Individual Consultant for Review of Social Protection Programs and Impact Analysis

Job Posting Organization:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is a renowned research organization that focuses on food policy and its implications on global nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1975, IFPRI operates in multiple countries around the world, conducting research and providing evidence-based solutions to improve food systems and nutrition. The organization employs a diverse team of experts and researchers dedicated to addressing global challenges related to food and nutrition security, with a mission to provide sustainable solutions to end hunger and malnutrition.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Consultant for Review of Social Protection Programs and Impact Analysis involves supporting IFPRI in updating a literature review and manuscript related to the impact of social protection programs on dietary intake and nutritional status. The consultant will be responsible for rerunning literature searches to identify relevant papers published in the last three years, updating summary tables, and revising the manuscript to reflect the latest findings. Additionally, the consultant will work on an impact evaluation of a nutrition-sensitive social protection program in Sri Lanka, updating the analysis of its impact on dietary intake among adults. This role requires collaboration with lead authors and other stakeholders to ensure the manuscripts are comprehensive and reflect current research.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities, including: rerunning the literature search to identify new papers for inclusion in the review; screening articles for relevance; updating background tables and other sections of the draft manuscript; revising the results section tables; drafting the methods section for the impact paper; and providing additional written inputs as necessary to finalize the manuscripts. The consultant will also ensure that all updates are accurately reflected in the documents and that the manuscripts meet the high standards expected by IFPRI.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD degree in nutrition, public health, or a closely related field. They should have demonstrated experience with quantitative dietary data analysis, particularly in assessing macro- and micro-nutrient intake. Experience conducting literature reviews is essential, as is familiarity with working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The consultant must exhibit a professional level of attention to detail and accuracy in their work, ensuring that all analyses and updates are precise and reliable.

Educational Background:
A doctoral degree (PhD) in nutrition, public health, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is crucial as it provides the necessary theoretical knowledge and research skills needed to conduct high-level analyses and contribute to the literature review and manuscript updates effectively.

Experience:
The consultant should have substantial experience in quantitative dietary data analysis, which is critical for assessing dietary intake and nutritional status. Additionally, prior experience with literature reviews is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively identify and synthesize relevant research findings. Experience working in LMICs is also important, as it indicates familiarity with the context and challenges faced in these regions, which will inform the consultant's work on the impact evaluation.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the work and the need to communicate effectively with international collaborators. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial, particularly if the consultant has experience working in specific LMICs where other languages are prevalent.

Additional Notes:
This position is fully remote, allowing the consultant to work from any location. The level of effort required for this consultancy is estimated at 40 days, indicating a significant commitment over a defined period. The role is likely to be project-based, with deliverables including updated literature review summaries, revised tables for the manuscripts, and other necessary inputs to finalize the papers. Compensation and specific contract details would typically be discussed during the hiring process.