UNICEF - Bangladesh
Terms of Reference (TOR) For Temporary Appointment (TA).
Job Title: Nutrition Specialist
Level: NOC
Period: 10 months
Section: Nutrition Section
3. Background/Purpose of Assignment:
3.1 UNICEF is facilitating development and implementation of edible oil fortification with vitamin A from May 2010,
with funding support from GAIN. The Ministry of Industries is the main implementing partner. The overall goal of
this project is to improve the vitamin A intake of the population of Bangladesh and thereby reduce the prevalence of
sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency among women of reproductive age group and children between 6 and 19 years of
age from the prevailing 74% to 54% . To achieve this targeted goal, the project aims to fortify all edible palm and
soybean oil that is refined in the country at a level of 13 ppm vitamin A per kilogram.
The project has five components: 1) Production and Distribution, 2) Legislation and Quality, 3) Social Marketing, 4)
Monitoring and Evaluation and 5) Project Management. Since May 2010 , the project has made significant progress in
accomplishing planned activities under the five components. The production of vitamin A fortified oil under the
national program has begun in five edible oil refineries from December 2011. It is expected that additional seven
refineries (total twelve refineries) will produce fortified edible oil by end of 1st quarter of 2013.
During 2013, the most expected output of this project are as follows: i) twelve participating refineries are continuing
to fortify 100% of their refined oil in the market; ii) evidence based internal and external quality control systems are
functioning to ensure quality fortified edible oil at market and at household level; iii) legislation developed and
endorsed by appropriate government authority; iv)communication for development activities are implemented to
ensure access and utilization of fortified edible oil by end users, and v) monitoring and evaluation system are in place
to achieve project ultimate goals and objectives .
3.2 UNICEF has also been providing technical support to government partners in planning and implementation of
vitamin A supplementation project. For this project UNICEF provides intensive support to government partners for
planning and implementation of nationwide bi-annual Vitamin A supplementation campaign.
Rationale:
1. Edible oil fortification with vitamin is a new initiative in Bangladesh and Government is developing this strategy
in partnership with the private sector. UNICEF as the executing agency, accepted responsibility to manages the funds
from GAIN, provide technical support to government as well as refineries, organize advocacy events at national level
to facilitate acceptance by key players and to solicit support for establishment of legislation and mandatory law for a
sustainable oil fortification programme, with necessary supplies and smooth implementation. Edible oil
fortification is a specialized technical area. There is a need for ongoing technical backstopping to the
existing refineries, installation of equipment, capacity building for staff in seven additional refineries,
internal and external monitoring activities and managing technical support for development of legislation.
During 2010-2011, these functions were previously managed by UNICEF Nutrition officer. The incumbent
has developed the required competencies through on the job training and work experience. This position has
been abolished in the new programme cycle and the contract of the incumbent expires on 31 March 2012.
To ensure ongoing support for this project as described above, a TA position is being proposed until expiry
of the PBA in January 2013.
2. A dedicated staff member was assigned to implement vitamin A supplementation project up to
December 2011. It requires intensive support to the government counterpart for three months in planning
and implementation of nationwide bi-annual vitamin A supplementation campaign.
Therefore, a Temporary Appointment is recommended. The Temporary Appointment will work as an
adjunct to the national level project officer and Chief of Nutrition Section. As such this TOR has been
developed to engage one Temporary Appointment to supplement capacity of UNICEF in implementation of
Oil fortification project and vitamin A supplementation project.
4. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent (s) will carry out the following activities:
A. For oil fortification project
 Takes primary responsibility for technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and
monitoring of oil fortification project activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and
approaches
 Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that project
expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database (e.g.,
Cognos, VISION). Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies

Enhance effective project implementation by provide technical support to project management unit at
government implementing ministry for capacity development of twelve participating refineries on
fortification process and implementation of internal quality control system

Ensure timely project supplies (vitamin A pre-mix and refinery equipment) for uninterrupted production of
fortified oil by the participating refineries

Further promote knowledge management by finalization of training modules, internal and external quality
control protocols through implementation process and endorsement of all module and protocols by
government using as national documents as well as through orientation and training programmes targeted to
Government authorities such as Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI). Ensure exchange of
knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned of oil fortification project

Ensure technical support to government for drafting of legislation and law for vitamin A fortified oil and
endorsement of legislation by appropriate government body, which will be implemented from January 2013

Provide technical support to BSTI for implementation of external quality control system as a government
regulatory body and ensuring supplies for a functioning /sustainable laboratory

Collaborate with Communication and C4D section to ensure development of effective communication
materials and C4D strategy implementation plan to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts for oil
fortification project

Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and conduct periodic programme reviews with Government
counterparts and other partners

Technical support for institutionalize of management information system for oil fortification project and
ensure project documentation on monitoring, reporting and special reports

Support to Institute of Public Health Nutrition for organizing Technical Committee’s meetings, monitor
implementation of national micronutrient survey and ensure endorsement of survey report by government

Support to Project Management Unit for organizing regularly project steering committee meeting, project
implementation committee meeting, procurement committee meeting for monitoring project efficiently

Collaborate with the UNICEF Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish and
maintain sound internal controls supportive of oil fortification project and implementation, to coordinate
financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability
B. For vitamin A supplementation project:

Develop Action Plan and Logistic plan for bi-annual National Vitamin A Plus Campaign (NVAC)

Provide supports to Government partners in planning, implementation and review of NVAC

In coordination with C4D section develop communication materials, print and arrange delivery of
communication materials prior to NVAC. Develop the graphic design of vitamin A supplementation
guideline, print and arrange delivery to government institutions

Maintain liaison with donor and communicate the updates about NVAC

Develop donor report and other special report on vitamin A supplementation project

Monitor project intervention and prepare reports
5. Qualifications and Competencies required for the assignment:
a) Education: Advanced university degree preferably degrees related to nutrition, public health and
medical sciences.
b) Work experience: At least 5 years’ experience of working in Nutrition related projects with GOB
and NGO. Experience of working on food fortification project is preferred. Well versed in computer
programs. Well versed in computer programs particularly on MS-Word, MS-Excel and SPSS
database.
c) Language: Fluency in English and local language.
d) Competencies (Indicate what key competencies are required)
Core Competencies (Required)
 Communication (II)
 Working with people (II)
 Drive for Results (II)
Functional Competencies (Required)
 Leading and Supervising (II)
 Formulating strategies and Concepts (II)
 Analyzing and Networking (II)
 Deciding and Initiating Action (II)
 Applying Technical Expertise (III)
Technical Knowledge 1 (II)
Specific Technical Knowledge Required (II)
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)
• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas:
 Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and
Management, Population and Family Health & Nutrition, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency
Preparedness
 Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research, Biostatistics, Biochemistry, Socio-medical Sciences,
 Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational
Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care
* Gender and diversity awareness
Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [ I ]
Knowledge of theories and practices in:
• Child and Maternal Nutrition and Health • Nutrition and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Public Health and Nutrition
• Educational Interventions in Health and Nutrition Care
• Environmental Health and Nutrition
• Health and Nutrition Education
• Knowledge Management
• Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages
General knowledge of:
• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Nutrition
• Knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current
trends, methods and approaches.
• Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly relating to conflicts,
natural disasters, and recovery.
• Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Core commitments for children in emergencies (for all Emergency positions)
• Government development plans and policies
Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ II ]
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•
•
•
Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
UN security operations and guidelines.