In most developing countries around the world, under-nutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent. Young children aged 6-23 months, women and pregnant and lactating women are the most vulnerable and the most affected. While significant progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of iodine and vitamin A deficiencies, iron deficiency anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies continue to be a large burden on these vulnerable populations. This chronic undernutrition in 6-23 month old infants results in diminished both cognitive and physical development, putting children at a disadvantage for their rest of their lives into their adult productivity and contribution to their country’s economy.
One strategy that has been proven to be efficacious and safe in reducing the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in these populations is “home-fortification”: using new products such as micronutrient powders or lipid-based supplements to be added to and mixed with local, household foods to be consumed by the young child. When delivered in concert with other infant and young child feeding strategies, education, behavior change and monitoring, this food-based strategy allowing caregivers to fortify food in their home is highly acceptable and proven effective in improving the nutrition status of children in field settings.
UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have put on regional workshops to introduce a common program framework for home fortification in Latin America, South East Asia, West Africa, and South & East Africa. These two organizations would like to evaluate the impact of capacity-building these latter two workshops have had on country offices.
In addition, over the last decade, many countries have not only expressed interest in developing a home fortification in their country, but are implementing them. Becoming widely accepted and acknowledged as part of infant and young child feeding programming by the WHO where iron-deficiency anemia prevalence is > 20%, UNICEF and the CDC are looking to better monitor the activities of country offices in relation to home-fortification.
The anticipated start date is June 15, 2013 and runs to October 15, 2013.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Volunteer will be supported to collect MNP programming data with different UNICEF and NGO country offices around the world via email and telephone correspondence regarding the two tasks outlined above. Data collection tools and orientation to collection procedures will be provided prior to collection dates.
The intern will also participate in data organization, analysis and report writing.
Volunteer will receive:
- Very unique experience, exposure and training in the field of international nutrition, more specifically in micronutrient deficiencies, program evaluation, program monitoring, data collection, analysis and reporting
- Potential to be used as a 3 credit directed study (FNH 497)
Qualifications/Attributes:
- Completion of FNH 355 (mandatory) (and completion of FNH 455 preferred)
- Fluent in both French and English
- Well-developed organizational skills and able to work well independently
- Solid communication, time management and written skills
- Sincere interest and dedication in pursuing or learning more about a career in international nutrition
How to apply:
Please email Kathy Ho, RD, UNICEF Nutrition Consultant at kathy.ho@ubc.ca and include your resume and a brief email to describe relevant background and interest. Application deadline is May 1, 2013.
