Consultancy: Taxation and subsidy to promote use of nutritious foods for children WCARO- Dakar, Senegal, 1 year (Remote with travels to Dakar)

CARE International

JOB DESCRIPTION

UNICEF works in among the world’s hardest locations, to succeed in the world’s most deprived youngsters. To save lots of their lives. To defend their rights. To assist them fulfill their potential.

Throughout 190 nations and territories, we work for each baby, in every single place, daily, to construct a greater world for everybody.

And we by no means quit.

For each baby, Hope

Goal of Exercise/Task:

The poor high quality of younger youngsters’s diets is a significant driver of all types of malnutrition. In current many years with inhabitants development and speedy urbanization, adjustments in dietary patterns have been noticed amongst youngsters even the youngest ones, similar to a decrease consumption of contemporary meals and the next consumption of ultra-processed meals[1]. Gross sales quantity of ultra-processed meals have been growing in most areas of the world, together with in upper-middle and lower-middle-income nations, the place the annual development price was 4.4% in 2019.

The consumption by youngsters of ultra-processed meals with low nutrient profile has been proven to be linked to elevated danger of noncommunicable continual illnesses in maturity. Younger youngsters exactly symbolize the inhabitants of best concern since these merchandise are extraordinarily palatable and handy to eat or drink and are aggressively marketed. With the quickly rising variety of research reporting associations between UPFs and adversarial well being outcomes, and NCDs, there’s an growing have to tackle board the contribution of those meals to the worldwide burden of illness, in addition to the necessity to act on a number of ranges, together with by authorities regulation, to enhance the well being prospects of present and future generations[2].

Taxation on unhealthy meals, also known as “junk meals taxes,” is a coverage measure carried out by governments to deal with  public well being issues related to the consumption of meals and drinks which can be excessive in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fat. The first objectives of such taxes are to create a disincentive for the consumption of unhealthy meals and selling more healthy dietary selections, secondarily it might contribute to the discount of the financial prices related to associated well being points. The main focus, over the 12 months, appears to have been on Candy and sugary beverage (SSB) main. At the moment, 21 nations over 24 in WCAR have some type of SSB taxes[3]. A Comparative evaluation of unhealthy meals tax insurance policies discovered that sugar-sweetened beverage was included extra typically than different unhealthy meals[4].

A scientific overview assessed the impact of wholesome meals/beverage subsidies and unhealthy meals/beverage taxation, and it confirmed that taxation and subsidy insurance policies could be efficient for modifying inhabitants dietary behaviours or practices (Reasonably/robust proof). It additionally advised that meals taxes must be a minimal of 10 to fifteen% and ideally utilized in tandem with subsidies . Sadly, regardless of elevated curiosity globally in leveraging SSB taxes, taxes stay low as proven within the desk beneath.

Desk – Present taxes in West and Central African nations

Nevertheless, it’s necessary to notice that whereas sugar taxes have been carried out in 21 nations over 24, their effectiveness and influence are nonetheless topics to debate and must be assessed. Some argue that such taxes disproportionately have an effect on lower-income people, whereas others contend that they’re a vital step in addressing the general public well being challenges related to poor dietary habits.

The target of this examine is round three pillars. First inside a number of nations from WCAR with current taxation for SSB, it goals to evaluate how taxes have affected the penetration of SSB (market share) since its utility collectively and can estimate own- and cross- price-elasticities of ‘junk’ meals and SSBs for West and Central African households. Secondly, the examine will assess the potential influence of a sequence of different tax schemes and subsidies past SSB on family expenditures for meals gadgets. Lastly, the consultancy will assess the readiness of nations with none laws in place.

Scope of Work:

The advisor will liaise with the regional workplace to help develop a regional technique for the taxation and subsidy to cut back the consumption of unhealthy meals, promote public well being, generate income, or tackle the financial prices related to associated well being points.

The Particular duties are to:

Scope A: WCAR market survey of unhealthy merchandise

  1. Analyze market-trends of the taxed SSB earlier than and after the laws
  2. Determine taxable unhealthy meals and drinks (contemplating youngsters and market penetration) and map-out the market of these unhealthy meals in West and Central Africa
  3. Outline the scope of the present tax and potential new ones (from excessive ranges of added sugars, salt, unhealthy fat to another particular unhealthy nutrient content material similar to dangerous meals components, together with sweeteners, flavors intensifiers, meals coloring, thickener, emulsifier, preservatives)

Scope B: ECOWAS regional taxation standardization

  1. Decide the suitable tax charges for various classes of unhealthy meals throughout the ECOWAS area. Think about the elasticity of demand for these merchandise, potential well being advantages, and the necessity to keep away from disproportionately impacting lower-income populations.
  2. Estimate the present tax income of these unhealthy meals, and the influence of latest taxes income generated versus loss income resulting from further taxes.
  3. Assess what could be different incentives for a regional taxation by a session with varied stakeholders, together with public well being specialists, policymakers from totally different ministries (trade, commerce, commerce, finance), and group teams.
  4. Assess the alignment of the proposed regional taxation with the regional authorized and regulatory frameworks. Think about potential authorized challenges and work throughout the established authorized boundaries.

Scope C: 3 nations case-study – 2 nations with tax laws and 1 with out

  1. Assess the legislative and government adjustments wanted for taxation and/or subsidy schemes that intention to enhance dietary outcomes of youngsters.
    Consider more healthy alternate options that might be backed with the additional sources that will probably be raised by the proposed taxation.
  2. This may assist tackle issues in regards to the affordability of more healthy choices.
  3. Assess the alternatives and readiness at nation stage to undertake a warning label on meals packaging for ultra-processed meals or another alternate options

The advisor will liaise with UNICEF regional and nation diet part and native companions engaged in related workout routines.

Work Assignments Overview Deliverables/Outputs Supply  deadline Estimated Price range
Deliverable 1: Inception report authorized by UNICEF 1 month 20%
Deliverable 2: WCAR market survey of unhealthy merchandise submitted to UNICEF (Scope A) 3 months 20%
Deliverable 3: ECOWAS regional taxation standardization disseminated to ECOWAS and UNICEF (Scope B) 3 months 20%
Deliverable 4: 3 nation case-study – 2 with tax laws and 1 with out finalized (Scope C) 3 months 20%
Deliverable 5: Regional mannequin for legislative and government devices to develop and implement the tax is proposed 1 months 20%
To qualify as an advocate for each baby you should have…
  • No less than Grasp’s diploma in well being economics, social components, or an identical area
  • No less than 10 years of related working expertise in well being economics, laws, taxes
  • Various fields of expertise could be additionally an asset.
  • Sturdy impartial determine vis-à-vis the federal government and the non-public sector
  • Demonstrated capability to interact with authorities and companions
  • Data of public-private dialogue processes and associated communications packages.
  • Glorious communication abilities
  • Glorious writing abilities in French and English
  • Fluency in each French and English is required

Different Necessities

  • Accomplished profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system /Resume
  • Tutorial credentials/certificates
  • Consultancy proposal
  • Monetary proposal that may embrace:
    • Prices for every deliverable and complete all-inclusive (lump sum) charges for the entire project
    • Journey prices and each day subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or journey is required as per TO
    • Another estimated prices: visa, medical insurance, and residing prices as relevant.
  • Beforehand related consultancy merchandise & closing evaluations (if obtainable)
  • Point out your availability
  • On the time the contract is awarded, the chosen candidate should have in place present medical insurance protection.
  • Cost {of professional} charges will probably be based mostly on submission of agreed passable deliverables. UNICEF reserves the appropriate to withhold cost in case the deliverables submitted are less than the required customary or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the a part of the advisor.

For each Baby, you exhibit…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Belief, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please go to  here.

UNICEF is right here to serve the world’s most deprived youngsters and our world workforce should mirror the variety of these youngsters. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, regardless of their race/ethnicity, age, incapacity, gender id, sexual orientation, faith, nationality, socio-economic background, or another private attribute.

UNICEF presents reasonable accommodation for consultants/particular person contractors with disabilities. This will embrace, for instance, accessible software program, journey help for missions or private attendants. We encourage you to reveal your incapacity throughout your utility in case you want affordable lodging throughout the choice course of and afterwards in your project.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance coverage on conduct that’s incompatible with the goals and aims of the United Nations and UNICEF, together with sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF additionally adheres to strict baby safeguarding ideas. All chosen candidates will probably be anticipated to stick to those requirements and ideas and can subsequently endure rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will embrace the verification of educational credential(s) and employment historical past. Chosen candidates could also be required to offer further info to conduct a background examine.

Remarks: 

Solely shortlisted candidates will probably be contacted and advance to the following stage of the choice course of.

People engaged below a consultancy or particular person contract won’t be thought of “employees members” below the Workers Laws and Guidelines of the United Nations and UNICEF’s insurance policies and procedures, and won’t be entitled to advantages offered therein (similar to depart entitlements and medical insurance coverage protection). Their circumstances of service will probably be ruled by their contract and the Normal Situations of Contracts for the Providers of Consultants and Particular person Contractors. Consultants and particular person contractors are liable for figuring out their tax liabilities and for the cost of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with native or different relevant legal guidelines.

The chosen candidate is solely accountable to make sure that the visa (relevant) and medical insurance required to carry out the duties of the contract are legitimate for all the interval of the contract. Chosen candidates are topic to affirmation of fully-vaccinated standing in opposition to SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Well being Group (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which should be met previous to taking over the project. It doesn’t apply to consultants who will work remotely and should not anticipated to work on or go to UNICEF premises, programme supply places or instantly work together with communities UNICEF works with, nor to journey to carry out capabilities for UNICEF at some stage in their consultancy contracts.


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