International Consultant to provide technical support and coordination in developing Food based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG)

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support and coordination in process of developing Food based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) for the selected age groups in the context of diets in Myanmar, in close collaboration with Interim Technical Task Force for FBDG (ITTF) members and technical partners such as UN Network, FAO, WHO, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, etc. The international consultant will also be responsible for coordinating and working closely with two national nutrition consultants to develop the FBDGs, its package of outputs, and to pilot test the FBDGs in different regions of the country. He/She will also support the FBDG ITTF in coordinating the FBDGs development at national level and sub-national level.

Background

The FBDG is a set of context-specific dietary guidelines to promote and protect consumption of healthy and nutritious diversified diets as per local context and body requirements. National FBDG offer country-specific advice on food and nutrient intake and healthy diets for the general population to promote health and well-being, and to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases. FBDG shall inform agricultural diversification and better food production for diversified diets. While the process and use of FBDGs varies in each country, the methodology and tools have been developed and standardized for global use.

Myanmar Food Based Dietary Guidelines were first developed and published in 2003. Since then, they were revised from time to time. The third edition was published in 2007, and the guidelines are available in Myanmar language. The guidelines focused broadly on general messages/guidance, and it now needed revision and updates to address evolving nutrition and health concerns. in the wider target populations.

In order to update the FBDG, UN agencies in Myanmar have been engaged in the development of components of FBDGs to promote healthy diets for different population groups - UNICEF had been working on developing a “nutritious food bowl” for young children, WHO had been working on developing guidelines for ageing and prevention of dietary risk factors for NCD, and FAO had been developing the guidance and a complementary food plate graphic for pregnant and lactating women.

The Evidence review (ER) is a critical part of the development process and other parts of the FBDGs are expected to continue being developed. The FBDG development process needs rigorous consultation and use of globally accepted standard methodology for data analysis, evidence generation and formulation of context specific recommendations. Based on the analysis, behavior change Communication (BCC) materials, food atlas and food exchange lists for different food groups are already available.

The UN agencies have together formulated the ITTF to continue with the FBDG development work. During the initial phase, FBDGs were developed for the Pregnant and Lactating women (PLW) by the leading agency FAO and children under 5 years, by the leading agency UNICEF early this year. While the roll out is in the progressing for the already guidelines for children under 5 years and pregnant and lactating women (PLW), it is agreed to move forward with the development of three sets of FBGDs for the additional age groups as below.

Age groups selected for the FBDG development:

• School children
• Adolescents
• Adults and people living with non-communicable diseases (NCD)

In order to support this FBDG development effort through the collaboration with the ITTF, WHO is conveying the recruitment process for the international consultant. The Technical Office Diet & Nutrition from WHO country office Myanmar will be the overall supervisor of the work performed. The proposed international consultant with support from 02 national consultants and support from WHO and FAO regional and country offices will perform the development work in close technical guidance from the ITTF. The final products will be presented to the stakeholders for review and endorsement once a workable engagement is established

Deliverables

Output 1 – The FBDG development work is operationalized and implemented

Deliverable 1.1: - develop specific workplans with timeline to be developed in consultation with the national consultants and agreed by technical supervisors and ITTF.

Deliverable 1.2: - Implement the workplan, monitor, update progress with the FBDG development regularly to ITTF

Output 2 - Provide technical inputs, support, supervision, as well as coordination in FBDGs development, and to work closely with 02 national consultants and provide additional and up-to-date information on country situational analysis specific to the three age groups.

Deliverable 2.1: - Conduct Country situational Analysis:

• Food production, sustainability, and agro-ecological potential
• Food consumption, dietary pattern, nutrient intake
• Food availability, access, affordability, and safety
• Review of nutrition and health policies and programs
• Food environment and settings
• Exposure to food and nutrition information
• Behaviors, food related habits and practices
• Risk factors and problem associated with diet

The additional information will supplement the existing Evidence Review (ER) report published in 2022. The additional information shall cover the following topics in the context of Myanmar.

Deliverable 2.2. Literature Review and analysis to serve the scientific basis for FBDGs development for school age children, adolescents, and adults:

Energy and macro- and micro-nutrient requirements.

Global science-based evidence on food intakes and dietary patterns that promote optimal growth, good health and well-being, and disease prevention including non-communicable diseases.

Additional food composition data needed for supporting foods and food groupings in the optimal diet models.

Deliverable 2.3 - Develop Evidence Review report.

Three evidence reviews report to be developed for the assigned age groups in collaboration with the national consultants and ITTF

• • School children
  • Adolescent
  • Adult and people living with non-communicable diseases (NCD)

Output 3 - Provide recommendation and guidelines for each target populations selected

Deliverable 3.1 – Develop diet modelling to support developing the key recommendation.

Based on the above scientific information and the updated ER report to set diet goals and other parameters in the diet models to undertake diet modelling exercise to generate information on recommended daily food intake.

Deliverable 3.2 – Draft FBDGs food graphics and Information Education Communication material (IEC)

Based on the results of ER and diet modelling exercise to prepare key recommendations and messages for the target populations. Conceptualize the FBDGs food graphics for graphical illustrations of the key recommendations and messages in the IEC materials, by working with the creative design agency and in consultation with the ITTF.

Provide inputs and coordinate the drafting of IEC materials: poster, graphics, handbook, and provide support for the IEC materials endorsement process by the ITTF members.

Deliverable 3.3 – Align the FBDG document with the already developed FBDGs in 2021-22 (PLW and CU5)

This is to ensure coherence on the process of FBDGs development, including food and food groupings, graphics, key recommendations, and messages of the three new sets of FBDGs, with those of already developed FBDGs in 2021-22 (PLW and CU5).

Output 4 – Pilot testing is conducted to ensure the acceptance of the guideline by the community

Deliverable 4.1 Develop the pilot study protocol and facilitate pilot-testing of the draft IEC materials developed.

Deliverable 4.2 Develop strategies, guidelines, and a roll out plan for FBDGs communication and advocacy and develop strategies, guidelines, and a roll out plan for FBDGs implementation

Deliverable 4.3 - To design Training of Trainers (TOT) training package, and to participate and facilitate workshops for TOT or advocacy as needed.

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Minimum Master’s degree from a recognized university institution preferably in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health, or any discipline related to Nutrition.

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum of 10 years professional experience in development and implementation of food and nutrition policies, plans and guidance, public health, or a related field.

Desirable:

• Thorough knowledge and recent experience on involving in developing FBDG.
• Prior experience of dietary survey, data analysis and scientific evidence generation.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge and experience in nutrition, food security or health related studies, surveys, and assessments.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills to proactively establish and maintain working relations, and to promote synergies with other stakeholders.
• Ability to take initiatives and work independently and systematically.
• Knowledge and experience in undertaking evidence review or systematic reviews and analysis on scientific literature for developing dietary guidelines for health and/or diseases.
• Knowledge and experience with the development of diet and nutrition guidelines for different population groups.
• Knowledge and experience in using linear programming or diet modelling software for optimization of food intakes would be highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in analyzing scientific data and writing scientific reports, including evidence in publishing papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience in engaging with diverse nutrition stakeholders and community-based organizations
• Knowledge and experience in working with Governments, UN, and NGOs.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

• Expert level of English
• Strong skills in using Microsoft software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Duty Station/ Working Modality/Location

Frequency - 2 days per week for 11 months

• Offsite- remote teleworking 2 days per week as per Myanmar Standard Time.
• In person visits to Naypyitaw, Myanmar once in 3 months for 10 working days.

Travel: The consultant needs to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: $500 per day for 90 days. Total 45,000 USD.
• Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.
• Expected duration of contract: 90 days (8 days a month for 11 months).

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) 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.
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• 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.