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

The project also produces specialized research products on food security drivers and crosscutting issues, such as climate change and resilience. FEWS NET makes all reports available at www.fews.net and distributes them globally to governments, relief agencies, and other organizations engaged in humanitarian response and development programs.

The ongoing third phase of FEWS NET (2012-2017) relies on close collaboration with international, regional, and national partners on food security analysis and reinforcement of food security networks. Major activities include joint monitoring and assessments, data exchanges, collaborative analysis and report writing, and training. FEWS NET supports local and regional food security networks to contribute to achieving the global objective of food security for all.

Position Description

• In Nigeria, Boko Haram conflict continues to limit food availability and access for households, particularly in the northeast region, for several consecutive years.
• Impacts of conflict in northeast Nigeria continues to leave a significant portion of the population with very limited access to food, water, and health services as the conflict persists in the region.
• Although data remains limited, information from recently liberated populations suggest that possible Famine (IPC Phase 5) acute food insecurity could be occurring in the worst affected and less accessible pockets of the state.
• Populations in several recently accessible LGA centers in Borno and Yobe States remain in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity - recent information from these areas show larger gaps in basic food needs and suggest high levels of acute malnutrition.
• While there has been some improvement in food assistance delivery and government services in these LGAs, there are still security risks and limited opportunities for both IDPs and returnees.
• 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:
  • Liaise with NGOs, relevant government agencies, UNICEF, WFP and other local partners to participate in and strengthen the nutrition partnership network
  • 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 update FEWS NET and ACF nutrition databases with results from nutrition surveys or assessments from throughout Nigeria, analyzing existing nutrition and health data and trends
  • Monitor mortality rates and malnutrition indicators in order to report on the current situation and to identify gaps in existing data to highlight priorities for future assessments
  • Lead in the production of the monthly Nigeria Nutrition monitor
  • Actively participate in Nutrition in Emergencies Working Group (and other relevant meetings), potentially taking on a leadership role in sub-groups, contributing to group analysis, and initiating bilateral exchanges with partners with the same objective;
  • Monitor nutrition assessments being planned by the government, UNICEF, and/or NGOs, and provide technical guidance on survey design (SMART surveys, screenings, admissions etc);
  • Obtain information on all nutrition assistance, delivery, and support currently in place and/or planned by the government, UNICEF, and/or NGOs in northeast Nigeria;
  • Assist in the supervision, training and design of future ACF and/or FEWS NET assessments (particularly nutrition surveys and nutrition components of food security assessments);
  • Participate 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;
  • Collaborate with FEWS NET’s Nigeria team on integrating nutrition and mortality data into food security analysis
  • Assist 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. If the position is based in Abuja, then significant travel to the Northeast will be expected working from the ACF Maiduguri Offices. 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 with statistical analysis preferred)
• Experience facilitating nutrition/health trainings
• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• 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
• Nigerian 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 nutrition partners, networking and collaboration (preference for previous experience with partners in the Nutrition in Emergencies Working Group)
• 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)