Short Term Consultant for School Health and Nutrition in Solomon Islands

BACKGROUND

The Solomon Islands is a double chain archipelago of more than 900 islands with a landmass of 28,400 km2 and over 1.3 million km2 of Territorial Ocean. The country is considered as a fragile and least developing country (UN LDC status), with total population of 599,419[1] and annual birth cohort to be around 19,000 infants. There are nine provinces plus one city council in the country. With the vast expansion of territories inhibited by relatively small and widely dispersed populations, Solomon Islands shows unique characteristics in terms of supply chain management challenges.

Through its “Nutrition “and Adolescent Health (AHD) Units, the Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) Division has been implementing a range of activities to enhance awareness among school students and ensure adoption of healthy feeding practices within school promises.   Those initiatives are also supported by the United Nations Joint Program - Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (UNJP-RMNCAH) Program that has been implemented by the WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA since 2015 and ends in December 2019. 

Poor nutrition in school age children is an important determinant of developing NCDs in adulthood. Majority of school age children are known to have poor eating habits such as consuming foods that are high in sugar, salt, fat and calories and also skipping breakfast. The two main influencing factors are individual and environmental factors (Story, et al., 2002). Individual factors affect a person directly and consider being internal such as attitudes, beliefs, taste, preference and knowledge. Environmental factors are most likely to affect whole population because of food policies, availability, accessibility, settings, media and information environment (Hickey, 2007). In 2011, Solomon Islands Global School Based Health Survey (GSHS) was conducted in schools and revealed that the prevalence of overweight was 20%, obese at 2.2% and underweight at 3.5%. Forty percent of the students consumed one or more Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) in a day. Results from a school canteen audit conducted in 13 schools in Honiara revealed that most food and drinks sold in schools are unhealthy for daily consumption, healthy foods are more expensive and importantly no School Nutrition Policy is in place. In 2015, nutritional assessment of 693 Tamlan students revealed that 8.9% of students were overweight/ obese and 5.2% wasted. On the same note, dental caries is also high among Tamlan students. To support the MHMS in reducing child morbidity and mortality, and reaching its health and nutrition target, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) of the Solomon Islands, through its Nutrition program, seeks technical assistance to conduct an assessment and develop a school health and nutrition policy.  By conducting a desk review of existing health and nutrition policies,   draft a school health and nutrition policy and its implementation plan.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

1. Conduct comprehensive assessment on the current status of School Health and Nutrition in Solomon Islands;
2. Draft a National Policy on School Health and Nutrition; and
3. Develop an implementation plan for School health and Nutrition. 

    

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Objective 1 activities: 1) Carry out literature review of relevant polices, guidelines, survey findings, and recommendations; 2) conduct assessment of current practices, interventions and needs through field visits and other methods; 3) submit a mission report highlighting gaps, needs and recommendations for improving or expanding services and for areas and topics to be covered by  corresponding national polices.

Objective 2 activities: The policy will Cleary provide overall guidance on types of services to be provided and inter sectoral responsibilities and roles as necessary.   

Deliverables: A draft national policy on School Health and Nutrition developed and revised based on inputs the MHMS and other stakeholders. 

Objective 3 Activities: A 5 year Implementation Plan will jointly developed with the MHMS and UNJP teams. 

End of mission report:

Deliverables: A Comprehensive report on the tasks accomplished during the mission.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Literature review, key informant interview, Focus Group Discussions, Direct observations and other suitable methods of qualitative research.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION

University (preferably advanced) degree is required in medicine, public health, international/global health, Nutrition or any other relevant field.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 7 years of experience, at the national and international levels, on Nutrition program design and implementation and M&E.
• Considerable field experience in school health and nutrition with track record in the development of policies and other guiding materials.

Desirable: Experience working in Solomon Islands, the Pacific and in low resource settings will be an advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Familiarity with the development and implementation of School health programs in similar contexts.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Computer skills, including strong quantitative analysis and reporting tools.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

• Solid analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the work place.
• Versatility, judgment and maturity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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 27th September 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. 96782 as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.