Save the Children and World Vision implementing ECHO HIP lifesaving multy-sectorial emergency response project among internally displaced populations (IDPs) In Gedio Zone of SNNP regions. The intervention includes, enhancing access to sufficient and safe water, increased awareness of sanitary and hygienic practices; increased access to basic curative and preventive health services through facility-based and temporary outreach health services including CMAM and IYCF-E. The Action will improve resilience of IDPs through Health, Nutrition and WASH interventions.
The organization would like to conduct SMART nutritional survey to determine the prevalence of global and severe acute malnutrition (GAM and SAM) and infant and young child feeding practices among IDPs/returns, host children, pregnant and lactating women, vaccination coverage in the operation area and morbidity and mortality. In addition, the survey expected to explore health service delivery in the target IDP population.
The survey will be conducted using SMART methodology. The data collected will have to include anthropometric measurement, infant and young child feeding practices, vaccination coverages, morbidity and mortality. The survey will depict the current situation in the targeted woredas of on the qualitative and/or quantitative values of the project indictors. The project target areas area Gedeb, Bule and kochere woredas in the Gedeo Zone SNNPR region. The primary target population of the project are children less five years, pregnant and lactating women
The principal purpose of the SMART survey is to determine the prevalence of sever acute malnutrition and infant and young child feeding practices and to establishing benchmarks to measure changes brought by the project.
1. To determine the prevalence of Global and Severe Acute Malnutrition (GAM and SAM) among children aged 6 to 59 months
2. To assess the immunization coverage, health service delivery, morbidity and mortality situation among children 6- 59 months
3. To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) using Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)
4. To assess the infant and young child feeding practices
The assignment will cover all selected woredas ( Gedeb, Bule, Kochere and Wenago) from Gedeo zones of SNNPR regional states for the primary data collection. However, secondary data collection and consultation of key stakeholders will also cover all the selected woredas. The project designed to benefit 102,830 beneficiaries during the project life. The focus of the scope for this task will cover the following main undertakings:
· Develop an SMART survey inception report clearly stipulating the survey methodologies, data collection tools and timeline and management for completion of the assignment.
· Develop SMART survey strategies, methods and tools to ensure all relevant information specific to the project are collected and validated to set baseline for each indicators.
· Offer SMART survey training for data collectors that will be hired for this specific task including testing of their understanding of the data collection instrument, clarity of language, contextual and cultural considerations, etc.
· Pre-testing of the SMART survey tools in communities and adaption re-appropriation of the tools if needed
· Undertake field level smart SMART survey primary and secondary data collection on the current status of the humanitarian health and nutrition program and strategies adapted by different agencies, coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, etc.;
· Produce draft and final report of the survey with practical and strategic recommendations
The consultant(s) who will be involved in the research should have a solid experience in humanitarian health and nutrition surveys including experience on SMART survey. The research team members should also have a solid understanding of the research area context and national and regional strategies and policies on humanitarian health and nutrition. Specifically, the research team members should have at least an MPH/MSc level qualification in Public Health, nutrition. The team members should also have a minimum of 10+ years relevant quantitative and qualitative research experience particularly SMART survey, program evaluations, program design in the emergency context area relevant research experiences preferably in the proposed project intervention areas of SNNPR region.
The composition of the team should be balanced to enable complete coverage of the different aspects of project baseline. The consulting firm should deploy multidisciplinary professionals composed of relevant background on Health and Nutrition.
The research team members should have a diverse group with preferable mix of understanding of the context and needs and challenges of various groups of IDPs and host communities (men, women, people with disability, etc.) A good knowledge of gender and child participation will be necessary while the team members should have a child protection and/or gender specialist experts in key tasks. A team coordinator should be assigned to coordinate the team and facilitate communications in each research location. Team member’s knowledge of the context and local language will be an asset.