Nutrition Consultant SSA9 , Nairobi

JOB PURPOSE

Kenya jointly has the third-largest HIV epidemic in the world (alongside Tanzania) with 1.5 million people living with HIV. HIV continues to be a leading cause of adult morbidity and mortality. Stemming new HIV infections among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years, the situation blamed on the layered challenge of adolescent pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence, now dubbed the triple threat. These overlapping challenges of new HIV infections increased by 7.3% in from 32, to 34, in in Kenya for the first time in a decade. 67% of these new infections are among women and girls and 53% of deaths are among men.

Efforts by the government and stakeholders have seen the countrys HIV response yield a 58% decline in annual AIDS-related deaths from 52, in to 22, in reflecting a five-fold increase in the number of people living with HIV on life-saving antiretroviral treatment, from about , thousand in to 1.12 million in . The mother to child transmission (MTCT) rate stands at 8.6% an indication that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

The Ministry of Health through NASCOP spearheads biomedical interventions on the fight against HIV and AIDS. NASCOP contributes to the bulk of the implementation of the Kenya Aids Strategic Framework (KASF 11 -). NASCOP in collaboration with WFP are planning to undertake revision /update nutrition treatment protocols in line with current guidelines and evidence.

The Nutrition treatment protocol will provide up-to-date information that is needed for effective nutrition counselling, care and support for people living with HIV. The combination of knowledge and skills presented will enable to provide quality nutrition care and support at various service points, and thereby contribute to improving the nutritional and health status and quality of life of people with HIV.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the overall authority of the NASCOP nutrition technical lead and WFP program officer :

The consultant will lead the review and finalization of Nutrition treatment and diagnosis protocol to be used by HIV programs frontline service providers in the health, nutrition, agriculture, education, civil society, and social services sectors among others. Review the draft treatment protocol to make it more user friendly. Identify good practices and innovative approaches contained in the other documents and then incorporate them into the updated protocol if applicable in Kenya. Finalization of the protocol and provide expertise in designing the final document. Support in inserting and ensuring the photos/pictures are sharp, clear, and well labelled. Ensure that all references are well captured and cited. Ensure all sections of document are complete. To arrange the tables (should not flow to next page) and ensure proper titles and numbering. Work on the top and back page by ensuring that appropriate pictures are inserted as provided by NASCOP/WFP. Share a copy of completed document to NASCOP/WFP for approval before final printing within a specified period. Lead 2 consultative forums with key stakeholders.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An advanced degree in Nutrition, food science or any other related field. Minimum of 8 years experience implementing strategic Nutrition programs Expertise in nutrition programming and addressing challenges related to achieving tasks. Experience in or familiarity with the health and nutrition sectors of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa is advantageous. Strong writing, analysis, and communication skills. Previous assignment/work with other UN bodies preferred.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Knowledge of Nutrients Utilizes knowledge of vitamins and nutrients to understand the causes of malnutrition, the relationships between the different types of malnutrition, and is able to articulate the UNICEF conceptual model. Situation Analysis and Evidence Assessment Able to appropriately interpret the nutrition situation, analyze primary causes of malnutrition, define limitations to the analysis (e.g. seasonality) and prepare an overview of the food security and nutrition situation in country. Knowledge of Public Health Has foundational knowledge of the core public health sciences (i.e., biostatistics, epidemiology, social science, environmental health, and prevention of chronic and infectious disease and injury) in order to assess a countrys/regions health situation. Knowledge of Food System Ability to analyze how food systems influence the diets of vulnerable groups and identify how and where food systems may contribute to specific nutrient gaps. Applying Programme & Policy Standards Leverages nutrition knowledge to provide technical advice to governments to design and implement country nutrition programmes that follow international and WFP agency standards and guidance.

EXPECTED RESULTS / TIMELINES

A user-friendly Nutrition treatment protocol and the final validated nutritional management protocol of PLHIV. A treatment protocol adapted to the Kenyan context. To be delivered within a period of 20 working days spread in 3 months.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Experience and exposure to implementation of national/international development programmes.
Experience working in public health/food security/ nutrition related activities.
Experience identifying and defining nutrition issues/problems within a country.