South Sudan: SMART Survey Consultancy Juba

Background (Summary of programme)

Concern Worldwide South Sudan has been operational in three states namely: Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG) and Central Equatorial states. The Country office is located in Juba, Central equatorial state and field offices are also in Bentiu and Aweil West. The violence that erupted in South Sudan mid-December 2013 has led to a humanitarian crisis involving a massive displacement of 1.5 million people. The on-going conflict has resulted in accommodating the displaced people in Protection of Civilian (POC) sites, host communities and neighbouring countries.

Concern started its emergency nutrition activities in POCs in Juba in early January 2014 as a result of the mid-December 2013 conflict which caused displacement of people from different counties and thus there was a great need to save lives. Concern’s response focuses on the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition among the most vulnerable groups: such as under five children and pregnant and lactating mothers through the therapeutic and supplementary feeding programme as well as behaviour change communication through the promotion of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Currently, Concern has been running two OTP and two TSFP sites in UN House in Juba, located in POC 1 and POC 3 and blanket supplementary feeding for all children under five (excluding those registered in TSFP and OTP) in POC1.

A SMART nutrition survey was conducted in the POCs in October 201. The survey found Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 11.0 % (8.6-13.9 95% CI) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) of 2.3% (1.3- 4.2 95% CI) based on weight-for-height z-score and the presence of bilateral pitting oedema. Therefore, the 2017 SMART Survey is being proposed in order to assess the current nutritional and health status in the POCs in Juba and to compare results with the previous survey findings. The information and results from this survey will then be used for appropriate planning and intervention. The South Sudan Nutrition cluster requires each partner to conduct one nutrition survey in their operational area each year, hence the timing of this survey considering when the 2016 survey was conducted. Conducting surveys at the same period each year will provide the cluster with comparable information to see trends of acute malnutrition.

Objectives of the Survey

An annual nutritional survey is recommended for the purpose of monitoring the nutrition situation of the population in the POCs and to evaluate the impact of the ongoing intervention. The planned SMART survey will measure, the nutritional status of children 6-59 months of age, mortality rate of children under 5 and for the general population, along with overall morbidity rate of under 5 children.

Specific objectives of the survey are indicated below.

· To estimate the prevalence of acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months and mothers of the targeted children.

· To estimate retrospective under-five and crude mortality rates

· To estimate the prevalence of common childhood illnesses (suspected malaria, measles, diarrhea and acute respiratory illnesses) among children aged 6-59 months

· To estimate the coverage of measles vaccination, deworming and Vitamin A supplementation status among children aged 6-59 months

· To assess infant and young child feeding practices (EBF, timely complementary feeding, food frequency, dietary diversity and hygiene during complementary feeding)

· To assess key WASH indicators (use of latrines, handwashing and access to safe clean water)

· To formulate and provide practical and feasible recommendations or interventions based on the survey findings to improve the nutritional status of the surveyed population.

Scope of work (Key deliverables and outputs of this consultancy)

Concern Worldwide in South Sudan seeks the services of a qualified consultant to undertake a SMART Nutrition survey in the UN House Juba.

The main responsibility of the consultancy is to design and undertake SMART nutrition survey in POC 1 and POC3 in Concern’s operational areas in Juba UN House. The findings of the study will generate evidence based and context specific interventions to the affected population in POC 1 and POC3.

The consultant shall ensure the completion of the following activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the consultancy contract:

· Sampling and estimating the sample size: The sample size will be determined by appropriate sampling techniques using ENA software. Malnutrition prevalence from previous survey, total population of the POCs and level of precision will be used for sample size calculation.

· Determine the composition and form the survey team

· Provide training for data collectors and supervisors on the survey methodology, anthropometric measurement techniques and effective interview techniques. Conduct and analyse pre and post- test training results and conduct pre-test of the methodology and questionnaires.

· Methodology: SMART methodology using a random sampling technique will be employed, previous questionnaires revised and additional indicators will be added if needed.

· Lead on the survey logistics (movement plans, sequence of data collection/mapping of selected villages), with the support of Concern

· Coordinate the data collection exercise from the field and supervise the team on a daily basis to ensure quality data is collected. This will involve developing quality control guide, supporting the team in sampling of households, supporting in taking of the anthropometric measurements, completing DDG questionnaire, addressing concerns arising from special cases, tracing absent or missing households and referral of malnourished cases to nutrition centres

· Quality Control: A clear descriptive of the quality control mechanism that will ensure a quality survey, including, daily check of DDG for completed questionnaires to ensure correct and accurate data collection.

· Data management: The consultant will be responsible in synchronizing the data and check the data quality by running plausibility check in ENA software

· Meeting with the team daily in the morning and at the end of the day to get information from the team and to provide feedback on the data quality

· In depth analysis of the data including comparative analysis with previous nutrition surveys conducted by Concern and a review of relevant background/contextual nutrition documentation.

· Produce preliminary and final reports in accordance with the national nutrition survey guideline reporting format, within an agreed timeframe

· Availability: Person should be available while at home when questions arise from the nutrition cluster (validation process) regarding the survey

Expected deliverables and outputs

· Detailed SMART survey work plan including clear calendar of survey activities

· Final survey design and data collection tools

· Producing preliminary findings

· Final survey report within two weeks after preliminary presentation/submission

Report format:

As with all population surveys it is imperative that the results are available to Concern and operational partners as soon as possible. The report will be presented in English and will include at minimum: Executive summary, Introduction and details of the study population, study design (sampling frame, survey sites, sampling procedures, sample size, data collection methods, tools, training description, enumerator capacity, standardization test during training (procedure & results), results, discussion, conclusions/recommendations, and references. The annex should contain but not necessary be limited to a map, final questionnaire (DDG format), sampling frame indicating the clusters selected, actual survey schedule, teams & supervisors, plausibility test, TOR. As mentioned above the consultant will conduct debriefing meetings with Concern field team, this could include other relevant stakeholders.

Note: Main report (without annexes) should not exceed 25 pages to keep audience straight to the main point.

Reporting

The SMART survey consultant will report to the Emergency Programmes Director and the Juba Nutrition Programme Manager during the duration of the consultancy.

Security: The Country Director as the person responsible for security will make the final decision on travel plans of the Consultant based on security assessments. The Consultant must accept the Country Director’s decision and must adhere to all Concern South Sudan security protocols while in-country.

Documents for Review by consultant:

· Project documents

· Concern Anti-Fraud policy and P4 policy

· Past SMART survey reports

· National Nutrition Survey guideline

Suggested Number of days and task:

Travel day (International/Local)

1 day

Preparation in Juba office (familiarize with Concern DDG, desk review, inception report)

1 day

Review of the methodology and sampling by NIWG

2 days

Training and pre-testing

3 days

Data collection

6 days

Data cleaning, analysis and preliminary report write up

3 days

Review of the preliminary report

1 day

Draft final report write up

4 days

Incorporate comments and submit final report

1 day

Travel back

1 day

Availability for questions at home afterwards

2 days

Total

25 days

General conditions of the consultancy

• The survey consultant will report to the Emergency Programmes Director and the Nutrition Programme Manager during the duration of the consultancy.

• Flight/travel to and from the country of residence and visa costs shall be paid by Concern Worldwide

• Accommodation will be provided by Concern Worldwide in Juba while the consultant will cover fully his/her food subsistence related costs

• The consultant will conduct his/her work using his/her own computer

• The movement of the consultant and team to and from the field will be facilitated by Concern Worldwide.

• Mode of the payment to the consultant shall be 40% payment on arrival, 30% after submission of preliminary report and 30% after submission and approval of final report.

• Payment will be subject to 20% withholding tax, as per South Sudan law unless the consultant provides confirmation that they are exempt

Skills and competencies required

Education:

The consultant should hold of post graduate degree in nutrition, public health, epidemiology, social sciences or related discipline.

Work Experience:

• Minimum experience of having lead SMART survey in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in a camp setting and experience in using Digital Data Gathering devices.

• Proven team leading and managerial experience

• Knowledge of working with conflict-affected populations

• Previous experience in South Sudan POCs will be an added advantage

Technical Competencies:

• The consultant must have a strong background in statistics and data analysis. Must know EPI info and ENA for SMART and all relevant computer applications in general.

• Excellent reporting and presentation skills.

• Excellent knowledge of and experience with humanitarian guidelines and principles.

• Fluency in English and local languages spoken in the working area is an advantage.

• Computer literacy in ENA Software, Epi Info or alternate statistical package, MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint.

• Willingness to travel extensively and work under pressure & meeting deadlines

• Ability to work in a multicultural and inter-sectoral environment.

• Ability to work collaboratively as a team with the other staff members.

• Ability to coordinate, direct and supervise others to achieve a common goal.

• Ability to live and work in an isolated area in conditions of limited comfort

Languages:

Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of local language is an added advantage.

All expressions of interest should include:

• Cover letter: A short (maximum one page) letter addressing the survey criteria

• Technical Proposal (maximum 4 pages) highlighting: brief explanation about previous experience in conducting the SMART Survey; understanding of the TOR, description of the specified Survey data collection methodology and the task to be accomplished as well as draft survey framework and work plan. Detailed CV should be annexed to the technical proposal

• Financial Proposal: The financial proposal should provide cost estimates for services rendered including daily consultancy fees.

• Previous survey reports: Copies of previous survey reports should be submitted with the application

Interested persons should send their expression of interest that includes CV, cover letter, short description of methodology , proposed budget and one example of previous SMART survey report written (Concern will keep it confidential.).

All consultancy works are subject to the applicable tax law in South Sudan (current rate – 20%). Taxation will be applied to all contracts unless documentation is submitted to indicate that the individual/firm applicant is exempted.

Expression of interest should be sent to southsudan.logs@concern.net

Deadline for submission of expression of interest is COB 30th September 2017.** Applications will be reviewed as received.