Purpose of work
To facilitate the work in harmonizing and assessing the quality of national and regional micronutrient data across different sources that feed into the global anaemia estimates. The incumbent will also contribute to the preparation of the country consultation on the SDG 2.2.3 indicator on anaemia in women 15-49 years 2025 Edition, by pregnancy status, as well for anaemia in children. In addition, the consultant will provide technical guidance to the development of the WHO Micronutrient Survey Analyser. The consultant will facilitate the alignment of the Micronutrients Database with the recent global guidelines.
Background
The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) is addressing the burden of disease from physical, chemical and microbial hazards in food and unhealthy diets, maternal and child malnutrition, overweight and obesity. The Monitoring and Surveillance Nutrition and Food Safety (MNF) Unit defines indicators and nutrition surveillance systems, hosts and maintains nutrition databases, monitors nutrition trends and measures the impact of country food and nutrition policies, amongst other functions.
NFS hosts the upgraded and expanded Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS), which was established following a request by the World Health Assembly to strengthen surveillance of micronutrient deficiencies at the global level. One component of VMNIS is the Micronutrients Database that compiles national, within-country regional and first-administrative level summary data on vitamin and mineral nutritional status of populations in the Member States. This Database is maintained by MNF and is used to monitor micronutrient status around the globe. It provides global estimates of the burden of micronutrient deficiencies and calculates trends in micronutrient deficiency over time. The SDG indicator 2.2.3, anaemia in women aged 15-49 years, by pregnancy status, of which WHO is the data custodian, is fed mainly from this database.
A beta version of the WHO Micronutrients Survey Analyser has been developed on the need of strengthening the harmonization of data analysis and quality by using individual de-identified data. The first version of the tool is being tested and will be finalized in the first semester of 2024. The tool is based on R&shiny and the current version allows the analysis for four biomarker indicators: haemoglobin, ferritin, iodine and iron deficiency anaemia. There is a plan to extend the list of indicators in the tool in the near future.
Deliverables
1. Harmonize and re-analyse national and regional micronutrient data across different sources (expected 50%)
- Facilitate the work in harmonizing and assessing the quality of national micronutrient data across different sources that feed into the global anaemia estimates.
- Contribute to the reanalysis of raw datasets from surveys and assessment of data collection methodology and data quality.
- Assist in preparing analyses outputs as required to support the responsible technical officer in the end-to-end data process for the anaemia estimates.
- Assist in drafting, formatting and editing documents and materials that could support capacity building workshops, dissemination of estimates and country consultations.
- Assist in the country consultation for reporting on the SDG 2.2.3 anaemia indicator scheduled in 2025.
- Contribute to the production of related reports and outputs that feed into global reports and data platforms, e.g. GHO, HEAT, Global health Statistics, SDGs, etc.
- Facilitate the alignment of the Micronutrients Database with the recent global guidelines.
2. Contribute to the development of the WHO Micronutrients Survey Analyser (expected 50%)
- Perform regular checks on the functionality of the tool.
- Facilitate tool’s results validation and work with the responsible technical officer to develop, in collaboration with partners, to align statistical codes and methodology.
- Contribute to the development of training material around the uses of the tool (manual, PPT, video, etc.)
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational qualifications
- Essential: First university degree in statistics, epidemiology, public health or nutrition.
- Desirable: Advanced university degree in statistics, epidemiology, public health.
Experience
- Essential: 5 to 10 years' relevant experience in data statistical analysis on health indicators, expert-level use of statistical packages R (preferred) or STATA is required.
- Desirable: Experience in data analysis on micronutrient status in populations and performing data quality assurance in national surveys is highly desirable. Previous work experience in global health estimates will be an asset.
Skills/Knowledge
- Essential: Very strong statistical analyses
- Desirable: Very strong data management
Languages and level required
- Essential: Expert knowledge of English
- Desirable: Working knowledge of Spanish or French
Location
Off-site: home-based
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)
- Remuneration: Band level B (USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month)
- Expected duration of contract: 6 Months
- Target start date: June 2024
- Work schedule: 100%
Requirements from applications
- Please send your CV or Personal History Form (PHF) (detailed instructions on how to create or update PHF at the following link: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl) and cover letter to the following e-mail address nfs@who.int.
- PLEASE NOTE: The selected candidate(s) will be asked to produce copies of all degrees/diplomas/certificates as mentioned in their CVs or Personal History Forms, as well as a copy of their passport and other documents as appropriate.
- Full contact details.
- Description and contact details of at least 3 recent references (the references shall be related to the present Terms of Reference).
A prospective applicants requiring any clarification on technical or contractual matters may notify WHO via email (nfs@who.int) no later than 20 May 2024.
- Deadline for submission of applications
The deadline for submission of applications is 20 May at 16h00, Geneva time. - Email address for submission of applications
Applicants should submit the required documents in PDF format by email to: nfs@who.int. Please include "Consultant for Data harmonization and analysis for anaemia and micronutrients" in the subject matter of your email application. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted and incomplete submissions will not be considered.