CHAD COUNTRY OFFICE
Nutrition SMART SENS Survey Specialist for Chad - Consultancy
Location: Chad
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Duration and dates of the assignment
From: 10/5/2020 - 10/8/2020 (3 Months)
Work 100% (fulltime) during above-mentioned period
Duty Station: N’Djamena, Farchana, Adjar Hadid, Gaga, Gozbeida, Koukou, Iriba and Amdjarass (Approximately 2 weeks in N’Djamena and 10 weeks in the field.)
Context
Following the Darfur conflict of 2003-2004, refugees from Sudan fled to Eastern Chad and are settled, among others, in 12 camps. As soon as they arrived, health structures were set up to enable them to enjoy one of the fundamental human rights of health, which is also a guarantee of protection. Leveraging the protection and stability of populations, the health sector is of great concern. To this end, health has become a central axis in the humanitarian response to these refugees and the host population whose needs are constantly growing. Good health also contributes to improving resilience capacity, skills development, and therefore refugee self-reliance. This would allow them to lead productive lives and integrate into the host society.
Amnabak, Bredjing, Djabal, Farchana, Gaga, Gozamir, Iridimi, Milé, Kounoungou, Treguine, Touloum, Oure cassoni, constitute the 12 camps of the Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad. Also, in March 2013, the Kerfi site welcomed new Sudanese refugees fleeing the Darfur crisis.
UNHCR and its partners and UN agencies have decided to conduct SMART SENS nutrition surveys to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia among children 6-59 months of age and women of childbearing age in the refugee camps and surrounding host populations. The results of the surveys conducted in 2017 in the Sudanese refugee camps revealed prevalence’s of global acute malnutrition variable from one camp to another, denoting an alarming situation in the camps of Djabal, GozBeida, Farchana, Treguine, Bredjing, Gaga. The critical situation of malnutrition was in the camps of Iridimi, Milé, Kounoungou, Treguine, Touloum, Oure cassoni.
It should also be noted that the same surveys reveal that anemia and stunting constitute a challenge for children aged 6 to 59 months, respectively, 40,5% for global anaemia and 47,1% for global stunting.
A nutritional causal analysis in these refugee camps was carried out in 2017, aimed at understanding the immediate and underlying causal pathways of malnutrition. During this study, several causative mechanisms responsible for malnutrition have been identified.
A SQUEAC survey was conducted in the Oure Casoni refugee camp in July 2019, which aimed to assess the coverage of the management of severe and moderate acute malnutrition for children aged 6 to 59 months, and to identify the main factors influencing the nutritional program coverage. During this SQUEAC study, coverage was estimated at 66.6% for severe acute malnutrition and 37.8% for moderate acute malnutrition.
This survey will be coupled with a Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) exercise, which aims to follow the food security situation as well as the process of distributions and accountability to affected populations.
Overall purpose and Scope of Assignment
The purpose of the SMART SENS consultancy is: 1) To measure the prevalence of acute malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months; 2) To measure the prevalence of stunting in children aged 6-59 months; 3) To determine the coverage of measles vaccination among children aged 9-59 months; 4) To determine the coverage of vitamin A supplementation received during the last 6 months among children aged 6-59 months; 5) To measure the prevalence of anaemia in children aged 6-59 months and in non-pregnant women of reproductive age between 15-49 years; 6) Investigate IYCF practices among children aged 0-23 months; 7) To investigate household food security and household dietary diversity; 8) To determine the population’s access to, and use of, improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
The purpose of the PDM is: 1) monitor the management of the assets created by the community; 2) Monitor the implementation of assistance; 3) The compliance of the assistance implementation process, 4) Transparency, 5) Respect for gender and social protection, 6) Measure the effects / impacts of the intervention on the food security of beneficiary households, 7) analyze livelihoods (activity, source of income, expenses, etc.), 8) Assess household food consumption (FAS), 9) Coping mechanisms for lack of food (CSI) and other survival, 10) Participation in nutrition activities, 11) Acceptable levels of consumption and dietary diversity among women of reproductive age and children, satisfaction of beneficiaries.
The surveys will be conducted using Mobile Data Collection.
The consultant will ensure that:
- Survey protocol, timeline, and sampling procedure is elaborated
- Appropriate survey personnel are recruited
- Sufficient training is given to the survey teams
- Standardisation tests are undertaken for measurers
- SENSv3 Questionnaires are adapted in collaboration with partners, and field tested
- Materials are tested for accuracy on a regular basis throughout the survey
- Quality of data collection and data entry is appropriate through proper supervision
- The data is analyzed according to the UNHCR SENS guidelines
- A nutrition survey report is produced according to the UNHCR SENS guidelines
- Raw Data is shared with UNHCR.
Level of responsibilities required
5 – 9 years of Experience
French speaking consultancy as all products will be produced in French
Monitoring and Progress Controls
The consultant will report on regular basis to the UNHCR Nutrition Officer based in N’djamena, who has overall responsibility for the survey, in collaboration with the Senior Public Health Officer for Chad and the Senior Nutrition Officer in HQ-Geneva.
Trained surveyors on SMART methodology and using the SENS guidelines. Effective and efficient logistical arrangements in the field to conduct the survey - A weighted estimate of key variables for all camps combined (GAM, SAM, Stunting, anaemia).
Report checked against CRED completeness checklist - Final survey report including recommendations to address the situation according to SENSv3 guidelines - The findings and major recommendations presented to partners at the mission level (oral & ppt). Results of standardisation test, details of data cleaning and plausibility checks should be presented in the final report.
The final cleaned version and raw version of the data sets used to calculate the survey’s results is to be sent to the Public Health Section in UNHCR HQ and to Ndjamena Country Office
How to Apply
Please send an updated CV to hqphn@unhcr.org – closing date 1st April 2020