Advertisement: Nutrition Assessment Consultancy
Organization and Background: In May 2007, the John Dau Foundation constructed the Duk Lost Boys PHCC in Duk Payuel, Jonglei State. Since opening, the clinic has received over 34,000 patient visits and serves as Duk County’s central referral center, providing routine treatment of most common diseases, ANC care, EPI, birthing services, VCT and TB/DOTS, as well as outreach programs including trainings and mass EPI, VitA, and de-worming campaigns.
Location: Duk County, Jonglei State, Southern Sudan (based out of Duk Lost Boys Clinic, Duk Payuel)
Reporting to: Project Manager
Start Date: November 2010 (depends on conditions)
Duration: 3-5 weeks
Closing Date: September 27, 2010
Project Overview
Duk County was an area nearly abandoned after the Civil War in Southern Sudan. Since the CPA was signed in 2005, the population of Duk County has slowly been returning. According to the 2008 Census, the total population of Duk was 65,588 people spread out over an area of 8,000 square kilometers. The area is highly susceptible to flooding and is largely inaccessible by land during the rainy season. Combined with extremely large numbers of displacements, frequent tribal conflict & cattle raiding and a lack of basic services, the nutrition status of the population is very poor. In August 2009, the estimated prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition in <5s was 7.5% and the County was listed as “Very Food Insecure” (WFP, 2009 ANLA). After a poor harvest and more displacements through 2010 the problem could be worse. A survey is needed to assess the situation and to provide a basis for intervention programs. There are currently no nutrition programs in Duk County despite the need.
The John Dau Foundation has received a UNDP Emergency Response Fund grant, a part of which includes a conducting a comprehensive nutrition assessment for Duk County. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of malnutrition in Duk County and determine an appropriate response for the NGOs and Government ministries working there. The survey will be using Standardized Monitoring Assessment in Relief and Transition (SMART) methodology, as this is becoming a standardized tool across Southern Sudan.
Survey Objectives:
- Quantify the nutritional status of children <5
- Quantify morbidity and mortality for <5 children
- Determine and analyse the underlying causes of malnutrition particular to the area
- Quantify measles vaccine and VitA coverage
- Quantify and qualify food security risks and coping strategies
- Provide recommendations and benchmarks for nutrition programming, including at the PHC level
Primary Duties of Consultant:
- Act as a Survey Supervisor for anthropometric and mortality survey using SMART methodology (survey may also include some Food Security components)
- Oversee project team consisting of NGO and local-hire staff, with varying degrees of experience. This will mean providing regular guidance and supervision of interviewers and measurers to ensure quality standards
- Conduct training in interviewing and measurement for project hire staff and as a refresher to clinical staff
- Compile results and provide additional analysis into final report and assessment, along with any additional recommendations, to be distributed to relevant parties and used as basis for nutrition interventions (report must be in English) in the area
Deliverables:
- Using SMART methodology, a county-wide nutrition assessment report two weeks from completion of data collection, indicating the following:
- GAM and SAM rates for 6-59 mos
- Morbidity and mortality rates for <5
- Estimated VitA and EPI coverage
- Results of focus group discussions on FSL, coping mechanisms, and practices
- Recommendations for nutrition intervention and for integration of nutrition services at Primary Health Care level
- Benchmarks by which such intervention can be measured and evaluated
- Recommendation for follow-up survey to track progress
Timeline:
Week 1 (Late October, depending on mobility): Survey review and test, planning, mobilization, training of interviewers and measurers
Week 2 & 3: Data collection & compiling
Week 4: Contingency, wrap-up, data analysis and writing report
Requirements & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition (Master’s preferred) or related studies such as Public Health or Agriculture
- Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative nutrition assessments, as well as training and experience in use of SMART methodology and ENA software
- Experience working in Southern Sudan and knowledge of social and cultural conditions
- Computer literate (Word, Excel, Internet)
- Experience in community-based approaches to improving nutrition and food security, especially in post-conflict situations
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of at least one Sudanese tribal language, especially Dinka and Nuer, an added benefit but not necessary
- Able to work in a hardship and a multi-cultural environment
- Highly flexible with the ability to cope with stressful situations given sometimes limited resources
Miscellaneous:
Consultant will be based at Duk Lost Boys Clinic in Duk Payuel. Internet, accommodation (tent), and food will be provided during project period. Travel for assessment will include going up to 50k away from office and staying for several days at a time while collecting data. Start date for assignment may vary based on road conditions and travel restrictions. Details for assignment may be amended based on needs but will be agreed upon prior to conducting assessment.
Interested candidates should send a CV, references, and examples of past work to tdannan@johndaufoundation.org and dengakol@johndaufoundation.org.
JDF considers all applicants on the basis of merit. Women are especially encouraged to apply.
