VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

E-Zone HRM Limited is a management consulting group providing one-stop solutions to clients who seek improved and sustainable profitability through the effective use of their people and resources. We specialize in delivering innovative and value added services that promote revenue growth and cost containment.

E-Zone HRM Limited has a formal agreement with one of the United Nations Agency to provide outsourcing services under a third party contract.

E-Zone HRM Limited is now accepting applications from Bangladeshi Nationals for the following vacancies under third party outsourcing contract modality:

Nutrition Consultant for DAE

Duty Station: Dhaka (Department of Agricultural Extension)

Contract Duration: 11.5 Months

Number of Vacancies: 1(One)

Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone

Contract Start Date: 1 September, 2021

Reporting to: Nutrition Specialist, Dhaka     

A. Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to support the Departments of Agricultural Extension at central and sub-national level on capacity development, planning, implementation and monitoring of nutrition activities in line with the Second National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NAPN2).

B. Background:

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in improving the nutrition status of its population; there has been 52% drop in stunting with an average Annual Rate of Reduction (AAR) of 1.62% among under five children over the last four decades. Between last two Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) child stunting reduced from 42% in 2012-13 to 28% in 2019 and wasting from 9.6% to 8.4%. Moreover, the rate of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) has increased from 56% in 2012-13 to 63% in 2019; consumption of a Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) has increased from 21.2% to 34.1%, and Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) from 24.25% to 37.5% among children during the same period.

Nutrition and food security have been key policy priorities to the Government of Bangladesh. It has made nutrition and food security a priority and incorporated nutrition focused goals not only to the health and nutrition policies, plans and strategies but also to other sectoral plans and programmes as the underlying causes of malnutrition lie with those sectors. Its extensive enabling environment highlighting the multi-sectoral nature of nutrition consists of a National Nutrition Policy (NNP) 2015, the Second National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN2) 2017-2022, the Second Country Investment Plan for nutrition-sensitive food systems (CIP2) 2016-2021, the National Food Security and Nutrition Policy (NFSNP) 2020, and the Government’s Eighth Five-Year Plan (8FYP) 2021-2025. Aligning with the SUN movement, ICN2, SDG, WHA and other international commitments, the NAPN2 aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition from the country and its effective implementation depends on 22 ministries involved in multisectoral nutrition programming in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC) is mandated with the overseeing the implementation of NPAN2 and for coordination horizontally and vertically the nutrition-related activities across 22 ministries, as well as the development partners, both at the national and sub-national level.

Agriculture is one of the key sector that contribute to improved nutrition. Bangladesh has been self-sufficient in rice production since 2012. The production of pulses, which are rich in protein, is increasing, but at a slower pace compared to rice. Unlike cereals, the production growth of fruits and vegetables slightly increased in 2018-19. Although production of meat, eggs and milk is increasing every year, the percentage of increase is still low and there is a gap between production and demand. The importance of nutrition sensitive agricultural has been highlighted in the Second National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN2). Through the agriculture extension services, the sector should be able to provide adequate support to farmers on production and post-production management of nutrient-dense foods, as well as supporting sensitization and training of farmers on nutrition to improve their knowledge and practices towards healthy and nutritious diets. However, there are still insufficient institutional and human capacities within the agriculture extension on nutrition at central level to identify the priorities and to support adequate planning processes and implementation of interventions with high impact on nutrition.

As part of UN Agency’s commitment to contribute in reduction of all forms of malnutrition in women and children, UN Agency is supporting various sectors for effective implementation of NPAN2 and better coordination of multisectoral interventions at central and sub-national level in Bangladesh. To contribute to achieving this objective, UN Agency is implementing the project “Building Rohingya refugees and host communities’ resilience in Cox’s Bazar” with financial support from the European Union (EU), in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and in collaboration with local and international Non-Government Organizations. One of the strategic areas of the project is nutrition-sensitive food security, to complement the nutrition-specific interventions implemented through the health sector. The purpose is to strengthen the human and institutional capacity of DAE at central and sub-national level on promotion of nutrition-sensitive homestead gardening, to contribute to improved vulnerable household-level access to and consumption of nutritious foods (fruits and vegetables in this case). As part of the project and to achieve the desired objectives.

DAE requests technical support especially in planning, programming and implementation/monitoring of nutrition-related interventions, to implement the activities specified under the project “Building the Resilience of Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities in Cox’s Bazar”, co-funded by the European Union and UN Agency. There is need for strong liaison between Cox’s Bazar and the central level to ensure the project is implemented in the best way. UN Agency has signed an agreement with DAE to support the mainstreaming of nutrition into agricultural extension services and to improve its contribution to NPAN2.
In line with this background, UN Agency is recruiting a skilled nutritionist to support DAE at central level (Dhaka). The consultancy is expected to contribute to the strengthening of DAE’s systems on nutrition.

C. Scope of Work:

The consultant will perform the specific defined tasks within the timeline, in collaboration with UN Agency BCO Nutrition Section and UN Agency project coordinator for Nutrition, Cox’s Bazar, and relevant Government institutions at central and district-level. S/He will ensure timely quality accomplishment of the tasks to perform.

• The incumbent will need to work with department of agriculture extension at central and district level, UN Agency BCO nutrition section and UN Agency project office at cox’s bazar.
• The consultant will need to provide technical support to DAE in capacity building, programming and monitoring of nutrition activity in agriculture extension services.
• The consultant will work closely with DAE to ensure participation in BNNC lead coordination platforms and follow up the implementation of action points for DAE
• The consultant will work closely with DAE and BNNC to develop annual sectoral nutrition plans 

D. Tasks and Schedules:

Under the technical supervision of the Nutrition Specialist UN Agency Dhaka, and in close collaboration with UN Agency’s Nutrition Section, Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar and DAE at central and district-level, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide technical support to DAE in the planning and implementation of the EU-UN Agency project-related activities.
• Support in the participation of DAE in the EU-UN Agency project Programme Monitoring Committees and Programme Implementation Committee meetings.
• Provide Support in the development and implementation of other nutrition-related projects within DAE, Dhaka and ensure complementarity with the EU-UN Agency project.
• Provide technical assistance to DAE to develop its nutrition-related plans at central and sub-national level.
• Support strengthening of DAE monitoring/reporting systems and provide assistance for the development of NPAN2 annual reports.
• Support DAE to ensure active participation in BNNC lead coordination platforms at central-level and develop DAE Annual Sectoral Workplan.
• Support capacity building of DAE staff to incorporate and implement appropriate nutrition actions as per NPAN2 into agriculture extension services.
• Facilitate organizing workshop, meeting, workshop and field-level supervision and monitoring visits.

E. Reporting and Deliverables Requirements:

F. Consultancy Cost:

• Consultant will get BDT 225,000 per month for 11.5 months, including travel and DSA within Dhaka,  for CXB visit Consultant avail TA and DSA as per UN Agency  policy.
• Other cost such communication equipment, accommodation, transportation to office will bear by the consultant
• Consultant will be responsible to pay all taxes as per government rules and regulations. E-Zone will make statutory deductions towards income tax as per government rules and regulations  

G. Education, Profile & Qualification Skills:

• MSc. in Nutrition, Food security and relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of professional working experience in Nutrition, Food Security or related field.
• Experience in working nutrition-sensitive food security or mainstreaming nutrition will be considered as an asset.
• S/He should have a good understanding of nutrition-sensitive planning and programming, especially agriculture system and food security.
• Good understanding of the food and nutrition security context of Bangladesh.
• Must be familiar with existing initiative for food security and nutrition at national/Sub-national level and in emergency context. 
• Understanding on Humanitarian-Development Nexus will be an asset.
• Experience working with government institutions
• Fluent in English and Bangla (written and spoken), with good communication skills.

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photograph by email to:

jobs.un@e-zonebd.com

Last Date of Application: 28th August, 2021

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.