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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

Under the over-all guidance of the WHO Representative (WR) and direct day to day supervision of the Technical Officer – Nutrition, the consultant will provide technical support to the National Mission Unit for Combatting Stunting (UNMICS) on nutrition policy planning, mapping potential fiscal resources and guidance on pro-health taxes.

Background

Stunting reflects a phenomenon of lower physical and cognitive development of individuals as a result of their prolonged exposure to malnutrition. Stunting has consequences that are felt throughout the lives of individuals, including reduced cognitive development, poor school performance, reduced earning as adults and higher risk on NCDs. As per Timor Leste Food and Nutrition Survey 2020, it has been seen that about 47% of under-five children in Timor Leste are stunted.

In order to address this high prevalence of stunting and other forms of malnutrition in Timor Leste, a National Mission Unit for Combatting Stunting (UNMICS) i.e. Stunting Unit has been established under the Prime Minister’s Office. The Stunting Unit envisages to develop and roll-out a National Plan for Combatting Stunting. The Unit is also responsible for providing technical guidance and coordination support for strengthened public investments in measures to combat stunting. For this, the Unit would work closely with multiple line Ministries and various administrative bodies directly and indirectly contributing to stinting prevention.

WHO Country Office, Timor Leste works closely with the National Mission Unit for Combatting Stunting (UNMICS) and the Ministry of Health on strengthening nutrition programming in the country. As part of WHO’s technical assistance to UNMICS, one international technical consultant is proposed to be positioned at UNMICS to support UNMICS for planning policies, mapping potential fiscal resources and guidance on health taxes.

Under the overall guidance by the WHO Representative to Timor-Leste and, and under the direct technical guidance and day to day supervision by the Technical Officer, Nutrition in WCO Timor-Leste, the consultant will work closely with the National Stunting Unit (UNMICS), Timor-Leste.

This position is envisaged to provide technical assistance support to for policy planning, mapping potential fiscal resources and guidance on health taxes.

Deliverables

Output1: Support resource mapping and mobilization efforts for increased investments for nutrition and healthy diets

• Deliverable 1.1 Report on Mapping of potential resources for increased investments in Nutrition
• Deliverable 1.2 Draft policy brief on recommendations for health taxes in Timor Leste

Output2: Provide technical assistance on policy planning under UNMICS (Stunting Unit)

• Deliverable 2.1: Draft policy brief on institutionalization of community level frontline workers for integrated nutrition service delivery
• Deliverable 2.2: Support UNMICS for drafting and delivery on annual action plan for addressing stunting

Output3: Support multisectoral collaboration for nutrition

• Deliverable 3.1: Facilitate periodic sharing of technical guidance from Stunting Unit to other government and non-government stakeholders as required
• Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate multisectoral consultations hosted by Stunting Unit as required
• Deliverable 3.3: Facilitate coordination between government and non-government stakeholders for supporting actions under SUN Movement

Output 4: Develop technical reports

• Deliverable 4.1: Report on performance and trends of key indicators with recommendations for areas to be prioritized
• Deliverable 4.2: Report on Mapping of municipality-level best practices for adaptation and scale-up
• Deliverable 4.3: Other technical briefs, progress reports as required under UNMICS annual action plan or related to SUN Movement (as required)

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Minimum first university degree in public health / nutrition/ public policy or other related fields from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years of experience prior relevant experience required

Desirable:

• Prior experience of working on health taxes and resource mobilization for nutrition
• Prior experience of working in the UN or other international development organization
• Prior experience of working with National Governments to support nutrition programmes

Skills/Knowledge:

Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment. Basic computer skills including standard package of WHO office programmes. Ability to work as a member of a team and adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds

Languages

English (fluency)

Location

On site: Timor-Leste WHO country office (Position would be based at Stunting Unit, PMO, Dili, Timor Leste)

Travel

If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required. The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work

About 5 days of travel per months i.e. total 30 days travel is envisaged as part of the contract. The individual is expected to visit different municipalities in Timor Leste for programme monitoring and capturing field level insights into the different reports and recommendations being drafted as part of the deliverables.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration:  Band level A (USD 3,955 – 6,980 per month), depending on the consultant’s experience and educational background
• Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.
• Expected duration of contract: 11 months. Additional contracts (up to 22 months maximum) can be offered based on funding availability and satisfactory performance

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/ diploma(s)/certificate(s) in English required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.