be responsible for the
development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF’s national and subnational emergency nutrition activities in response to the floods disaster.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
1. Ensure that UNICEF’s interventions are in conformity with the CCC and SPHERE Standards
including existing government policy guidance, technical standards, gender and human rights
legal obligations.
2. Conduct analytical interpretation of best available information in order to benchmark progress of
the emergency response over time. That is - monitoring indicators (quantity, quality, coverage,
continuity and cost) of service delivery and track the progress in implementation, address
bottlenecks, issues impeding sector response.
3. Support UNICEF country office to ensure regular reporting against cluster indicators to improve
effectiveness and efficiency of the emergency response.
4. Contribute to the preparation of situation reports, sector reviews, preparation of programme,
funding proposals and donor reports.
5. Ensure that interventions meet quality standards, in terms of clear goals definition, appropriate
strategic choices and concrete results to be achieved in line with the CCC and suggest corrective
measures if required.
6. Identify supply needs for UNICEF response and coordinate with country office staff for timely
release and delivery of lifesaving supplies ensuring proper and timely accountability in accordance
with UNICEF policies and procedures.
7. Undertake field visits in affected areas to monitor implementation of emergency interventions by
implementing partners and provide technical assistance to the field hubs in Blantyre and Zomba
as requested and travel to the field to fill gaps as required
8. Establish and maintain regular contacts with DNHA and implementing partners and participate in
coordination meetings and follow up on implementation of recommendations and agreements
9. Assist country office staff to identify capacity building needs and support the development of a
plan and participate in emergency nutrition capacity building activities.
10. Ensure the alignment of emergency interventions with the existing community based nutrition
programme (SUN-NECS) as a critical transition from response to early recovery and community
resilience.
DELIVERABLES
 Monthly UNICEF reports including SITREPS, EMT and donor reports are promptly prepared and
submitted TO the chief of nutrition
 Monthly reports based on SWOT analysis assessing the state of implementation of emergency
nutrition services in camps and affected communities are prepared and presented to the cluster
 Monthly cluster activities are monitored on the ground and the response and early recovery
components of the cluster plan are constantly reviewed, updated to adequately, effectively and
efficiently respond to the needs of affected communities both in terms of timing and quality
execution.
 Monthly field mission reports and updates on progress in programme implementation
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
 April fee – upon completion of April deliverables
 May fee – upon completion of May deliverables
 June fee – upon completion of June deliverables
 July fee – upon completion of July deliverables
 August fee – upon completion of August deliverables
 September fee- upon completion of September deliverables
 October fee- upon completion of October deliverables
 November fee- upon completion of November deliverables
 December fee- upon completion of December deliverables
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
 An Advanced University Degree or higher in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, food
security, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or
management, or other health related science field is required
 A minimum of five years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, related research or
planning and management in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition, at the
international level and of which 2 years were in an emergency environment.
 Recent experience in Nutrition in Emergency programmes including, but not limited to, recent
experience in Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition,
including Therapeutic Feeding Program (TFP) and Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFP),
Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Micronutrients, Supplementation.
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Knowledge of and experience with the products and treatment protocols being used in CMAM
programmes.
Knowledge and experience with IYCF in Emergency is an asset.
Experience in nutrition programmes communications (C4D).
Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in the language of the
humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language an asset.
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be
downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ) quoting the indicative fee
range (Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered), as well as the consultancy
title to: hrmalawi@unicef.org
All applications should be submitted by 21 April 2015.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female
and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with
disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.