Nutrition Analyst Consultant at USAID's Famine Early Warning Systems Network

Locations: Abuja, and Maiduguri.

Position Description

• The availability of sound nutrition data from northeast Nigeria has been particularly limited since the start of the conflict. Limited representative household surveys (i.e. SMART surveys) have been carried out to assess the current prevalence of acute malnutrition and/or the mortality situation, so the nutrition community has been forced to rely mainly on spotty screening and admissions data. There are relatively few operational partners on the ground, and technical capacity to analyze data, coordinate information, and prioritize assessments is limited.
• The position is expected to enhance nutrition support in northeast Nigeria, in collaboration with ACF, with the objectives of better understanding of the current nutrition and mortality situation and improving decision support. The Nutrition Analyst Consultant will provide logistical and technical support to improve the availability of nutrition information and quality of analysis throughout Nigeria.

The main activities of the Nutrition Analyst Consultant will include, but are not limited to:

• Liaising with NGOs, relevant government agencies, UNICEF, WFP and other local partners to compile and manage all existing data on the nutrition, health and mortality situation in northeast Nigeria from surveys, screenings, treatment programs etc. that have been collected since the start of the conflict. This will also include the collection of national-level survey and admissions data.
• Routinely updating Nigeria nutrition cluster, FEWS NET and ACF nutrition databases with results from nutrition surveys or assessments from throughout Nigeria, analyzing existing nutrition and health data, making comparisons with historical data, and identifying seasonal trends;
• Monitor mortality rates and other indicators to call for timely assessment (RNA or MIRA+MUAC) as needed;
• In collaboration with other partners lead in the production of the monthly Nigeria Nutrition monitor.
• Identifying gaps in existing data and highlight priorities for future assessments;
• Actively participating in nutrition cluster meetings (and other relevant meetings), and potentially leading a sub-group that would focus on nutrition information (i.e. a nutrition information working group);
• Obtaining information on all assessments currently planned by the government, UNICEF, and/or NGOs, and provide technical guidance on the design and analysis of future assessments (i.e. SMART surveys, screenings, admissions data etc.);
• Obtaining information on all nutrition assistance, delivery, and support currently in place and/or planned by the government, UNICEF, and/or NGOs in northeast Nigeria;
• Potentially assisting in the supervision of future ACF and/or FEWS NET assessments (particularly nutrition surveys and nutrition components of food security assessments);
• Participating in weekly discussions (more if needed) with FEWS NET staff in Abuja to coordinate on relevant nutrition issues with the food security specialists;
• Provide FEWS NET/Nigeria and ACF/Nigeria with regular reports on the current nutrition situation as it relates to food security and available nutrition information;
• Collaborating with FEWS NET’s Nigeria team on the integration of nutrition and mortality data into food security analysis;
• Contributing to the Nutrition in Emergency Working group analysis of gaps and participate in bilateral exchanges with partners with the same objective; and
• Assisting the FEWS NET National Technical Manager in carrying out other technical and representational functions of the FEWS NET or ACF national office upon request.
• The FEWS NET Nutrition Analyst Consultant will provide technical support services to the FEWS NET and ACF professional staff and will work under the direct supervision of the FEWS NET National Technical Manager, with further technical support from ACF.
• The position is expected to be based in either Abuja or Maiduguri, with the Nutrition Analyst Consultant required to travel within Nigeria. Some international travel may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced university Degree in Nutrition or Agriculture and/or Public Health with focus on nutrition
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field of public nutrition, food security and/or early warning systems in Nigeria
• Good analytical skills
• Experience facilitating nutrition/health trainings
• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, statistical analysis software - such as SPSS or STATA)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in English, proficiency in one or more national languages preferred
• Previous experience supervising SMART surveys is desirable
• Nigeria National

Selection Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated against the following core competencies and technical skills.

Core Competencies:

• Relevance of education to the work of FEWS NET
• English language ability (spoken and written)
• Relevant national language ability (spoken)
• Presentation skills
• Computer skills
• Evidence of working with and coordinating partners, networking and collaboration
• Coordination and management/representational experience

Technical Skills (depth of understanding and experience on the following topics):

• Relevance of nutrition experience
• Analyzing nutrition data (quantitative and/or qualitative)
• Qualified as a SMART supervisor or manager
• Supervision of nutrition surveys involving anthropometric measurements in the field
• Conducting food security assessments (qualitative or quantitative) in the field
• Conducting nutrition-related trainings
• Managing a nutrition-related program (e.g. micronutrient program, therapeutic feeding program, IYCF program)
• Relevance of food security experience
• IPC and/or Cadre Harmonise’