To provide technical support to MOH and sub-national level demonstration of MMS. Under the general supervision of the Nutrition officer and the nutrition manager, she/he will provide technical support at different implementation levels on the demonstration of MMS in selected 21 woredas in Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, Somali, and Gambella regions.

 Background

The introduction of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) as part of maternal nutrition programming is an opportunity to accelerate progress toward several Global Nutrition Targets. Recent global evidence has concluded that antenatal MMS is superior to iron and folic acid supplementation. Studies show that MMS containing 15 vitamins and minerals is a low-cost, high-impact solution that can improve maternal nutrient intakes during pregnancy to meet increased demand for multiple micronutrients, reduce maternal anemia and improve birth outcomes, including reduction of low birth weight, SGA, and prematurity. Based on the existing body of global evidence on the MMS, the WHO released recommendations for countries to consider the inclusion of the MMS as part of their ANC service package and scale-up based on local research context.

With support from the CIFF UK, UNICEF is supporting the MoH and the Regional Health Bureau to roll out MMS among pregnant women in Ethiopia.  This initiative involves a demonstration program on the MMS for the period of 2021-2025 in 21 target woredas, aiming at generating optimal demand for MMS, improving the delivery of recommended maternal nutrition services through ANC, and strengthening systems as well an enabling environment (supply chain, information, regulatory and local production).

The TA will mainly be working with MOH nutrition and maternal health teams focusing on the demonstration of Multiple Micronutrients for PW in 21 selected woredas selected in five regions (Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, Somali and Gambella regions). The TA is expected to have considerable experience in designing and implementing maternal nutrition programs as well as experience working with the Ministry of Health (MoH) at national and subnational levels.

Justification

UNICEF provides technical, advocacy, and financial support to the government’s National Food and Nutrition strategy to influence policies, strengthen the delivery of nutrition services, promote positive behaviors and eventually, improve the nutritional status of children, adolescents, and women.

Among the key programs supported under the National Food and Nutrition strategy is Maternal Nutrition which is the critical component of curbing the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has requested UNICEF for TA support which will support day-to-day activities on the demonstration of MMS in 21 woredas. The activity is also a new initiative for MOH and the RHBs needs full-time engagement and support.  UNICEF ECO nutrition section intends to recruit a consultant for 24 months as support to MoH. The nutrition consultant will mainly be working with the MOH and RHBs Nutrition team and UNICEF nutrition team focusing on the demonstration process of MMS at national, regional, and in the selected implementation woredas.

 1. Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Under the primary supervision of MOH Nutrition and secondarily Nutrition officer (MN) and UNICEF Nutrition (CBN/MN) Manager Nutrition Manager in UNICEF, the consultant will be responsible for the following specific tasks.

Program planning and implementation

•  A micronutrient deficiency prevention and control (MDPC) technical working group has been established by MoH to support new initiatives such as Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women. Therefore, the TA will assist the Nutrition team coordinator and the Maternal health team at MoH in preparing the agenda and organizing meetings on MMS, providing updates on MMS demonstration, and facilitating consultative sessions on MMS.

• Closely work with the Nutrition team coordinator, the Maternal health team, Health Promotion, HMIS, nutrition, and related supply team, EFDA, and other partners at MoH in coordinating their roles with the demonstration program for MMN supplementation for PW in the selected 21 implementation woredas.

•  Ensure engagement of the Nutrition team coordinator and the maternal health team at regional, zonal, and woreda levels.

•   Support regions in developing a comprehensive implementation plan incorporating key initial and ongoing activities such as a smooth transition from IFA to MMS in the 21 target woredas.

• Follow up with the implementation woredas on the availability of MMS supply to prevent stockouts and for timely replenishment.

•   Ensure planned activities in the 2015 AWP are implemented at the national, sub-national, and woreda levels with the allocated budget.

•  Biannual review meetings on the implementation of MMS will be conducted in the MMS implementation woredas and the consultant will support the regions and woredas in organizing and facilitating the training whilst the section develops the training and orientation manuals, implementation guides, etc.

• The section will develop advocacy tools, community mobilization materials, and job aids and the consultant will be supporting the section with the tools to be reviewed by the TWG and disseminating the tools alongside UNICEF’s regional nutrition officers and monitoring the application of it at the grassroots level.

• Once implementation commences, the TA is expected to provide on-the-job training to service providers at the health facility level to ensure the application of existing systems, and MoH guidelines, tools, and job aids. For this, a detailed training plan - indicating the regions, selected health facilities, and the anticipated number of trainees must be submitted.

Program monitoring and documentation

•  Support the development of the MoH learning agenda, the results framework, and a common evaluation plan to support decision-making on sustainable scale-up of MMS in Ethiopia.

•  Support regions in introducing the MMS monitoring platform on the quality of service, client satisfaction, and supply.

• Ensure MMS reporting is happening through the existing monitoring system with the guidance of the MOH nutrition team.

•  In consultation with AMIYCN/MN TWG, introduce the MMS monitoring system/checklists for frontline workers, supervisors, and the woreda health office.

• Present the tools to the sub-TWG and coordinate field-testing at sample service delivery points to collect feedback and enrich the tools.

•  Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation team (EPHI and LSHTM) and liaise with UNICEF and MoH nutrition and maternal health team.

•  Analyze the monthly performance of the MMS implementation woredas against their target and develop a report for submission to UNICEF & MoH. In addition, provide feedback to woredas and RHBs according to their performance and create a cross-learning platform.

•   For the first-year implementation, there must be close monitoring and for this, the consultant will conduct a programmatic visit to intervention woredas, to track progress, identify challenges and provide the necessary support.

• Conduct a monthly virtual meeting with regions/woredas focal points to discuss implementation challenges and find solutions in good time.

•  Organize biannual review meetings to collectively measure the performance of woredas, share experiences, and take the necessary action accordingly. 

•  Present field visits and review meeting findings and key asks UNICEF and the TWG, in writing and through the regular meetings.

•  Document the entire implementation process including successes, challenges, adaptation mechanisms in place, collaboration efforts, etc. this will be a guiding document to scale up the program.

Advocacy Roles

•   Embedded at the Ministry of Health, the consultant will serve as a liaison between UNICEF and MoH, between Nutrition and Maternal health teams as well as key stakeholders to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the project.

• Identify advocacy opportunities within the Ministry and external nutrition coordination platforms. Prepare advocacy/talking points for the nutrition case team coordinator, maternal and child health and nutrition director, and other higher officials as applicable.

• Ensure the new initiative of MMS for PW is among the talking points during the regular staff meeting of the nutrition care team as well as the maternal and child health and nutrition directorate at large.

Expected deliverables

•   Regular meetings are held for the MDPC TWG and proceeding reports are shared with the UNICEF Nutrition section and MoH.

•  A comprehensive implementation plan was developed for each region and target woredas and shared with UNICEF & MoH.

• The training was provided to frontline workers, health center supervisors, and woreda health office focal points according to the plan and sex-disaggregated training report with good-quality pictures submitted.

• Biannual review meetings conducted in the presence of RHBs, intervention woreda representatives, UNICEF evaluation team as well as frontline workers, and proceeding reports with milestones, challenges, and proposed solutions will be submitted to UNICEF and MOH Nutrition and Maternal Health team...

• Reports collected from intervention woredas, monthly performance of regions/woredas analyzed centrally, and a narrative progress report prepared and submitted.

•  A monthly virtual meeting held with region/woreda focal points, identified challenges with proposed solutions will be communicated with UNICEF/MoH immediately; follow up with the responsible body so that actions are taken accordingly.

• Field visits are conducted regularly, feedback and support are provided to service providers, and reports are annexed to the monthly narrative progress report.

• Develop at least two human interest stories highlighting the importance of MMN supplementation for PW and beneficiary views.

•  Final progress and lesson learned report submitted incorporating the entire implementation process, achievements, and lessons learned.

Reporting

•  Regular monthly, disaggregated analyzed data on the implementation of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation for pregnant in the 21 target woredas and urban implementation.

•  The trip report clearly indicates the progress, lessons learned, challenges, and action points.

•  Weekly /Bi-weekly/Monthly updates for MOH and UNICEF internal consumption and monthly catchup call with the donor line depending on the humanitarian situation (inputs for UNICEF internal updates as needed etc)

•  Facilitate the meeting of the MMS technical advisory group and produce minutes of the meeting

•   Reports on field review meetings 

Administration

•  The consultant will be based in the Federal MOH and will spend some of his time in the field for data collection, review meetings, monitoring, and support 

•  The consultant will report to the Nutrition case team leader in MOH and to the Nutrition manager in UNICEF.

Job Requirements

Required qualification

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research,

Work experience

•  A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant, and child health/nutrition care.

•  National work experience and Field work experience, background/familiarity with maternal health and its application in the Ethiopian health system is required.

Skills Required 

•  Good mentorship and communication skills.

• Ability to collect data, organize, analyze, and report.

•  Ability to travel to the field to monitor the implementation of the program, supportive supervision, and problem-solving skill.

•  Ability to work well with people and to give “hands-on” training on maternal nutrition through ANC 

• Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Knowledge of local working languages is mandatory

•  Good knowledge of the health system and maternal health platform on the ground.

•  Good understanding of the Iron Folic Acid supplementation for pregnant women and aware of Multiple Micronutrient supplementation for PW.

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK