Consultant at International Medical Corps

Objectives
The proposed surveys have the following objectives:

    To determine the prevalence of acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months
    To estimate under-five and crude retrospective death rates in the three months prior to the survey
    To assess the recent morbidity patterns among children 6- 59 months
    To assess the immunization coverage for BCG, Measles and Polio I DPT3 and Vitamin A among children 659 months
    To determine mothers/ caretakers knowledge and caring practice regarding infant and young child feeding
    To assess the community’s knowledge, attitude, practice and beliefs regarding water sanitation and hygiene
    To establish the source of drinking water arid water management at household level as well as at health facilities and presence and use of latrines
    To provide additional qualitative information on the likely causes of under-nutrition and barriers to optimal child health and nutrition practices in the area, (E.g. through focus group discussions).
    To formulate and provide practical and sustainable recommendations based on the survey findings
    To determine the effectiveness, relevance and appropriateness of the current nutrition programs (CMAM, IYCF).

Duties and Responsibilities of the Consultant
The consultant will, in coordination with the International Medical Corps team and under direct report to the Country Director and Nutrition Program Coordinator

    Develop survey tools using’ the SMART methodology. This includes ensuring that the data collection forms are in line with international standards.
    Be responsible for preparation of the two surveys, including review of population statistics, calculating the sample size, selecting clusters, and developing an efficient survey schedule
    Train the survey learns (including pre-testing questionnaire).
    Assume overall responsibility for implementation of the two surveys, including recruiting (in collaboration with HR and senior management at country level) and training of enumerators, data entry clerks.
    Daily supervision of survey learns and daily data quality assurance Supervise data entry and assure data entry quality.
    Be responsible for data cleaning and analysis using anthropometric software for the core anthropometric arid additional indicators, including analysis using WHO 2006 Growth Standards, PROPAN & UNICEF field manual process for the promotion of child feeding 2nd, edition PAHO 2013
    Present Preliminary findings and present the final findings at nutrition working group upon sharing with IMC
    Present the draft report of the findings in a stakeholder forum for comments and feedback
    Revise and submit a final copy of the survey report including recommendations to International Medical Corps.
    Lead the synthesis and sharing of findings during meetings and discussions with International Medical Corps and relevant field team members as well as other relevant stakeholders

Expected outputs: Two final survey reports: Consultant submits these for review and then based on the feedback, revises and submits the final reports including conclusion, recommendation outlined per each sector to International Medical Corps.
Feedback on findings: The Consultant gives a briefing on the preliminary findings from the surveys to International Medical Corps & SMoH staff in Sokoto and / or in Abuja.
Timeframe: The whole assignment is expected to lake no more than 30 days starting May 15th - July 7th, 2014.

Qualifications
    PhD or Masters Degree in Public Health or Nutrition or related fields- training in research methods is an advantage
    Extensive experience in health program preferably in nutrition and WASH research demonstrated by assignments conducted
    Experience in conducting KAP and SMART surveys including training teams, analyzing data and writing up reports
    Experience in the Nutrition assessment in Northern Nigeria is an advantage
    Knowledge of the socio-economic and health development issues in relation to Northern Nigeria is desired.
    Excellent interpersonal, communication, training and report writing skills
    Must be computer literate with undoubted proficiency in analytical packages such as ENA for SMART (2013), SPSS, CSPro, STATA, and SAS
    Fluent in both oral and written English Hausa language skills are desirable but not essential