New Consultancy – Costing and Financial Modelling, WCARO Dakar Senegal Consultancy

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For every child, a fair chance

Background

Wasting is a persistent issue across the Sahel, with prevalence rates remaining stubbornly high over the last decade. To care for wasted children, the Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) has undergone significant scale-up across the region. Today over 95% of primary health care services in Senegal, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso provide CMAM services. Whilst important gains have been made with regards to the integration of this service within the national health systems, service input costs remain heavily dependent on external donors which tend to be short term and/or unpredictable in nature. Furthermore, limited economic information exists with regards to both care and prevention of wasting.

Key initiatives are underway to drive costs down through optimizing the dosage and harmonizing approaches. Steps are also being taken to diversify funding streams to support a transition towards more sustainable financing mechanisms. Furthermore, advocacy initiatives at country level are ongoing to enter CMAM related costs in to national health budgets.

How can you make a difference?

Objectives

To support these important initiatives there is a need for clear and concise economic information regarding Acute Malnutrition interventions. Whilst some data is already available on the costs of SAM treatment, these costs have not been modelled over time. Furthermore, it is crucial to decision making at country level that any modifications to service delivery which are designed to increase cost-effectiveness feature as part of these costing and modelling exercises, to inform decision making.

This consultancy seeks to respond to these key economic evidence gaps and influence policy and investment via adapted communications tools and methods which resonate with key stakeholders and decision makers. This consultancy will provide an adapted costing method for wasting treatment, and a financial modelling of modifications to treatment protocols.

Scope of work

Costing Methodology

In 2017 a review of costing methodologies for acute malnutrition was conducted. The first step in this consultancy will be to update this review and identify new costing tools/studies published. Furthermore, a review of internal exercises conducted by UNICEF country offices will be important to gather any additional exercises and approaches. In addition, the consultant should coordinate with UNICEF NY and other regions to ensure that any costing exercises are well coordinated. During this phase, a consultation with country offices to ensure that demand for costing information is met. During this process countries should also be identified for costing exercises.

Based on the desk review, an adapted costing methodology should be developed, with inputs and participation of key nutrition and health staff. Key input indicators will be identified. The methodology should keep in mind end users (i.e. Nutrition staff) and ensure a simple but effective method.

To test the costing approach, data should be collected in 2 high burden countries. The economic analysis will document the current interventions for acute malnutrition, with clear costing and modelling to support policy decision-making.

The consultant will be expected to document the country level financial analysis exercises as well as the methodology and any tools developed. This should also include the development of appropriate presentations and case studies adapted to different audiences.

Financial Modelling of modifications to treatment approaches

In line with the costing exercise, based on the inputs indicators identified, the consultant will conduct some modelling of costs based on certain modifications to treatment protocols which may include;

• Reduced dosage of RUTF per child
• Modified admissions criteria
• Harmonised supply chain

The consultant would be expected to provide a modelling of overall costs and cost per child treated. The consultant would be expected to provide a report and series of communications tools based on this financial modelling.

In addition to these specific activities, the consultant will be expected to contribute to strategic thinking of the Nutrition Team and provide timely inputs.

Deliverables and Schedules

• Updated costing and economic evaluation review for acute malnutrition
• Costing method for acute malnutrition interventions developed with associated tools in collaboration with colleagues from ESARO, ROSA and HQ
• Report documenting economic analysis conducted in 2 countries in region, with specific costing of standard CMAM vs. simplifies approaches and where possible prevention approaches at scale Costing/economic briefs developed based for different audiences (e.g. govt, donor) at regional level

Reporting Requirements

• One presentation of results

  Administrative Issues

• The individual contractor will be expected to work from the WCARO, based in Dakar, Senegal
• The individual contractor will be expected to travel within WCAR region.
• UNICEF will provide IT equipment and email account to the individual contractor.
• Ongoing communications to support day to day activities, the supervisor will establish regular touch base meetings (weekly) to review progress and challenges.
• The individual contractor will be paid monthly

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

EDUCATION

University degree in economics, health policy or related fields, with significant knowledge of nutrition interventions especially CMAM programs.

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 5 years of experience in health economics, nutrition and/or research posts related to health systems budgeting. Experience in quantitative analysis required.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English and French.

For every Child, hope

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The technical competencies required for this post are:

• Strong capacity to meeting deadlines, an ability to prioritize tasks within his/her work program and strategies for working both collectively with others in a team and independently to deliver high quality products.
• Excellent facilitation skills, ability to bring together stakeholders from different sectors and backgrounds.
• Strong leadership and team work abilities.
• Strong information-gathering and analytical skills, coupled with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• An understanding or knowledge of and experience in CMAM programming in developing countries.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.”

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Tagged as: Financial modelling, Senegal, UNICEF