Short-term Consultant (STC) - Nutrition

1. BACKGROUND

Nutrition landscape has been changing, influenced by economic and income growth, urbanization, demographic change and globalization, diet-related epidemiology has seen a significant shift in recent decades. Processed foods of low nutritional value are cheaper and more widely available now more than ever in the Western Pacific Region. Increasing consumption of these products fuelled by marketing tactics has contributed to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity and consequently non-communicable diseases in the region. Cognizant of the increasing rates of childhood overweight, obesity and malnutrition, and the harmful impact of food marketing on child health, the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific Region, during its 68th session endorsed a resolution calling on the Secretariat to develop a regional plan of action on protecting children from the harmful impact of food marketing (WPR/RC68.R3). The consultant will support the Nutrition unit in development of technical documents and operational toolkits for regulating food marketing and preparation of a regional meeting on childhood obesity.

Poor nutrition continues to cause nearly half of deaths in children under five, while low- and middle-income countries now witness a simultaneous rise in childhood overweight and obesity – increasing at a faster rate than in richer nations. Most countries in the region face double burden of malnutrition.  Addressing the double burden of malnutrition will be key factor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (in particular Goal 2 and Target 3.4) and the Commitments of the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, within the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.  WHO supports countries in their efforts to address double burden of malnutrition in particular integration of Nutrition in Primary Health Care/Universal Health Coverage. The consultant will support the evaluation of the reduction of DBM in the Western Pacific Region and provision of capacity development to Member States on addressing DBM.

2. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Nutrition Unit (NUT) in the finalization of the regional action framework on protecting children from the harmful impact of food marketing in the Western Pacific Region, preparation of a regional meeting and development of operational guidance on childhood obesity and review/evaluation of reduction of the double burden of malnutrition as part of the implementation of the current biennium work plan.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision of the NUT Technical Lead, the consultant will conduct a desk review, collect and review information, analyse data, liaise with country offices and prepare draft technical documents.

4. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant is expected to work at the WHO regional office for Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines.  S/he will review relevant documents and publications and coordinate with stakeholders including other relevant units/divisions of WPRO, country office counterparts and relevant WHO Collaborating Centre counterparts.

Output/s

Output 1: Review and prepare draft operational tool kits on protecting children from the harmful impact of food marketing in the Western Pacific;

Deliverable 1.1: Drafts technical documents on protecting children from the harmful impact of food marketing.

Deliverable 1.2: Drafts technical operational tool kits on protecting children from the harmful impact of food marketing with focus on policy framework; multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration; advocacy and communication; and monitoring and evaluation.

Output 2: Review and prepare draft technical background documents in preparation of regional meeting and development of operational guidance on childhood obesity.

Deliverable 2.1: Drafts technical background documents on childhood obesity.

Deliverable 2.2:  Drafts technical background as part of development of operational guidance on childhood obesity. 

Output 3: Review and prepare draft technical documents as part of the review/evaluation and support to reduction of double burden of malnutrition in Western Pacific.

Deliverable 3.1: Draft technical documents for evaluation of double burden of malnutrition in the region including integration of Nutrition in Primary Health Care/Universal Health Coverage.

Deliverable 3.2:  Draft technical reports to support to reduction of double burden of malnutrition in Western Pacific. 

Consultant will submit progress and accomplishment report at monthly basis.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

University degree in a nutrition/health-related field with a Master’s degree in nutrition or public health.

Desirable:

Postgraduate degree in Public Health Nutrition from a recognized university

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in nutrition related programmes and evaluating information from various credible sources; experience in working with MOH and international organizations

Desirable:

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Good understanding of the work of WHO
• Broad knowledge of concepts and strategies related to public health nutrition
• Excellent research and technical writing skills
• Ability to coordinate with external partners, as well as work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse education and cultural background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, power point etc.)

LANGUAGES

English

COMPETENCIES

1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Producing results
3. Ensuring the effective use of resources
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Consultant is expected to travel upon the request of the programme and progress of the project.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 11 June 2019. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-05/DNH_NUT/TN91358/bab as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.