Consultants to support the implementation of Multisectoral action to address Health with nutrition and associated WASH and child protection needs in the states of Sokoto and Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria (On site – 11 months)

As approved in the BHA support project for humanitarian support in NW, The UNICEF Sokoto Field Office is seeking the support of one State MNCH Coordinator (based in Sokoto state) to support the implementation and coordination of the health intervention of the Multisectoral action to address Health in coordination with nutrition and associated WASH and child protection needs in the states of Sokoto and Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria.

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Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
As approved in the BHA support project for humanitarian support in NW, The UNICEF Sokoto Field Office is seeking the support of one State MNCH Coordinator (based in Sokoto state) to support the implementation and coordination of the health intervention of the Multisectoral action to address Health in coordination with nutrition and associated WASH and child protection needs in the states of Sokoto and Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
Humanitarian Needs in Northwest Nigeria
Armed violence has resulted in an increase in forced displacement in the three North Western States of Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara in 2022. As per the updated risk analysis by the Nigeria Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), armed violence now encompasses the entire state of Zamfara (14 Local Government Areas or LGAs), eastern Sokoto (14 LGAs) and western Katsina (22 LGAs), i.e., the areas adjacent to Zamfara State. The intensity of the violence has resulted in a crisis of a humanitarian nature affecting 50 of the 71 LGAs across the three states.
Consequently, from December 2021 to December 2022, the number of IDPs in these three states rose from 369,064 to 474,077, with banditry and kidnapping being the main drivers of displacement as per IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). On average, 88 percent of IDPs in the three states live in host communities, ranging from 57 percent in Sokoto to almost 100 percent in Katsina.
Overall, 54 percent of IDPs in the North Central and Northwest region of Nigeria are female, and 56 percent are children, with 26 percent of IDPs being children aged under five years. Some 89 percent of IDPs are displaced within the borders of their state. Although both IDPs and host communities encounter challenges, displaced families have more complex needs than non-displaced families, according to the 2022 Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (2022 MSNA) conducted by REACH in the three states.
Violence-driven humanitarian needs in Northwest Nigeria exacerbate pre-existing challenges marked by poverty, population growth, and climate change. According to the Nigeria Population Projections and Demographics Indicators report (NPC July 2020), the population in the three states grew from 15 million in 2010 to 22 million in 2020. The Northwest also has the highest fertility rate, with 6.6 children per woman, compared to the national average of 5.3, according to the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO). About the impact of climate change, 90 percent of Nigeria’s north is subject to deforestation. As part of the Sahel, the already arid region is further turning to desert or desert-like conditions at 0.6 km per year. This negatively affects farmer-herder dynamics, given the decreasing land available for grazing and farming.
In line with the humanitarian needs outlined above, the proposed humanitarian response will focus on a multisectoral convergent approach focusing on vulnerable households in the First 1,000 Days of Life.
The multisectoral convergent interventions will be delivered in line with humanitarian, equity, and gender transformative principles to achieve three key objectives that will improve access to life-saving services and enable households (particularly in the First 1,000 Days), community structures, and institutions to mitigate the impacts of conflict in a sustainable manner.

Key responsibilities:
1. Strengthen delivery of life-saving nutrition, health, and WASH services at the facility level
2. Strengthen delivery of community-based nutrition, health, WASH, and child protection services
3. Strengthen partnerships, coordination structures, and data systems

Task/Milestone

1. Support at least One PHC per ward to deliver a defined package of nutrition counselling and quality MNCH services to pregnant women and caregivers of children 0-23 years of age.
a. Introduce mentorships to ensure effective QoC PHC service delivery through the mobile mentor’s pools.
• Capacity development of mentor’s pool
• Roll out of training for selected PHCs on QoC
b. Develop a plan for Face-to-Face and on-the-job mentorship at the PHC facilities.
c. Facilitate the identification of communities that will benefit from the intervention.
d. Support state to development procurement plan with Forecast, procure, and distribution list and share to initiate procurement by supply section.
e. Facilitated a One-day orientation meeting with ward managers of the 6 LGAs on BHA implementation strategy.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• A complete report on QoC roll out including training and facility assessment.
• Baseline facility assessment report for selected PHCs
• Mentorship plan
• Supply and procurement plan.

2. Provide Children and women with Emergency Primary Health Care Services.
a. Support state/ Mentors pool to identify and train multi-skilled mobile PHC teams.
b. Facilitate the development of the Sessions microplan.
c. Facilitate states to deploy and manage a fit-for-purpose time-limited HRH Surge, including for community health workers (CORPs, CHIPS, etc) in 52 priority PHCs.
d. Monitor facilities with availability of essential medicines and health supplies for outreach.
e. Support state to develop and ensure an effective referral system.

– Support the vaccination of children for Measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

f. Enumerate eligible children in inaccessible areas and IDPs.
g. Activate village selection committee.
h. Select and train a multi-skilled mobile team from the local community.
i. Facilitate the Implementation of supplemental immunization and special immunization activities for measles.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Training report of mobile PHC team
• Progress report on community RMNCH+N service delivery through mobile team
• Detail enumeration report for eligible children in project supported LGAs

3. Support State and LGAs to conduct quarterly evidence-based health & nutrition program performance reviews.
a. Facilitate the state PHCDA, LGA, and partners to conduct quarterly routine program monitoring and supportive supervision.
b. Facilitate the Stags state to conduct targeted program performance reviews (quarterly) and support mobile teams in collecting, analyzing, and using data (monthly) to ensure all targeted children, women, and communities are reached with essential lifesaving PHC services.
c. Facility Performance Review Meeting
d. Conducted quarterly clinical mentorship team reviews and team rotations.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Submit the QI assessment report and action plan
• Submit monthly progress report on RMNCAH+N as per the prescribed reporting template

4. Support to ensure strengthen delivery of nutrition, health and WASH services at the facility level
a. Facilitate the conduct of routine service availability and readiness for priority PHCs in IDP camps, transit camps, and host communities.
b. Ensure QoC interventions in selected PHCs.
c. Support and monitor the mentors and analyze the mentorship data.
d. Facilitate monthly QI committee meeting and ensure to develop evidence-based action plan to improve QoC

– Support integrated MNCH and Nutrition outreach sessions.
a. Facilitate targeted community engagement in IDP camps and host communities to ensure all children and their families utilize available PHC services.
b. Monitor and support the mobile team to ensure RMNCAH outreach services.
c. Facilitate and guide to organize sensitization Courtyard session with mothers’ group/caregivers by VCM/CHIPs/ FW
d. Monitor and Facilitate house-to-house mobilization to ensure the adoption of positive health & care practices.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Monthly service delivery report at community
• A detail QoC report including mentorship program.
• Summary of Meeting notes of QI committee

5. Support to ensure strengthen delivery of nutrition, health and WASH services at the facility level.
a. Facilitate the conduct of routine service availability and readiness for priority PHCs in IDP camps, transit camps, and host communities.
b. Ensure QoC interventions in selected PHCs.
c. Support and monitor the mentors and analyze the mentorship data.
d. Facilitate monthly QI committee meeting and ensure to develop evidence-based action plan to improve QoC

– Support integrated MNCH and Nutrition outreach sessions.
a. Facilitate targeted community engagement in IDP camps and host communities to ensure all children and their families utilize available PHC services.
b. Monitor and support the mobile team to ensure RMNCAH outreach services.
c. Facilitate and guide to organize sensitization Courtyard session with mothers’ group/caregivers by VCM/CHIPs/ FW
d. Monitor and Facilitate house-to-house mobilization to ensure the adoption of positive health & care practices.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Monthly service delivery report at community
• A detail QoC report including mentorship program.
• Summary of Meeting notes of QI committee

6. Support State and LGAs to conduct quarterly evidence-based health & nutrition program performance reviews.
a. Facilitate the state PHCDA, LGA, and partners to conduct quarterly routine program monitoring and supportive supervision.
b. Facilitate the Stags state to conduct targeted program performance reviews (quarterly) and support mobile teams in collecting, analyzing, and using data (monthly) to ensure all targeted children, women, and communities are reached with essential lifesaving PHC services.
c. Facility Performance Review Meeting
d. Conducted quarterly clinical mentorship team reviews and team rotations.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Submit the QI assessment report and action plan.
• Submit monthly progress report on RMNCAH+N as per the prescribed reporting template.

7. Support to ensure strengthen delivery of nutrition, health and WASH services at the facility level.
a. Facilitate the conduct of routine service availability and readiness for priority PHCs in IDP camps, transit camps, and host communities.
b. Ensure QoC interventions in selected PHCs.
c. Support and monitor the mentors and analyze the mentorship data.
d. Facilitate monthly QI committee meeting and ensure to develop evidence-based action plan to improve QoC

– Support integrated MNCH and Nutrition outreach sessions.
a. Facilitate targeted community engagement in IDP camps and host communities to ensure all children and their families utilize available PHC services.
b. Monitor and support the mobile team to ensure RMNCAH outreach services.
c. Facilitate and guide to organize sensitization Courtyard session with mothers’ group/caregivers by VCM/CHIPs/ FW
d. Monitor and Facilitate house-to-house mobilization to ensure the adoption of positive health & care practices.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Monthly service delivery report at community
• A detail QoC report including mentorship program.
• Summary of Meeting notes of QI committee

8. Support to ensure strengthen delivery of nutrition, health and WASH services at the facility level.
a. Facilitate the conduct of routine service availability and readiness for priority PHCs in IDP camps, transit camps, and host communities.
b. Ensure QoC interventions in selected PHCs.
c. Support and monitor the mentors and analyze the mentorship data.
d. Facilitate monthly QI committee meeting and ensure to develop evidence-based action plan to improve QoC

– Support integrated MNCH and Nutrition outreach sessions.
a. Facilitate targeted community engagement in IDP camps and host communities to ensure all children and their families utilize available PHC services.
b. Monitor and support the mobile team to ensure RMNCAH outreach services.
c. Facilitate and guide to organize sensitization Courtyard session with mothers’ group/caregivers by VCM/CHIPs/ FW
d. Monitor and Facilitate house-to-house mobilization to ensure the adoption of positive health & care practices.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Monthly service delivery report at community
• A detail QoC report including mentorship program.
• Summary of Meeting notes of QI committee

9. Support State and LGAs to conduct quarterly evidence-based health & nutrition program performance reviews.
a. Facilitate the state PHCDA, LGA, and partners to conduct quarterly routine program monitoring and supportive supervision.
b. Facilitate the Stags state to conduct targeted program performance reviews (quarterly) and support mobile teams in collecting, analyzing, and using data (monthly) to ensure all targeted children, women, and communities are reached with essential lifesaving PHC services.
c. Facility Performance Review Meeting
d. Conducted quarterly clinical mentorship team reviews and team rotations.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Submit the QI assessment report and action plan.
• Submit monthly progress report on RMNCAH+N as per the prescribed reporting template.

10. Support to ensure strengthen delivery of nutrition, health and WASH services at the facility level.
a. Facilitate the conduct of routine service availability and readiness for priority PHCs in IDP camps, transit camps, and host communities.
b. Ensure QoC interventions in selected PHCs.
c. Support and monitor the mentors and analyze the mentorship data.
d. Facilitate monthly QI committee meeting and ensure to develop evidence-based action plan to improve QoC

– Support integrated MNCH and Nutrition outreach sessions.
a. Facilitate targeted community engagement in IDP camps and host communities to ensure all children and their families utilize available PHC services.
b. Monitor and support the mobile team to ensure RMNCAH outreach services.
c. Facilitate and guide to organize sensitization Courtyard session with mothers’ group/caregivers by VCM/CHIPs/ FW
d. Monitor and Facilitate house-to-house mobilization to ensure the adoption of positive health & care practices.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
• Monthly service delivery report at community
• A detail QoC report including mentorship program.
• Summary of Meeting notes of QI committee

11. a. Organize and facilitate phaseout workshop.
b. Facilitate to complete endline survey, data analysis and complete project report.
c. Support to develop two success stories on the project.
Deliverables/ Outputs:
a. Submit a project completion report.
b. Submit two success stories (Facility based and community outreach services)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent is required in the following areas: MBBS, Public Health, Behavioral Health Sciences.
Experience:
• At least five years’ experience in health programming and management
• Solid experience in multi-sectorial coordination, Results-Based Measurement, and health program monitoring and evaluation.
• Solid experience in an emergency setting
• Priority would be given to the one with solid experience in Quality Improvement initiatives in MNCAH settings
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English language and writing skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to cons
ultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
Please submit your all-inclusive financial and technical proposal along with the application. Application without these will not be entertained.