International Medical Corps (IMC) has been implementing a 12-month multi-sectoral Protection, Health and integrated Nutrition program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The project – which began in September 2021 – is providing essential services through direct implementation and in partnership with local organizations. The Health and Nutrition components are designed to build upon IMC’s years of experience in responding to the needs of the population in the targeted area in these sectors. The activities will mainly focus on provision of basic primary health care and pharmaceuticals, health systems and clinical support, and management of acute malnutrition and maternal, infant and young child nutrition in emergencies (MIYCN-E). The current program cycle is scheduled to end in September 2022. As per BHA’s Monitoring & Evaluation guidelines, an endline should be conducted for the outcome indicators related to those activities as specified in the section below.
The purpose of the assignment is to conduct a mixed methods assessment of health and nutrition outcomes in the program’s target communities. The assessment has two primary objectives: a) serve as an endline for the current grant cycle; and b) generate evidence on certain program components’ performance to inform the design of similar activities in the subsequent grant cycle.
Survey data will be used to calculate the endline values of indicators under the BHA project for the following indicators:
Number and Percent of community members who can recall target health education messages.
b) Formative research on the program’s integrated nutrition component
Quantitative and qualitative data will contribute to information required by the IMC program team to strengthen design and implementation of nutrition activities.
What is the level of utilization of IMC-supported health and nutrition facilities with consideration to future resource planning?
What are barriers and enablers of households in acquiring nutritionally diverse diets as promoted during the project?
To what extent have households received promotional messages through individual counseling on nutrition, and how well have staff adhered to the standard counseling protocol?
How households perceive the modalities and topics used in health and nutrition outreach activities?
To what extent did the education messages contribute to shifting households’ attitudes and behaviors with respect to the messages? How could IMC’s social behavior change approach be improved to increase the likelihood of households adopting these practices? What are the barriers to changing attitudes and behaviors?
The health/nutrition specialist will be responsible for developing the assessment methodology, inclusive of the sampling strategy and sample size calculations (as per BHA M&E guidance and IMC support) for the community survey and qualitative interviews. S/he will also support with development and revision of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools in close consultation with IMC’s MEAL and Program teams and advisors. All indicators must be measured in accordance with the latest BHA and global nutrition survey guidelines (see WHO/UNICEF 2021 guideline: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240018389).
The specialist will also perform all data analysis, which must be multi-sectoral and include statistical significance testing for evidence of change between baseline and endline values as per BHA M&E guidelines. The specialist will develop the final report that captures indicators’ endline values and provides additional evidence/recommendations for the country program related to the formative research.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT DELIVERABLES
The assignment involves the participatory preparation and implementation of the community survey (and other qualitative methods). For the assignment, it is expected that the consultant will ensure close coordination with IMC and other relevant stakeholders.
The following specific tasks are to be carried out:
TRANSFER OF SKILLS-Potential requirement (IF ANY)
Code of Conduct As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards.
Safeguarding It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report.
Equal Opportunities International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
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