TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SERVICE CONTRACTING

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1 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SERVICE CONTRACTING Overall Title of the Assignment Nutrition Evidence Generation for Programme and Policy Change: Addressing co-existence of micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) and obesity among children (6 months -5 years), (6-10 years), adolescents (11-18 years) and women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Jordan: Component 1: Micronutrient Survey for children under 5 years old and Women years old (Impact Study of Micronutrients Deficiencies as compared to 2010 Micronutrients Deficiency survey: Household level survey) Component 2: School-based Nutrition Survey for children 6-18 years old Component 3: Policy Advocacy, Barrier/Systems Analysis, and Development of Costed National Nutrition Action Plan Location Estimate number of working days Jordan 12 months Start date July 1 st, 2017 End date May 30 th, 2018 Closing date for proposals June 10 th, 2017 Reporting to Chief Health and Nutrition 1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Malnutrition refers to obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and undernutrition (stunting and acute malnutrition). In Jordan, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is above 54.8% among Jordanian women aged years, stunting of children 6-59 months is 7.8%, and wasting of children 6-59 months is 2% 1. According to the Jordan National Micronutrient Survey, 17% (14.4%-20.1%) of children months were anemic, 13.7% ( %) were iron deficient, and 4.8% ( %) were found with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia for non-pregnant women was 30.6% ( %), 35.1% ( %) and 19.8% ( %), respectively 2. Micronutrients, both vitamins and minerals, are critical for growth and development. Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals can have a long lasting impact on individuals and society. Micronutrient deficiencies often lead to reduced immunity, increased risk of infections and, if prolonged, can impair physical and mental capacity 3. Knowledge and evidence on the prevalence and key causes of micronutrient deficiencies are of great 1 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, Jordan Ministry of Health (JMoH), (2010). Jordan national micronutrient survey 3 Flour fortification Initiative (FFI), et al (2009) Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency Reports - Investing in the Future: A United Call to Action on Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies (2009) 1

2 assistance for program planning, whether deficiencies are due to dietary consumption or due to disease, and targeting resources to areas most in need. While Jordan is on-course to meet the World Health Assembly Indicators for Under-5 (U5) stunting and U5 wasting, the country is off-course for U5 overweight and Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) with anaemia 4. Further, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are still poor with only 23% of babies exclusively breastfed, 19% of mothers initiating breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth, and 44% of infants receiving complementary feeding up to 12 months of age 5. Proper feeding of infants and young children can increase their chances of survival, promote optimal growth, and improve development. The government is committed to improving the nutrition status of women and children in Jordan. A number of policy and legislative provisions are in place, including Prescript of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS), public health law (which address fortification), Jordan Institute for Standard Metrology specifically addresses wheat fortification legislation (technical regulation on fortification of wheat flour), and salt iodization program, and undernutrition is mentioned in national development strategies. Fortificants are procured through MoH tender system and specifications for fortification are followed based on WHO recommendations. These provisions are already in place, and implementation and monitoring can be further strengthened efforts are needed. A discussion paper recently written by Schultink and Arabi 6 highlights that without strong national commitment, and mainstreaming of maternal, infant, and young children nutrition into development strategies, reducing under and over malnutrition will not be achieved. The paper further highlights that a shift is required from small-scale programmes, to national-level initiatives. UNICEF is currently exploring options to better support the Jordanian Ministry of Health (MoH) in improving the nutrition situation in Jordan. UNICEF seeks to build strategic capacity at a national level to advance the nutrition agenda. UNICEF would like to support MoH nutrition research, evidence-based nutrition policy advocacy, and to strengthen MoH nutrition leadership. There is a greater need to obtain adequate knowledge and evidence on the prevalence and key causes of micronutrient deficiencies and obesity in children and adolescent age group which lead to adequate/appropriate interventions for prevention and control in Jordan. For example, there are pending questions related to causes of micronutrient deficiencies whether they are food based and diet related or due to disease or it is to do with coverage of effective nutrition services within community and in health system. There are also research gaps in identifying bottlenecks in intervention coverage (anaemia screening and supplementation) and lack of operational research to identify best and cost-effective modality for service delivery to improve coverage of current intervention packages and how to target specifically vulnerable groups (to address inequity). Effectiveness of new and evidence-based interventions to address childhood/adolescent obesity and its risk factors are also not tested and Jordan requires research evidence in order to fill this information gap. 4 WHO 2014; trends on on-/off course analysed and reported in the Global Nutrition Report, IFPRI UNICEF Schultink and Arabi,

3 2. PURPOSE The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and partners responded by implementing a wide range of interventions to combat micronutrient malnutrition. These interventions include micronutrient supplementation (vitamin A for under-five children, iron, and folate supplementation to pregnant women), nutrition education and flour fortification and salt iodization. Information on recent trends in micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations (including refugees) in the country is lacking. Such information is urgently needed, thus the plan to carry out a micronutrient survey in The study will be coordinating closely with Department of Statistics. For sampling frame which will enable various statistical analysis to determine factors affecting high/low prevalence, identify utilization/coverage inequity by social determinants. The new findings will assess progress (since 2010 micronutrients survey), evaluate existing programs, highlight new issues (overweight, obesity, and over-nutrition and NCD risk factors) and provide a basis for policy direction, replanning future interventions to accelerate actions towards the elimination of micronutrient deficiencies. Ultimately, the purpose of this assignment is to produce the necessary nutrition research evidence to inform the Jordanian Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners to effectively implement and monitor scaling up of effective nutrition interventions that reduce micronutrient deficiencies and obesity/overweight among children and adolescents in Jordan. 3. WORK ASSIGNMENT The assignment will entail three components: COMPONENT 1: Micronutrient Survey for Children under 5 Years Old and Women years old (Impact Study of Micronutrients Deficiencies as compared to 2010 Micronutrients Deficiency survey: Household level survey) Main purpose of the survey is to assess the prevalence (the extent of key micronutrient deficiencies, as identified in 2010 MND survey), coverage, trends and causes of micronutrient deficiency among children under 5 years old and women of child bearing age in Jordan (disaggregated by age, geographical location at governorate level, income level, gender, nationality, pregnant and lactating vs non-pregnant) in order to inform programme design and guidelines. Specific objectives are to: o o o o Assess impact as compared to 2010 Micronutrient Survey by assessing prevalence of different micronutrients deficiencies Determine the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in above target groups and rate of consumption of certain micronutrients among target population using biomarkers for anaemia (haemoglobin, haematocrit, ferritin), serum retinol, serum 25 (vitamin D/nutritional rickets), serum folate, serum B12, serum zinc, CRP, Vitamin A, iodine, zinc, and nutrition clinical rickets. Determine coverage of micronutrients supplementation (Vitamin A, Iron-folate (for women), iron) coverage among children 6-59 months of age, post-partum women, PLWs. Explore causes of micronutrient deficiencies and dietary pattern assessment using 24 hour recall of children 6 months-59 months, and women of child bearing age (15-49). Additionally, this survey will include: 3

4 o o o Assess knowledge and eating behaviour (intake frequency and consumption habits) for selective food item relevant for the aetiology of anaemia (and B12, folic acid) in children, and PLWs. Measure wasting, stunting, underweight, overweight, and obesity among children under 5 years old and women between years. COMPONENT 2: School-based Nutrition Survey for children 6-18 years old Main purpose of this school-based survey is to assess the nutrition status (prevalence and coverage of trends and causes of micronutrient deficiency, overweight/obesity, behavior practices and dietary patterns) among children 6-18 years old in order to inform programme design and guidelines for school-age children. Specific objectives: o Assess prevalence of school children s micronutrient deficiencies (same micronutrients covered by COPONENT 1). o Determine coverage of micronutrients supplementation (Iron-folate (for girls who is diagnosed as anemic), iron) coverage among Girl children 15year-18years. o Assess knowledge and eating behaviour (intake frequency and consumption habits) for selective food item relevant for the aetiology of anaemia (and B12, folic acid) in target group children. o Measure wasting, stunting, underweight, overweight, and obesity among children 6-10 years, adolescent girls and boys years. o Assess life style, behaviour aspects of physical activity, frequency of food consumption, and smoking among target group children 6-18 years old. o Explore causes of micronutrient deficiencies and dietary pattern assessment using 24 hour recall (or 7-day recall) of children 6-18years old. COMPONENT 3: Policy Advocacy, Barrier/Systems Analysis, and Development of Costed National Nutrition Action Plan The third component of this project will: 1) Develop policy briefs to disseminate research findings for policy advocacy based on Component 1 and Component 2 results 2) Serve as the baseline information for MoH nutrition programming, UNAF and UNICEF s 5 years programme ( ) 3) Conduct extensive barrier analysis (looking at perceptions, knowledge, behavior practices), as well as health and nutrition systems analysis leading to micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity prevention and propose potential way forward. 4) Mapp out shortfalls of on-going interventions specific to supplementation, coverage and use of flour fortification, salt iodization, micronutrient supplements, and dietary diversity in Jordan. 5) To assess life style and behavioural aspects of breastfeeding, physical activity, frequency of food consumption and anthropometric characteristics. 6) Identify the effects of interventions aimed at reducing micronutrient malnutrition 7) Take lessons for renewed focus in programming 8) Guide new policy direction on micronutrient deficiency in the country 9) Support MOH in improving existing action plan and develop Costed: National Nutrition Action Plan to reduce micronutrients deficiency (MND) and obesity among children and adolescents. 10) Disseminate result of component 3 results interlinked with component 1 and 2. 4

5 Contractor needs to adhere to the ethical consideration and need to go through ethics review board within Jordan in research throughout all activities. 4. SURVEY METHODS (This section outlines basic components that should be included in the technical proposal with detailed methodology for the two surveys (component 1 and 2). Target Populations Component 1: Younger children 6-59 months and women of reproductive aged years Component 2: Older children (6-11 years), adolescents (12-18 years). It will include both Jordanian and other nationalities. Study Design and Sampling Household Selection The survey will be cross-sectional combining geographical stratification and cluster sampling within each stratum. Demographic Health Survey sampling frame (2017, data collection scheduled between August- November) will be applied (governorate level representation, but include refugee camps), selecting different household from each cluster. The first stage involves selection of enumeration areas (EAs) and the second stage, selection of households from the selected EAs. In DHS in total 970 clusters (selected from census block used in 2015 census conducted by Department of Statistics) and 20 households in each cluster, total of 1840 household will be interviewed. In the upcoming MND study, although sample calculations are not yet conducted, it is envisioned to cover minimum 166 clusters (same as 2010 MND survey) and 300 maximum clusters and 20 different households (different from those selected for DHS) will be randomly selected using probability proportional to population size from the same cluster of DHS (using same strata and sampling frame). However, sample size calculations should be made (when submitting the proposal), based on predicted changes in the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among the target group in the past. School Selection and sampling method The 2-stage sample design used for the Global School Health Survey (WHO/CDC) will be applied, and the method applies Weights, Stratum and PSU (Primary Sampling Unit). Stratum using the 2- stage sample design (GSHS) reflects the first level of the GSHS sample selection process, that is, schools. PSU also describes the 2-stage sample design used for the GSHS. PSU reflects the second level of the GSHS sample selection process, that is, class rooms. Number of school and classrooms will be identified using GSHS sampling methodology as detailed out in the attached guideline. Supplies and equipment for the survey Equipment and supply plan needs to be finalized early enough in planning phase for the two surveys (Component 1 and 2). Procurement needs to take place as early as possible so as not to delay fieldwork. Agency should submit a complete listing of all supplies needed with the number of items required (add approximately 10% to the number of items to order to assure adequate supplies) and estimated cost to procure these supplies included in both technical and financial proposal should factor into these costs. It is recommended that supplies be ordered at least six months prior to the training and field implementation. If the 5

6 agency do not have capacity to procure any supplies and equipment, the list of those supplies and equipment should be separately presented with estimated cost, apart of supplies that will be procured by the agency. Blood specimen and other data collection method and device, and specimen type Blood and resulting serum samples will be tested to assess the iron and Vitamin A status of target population. Venous blood specimens will be collected depending on volume needed for laboratory testing. Venous blood will be collected into anti-coagulant containing tubes and will be tested for Hb in the field after collection. Alternatively, anti-coagulant tubes of blood will be kept cool and out of direct sunlight and will be tested for Hb within 8 hours in the central location. Experienced laboratory personnel with experience in conducting population based nutrition surveys will be involved in survey design and planning phase. Issues regarding supplies, procedure for collection, processing, transport/shipping, storage and analysis of laboratory specimens will be taken into consideration during survey planning and Implementation process. Each test result will have survey participant s ID number as assigned in the survey. In addition, information concerning the laboratory methods and quality assurance from the testing will be ensured in advance... All micronutrients will be tested to know the level of all micronutrients level in the target population (Please see Component 1 Specific Objectives: anaemia (haemoglobin, haematocrit, ferritin), serum retinol, serum 25 (vitamin D/nutritional rickets), serum folate, serum B12, serum zinc, CRP, Vitamin A, iodine, nutrition clinical rickets.) Accredited laboratory such as central laboratory (The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) will be used for the laboratory service as per the technical advisory of the Ministry of Health technical committee. Timing of the Survey The survey data collection timing is tentatively scheduled anytime between September-December 2017 provided that all arrangements are in place. It needs to factor Eid period in Jordan. The final data collection timing will be closely coordinated and determined by MoH. DOS will provide statistics for sample size calculation, sampling frame, sampling calculation. 5. MANAGEMENT OF NUTRITION RESEARCH This Nutrition Evidence-Generation Research project will be managed by Health and Nutrition Section at the UNICEF Jordan Country Office under the technical guidance and leadership from MOH and technical and financial support from WFP (co-funding the project), other UN agencies and Nutrition sub-working group. A technical reference group will be formed, consisting of Technical committee members of MoH (already nominated by the H.E. Minister) and UNICEF (Jordan Country Office, Regional Office/HQs), Department of Statistics, and subject matter experts from Academia (to be selected by MoH and UNICEF together), UN agencies, chair of Nutrition Working Group, and the UNICEF Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa. Members of the reference group will be engaged and consulted at key milestones of the research process such as review of the TORs, inception report, and draft study reports. Selection of the research team will be made through an open and competitive bidding process as per UN rules. Review of technical proposals will be done by at least three members of the reference group mentioned above. Chief of Health and Nutrition will be responsible for oversight in relation to the overall Nutrition Evidence Generation Research Project, research design and methods, policy briefs, and advocacy documents and ensures it complies with the UNICEF Global standards and norms, while Nutrition Specialist(s) within H&N section 6

7 will provide oversight in technical details of micronutrients survey and operational research components by providing necessary background information, data, contact information, as well as management of contractual issues once the bidding process is complete. The research team will report to Chief of Health and Nutrition at UNICEF Jordan Country Office who will serve as the key contact point. 6. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULES (TIMELINE) All deliverables should be made in English. The deliverables and reporting requirements will include the following: 1) A detailed inception report (15-20 pages) to be submitted within 10 days from inception meeting and discussion with the managers and/or research reference group and technical committee members. The This report should be in line with UN standards for inception reports and outline the purpose; scope including research objective and questions; methodology including survey management, sampling, data collection and analysis methods, supervision mechanisms, equipment and supplies list, tools for data collection and data sources; including consent forms, system to ensure ethics in research approach to produce both components and all deliverables (see below), timeline for the research and survey of both components and submission of deliverables; and final report outline. This report will be used as an initial point of agreement and understanding between the research team and the research managers. 2) Ethical clearance of the study need to be obtained from Ethical Committee of the Ministry of Health 3) Pretesting and Pilot testing tools, Survey Team Training should be conducted. 4) Procurement of equipment and supplies (See section on "Supplies and Equipment" above) 5) Data collection tools and survey forms, manuals, protocol should be submitted for review. 6) Pretesting and Pilot testing tools, Survey Team Training should be conducted. 7) Progress on the survey research process should be reported at a frequency and method mutually agreed by the survey research team and managers, i.e. once in two weeks over Skype or phone. 8) A briefing and debriefing with UNICEF and MOH Technical Committee should be conducted at the beginning and completion of the field data collection. Members of the Reference Group may be invited. 9) A preliminary Results (findings) report (Component 1 and 2) to be submitted after data analysis 10) A preliminary Results of barrier analysis and H&N systems analysis (Component 3)leading to MNDs and overweight/obesity to be submitted after data analysis. 11) A First draft report (incorporating both Component 1 and 2 and 3 analysis) in line with the outlines specified in the Inception Report as well as UNICEF Standards should be submitted within six weeks after the completion of the data collection for review and comments by the UNICEF, and the Technical Committee. Based on the recommendation of the Technical Committee, the research team/ agency may be requested to submit a revised 2 nd draft report for review within 1 week prior to the submission of the final draft report. 12) Presentation of the 2 nd Draft Report to stakeholders should be made to seek their feedback before the submission of the final draft report. For this, a maximum ten-slide PowerPoint presentation should be submitted, both in Arabic and English, one week prior to the presentation. The PowerPoint should visualize data and findings, highlight key findings and recommendations to brief a wide range of stakeholders such as government, non-governmental partners and donors 13) A Revised Costed National Nutrition Action Plan tackling nutrition issues, with focus on micronutrients deficiencies and obesity. 14) Final report (40 pages excluding annex, 1 st Draft Final, 2 nd Draft Final, and FINAL report) should be submitted within two weeks after the final high level stakeholder advocacy workshop presentation. It should contain an executive summary of no more than 5 pages, summarizing the object of survey and research, its context and background, purpose, findings, conclusions and recommendations. The final report will be reviewed by the Nutrition research reference group, as well as Regional Nutrition Advisor for 7

8 clearance. This report should meet the criteria defined in the UNICEF Report Standards. It should also be noted that all the reports commissioned by UNICEF will be assessed as per the Global Survey and Research Report Oversight System as per a predefined criteria and will receive a rating. The report, regardless of the rating will be made available to the general public. 15) Co-design, organize and participate in series of advocacy workshops and meetings at different stages for capacity building, validation, consultation and dissemination purposes 16) PowerPoint presentation (PPT) for validation workshop detailing findings from the study and expert committee, operational research results, and synthesis of available data/information 17) High-level academic papers for publication, on MND survey and one similar but more detailed paper for each of the two operational research. 18) Anonymized cleaned raw data in mutually agreed format (a Microsoft Excel file with the survey data, code book for survey and analysis, costing data) of high-level consultation results A proposed /guideline for time frame for the research per each component is provided below. The entire assignment is expected to be completed within 12 months. This might be subject to change depending on the prevailing situation on ground at the time of the research implementation and as per mutual agreement between the research team and managers, however, the technical proposal should reflect this 12 months overall implementation period. 8

9 Specific tasks (scope of the work) to be undertaken The specific tasks for the research team include the following: INCEPTION PHASE: Tasks End Product Time frame Tentative deadline Inception Meeting Inception meetings with Technical Committee members of MOH and UNICEF Inception Report A review of literature and reports and studies. A methods development including sampling, cluster selection for survey, key analytical questions that are to be answered during MND survey (component 1) and potential research area for the operational research (component 3), list of data to be collected and its sources (data framework and data list), the technical approach and methods of data analysis methods that will be employed, possible data collection challenges and methods of overcoming data challenges, and a work plan detailing activities and timelines), Develop Tools for Developing data collection tools (survey and data collection operational research both) and protocols, testing and (survey) revision of the tools, data collection training manuals and pretesting, as required, supervision strategy, debriefing to UNICEF 2 days End May 6 working weeks after signing contract. In parallel to inception phase. Review of Inception report Finalize Inception report Ethical Clearance Review of Inception Report by the Technical Reference Group 5 days 3 rd week June Incorporate comments and finalize Inception reports 3 days 4 th week June Necessary ethical clearance to be obtained prior to initiation of the data collection by authorities 2-3 weeks (in parallel) End June SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD: Component 1 and Component 2 Tasks End Product Time frame Tentative deadline Arrange Supplies Make list of supplies and order supplies 3-4 months By end September 2017 Digital data collection form and pretesting Field teams and training Design/develop digital data collection form and pretesting Selection of teams Training and orientation of interviewers and supervisors 1 month Early August 1 week Mid August 9

10 Data Collection Field work Data collection (survey, implementation research data collection) and Supervision 8 weeks (no data collection on Friday) September- December (subject to supply availability) Data analysis, preliminary results report and First Draft Review of First draft and incorporation Review of 2 nd draft Data analysis and write up (including laboratory testing, specimens analysis in country or send relevant specimens to external labs) Interpretation of key results and findings Submission of Preliminary Result Report Coordinate, arrange stakeholder validation workshops Prepare and present preliminary findings to the MOH technical committees and stakeholders. Validate data/findings and collect inputs from MOH and stakeholders. Submit First Draft Review of First draft by UNICEF, Reference Group Incorporation of comments and produce second draft Review of 2nd draft by UNICEF, Reference Group and Technical Committee members Incorporation of comments and produce draft final report 5-6 weeks November-January 2 weeks End January 2 weeks Early February COMPONENT 3: Policy Advocacy and Strategy Development Tasks End Product Time frame Tentative Deadline Develop policy briefs Review of policy briefs Develop DRAFT Nutrition Policy Brief series: MND, Childhood Obesity, VitaminA, NCD prevention Review of first draft policy briefs and powerpoint presentation 2-3 weeks End January 2 weeks 1 st week March 10

11 Development of Costed: National Nutrition Action Plan on MND and Obesity prevention to reduce micronutrients deficiency and obesity among children and adolescents. Dissemination and Advocacy workshop Finalization Submission Peer-review ready academic paper for publication Conduct extensive gap analysis and intervention mapping of national nutrition response with focus on MND and obesity reduction Provide technical support to MOH in strengthening existing national nutrition plan and develop a costed National Nutrition Action Plan (NNAP) with focus on MND and Obesity Prevention Prepare for and participation of technical advisory committee meetings Development and finalization of draft NNAP through technical committee Prepare, coordinate and conduct high level nutrition advocacy workshops. Co-design and organize associated dissemination events for national and subnational levels to be implemented and participation therein. Finalize and submit the final research report, along with raw data High-level academic papers for publication, on MND survey and one similar but more detailed paper for each of operational research. 4 weeks January -March 1week End of April 2 weeks Early May 2 week end May 7. OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED Travel to Amman and field locations in Jordan should be anticipated as per the research and survey methodology and deliverables. All travel costs should be planned properly in the technical proposal and included in the financial proposal. UNICEF will not provide transport support or field travel arrangements, thus the estimated cost of travel should be included in the financial proposal. Please note that if selected, the contract can be a supporting document to obtain entry visa (if necessary). UNICEF will be unable to secure travel visas. All air travel at economy class rates needs to be included in the budget in the financial proposal. Any applicable per diems should be included as part of the lump sum price proposal. 8. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE These consultancy assignments should be conducted by a Nutrition research team, selected through an open and competitive bidding process. Given the wide scope of the assignments, a multi-disciplinary team of national and international members is anticipated, including a team leader who is a nutrition research specialist; two specialists or subject-matter experts such as micronutrient deficiencies and control specialist, obesity prevention research expert, nutrition/health economist for costing assignment, or experienced 11

12 researcher with background in nutrition programmes; and others such as field researchers required to carry out these assignments. The team leader and all the specialists should have at a minimum Master s degree in related field, such as food and nutrition science, public health, or statistics. This may be conducted by an institution or a group of individuals who meet qualifications. In case of a group of individual consultants who are not associated with one institution, UNICEF will sign the contract with the Nutrition research team leader who will be responsible to meet the agreement set forth in the contract. Team leader and specialists should have the following qualifications: Lead Consultant: One Nutrition Research, Evidence-based Policy and Advocacy Expert (international) 1. At least a master s degree in Nutrition/Food Science, Public Health Nutrition or other relevant field 2. At least 10 years of experience working on nutrition research, nutrition policy and advocacy, 3. Specific experience in managing and implementing micronutrients deficiency survey, including sample design, tools development, data collection manual development, training of field data collectors, Stats analysis of quantitative data and qualitative data analysis of barrier and systems bottlenecks, and other nutrition science research is required. 4. Publications in renowned peer reviewed journals is an asset. 5. Experience in the Arab region, preferably in Jordan or similar context. 6. knowledge of the Jordanian nutritional status of children and women, Jordanian health and nutrition sector and key stakeholders an asset 7. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills required for high level engagement with government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and other stakeholders 8. Demonstrated writing and presentation skills and writing research reports, and ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences 9. Proven experience in leading a multi-disciplinary team, being able to identify the relevant capacities to deliver a quality nutrition research, excellent skills in communicating complex issues to a diverse group of audience and bringing the group to a consensus, and must have strong analytical skills. 10. Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships with diverse teams 11. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills required for high-level engagement with government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. 12. Knowledge of the United Nations System is an asset Micronutrients Survey Expert: 1. At least a master s degree in nutrition, food science or other such relevant field 2. Demonstrated prior experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing a micronutrients deficiency survey 3. At least seven (7) years relevant experience working on nutrition surveys and studies in the health sector. Specific experience in managing and implementing micronutrients deficiency survey, including sample design, tools development, data collection manual development, training of field data collectors, Stats analysis of quantitative data and qualitative data analysis of barrier and systems bottlenecks, and other nutrition science research is required. 4. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills required for high-level engagement with government, departments and agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. 5. Good writing and presentation skills, capacity building skills, and ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences 12

13 Nutrition Service Researcher(s) (one Local/ one International) who will be closely working with experts and lead consultant mentioned above and below. 1. Relevant academic degree in nutrition and food science, 2. Extensive skills and experience of over 7 years in conducting various nutrition operational and other type of nutrition research experiences in Arab countries. 3. Indepth understanding of Arab regional and Jordan s nutrition context/issues are required. 4. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills required for high-level engagement with government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. Costing Expert(s) (Local or international): 1. At least a master s degree in Economics, Accounting, or other such relevant field 2. In-depth understanding national nutrition plan costing, key principles and methods for costing health and nutrition programs, policies and services 3. At least five (5) years relevant experience working on costing studies in the health or nutrition sector 4. Prior experience conducting costing studies 5. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills required for high-level engagement with government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. 6. Good writing and presentation skills, capacity building skills, and ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences Other members should have relevant academic backgrounds, such as Master s or Bachelor s degree in public health and nutrition, social sciences, and/or experience in research, survey design and implementation, or areas relevant to the roles and tasks assigned to them. 9. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS Proposed timelines for completion of activities are met and deliverables submitted on time with good quality and as per the standards described in the TORs as well as UNICEF standards. The research team should conduct all survey, analysis and develop all deliverables in line with the TOR and UNICEF Standards for research and surveys, UNICEF Procedure on Ethics in Evidence Generation, UNEG Standards for Inception Report, and UNICEF-Adapted Reports Standards. Overall performance at the end of the contract will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, and quality of the products delivered. 10. FREQUENCY OF PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Performance reviews will be conducted after completion of each task/activity. Interim progress reporting meetings will be held every two weeks by skype-conference (or face-to-face) between contracted agency/researcher group, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to update on progress. 11. CALL FOR PROPOSALS All requests for proposal will be weighed according to the technical (70%) and financial considerations (30%). Further, the technical part of the proposal will be weighted based a scoring system with 70 points. Proposals scoring 70% will be cleared for the technical part of the submission. It will cover the following; 1. Overall Response (10 points): Responsiveness to Terms of Reference and call for proposals, elaborated and articulated understanding of the TORs and assignment, demonstrated knowledge on assignments (each components of the assignments). 13

14 2. Key personnel and company (25 points): Team members meet academic requirements; key team members especially the team leader meets the defined qualifications such as minimum years of proven and relevant experience; team has previously conducted similar work with evidence; the agency proposing a team with relevant and justified capacity and skillsets, company is properly registered and/or has required certifications, memberships, etc. 3. Proposed methodology and approach (35 points): Deliverables are addressed as per TOR; survey design methods, survey research questions unpacked into sub-questions, proposed methodology and tools respond to the scope of survey and research assignments and the nature of the research questions; methodology is attentive to the availability of and limitations around the available data; ethics considerations made and built into the process; proposed timelines are met; and/or alternative proposal is made as per the sound understanding of the scope of the assignment and with reasonable justifications, and clear description of how research evidence will be translated into policy and advocacy documents (policy brief, costed national action plan). Methodology should including sampling, data collection and analysis methods, tools for data collection and data sources, including presentation of a system to ensure ethics in research approach to produce both components and all deliverables, timeline for the research and survey of both components and submission of deliverables. 4. Only those financial proposals will be opened which have been technically accepted according to the above criteria. Financial proposals will be weighted based on clarity and appropriateness. Proposal should include the following: Section A: a cover letter giving details of the applicants suitability for the consultancy Section B: Technical proposal that shows the research team s understanding of the TORs (both Component 1 and Component 2) and outlines the purpose; specific research objectives and research design, research questions (for each component); methodology including proposed sampling, data collection and analysis methods and data sources; plans to ensure ethics in research.; Section C: Technical Capability Statement: This section should include an experience statement describing the contractor s relevant experience, qualifications and professional background of the staff (team) members that will have primary responsibility of the project; Curriculum vitae for all team members in English, AND filled in UN Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format including detailed work experience, education/degrees and current contact information (download P11 here) Section D: Timeline (time table) for each component and submission of deliverables: Section E: Sample Work. At least two most recent sample micronutrient surveys and other nutrition service research report led by the proposed team leader and MND survey specialist, and Nutrition service researcher. Section F: Financial Offer: A proposed daily rates of the consultant should be mentioned. The financial offer (this section) should be submitted on a separate page from the Technical Capability and Schedule information. This should include estimated cost of field travel, all the survey and research costs (for both components 1 and 2) Costs must include any additional administrative costs, data collection costs, as UNICEF will not provide reimbursement for visa fees, medical fees, and insurance or daily travel allowances. (See additional information on Budget in Conditions section below. The consultants would be required to use their own computers, printers, photocopier etc. Section G: List of Supplies required and its estimated budget (as part of financial offer, but to submitted as a separate document): A list and quantities of required supplies to conduct the survey and its budget should be included as Section G (separate document from Financial Offer). Also, the applicant should explain how these supplies will be sourced. All proposals should be sent to UNICEF JORDAN Bids at JORDANbids@unicef.org or hand delivered at: UNICEF Jordan Country Office, 15 Abdulqader Al-Abed Street, Tla a Al-Ali, Amman, Jordan. Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted in two separate sealed envelopes. All submissions with complete set of documents should reach UNICEF Jordan no later than 12:00 pm (local time) on JUNE 19, 14

15 2017. A selection panel will review all applications as they arrive. All proposals must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. 12. INDICATION OF HEALTH STATEMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF GOOD HEALTH HAS BEEN RECEIVED PRIOR TO SIGNING THE CONTRACT (for consultants/individual contractors traveling with UNICEF or working in UNICEF Office) Above documents will be requested by UNICEF once contact with contractors is processed. 13. UNICEF RECOURSE IN CASE OF UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE If the contractor for any reason did not deliver the work as agreed the contractor has to return any previous payment received. In case of unsatisfactory performance the contract will be terminated by notification letter sent 5 days prior to the termination date. In the meantime, UNICEF will initiate another selection process in order to identify an alternative candidate. 14. INDICATION THAT THE CONSULTANT/INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT OR. ALTERNATIVELY, AN EXPERT OF RELEVANT PROVISIONS INCLUDING THOSE CONCERNING LEGAL STATUS, OBLIGATIONS AND TITLE RIGHTS. 15. CONDITIONS - The contractor will work on its own computer(s) and use its own office resources and materials in the execution of this assignment. (a request will be made to MOH to allow UNICEF consultants to be based at MOH building) The contractor s fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative costs - Cost of technical committee members during data collection period (supervisory data collection visits) and training workshop facilitation costs to be budgeted in financial proposal by the consultant team. Venue fees and meals for the dissemination/advocacy workshops (A-E) will be covered by UNICEF directly, but no allowances and participation fee will be paid by UNICEF. - International travel and airport transfers (where applicable) will be covered in accordance with UNICEF s rules and tariffs, cost of all travels should be included in financial proposal, including terminal costs. - Local travel arrangements should be made by consultants and necessary transportation costs should be included in financial proposal. - Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policies. - Please also see UNICEF s Standard Terms and Conditions attached. 15

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