Consultancy vacancy-South Sudan 2016
16-262: Consultant – Anthropometric and Mortality/Smart Survey
Country: South Sudan
Department: International Operations
Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work:
International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
International Medical Corps has been present in South Sudan since 1994, and working in Pochalla County, since since January 2009. International Medical Corps has supported eight health facilities in Pochalla County in delivery of the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) and invested in building the capacity of the County Health Department (CHD). Jonglei State is the most volatile and food insecure state in South Sudan, with a long history of inter-communal violence. Pochalla is located in the eastern part of Jonglei State, bordering Ethiopia, and is one of the most physically isolated Counties in the State. Much of its territory is located between two rivers, Akobo to the east, and Oboth to the west. The County is only accessible by road from December/January to April. Thereafter, there is excessive flooding in the region, making travel, even by bicycle, difficult. The main ethic group in Pochalla is Anyuk, an agricultural society.
Nutrition situation, International Medical Corps did conduct a SMART survey, in November 2015, the survey indicated a GAM rate of 7.0% [4.6?10.5 95% CI] SAM Rate was found to be 0.4% [0.1?1.7 95% CI] (n=2) Given the above results, the overall nutrition situation in Pochalla County was classified as poor as per WHO classifications. Through support from UNICEF and WFP management of acute malnutrition and prevention interventions has been a priority in this location. Through, 3 OTP/TSFP nutrition sites, with 25 mothers support groups.
The purpose of the survey
The overall goal of this assessment is to establish the extent and the severity of acute malnutrition in Pochalla County which will be informative to all stakeholders to provide interventions that are effective.
Specific Objectives
I. To determine the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months
II. To determine the crude and under-five mortality rates
III. To determine the prevalence of some common child illnesses (suspected measles, diarrhea, febrile and respiratory illnesses)
IV. To determine the prevalence of acute malnutrition among the pregnant and lactating women
Survey Methodology
This survey will adopt a two stage cluster sampling Methodology. While the core SMART methodology focuses on nutrition and mortality, additional data will be gathered at the household level using structured questionnaires. The South Sudan standardized nutrition cluster questionnaires will be used.
The clusters will be selected using the probability proportional to population size (PPS) while the households will be selected using simple random sampling. The anthropometric and mortality data will be entered and analyzed in ENA for SMART 21st April, 2015 Version, while the other sections of the survey will be entered and analyzed in SPSS. The data collection teams will be trained for 4 days, the training will include the standardization test, to ensure that the teams are able to take measurement that is accurately. To maintain the quality of the data, the survey manager will check and review the entered data/information on the forms brought from the field teams, and verify this with the field team on a daily basis, to ensure quality during the whole survey exercise. On addition, anthropometric data will be entered on daily basis and the plausibility results run by the consultant who then briefed the teams every morning before leaving for the field. The anthropometric indicators will be presented using the WHO 2006 standards.
Consultant Task;
The Consultant is required to:
I. Using the SMART methodology the consultant and the South Sudan Nutrition coordinator will design sample size calculation for anthropometric and retrospective mortality based on the previous pre-harvest survey information.
II. Train data collectors for the survey: Transfer skills in undertaking a SMART survey to International Medical Corps’ staff.
III. Organize actual survey: Ensure accurate data collection at field level. Ensure adequate supervision and coordination of the survey teams in the field and collect relevant reference materials for report writing
IV. Data processing and Management; ensure accurate data entry and analyze data and compile a comprehensive nutrition/SMART survey report.
V. Reporting: The preliminary assessment report will be send to the NITWG nutrition cluster within 10 days of completion of data collection; the consultant will present preliminary findings of the survey to International Medical Corps, and IMC will send to the nutrition cluster for validation purpose. The final report will be submitted to IMC within 1 week after validation of the preliminary report.
Required deliverables
The consultant is expected to provide:
I. Final nutrition survey design (agreed following consultant selection).
III. Power point presentation of preliminary findings.
V. A preliminary and final pre-harvest nutrition survey report.
Time Frame
The duration of the survey will be 30 days (including final report submission). The start date will be the date of contract signature.
Activity
Estimated duration (days)
Desk review of project documents
2
Meet with Nutrition Information Technical Working group and do presentation of the proposal for the survey at Juba level
1
Develop and finalize nutrition survey methodology and data collection tools
2
Train International Medical Corps staff and partners in SMART methodology and pretest tools.
5
Field visits, data collection, meetings with stakeholders including county-level CHD and any other relevant government or community entities, and beneficiaries
10
Data entry, clean up, analysis and drafting tables to display findings
2
Develop presentation and present to International Medical Corps and NITWG Juba level partners
1
Discuss preliminary findings with International Medical Corps staff
1
Prepare and share draft report
2
Incorporate feedback/suggestions and submit final report
4
TOTAL DURATION (days)
30
**
General condition of consultancy**
Accommodation will be provided by International Medical Corps in the program sites, which is the usual shared staff accommodation.
The consultant will cover fully his/her food and subsistence-related cost, so the price component must contain an overall quotation reflecting these costs, as well.
The consultant will conduct his/her work using his/her own computer & equipment. Other overhead costs related directly to the task, like photocopying of questionnaires, shall be covered by International Medical Corps.
The movement of the consultant and team to and from the field will be facilitated by International Medical Corps.
International Medical Corps will provide translators as required.
Final payment to the consultant will be dependent on the completion of all deliverables, as well as handover notes.
Compliance & Ethics: Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance and ethics throughout International Medical Corps. As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Conducts work with the highest level of integrity. Communicates these values to staff and to partners and requires them to adhere to these values.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Significant experience (minimum of 3 years) in conducting similar surveys and assessments
Advanced University degree in Nutrition, public health, sociology, anthropology or related discipline. S/he must have strong analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
Qualified South Sudanese or International consultant who is fluent in spoken and written English.
The consultant must have a strong background in statistics and data analysis. Familiar with ENA/SMART, Epi info, Epi nut and or any other relevant statistical package for this task.
Excellent reporting and presentation skills.
HOW TO APPLY:
How to apply: Please go to: https://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/Careers.aspx?adata=ECj1%2f… and follow the instructions for applying online.
“International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.”