TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY APPOINTMENT
Purpose: To support the Government of Yemen in the development of an integrated study program and national curriculum on Nutrition sciences.
Expected fee: P3 level
Duty Station: Sana’a with travel to other locations within Yemen once needed
Duration: 90 days
Start Date: 15th January, 2012
Reporting to: Head of Nutrition Unit
Budget Code/Grant No: SC100857
Project and activity codes: European Union Co-Funded Nutrition Project in Yemen
Expected fee: P3 level
Duty Station: Sana’a with travel to other locations within Yemen once needed
Duration: 90 days
Start Date: 15th January, 2012
Reporting to: Head of Nutrition Unit
Budget Code/Grant No: SC100857
Project and activity codes: European Union Co-Funded Nutrition Project in Yemen
Background
The impact of the current crisis in Yemen on access to social services - which were already of low and of poor quality prior to the crisis - has led to widespread and acute vulnerabilities, and could have a significant impact on social cohesion and livelihoods. While the social challenges are vast, the Government’s capacity to deliver and meet expectations is low. The transition period must yield a roadmap for how the resources and the human capacity available in the country could be better aligned, on the national, regional and local level, to deliver better services to the Yemeni population.
The impact of the current crisis in Yemen on access to social services - which were already of low and of poor quality prior to the crisis - has led to widespread and acute vulnerabilities, and could have a significant impact on social cohesion and livelihoods. While the social challenges are vast, the Government’s capacity to deliver and meet expectations is low. The transition period must yield a roadmap for how the resources and the human capacity available in the country could be better aligned, on the national, regional and local level, to deliver better services to the Yemeni population.
Yemen is seriously undersupplied with health services and health service workers. Increasing access to health services by developing and deploying human capacity, especially female health workers, and undertaking rigorous health workforce planning, must take priority over building physical capacity in the period ahead.
A national vision that articulates the education and skill needs of the economy and the society, and the choices that must be made to provide these skills, is urgently needed.
Nutrition is situated at the intersection of major social, political, economic and cultural forces in society. To create environments in which children can have good nutritional status and be healthy, involves the often contentious process of blending science, politics, and activism in the context of social values and interests. This means that nutrition battles should be fought along political fronts as well as behavioural fronts.” As such, improving nutrition requires an explicit commitment to advocating for policy changes that support the development of health-promoting environments. To sustain support for nutrition at the highest levels will require a greater investment in building local capacity. Given that there are no undergraduate or graduate level degree programmes in nutrition in Yemen, there is a need, in the short- and medium-term, to support the development of nutrition training programmes through local institutions. Most of the 13 MOPHP Nutrition Section staff have in-service and short-course (6 months training on management and planning in Cairo) training in nutrition but no formal training; and three have higher University degrees in Nutrition. Five of the Nutrition staff have never received any training in nutrition. Support is needed for some government staff to receive either distance-learning or M.Sc. level training in nutritional science, policy development and programme management.
Justification
This ToR outlines tasks associated with the implementation of the European Union-supported project which provides a golden opportunity for capacity development. One of its objectives is to support Universities and Higher Education Institutes in revising/updating the pre-service curricula for doctors, midwives and nurses to include nutrition; set up centres of excellence for the training of health staff; and assist MoPHP in Yemen to avail additional professionals with a diploma in Nutrition to support the overall strategy for human resource development which will also contribute for UNICEF’s new country programme (2012-2015).
This ToR outlines tasks associated with the implementation of the European Union-supported project which provides a golden opportunity for capacity development. One of its objectives is to support Universities and Higher Education Institutes in revising/updating the pre-service curricula for doctors, midwives and nurses to include nutrition; set up centres of excellence for the training of health staff; and assist MoPHP in Yemen to avail additional professionals with a diploma in Nutrition to support the overall strategy for human resource development which will also contribute for UNICEF’s new country programme (2012-2015).
UNICEF is working closely with Ministry of Public Health& Population and its Higher Institutes for Health Sciences (HIHS) as well as with the Ministry of Higher Education and its related universities, to ensure that the preparation and execution of the national study program on nutrition sciences, as well as the pre-service and postgraduate study programmes on nutrition have received technical clearance. Utilizing best practices from UNICEF’s experience with the Harmonized approach and centred on the Harmonized Training Package (HTP) on nutrition, the formulation of a new national study program on nutrition sciences will enable Yemen country office to building local capacity on the development of human capita on nutrition interventions, namely on general practioners/medical doctors through universities and mid-level health cadres(e.g: Midwifes, Nurses and nutritionist) through the support for HIHS. This project intervention will enable UNICEF to assess progress on meeting its stated objectives at the intermediate and programme result levels.
The consultant will work closely with the Nutrition specialist/EU project’s coordinator, UNICEF YCSD section and the Nutrition unit, to ensure that the preparation and execution of the national study program on nutrition sciences, as well as the analysis of the results have received technical clearance. Utilizing best practices from UNICEF’s experience with the Harmonized approach and centered on the Harmonized Training Package (HTP) on nutrition, the new national study program on nutrition sciences will enable Yemen country office to building local capacity on the development of human capita on nutrition interventions. This project intervention will enable UNICEF to assess progress on meeting its stated objectives at the intermediate and programme result levels.
Specific Tasks
1. Provide professional support to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Higher education and its local institutes and universities in the formulation of a standardized national curriculum for nutrition sciences and the related study program in nutrition and the strategic responsibilities and objectives required to effectively meet the organization’s and national objectives.
2. Advocate and mobilise teaching staff in universities and Higher Institutes for Health Sciences (HIHS) for adopting the new state of the art concepts in nutrition and agreed guidelines on the management of malnutrition and IYCF.
3. Provide technical assistance for HIHS for better integration of nutrition within existing diploma.
4. Update pre-service curricula for doctors, midwives and nurses related to nutrition and introduce new agreed guidelines for the management of malnutrition.
5. Provide support and technical assistance in the development of post graduate diploma to bridge the gaps in knowledge and skills in the short run targeting the existing MoPHP’s staff as a kick off for the postgraduate study program.
6. Set up two (2) centres of excellence in both Sana’a and Aden for the training of health staff (pre and in-service training) on the management of malnutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).
7. Support the strategic review of consolidated/shared academic study programmes and provide recommendations on structure and management approaches. As parts of the analysis identify key work processes to be updated within the universities and local health institutes aim for simplification and innovation.
8. Support UNICEF YCSD Team in preparation for the national events including but not limited to Yemeni Academic Conference on Nutrition Sciences.
1. Provide professional support to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Higher education and its local institutes and universities in the formulation of a standardized national curriculum for nutrition sciences and the related study program in nutrition and the strategic responsibilities and objectives required to effectively meet the organization’s and national objectives.
2. Advocate and mobilise teaching staff in universities and Higher Institutes for Health Sciences (HIHS) for adopting the new state of the art concepts in nutrition and agreed guidelines on the management of malnutrition and IYCF.
3. Provide technical assistance for HIHS for better integration of nutrition within existing diploma.
4. Update pre-service curricula for doctors, midwives and nurses related to nutrition and introduce new agreed guidelines for the management of malnutrition.
5. Provide support and technical assistance in the development of post graduate diploma to bridge the gaps in knowledge and skills in the short run targeting the existing MoPHP’s staff as a kick off for the postgraduate study program.
6. Set up two (2) centres of excellence in both Sana’a and Aden for the training of health staff (pre and in-service training) on the management of malnutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).
7. Support the strategic review of consolidated/shared academic study programmes and provide recommendations on structure and management approaches. As parts of the analysis identify key work processes to be updated within the universities and local health institutes aim for simplification and innovation.
8. Support UNICEF YCSD Team in preparation for the national events including but not limited to Yemeni Academic Conference on Nutrition Sciences.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced university degree in Nutrition and / or Public Health or other field related to child survival and nutrition.
Minimum experience of 5 years in working with university based nutrition study programmes.
Expected Background and Experience
• The consultant should have documented experience in implementing university based study programs on nutrition sciences, especially in the development of integrated nutrition and child health study programmes.
• The consultant should have the ability to coordinate with academic institutes, related national level ministries, and other existing academic structures
• The consultant should have the capacity to identify an experienced universities and academic institutes in the region and outside the region level that has proven experience in adopting the art of concepts in nutrition and the integrated approach in the development of human capita for effective nutrition interventions, to be invited for and work with Yemen Government to build capacity and to assist in developing and writing the final version of a national study program on nutrition and its related integrated curriculum.
• Ability to write the first draft of the curriculum in consultation with the national experts from academicians and health institutes to be presented for review during the first Yemeni Academic Conference on Nutrition which will be organized by the MoPHP and Ministry of Higher education during the course year 2013.
• The consultant should have documented experience in implementing university based study programs on nutrition sciences, especially in the development of integrated nutrition and child health study programmes.
• The consultant should have the ability to coordinate with academic institutes, related national level ministries, and other existing academic structures
• The consultant should have the capacity to identify an experienced universities and academic institutes in the region and outside the region level that has proven experience in adopting the art of concepts in nutrition and the integrated approach in the development of human capita for effective nutrition interventions, to be invited for and work with Yemen Government to build capacity and to assist in developing and writing the final version of a national study program on nutrition and its related integrated curriculum.
• Ability to write the first draft of the curriculum in consultation with the national experts from academicians and health institutes to be presented for review during the first Yemeni Academic Conference on Nutrition which will be organized by the MoPHP and Ministry of Higher education during the course year 2013.
Expected Deliverables
(Details in Annex 3)
Deliverables Date
1. Payment will be paid upon submission of the following deliverables: 17th Feb, 2013
(Details in Annex 3)
Deliverables Date
1. Payment will be paid upon submission of the following deliverables: 17th Feb, 2013
Monthly Report on items included in:
A. Detailed work plan (A detailed proposal of the implementation of the support work for the development of the national study program on nutrition sciences which includes working on the first draft, preparation for the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences and the establishment of two centres of excellence for competency based training on nutrition).
B. Coordination plan with key stakeholders at national level;
C. In cooperation with UNICEF’s nutrition specialist, ensure provision of necessary official letters and documentation to key academic institutes and universities from Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Higher Education (within a reasonable period) to facilitate the participation of external experts from the region and outside the region, in the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences.
D. Provide professional support to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Higher education and its local academic institutes and universities in the formulation, development and writing a final draft of an a standardized national curriculum for nutrition sciences and its related study program in nutrition based on the outcomes of the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences.
A. Detailed work plan (A detailed proposal of the implementation of the support work for the development of the national study program on nutrition sciences which includes working on the first draft, preparation for the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences and the establishment of two centres of excellence for competency based training on nutrition).
B. Coordination plan with key stakeholders at national level;
C. In cooperation with UNICEF’s nutrition specialist, ensure provision of necessary official letters and documentation to key academic institutes and universities from Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Higher Education (within a reasonable period) to facilitate the participation of external experts from the region and outside the region, in the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences.
D. Provide professional support to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Higher education and its local academic institutes and universities in the formulation, development and writing a final draft of an a standardized national curriculum for nutrition sciences and its related study program in nutrition based on the outcomes of the first Yemeni academic conference on nutrition sciences.
- Payment will be paid upon submission of the following deliverables: 17th March, 2013
Progress report on items included in:
A. Implementation of the Yemeni academic conference on the national study program on nutrition sciences.
B. Work plan that details how will the development of post graduate diploma to be established to bridge the gaps in knowledge and skills in the short run targeting the existing MoPHP’s staff as a kick off for the postgraduate study program.
C. In cooperation with UNICEF’s nutrition specialist, coordination at field level with universities and HIHS to ensure a smooth adoption and integration of the new standardized national curriculum on nutrition sciences into the existing diploma (within two month).
D. Provide support and ensure participation in study tours for Yemeni academicians from selected universities and High Institutes of Health Sciences (HIHS) to visit universities/countries with good experience of integration of nutrition sciences in pre-service curricula.
A. Implementation of the Yemeni academic conference on the national study program on nutrition sciences.
B. Work plan that details how will the development of post graduate diploma to be established to bridge the gaps in knowledge and skills in the short run targeting the existing MoPHP’s staff as a kick off for the postgraduate study program.
C. In cooperation with UNICEF’s nutrition specialist, coordination at field level with universities and HIHS to ensure a smooth adoption and integration of the new standardized national curriculum on nutrition sciences into the existing diploma (within two month).
D. Provide support and ensure participation in study tours for Yemeni academicians from selected universities and High Institutes of Health Sciences (HIHS) to visit universities/countries with good experience of integration of nutrition sciences in pre-service curricula.
- Payment will be paid upon submission of the following deliverables: 1st May, 2013
Final Report on items included in:
A. Status of implementation of the new curriculum to be developed on the national study program on nutrition sciences, preparation for the enrollment of the first batch for and the required support (technical and financial).
B. Set up two (2) centres of excellence in both Sana’a and Aden to apply knowledge, translate and disseminate practice- and research-tested interventions, best practices/processes, and implementation tools on nutrition for use by public health practitioners and for the training of health staff (pre and in-service training) on the management of malnutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).
C. Separate detailed final report on the Yemeni academic conference on the development of the national study program on nutrition.
A. Status of implementation of the new curriculum to be developed on the national study program on nutrition sciences, preparation for the enrollment of the first batch for and the required support (technical and financial).
B. Set up two (2) centres of excellence in both Sana’a and Aden to apply knowledge, translate and disseminate practice- and research-tested interventions, best practices/processes, and implementation tools on nutrition for use by public health practitioners and for the training of health staff (pre and in-service training) on the management of malnutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).
C. Separate detailed final report on the Yemeni academic conference on the development of the national study program on nutrition.
General Conditions
• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Nutrition unit, and in close coordination with the nutrition specialist/EU project coordinator from YCO.
• The Consultants will not be based in UNICEF
• State if the consultants organization will include other benefits: No
• State if consultant organization has right to stay in UNICEF property: Yes
• Should consultant provide his/her materials: The consultants should be responsible for needed materials
• Is consultant authorized to have access to UNICEF transport: Yes
• State if flight costs would be covered and at what standard: Should be included in cost of field work
• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Nutrition unit, and in close coordination with the nutrition specialist/EU project coordinator from YCO.
• The Consultants will not be based in UNICEF
• State if the consultants organization will include other benefits: No
• State if consultant organization has right to stay in UNICEF property: Yes
• Should consultant provide his/her materials: The consultants should be responsible for needed materials
• Is consultant authorized to have access to UNICEF transport: Yes
• State if flight costs would be covered and at what standard: Should be included in cost of field work
• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
How to apply:
If you meet the requirements stated above, please send your application, enclosing comprehensive curriculum vitae, duly completed United Nations Personal History form (which can be downloaded fromwww.unicef.org/employ) stating telephone number, email address and detailed contact address to:yemenhr@unicef.org not later than 5 January 2013. For additional information on UNICEF, please visit our website: www.unicef.org
UNICEF, is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
