Background: Currently, a range of nutrition- related surveillance models is being tested in Uganda's north-eastern region of Karamoja, providing periodic data on the nutrition and health status of the communities. The functioning of the models and data dissemination and use is monitored and guided by the national Technical Working Group (TWG) on nutrition Information Systems/ M&E formed from representatives of MoH and international partners. The Group reports to the Nutrition Cluster of the MoH of Uganda. Technical and financial support for the surveillance models is ensured by UNICEF Uganda and WFP (in the case of annual surveys). The importance of the models and their value is ever high given the recent deterioration of health and nutrition status of population in the Horn of Africa and its negative effects on Northern region and which dictates the need for continued and reliable monitoring of status in order to timely and effectively inform decision-makers of the impeding deteriorations and programming needs.
There is consensus among national and international stakeholders that critical analysis is needed on the value and comparative advantages of the currently tested models in Karamoja and aiming at streamlining of the activities. The intent is in line with the MoH Operational Framework for Nutrition (2009) and which states that monitoring and evaluation of the activities planned under the Framework must be systematic and a functioning nutrition information system needs to "...ensure the availability and utilization of accurate, timely and comprehensive nutrition information for improved advocacy, planning and design, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs and also for early warning".
UNICEF will help in securing and guiding a technical Assessment mission and also ensuring intense consultations and feedback from the TWG on M&E under the MoH /Nutrition Division. This proposed consultancy will consist of one international professional with expertise in management and analysis of nutrition surveillance models. The consultant will work in close collaboration with MoH/Nutrition unit focal person on Nutrition Information systems.
Scope of work To respond to stakeholders needs, the following objectives will be pursued under the current assignment:
1.Critical comparative analysis of the objectives under each of the models, the components and operation of each model, including comparative assessment of the target population groups under surveillance, periods of data collection, what information/ indicators are collected, who provides the surveillance information, how is the information transferred, stored, and disseminated. Additionally, to establish validity of the data the analysis will provide insight into how the estimates produced by different models compare to each other, and whether trends are similar.
2.Indicate the level of usefulness of the information from each of the models to stakeholders and the decision-making process by describing actions taken as a result of the data from each of the surveillance models. Characterize the entities that have used the data to make decisions and take actions. List other anticipated uses of the data.
3.Evaluate the three models and synthetize their value for each of the following attributes: Simplicity, flexibility, costs and resources used to operate the model (direct costs), as well as the sustainability of each model.
4.State whether the models are meeting their objectives, and present recommendations on possible continuation, modification and/or streamlining of the surveillance models in order to ensure best value for resources utilized and the needs for timely and rapid information. Provide recommendations on how the specific gaps should be overcome under each model in the short and long-term to produce reliable and sufficiently informative data on nutrition status and interventions in Uganda (including through potential integration/ combination of one or more models and/or interrupting of a specific model if such might be reasonable while also advising whether any or part of the models can be integrated with existing systems, such as the health management information system which produces administrative data on health and nutrition status of the population).
5.Advise how the output from the surveillance models can be best collected and stored at local and national levels using existing mechanisms, such as a nutrition repository currently under development or other possible mechanisms and which should ensure easy access to public and partners to the data for purposes of continuous validation and utilization of data.
6.To build awareness among national and international stakeholders on the internationally accepted principles and practices concerned with nutrition information activities and use of data for improved early action in relation to nutrition crises in general.
Tasks: Following the objectives, a combination of activities will be pursued as described below and which may be enlarged given the needs that may become evident through the course of the assignment:
1.Review of relevant reports and the functioning/implementation of each model as tested in Karamoja and Acholi, including through field visits; 2.Consultation with nutrition information/surveillance stakeholders' participating in the analyses of information produced by the surveillance models and defining the gaps and needs for an improved/ streamlined nutrition surveillance system (interviews with a variety of stakeholders from line ministries, UN agencies and partners to get a an in-depth understanding of the status of each surveillance module);
3.Visits to northern region 1-2 selected districts to observe and collect information on actual gaps, potential and resources needed for an effective streamlining and running of the models; 4.Facilitation of two working meetings under the auspices of the TWG on M&E for nutrition to present, discuss, prioritize and consent on the progress, findings and recommendations of the assessment; 5.Based on the above, write up of the Assessment and Recommendations and submit it to UNICEF Uganda/ MoH Uganda.
6.Taking note of any added issues discovered in the course of the Assessment and bring to the attention of the TWG on M&E for nutrition/ Focal point and UNICEF team for action.
EXPECTED/KEY DELIVERABLES: The aforementioned objectives shall be achieved by the following outputs:
1.Desk review of methodology, reports from each model, including assessment of web-based CVS stored data and related resource packages (schedule of implementation, budgets, implementation reports, etc) – maximum of 15 pages report produced; 2.Outline of semi-structured questionnaire on consultations/ individual meetings held with stakeholders and short reports (max. 1 page) of each, including from northern region visits done; 3.Agenda and handouts for the two working meetings with stakeholders : (1) to inform on purpose and seek guidance / inputs into refining of the assessment completed; 4.An assessment final report - maximum 30 pages with 2 page executive summary which:
a.Summarizes usefulness of each of the surveillance model by reviewing objectives of each and the dependence of policy decisions and control measures on each of the models. Depending on the objectives of a particular surveillance system, the model is considered useful if it satisfactorily addresses at least one of the following : Detecting trends and signalling changes in the occurrence of disease or condition, Provide estimates of the magnitude of morbidity related to the nutrition problem under surveillance; Identify risk factors associated with disease occurrence and permit assessment of the effects of control measures b.Summarize comparative advantages, local capacity for implementation, conceptual and institutional set-up of each model as well models' capacity to effectively influence action at local and national levels; c.Summarizes gaps and needs/ recommendations for improved data analysis , demand and use by main stakeholders under each model; Discusses and concludes on the options for streamlining, including through integration, of the models of nutrition data and information collection as well as their ensuring of effective inputs into existing national and local early warning, food security, and health data collection mechanisms;
Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:
- Advanced university degree in public health, nutrition and/or biostatistics/epidemiology;
- Up to 10 years of experience, including minimum 5 internationally, in designing, managing or monitoring of nutrition information-related activities and models;
- Proven knowledge and skills on best available nutrition surveillance models and nutrition information and surveillance activities at international, regional and local levels as relevant;
- Excellent and proven communication and facilitation skills;
- Excellent and proven analytical and report-writing skills;
- Fluency in English;
- Knowledge of Uganda and regional context will be an asset;
- Familiarity with UN/UNICEF programmes and activities will be an asset;
Interested candidates should send letter of interest, P11 form, CV and any relevant sample work (links or attachments) to :
ugderecruit@unicef.org.
Applications must be received by 24th October 2011