Barrier Analysis IFAS National Consultant at UNICEF

Responsibilities
In this consultancy, you will be expected to:

• Document the current policies in place at federal and state level regarding IFA supplementation. Highlight differences between federal and state policies, and any inter-state differences.
• Describe the IFA supplementation supply chain in the public sector including availability of local production of combined IFA (by whom, at what price), price differentials between combined IFA vis a vis separate iron supplements and folic acid supplements, procurement systems, storage systems, planning and distribution systems to the last mile. The description should also include how IFA distribution and consumption is tracked (data system) and progressed measured. Finally, it should include if and how states use data to inform planning and programming.
• Describe the role the private sector is playing in provision of IFA supplementation, including are IFA and or Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) available in private pharmacies, shops, etc. at what price, is a prescription needed, what is the volume of sales, who purchases, etc.
• Analyze secondary data to demonstrate missed opportunities i.e. what proportion of pregnant women attend ANC services, what proportion are counselled on IFA supplementation, what proportion receive IFA supplements and what proportion consume IFA supplements
• Identify key barriers and challenges to optimal supply management for IFA across the public sector
• Identify enablers and opportunities for a strong and efficient supply chain to deliver IFA supplements to women in the last mile (across both public and private sector platforms)
• Recommend strategies to strengthen the supply chain and uptake of IFA supplements

Requirements
To qualify as a champion for every child you will need to have:

• A minimum of Master's Degree in relevant field (Supply Chain Management, Health System Strengthening Public/ Global Health, Epidemiology) with relevant experience in Nutrition.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of proven expertise in conducting research/surveys in the health system in Nigeria.
• Professional experience and/background in nutrition programming especially micronutrient deficiency control.
• Excellent communication skills in the English language (written and verbal).
• Excellent reporting and presentation skills and proven ability to work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural environment
• Available in Nigeria during assignment period and can visit office and field time to time as needed
• Experience working in/knowledge of the Nigeria, nutrition context, and local Nigerian language skills
• Willingness to comply with UNICEF Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) approaches such as micro-assessments, spot-checks including at end-user level.