Consultant – Nutrition At World Health Organization (WHO)

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Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to assist Nutrition Unit in the implementation and monitoring of the regional workplan particularly on addressing double burden of malnutrition, prevention of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Background

Nutrition landscape has been changing in the WHO Western Pacific Region, influenced by economic and income growth, urbanization, demographic change, and globalization. Diet-related epidemiology has seen a significant shift in recent decades. Processed foods of low nutritional value are cheaper and become more widely available now more than ever in the Western Pacific Region. Increasing consumption of these products fuelled by marketing tactics has contributed to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity and consequently non-communicable diseases.

There has been considerable progress in reducing childhood undernutrition in the Region. Yet, there were still 2 million children under 5 years of age who were wasted and 10 million who were stunted in the Region in 2022. Meanwhile, childhood obesity has increased significantly in the Region, affecting most Member States, to become a serious public health challenge in the 21st century. It is estimated that more than 8.2 million children aged under 5 years were overweight in 2022, and 84 million children aged 5–19 years were overweight or obese in 2016 – a 43% increase for children aged 5–19 years in just six years, ending in 2016. Cognizant of the increasing rates of childhood overweight, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, and the harmful impact of food marketing on child health, the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific Region, during its 70th session endorsed a Regional Action Framework on Protecting Children from Harmful Impact of Food Marketing (WPR/RC70.R1).

Poor nutrition continues to cause nearly half of deaths in children under five, while low and middle-income countries now witness a simultaneous rise in childhood overweight and obesity – increasing at a faster rate than in richer nations. Most countries in the region face double burden of malnutrition and the situation is worsen with the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Addressing the double burden of malnutrition will be key factor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (in particular, Targets 2.2 and 3.4) and the Commitments of the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, within the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.

Objectives

The objectives of this consultancy are:

1) To conduct situational analyses on double burden of malnutrition and diet-related NCDs in the Region and selected countries.
2) To support implementation of the Regional Action Framework on Protecting Children from the Harmful Impact of Food Marketing in the Western Pacific.
3) To support development of draft technical documents for action plans/interventions designed to address dietary source and intakes pattern/habits (trans-fats, sugar and/or salt) in selected countries and/or (sub) region, including the gaps and opportunities to introduce new or strengthen existing interventions, which takes into account the feasibility of such interventions mindful of their impacts on other sectors and the political and economic context.
4) To coordinate and provide support in the planning and implementation of the related project and/or programme activities.
5) To provide support to the other nutrition programme activities as needed/requested.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 February 2024
End date:  15 Dec 2024

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the NUT Technical Lead, the consultant will conduct a desk review, collect and review information, analyse data, liaise with country offices and prepare draft technical document

METHOD(S) TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY.

The bulk of work under this contract is expected to be carried out from the consultant’s home under a work from home arrangement. He will review relevant documents and publications and coordinate with stakeholders including other relevant units/divisions of WPRO, country office counterparts and relevant WHO Collaborating Centre counterparts. The consultant will use a variety of online tools, such as email, video-conferencing, and social media applications to connect and engage with WPRO staff and Member States. Travel under this contract is anticipated with the dates to be determined, but any travel will need to comply with international and domestic travel restrictions as well as WHO rules.

Output 1: Draft reports on situational analyses on double burden of malnutrition in the Region and selected countries (May 2024)

Deliverable 1.1 Technical analysis and draft situational assessment on double burden of malnutrition in the Region and selected countries.
Deliverable 1.2 Provide technical support in the implementation and M&E of regional action plan in addressing the double burden of malnutrition.
Deliverable 1.3 Fulfil other duties and responsibilities as needed/requested.

Output 2: Draft technical documents for regulating food marketing in the Region (August 2024)

Deliverable 2.1 Support the development of draft toolkits and e-course for the implementation of the Regional Action Framework to protect children from the harmful impact of food marketing
Deliverabel 2.1 Coordinate the development of draft monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan for the Regional Action Framework including M&E tools.
Deliverable 2.3 Coordinate and provide inputs on the drafting advocacy and communication plans and tools for the Regional Action Framework

Output 3: Draft technical documents for the obesity and diet-related NCDs (November 2024)

Deliverable 3.1 Technical analysis and draft toolkits related to informal food sector, school nutrition, childhood obesity and diet-related NCDs.
Deliverable 3.2 Contribute to meeting preparations and report in coordination with country office counterparts, partners, and relevant WHO Collaborating Centre counterparts.
Deliverable 3.3 Provide analyses and coordinate for development technical documents related to childhood obesity and healthy diet including reduction of salt, sugar and/or trans-fats.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: Minimum of first university degree in nutrition/health-related field.

Desirable: Master’s degree in nutrition or public health from a recognized university.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in nutrition strategy, programmes and evaluating information from various credible sources.

Desirable: Experience in working with MOH and international organizations.

SKILLS / TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

· Good understanding of the work of WHO

· Broad knowledge of concepts and strategies related to public health nutrition

· Excellent research and technical writing skills

· Ability to coordinate with external partners, as well as work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse education and cultural background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct

· Computer literacy (Word, Excel, power point etc.)

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Location

The selected Consultant will be on-site for insurance purposes.

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel upon the request of the programme and progress of the project.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information

This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will
require individual review.
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