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UNICEF-Nutrition Information System Specialist-P3-Kassala, Sudan (with frequent field visits)
Kassala, SudanPosition Title: Nutrition Information System Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNICEF
P Level: P3
Location: Kassala, Sudan
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
Organizational Context
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has erupted on 15 April weeks leading to the displacement of millions of Sudanese people both internally and externally, disruption of the health systems, and looting of humanitarian assets and offices has compromising humanitarian action in key locations. Efforts are ongoing to deliver assistance wherever and whenever possible. Health and nutrition information management needs is increasing in light of the nonfunctioning government HIS and the current and potential increase in the scale of the humanitarian operation led by UNICEF and other partners.
Humanitarian action is of fundamental importance to UNICEF and encompasses interventions aimed at saving lives, alleviating suffering, maintaining human dignity, and protecting the rights of affected populations wherever there are humanitarian needs, as well as interventions addressing underlying risks and causes of vulnerability to disasters, fragility, and conflict. UNICEF’s humanitarian action is guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) which set organizational, programmatic, and operational commitments and benchmarks against which UNICEF holds itself accountable for the coverage, quality, and equity of its humanitarian action and advocacy and which are mandatory for all UNICEF personnel.
Job organizational context: The Nutrition Information System (NIS) specialist is to provide temporary support to Sudan on diagnosing and strengthening the nutrition information system. This support will continue until the end of March 2024, to allow continued support during the current crisis. The support will be in-person, addressing country-level priorities. The NIS specialist will report to Chief of Nutrition with strong collaboration with the PME, and M&E team within the Health and Nutrition.
Purpose of the job: The purpose of this support is to reinforce the nutrition information management systems for the current nutrition response and putting foundation to strengthen systems beyond the emergency in Sudan. This entails diagnosis of the nutrition information system, support to capacity building based on gaps identified in the system (to cluster partners), strengthening the nutrition surveys and assessments, strengthening the NIS coordination at national and sub-national levels, and to manage the collection, collation, analysis, and sharing of nutrition information that is important for the section and the country office to make informed (evidence-based) strategic decisions – specifically through managing SMART surveys and nutrition assessments and the creation of national and subnational level dashboards.
Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks
The key function of the NIS specialist is to reinforce the information management systems in Sudan at the national and/or sub-national level.
The responsibilities of the NIS specialist include:
• Undertake diagnosis of the Sudan Nutrition Information System to assess if it is comprehensive and fit for purpose in the current L-3 emergency setting
• Support the CO and cluster partners to address the capacity gaps identified during the diagnostics, including specific capacity building actions in collaboration with the nutrition information TW
• In close collaboration with the cluster and M&E tam, update the plans for ENA SMART surveys and rapid nutrition assessments and follow up on timely implementation by partners.
• Ensure the highest level of quality of SMART surveys and nutrition assessments throughout training, data collection, data management, analysis and reporting.
• Facilitate review and adaptation of the IYCF- assessment methods, tools and guidelines to ensure they are fit for purpose, in the context of large IDP situation, in collaboration with cluster partners
• Adopt and promote the use of global standards for information management for interoperability (standard IM toolkit will be applied and then sync of country’s information will be done).
• Use GIS mapping for map production and geographic data management for the country’s nutrition and nutrition-relevant data.
• Support the Nutrition section with a data quality audit jointly with government and sector partners.
• Contribute to and support the consolidation of sitreps and regular information updates, including IPC related updates as needed.
• Support with the creation of and maintenance of national-level and subnational-level nutrition dashboards with functionality to show integrated as well as separate in case of need for donor or cluster related functions of UNICEF.
• Develop and strengthen information management capacity through training at national and sub-national level – including to UNICEF implementing partners
Deliverables
• NIS system diagnosis report
• Capacity strengthening plan on nutrition information system
• Updated IYCF-E assessment and monitoring tools and guides
• Timely develop/revise, and disseminate reports of ENA SMART surveys and rapid nutrition assessments.
• Regular and quality sitreps in collaboration with the team
• Update tools (dashboards) in PowerBi on the nutrition situation
• Develop maps and infographics and bulletins with data from health facilities, surveys and assessments.
Impact of Results
The NIS Specialist supports Sudan in ensuring timely situation analysis built on a solid plan of assessments and data triangulation for better decision making on nutrition by all actors. This contributes to the predictability and accountability of humanitarian action, in line with the aims of the cluster approach and IASC principles, and ensures that the humanitarian response is well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, effective and builds the resilience of the affected population. It also contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to fulfil its commitments as Cluster Lead Agency, in line with the CCCs.
Competencies and level of proficiency required
Core competencies:
• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda.
• Understands, uses and adapts the tools, mechanisms and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles - https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OOM-humanitarianprinciples_eng_June12.pdf
• Demonstrates commitment to Principles of Partnership - http://www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org/doc00003804.doc
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that cluster activities are prioritised and aligned within an agreed strategy
• Demonstrates commitment to the cluster and independence from employing organisation
• Builds, motivates and leads information management team
Technical competences
• Understands key technical issues for the Nutrition section sufficiently well enough to be able to understand information management needs.
• Excellent knowledge of ENA SMART and Rapid Nutrition assessments.
• Excellent skills in MS Excel or MS Access (e.g. pivot tables and functions); proven technical expertise for managing data capture and storage, for analysing diverse datasets, and presenting information in understandable tables, charts, graphs and reports; knowledge of establishing and managing dashboards (using power Bi) and basic websites (e.g. UNICEF’s teamSite); proven skills in using GIS and map-making packages, and in web design and software development are an asset
Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
The post holder must demonstrate excellent knowledge and skills in the following areas:
Humanitarian architecture, cluster approach and core functions
• Key process and features of the humanitarian programme cycle (HNO, HRP and CCPM), the humanitarian reform process and the transformative agenda, the Humanitarian-Development Nexus and the Grand Bargain Commitments,
• IASC Guidance Note on Strengthening Participation, Representation and Leadership of Local and National Actors in IASC Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms, IASC Results Group 1 on Operational Response, (2021),
• IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level (2015),
• IASC Guidance Note on Using the Cluster Approach to Strengthen Humanitarian Response (2006).
Humanitarian principles, standards and guidelines
• Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, (2020), UNICEF,
• Cluster Coordination Guidance for Country Offices (2015), UNICEF
• The Sphere Handbook, (2018), Sphere,
• Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability, (2014), CHSA,
• Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, (1994), ICRC,
• Accountability to Affected Populations: The Operational Framework, (2013), IASC,
• Principles of Partnership: A Statement of Commitment, (2007), ICVA,
• Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, Quality (AAAQ) framework: A tool to identify potential barriers in accessing services in humanitarian settings, (2019), UNICEF,
• Statement on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action, (2013), IASC,
• Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, (2008), Secretary General Bulletin,
• Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action, (2015), IASC.
Nutrition in Emergencies principles, standards, concepts, tools and resources
• Key issues in nutrition programming in humanitarian settings including:
o Measuring and monitoring the nutrition situation,
o Identifying needs and interventions,
o Designing and managing nutrition programmes,
o Adopting integrated and systems-based approaches to programming,
o Engaging communities for nutrition action,
o Coordinating and collaborating with others,
o Advocating for improved nutrition outcomes,
o Promoting resilience to shocks,
o Strengthening capacities to protect, promote and support nutrition,
o Promoting access to nutritious diets,
o Protecting and supporting infant and child nutrition,
o Protecting nutrition in middle childhood and adolescence,
o Protecting nutrition in women of child-bearing age,
o Protecting nutrition in people with additional needs related to health, age, disabilities or context,
o Detecting and treating malnutrition.
• Essential Nutrition Actions: Mainstreaming Nutrition Through the Life-Course, (2019), WHO,
• Global Action Plan on Child Wasting: A framework for action to accelerate progress in preventing and managing child wasting and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, (2020),
• No Time to Waste – UNICEF's approach for the prevention, early detection and treatment of wasting in early childhood (2021),
• Nutrition Cluster Handbook (2013),
• Nutrition Cluster Coordination and information management toolkits,
• Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 2: Zero Hunger,
• UNICEF’s Approach to Scaling Up Nutrition: For Mothers and their Children, (2015),
• UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020-2030, (2020),
• UNICEF Programming Guidance: Improving Young Children’s Diets During the Complementary Feeding Period (2020).
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: UNICEF
P Level: P3
Location: Kassala, Sudan
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
Organizational Context
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has erupted on 15 April weeks leading to the displacement of millions of Sudanese people both internally and externally, disruption of the health systems, and looting of humanitarian assets and offices has compromising humanitarian action in key locations. Efforts are ongoing to deliver assistance wherever and whenever possible. Health and nutrition information management needs is increasing in light of the nonfunctioning government HIS and the current and potential increase in the scale of the humanitarian operation led by UNICEF and other partners.
Humanitarian action is of fundamental importance to UNICEF and encompasses interventions aimed at saving lives, alleviating suffering, maintaining human dignity, and protecting the rights of affected populations wherever there are humanitarian needs, as well as interventions addressing underlying risks and causes of vulnerability to disasters, fragility, and conflict. UNICEF’s humanitarian action is guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) which set organizational, programmatic, and operational commitments and benchmarks against which UNICEF holds itself accountable for the coverage, quality, and equity of its humanitarian action and advocacy and which are mandatory for all UNICEF personnel.
Job organizational context: The Nutrition Information System (NIS) specialist is to provide temporary support to Sudan on diagnosing and strengthening the nutrition information system. This support will continue until the end of March 2024, to allow continued support during the current crisis. The support will be in-person, addressing country-level priorities. The NIS specialist will report to Chief of Nutrition with strong collaboration with the PME, and M&E team within the Health and Nutrition.
Purpose of the job: The purpose of this support is to reinforce the nutrition information management systems for the current nutrition response and putting foundation to strengthen systems beyond the emergency in Sudan. This entails diagnosis of the nutrition information system, support to capacity building based on gaps identified in the system (to cluster partners), strengthening the nutrition surveys and assessments, strengthening the NIS coordination at national and sub-national levels, and to manage the collection, collation, analysis, and sharing of nutrition information that is important for the section and the country office to make informed (evidence-based) strategic decisions – specifically through managing SMART surveys and nutrition assessments and the creation of national and subnational level dashboards.
Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks
The key function of the NIS specialist is to reinforce the information management systems in Sudan at the national and/or sub-national level.
The responsibilities of the NIS specialist include:
• Undertake diagnosis of the Sudan Nutrition Information System to assess if it is comprehensive and fit for purpose in the current L-3 emergency setting
• Support the CO and cluster partners to address the capacity gaps identified during the diagnostics, including specific capacity building actions in collaboration with the nutrition information TW
• In close collaboration with the cluster and M&E tam, update the plans for ENA SMART surveys and rapid nutrition assessments and follow up on timely implementation by partners.
• Ensure the highest level of quality of SMART surveys and nutrition assessments throughout training, data collection, data management, analysis and reporting.
• Facilitate review and adaptation of the IYCF- assessment methods, tools and guidelines to ensure they are fit for purpose, in the context of large IDP situation, in collaboration with cluster partners
• Adopt and promote the use of global standards for information management for interoperability (standard IM toolkit will be applied and then sync of country’s information will be done).
• Use GIS mapping for map production and geographic data management for the country’s nutrition and nutrition-relevant data.
• Support the Nutrition section with a data quality audit jointly with government and sector partners.
• Contribute to and support the consolidation of sitreps and regular information updates, including IPC related updates as needed.
• Support with the creation of and maintenance of national-level and subnational-level nutrition dashboards with functionality to show integrated as well as separate in case of need for donor or cluster related functions of UNICEF.
• Develop and strengthen information management capacity through training at national and sub-national level – including to UNICEF implementing partners
Deliverables
• NIS system diagnosis report
• Capacity strengthening plan on nutrition information system
• Updated IYCF-E assessment and monitoring tools and guides
• Timely develop/revise, and disseminate reports of ENA SMART surveys and rapid nutrition assessments.
• Regular and quality sitreps in collaboration with the team
• Update tools (dashboards) in PowerBi on the nutrition situation
• Develop maps and infographics and bulletins with data from health facilities, surveys and assessments.
Impact of Results
The NIS Specialist supports Sudan in ensuring timely situation analysis built on a solid plan of assessments and data triangulation for better decision making on nutrition by all actors. This contributes to the predictability and accountability of humanitarian action, in line with the aims of the cluster approach and IASC principles, and ensures that the humanitarian response is well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, effective and builds the resilience of the affected population. It also contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to fulfil its commitments as Cluster Lead Agency, in line with the CCCs.
Competencies and level of proficiency required
Core competencies:
• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda.
• Understands, uses and adapts the tools, mechanisms and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles - https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OOM-humanitarianprinciples_eng_June12.pdf
• Demonstrates commitment to Principles of Partnership - http://www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org/doc00003804.doc
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that cluster activities are prioritised and aligned within an agreed strategy
• Demonstrates commitment to the cluster and independence from employing organisation
• Builds, motivates and leads information management team
Technical competences
• Understands key technical issues for the Nutrition section sufficiently well enough to be able to understand information management needs.
• Excellent knowledge of ENA SMART and Rapid Nutrition assessments.
• Excellent skills in MS Excel or MS Access (e.g. pivot tables and functions); proven technical expertise for managing data capture and storage, for analysing diverse datasets, and presenting information in understandable tables, charts, graphs and reports; knowledge of establishing and managing dashboards (using power Bi) and basic websites (e.g. UNICEF’s teamSite); proven skills in using GIS and map-making packages, and in web design and software development are an asset
Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
- University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in a subject area relevant to information management, Nutrition, or public health
- Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.
- Formal training in nutrition information management an advantage
- At least 7 years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including information management in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the cluster
- Extensive work experience outside the humanitarian sector which is relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for humanitarian experience.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages is considered an asset, particularly the language of the duty station.
The post holder must demonstrate excellent knowledge and skills in the following areas:
Humanitarian architecture, cluster approach and core functions
• Key process and features of the humanitarian programme cycle (HNO, HRP and CCPM), the humanitarian reform process and the transformative agenda, the Humanitarian-Development Nexus and the Grand Bargain Commitments,
• IASC Guidance Note on Strengthening Participation, Representation and Leadership of Local and National Actors in IASC Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms, IASC Results Group 1 on Operational Response, (2021),
• IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level (2015),
• IASC Guidance Note on Using the Cluster Approach to Strengthen Humanitarian Response (2006).
Humanitarian principles, standards and guidelines
• Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, (2020), UNICEF,
• Cluster Coordination Guidance for Country Offices (2015), UNICEF
• The Sphere Handbook, (2018), Sphere,
• Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability, (2014), CHSA,
• Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, (1994), ICRC,
• Accountability to Affected Populations: The Operational Framework, (2013), IASC,
• Principles of Partnership: A Statement of Commitment, (2007), ICVA,
• Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, Quality (AAAQ) framework: A tool to identify potential barriers in accessing services in humanitarian settings, (2019), UNICEF,
• Statement on the Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action, (2013), IASC,
• Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, (2008), Secretary General Bulletin,
• Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action, (2015), IASC.
Nutrition in Emergencies principles, standards, concepts, tools and resources
• Key issues in nutrition programming in humanitarian settings including:
o Measuring and monitoring the nutrition situation,
o Identifying needs and interventions,
o Designing and managing nutrition programmes,
o Adopting integrated and systems-based approaches to programming,
o Engaging communities for nutrition action,
o Coordinating and collaborating with others,
o Advocating for improved nutrition outcomes,
o Promoting resilience to shocks,
o Strengthening capacities to protect, promote and support nutrition,
o Promoting access to nutritious diets,
o Protecting and supporting infant and child nutrition,
o Protecting nutrition in middle childhood and adolescence,
o Protecting nutrition in women of child-bearing age,
o Protecting nutrition in people with additional needs related to health, age, disabilities or context,
o Detecting and treating malnutrition.
• Essential Nutrition Actions: Mainstreaming Nutrition Through the Life-Course, (2019), WHO,
• Global Action Plan on Child Wasting: A framework for action to accelerate progress in preventing and managing child wasting and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, (2020),
• No Time to Waste – UNICEF's approach for the prevention, early detection and treatment of wasting in early childhood (2021),
• Nutrition Cluster Handbook (2013),
• Nutrition Cluster Coordination and information management toolkits,
• Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 2: Zero Hunger,
• UNICEF’s Approach to Scaling Up Nutrition: For Mothers and their Children, (2015),
• UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020-2030, (2020),
• UNICEF Programming Guidance: Improving Young Children’s Diets During the Complementary Feeding Period (2020).
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.