Survey Consultant

Terms of Reference for a Survey Consultant for the Data Analysis and Report of a Nutrition Survey with SMART methods in the Gambia

The Gambia, August 1 - October 2, 2015

Object: Implementation of a Nutrition Survey using SMART methods in the Gambia

Length of Contract: 9 weeks

Proposed Timeline: August 1 – October 2, 2015

1.Context & Justification

The Gambia lies in thetypical “Sudano Sahelian” climate characterized by a short monomodal rainy season (June to October) followed by a long-dry season (November to May) characterized by the Harmattan Wind. Average annual rainfall is about 1,000mm but ranges from 850mm - 2,200mm depending on the agro-ecological zone. According to the 2014 pre-harvest assessment report, thecountry’s rainfall average as at October 20, 2014, was 638.9 mm, which was 33% below the country average for 2013 (958.3 mm), and 22% below the Long term mean (1981-2010; 30 year period: 828.5 mm). In general the rains were late, erratic and unevenly distributed which affected the production of major cereal crops (CILLS, 2014). The report estimated up to a 50% drop in the production of cereals for the 2014 cropping season.

The Gambia conducted a national nutrition survey in 2012 using the SMART methodology which indicated that malnutrition rates are high in the Gambia with 21.2% of children under five stunted, 9.9% wasted and 1.6% severely malnourished. This was followed by a Demographic Health Survey (DHS) in 2013 which reported that 24.5% of the children under five were stunted, 11.5% were wasted and 3.9% were severely malnourished.

The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) in collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders has proposed a national nutrition survey using Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) method during the hunger gap (from August – September) which is the same period as when 2012 SMART survey was conducted. As malnutrition is a significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality and in order to continue monitoring the food and nutrition security situation in the Gambia, it is critical to have quality, relevant and timely information. The SMART nutrition survey will provide data for timely action, resource mobilization, programme planning including informing the next CP, UNDAF and PAGE as well as for long-term monitoring for the government, NGOs and other nutrition stakeholders in The Gambia.

To support an effective planning and implementation of the SMART survey, the service of an international consultant at L3 level is required for a 9-WEEKS period, during which the consultant will accomplish the tasks outlined in the section below.

2.Survey Objectives

The general objective of the nutrition survey is to measure the extent and severity of acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 59 months and women in the reproductive age group. The following are the specific objectives:

• Estimate the prevalence of acute malnutrition (including bilateral oedema) in children 6 to 59 months.
• Estimate the prevalence of stunting and underweight in children 0-59 months
• Assess the crude and under five mortality rates
• Assess prevalence of malnutrition (low MUAC) in women in the reproductive age group (15-49) years.

3.Consultant Scope of Work

The consultant will be supervised by the Child Survival and Development Specialist for UNICEF Gambia in close collaboration with the Nutrition Specialist. The entirety of the consultant’s work will be done in collaboration with the national SMART task force lead by the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) and composed mainly of relevant government and UN agencies.

The contract will focus on the planning, implementation, data entry, analysis and report writing. The following are specific tasks to be completed in the contract:

1. Planning
2. Elaborate/finalize the survey protocol, and timeline of activities, data collection, final report and presentation of results
3. Determine and document the sampling methods and implement the sampling plan using the draft National Census, 2013.
4. Ensure that all survey forms, phones, materials, tools and equipment are ready for the survey
5. Finalize the survey tools: the interview guide, questionnaire, and standardization of anthropometry tools form, calendar of local events, and reference for children with SAM before the training.
6. Ensure that all scales and height boards are numbered. Test and document the standardization of all scales and height boards and a sample of MUAC strips (with standard weight for scales, stick for height boards, plastic tube for MUAC strips)
7. In collaboration with NaNA and MoHSW ensure that proper communications are made to local authorities in the selected clusters and on the regional/district level to secure support for the survey and availability of target population for the interviews
8. Training
9. Conduct the survey training covering all details in the interviewer’s manual. The survey training should be attended by the task force and the entire survey team
10. Organize a field test to validate the questionnaire, the work flow, the recording and data entry in an area that is not included in the first stage sample selection. Organize the deployment of interviewer teams to the different regions of the country with a plan indicating who will work, where and when
11. Implement SMART Survey
12. Ensure adequate supervision of each survey team during the entire data collection period
13. Make periodic supervision visits to the survey teams during their work to ensure high data quality
14. Review the entered data daily at and provide prompt feedback.
15. Document the constraints, difficulties or potential biases identified during the survey implementation process
16. Data analysis and report writing
17. Analyse and interpret the results of the survey with task force members
18. Complete reports and all other activities timely as per the agreed schedule
19. Share the survey results to the task force and the regional office for review
20. Present the survey methodologies and results during the survey dissemination workshop
21. Create several copies of survey materials on CD-ROM for archiving.

4.Expected Results

By October 2, 2015, the expected results to be delivered are:

• Preliminary report is prepared and the survey results and findings are shared with government and all other key partners
• Estimates of the prevalence of acute malnutrition (including bilateral oedema) in children 6 to 59 months
• Estimates of the prevalence of stunting in children 0-59 months
• Estimates of the crude and under five mortality rates
• Estimates of the prevalence of malnutrition (low MUAC) in women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years
• Power point presentation of the results made during the dissemination workshop
• Final report validated by the UNICEF regional office, NaNA, MoHSW and shared with UNICEF Country Office

5.Data Analysis

For the planning, data entry and analysis of the data, will be done using smart phones or paper based using the ENA application. This software is available on the internet from the following address (http://smartmethodology.org/survey-planning-tools/smart-emergency-nutrit...)

6.Supervision and Reporting Arrangements

The consultant will report to the CSD Specialist but will work closely with the SMART task force which comprises of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), UNICEF, WFP, FAO and Gambian Bureau of Statistics (GBoSS). For any technical questions on SMART methods, the consultant will liaise closely the nutrition section of the UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO).

7.Consultant Profile

• Masters Level University training in public health, nutrition or other relevant field of study
• Significant experience in conducting nutrition surveys with SMART methods
• Excellent facilitation and training skills
• Experience using smart phones for data entry and analysis
• Demonstrated skills in survey or evaluation report writing
• Demonstrated presentation skills
• In-depth understanding of malnutrition from nutrition/public health point of view
• Demonstrated skills with statistics analysis software (EPI-Info, SPSS, SAS, STATA or others)
• Fluent in English

8.Time frame of contract

August 1 – October 2, 2015

9.Remuneration of the Consultant & PAYMENT

The consultant contract will be paid at the equivalent of a L3 level based on experience and qualifications as UNICEF uses value for money policy for remunerating consultants. DSA and travel costs will be provided in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations. UNICEF will have two weeks to review the survey documents. If there is no commentary or corrections to complete, UNICEF will process and deliver the final payment to the consultant.

Payment ScheduleDeliverable When Ist payment 25% Upon satisfactory Completion of SMART survey training By August 17 2nd Payment: 50% Upon submission of preliminary report By Sept 23 3rd payment: 25% 25% upon submission of SMART survey report, files By October 2

10.Working ARRANGEMENTS

· The consultant will work in the UNICEF office with some field visits as per the agreed work plan in collaboration with the SMART task force. UNICEF will provide transport to facilitate the work activities.

· The consultant must complete all formal administrative requirements by the organization.

· The consultant should have their own lap-top to complete the work activities.

11. Intellectual property rights

UNICEF, the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW and the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoSS) retain(s) the right to patent and intellectual rights, as well as copyright and other similar intellectual property rights for any discoveries, inventions, production or works arising from the data collected for the survey (master versions of the data, coding protocols and programming code permitting replication of results of core survey reports will be kept by the UNICEF). Neither the contractor nor its personnel shall communicate to any other person or entity any confidential information made known to it by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in the course of the performance of its obligations under the terms of this Agreement nor shall it use this information to private or company advantage. This provision shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. The right to reproduce or use materials shall be transferred with a written approval of UNICEF based on the consideration of each separate case. Copies of the data will be distributed to researchers with the permission of the evaluation survey task force with a view to helping to disseminate learning derived from the data sets.

List the names of the ‘owners’ and/or task force for the research (this must include government counterparts).

HOW TO APPLY:

12. How to apply

UNICEF accepts applications from individual contractors. The Selection Committee, comprising of UNICEF will review applications and make a final decision of a successful application.

All applications should contain the following documents:

I. Technical Project Proposal, which would include at least:

· Statement of the research problem

· Conceptual framework and survey methodology

· Consultant’s profile/portfolio

· Proposed timeframes (hour days)

· Names and contact details of reference persons.

· List of publications or analytical reports (if applicable)

· Any other additional information to support the application (optional).

II. Financial Proposal:

· Detailed budget breakdown (in US Dollars).

Please send your application in a sealed envelope (technical and financial project proposals should be submitted separately, but in one envelope) to the following address with copy to dewilliams@unicef.org

Attn.: Ms. Dede Nal Williams, Senior HR/Admin Assistant, Operations Section

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Gambia

5 Kofi Anna Street, Cape Point

Private Mail Box 85

Banjul, The Gambia

Deadline for applications: [July 7,2015]