Applications to be submitted on: www.inductusjobs.com/un (pdf format only)
Position: State Nutrition Consultant, Maternal Nutrition
Employing Agency (Employer): Inductus Limited
Duration of the contract: Initial contract will be issued till 31-Dec-2026 and may be further extended, subject to project requirements, satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Remuneration: Gross compensation budgeted for the position is very attractive. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history. Applicants to mention their current professional fee & expected professional fee on www.inductusjobs.com/un
No. of Vacancy: 1 Positions (One)
Duty Station: Guwahati, Assam.
Reporting Line: 1. Administrative Supervision: Inductus Limited
2. UN Organization: Technical supervision: Nutrition Specialist
Last Date for Application: 17th March 2026 (Mid-Night)
CONTENT OF TERMS OF REFERENCE(TOR)
1. Background:
According to National Health and Family Survey (NFHS-2020-21), half (54.2%) of pregnant women, 66.4% of 15–49 years of non-pregnant women and 67% of 15-19 years of adolescent girls are anemic. 17.6% women have BMI below normal (BMI,18.5 kg/m2). According to NFHS-5 (2019-20), the prevalence of anemia (Hb <11.0 g/dL) among pregnant women in Assam increased to 54.2% from 44.8% in NFHS-4 (2015-16). NFHS-5 also indicates that 25.7% of women aged 15–49 years in Assam are underweight (BMI <18.5), while 15.2% are overweight/obese (BMI ≥25). A study conducted in rural Assam in 2019 by Subrata Chanda et al. found that 20 % of pregnant women were underweight. Another study (2015) among low socio-economic pregnant women in Assam found that 34% were underweight before pregnancy (Inadequate Pre-Pregnancy BMI), and an alarming 82% experienced inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, alongside notable deficiencies in iron (63%), calcium (50%), and copper (40%). Qualitative research among tribal women in Tinsukia district (by Upasana Sarmah et al.) highlights those economic constraints, cultural beliefs, and low nutrition awareness lead to inadequate and monotonous maternal diets. Women often avoid locally available and nutritious foods like lemons or sweet potatoes, due to fears that they may harm the foetus. Additionally, intra-household food dynamics often result in pregnant women eating last or leftovers, and consumption of milk, fruits, and health drinks is rare.
During Antenatal Care (ANCs) visits, the pregnant women are being assessed for high-risk conditions. However, it is being observed that, none of the Pregnant women have been classified for high-risk nutritional status which has very high prevalence in state of Assam. This can also be contributory factor in low birth weight of newborn, maternal morbidity and mortality. According to a study conducted by Nandita Permaul et al, PW with BMI <18.5 have high probability of low birth weight (LBW), pre-term birth, still birth, neonatal death and other complication compared to PW with normal BM. Almost half (46%) of malnutrition, attributable to mortality, is associated with Low Birth Weight and short gestation or pre-term birth. This emphasizes on the need for improved health and nutrition during pregnancy, inclusive of age at marriage and at first pregnancy, to influence the pregnancy outcomes. Hence, it is imperative to accelerate the actions towards achieving continuity, coverage and quality of women’s’ nutrition interventions.
Women’s groups have been a key platform for discussion of issues that affect life of women and children. Self-help groups under national flagship of NRLM/SRLM have played key role in creating that enabling environment for promoting holistic development of women and children including health and nutrition domains. Group meetings, discussions, experience sharing, linkage to services and credits have been pillars of strength under SHG movement.
Note: Applicants to download the TOR attachment for details like qualification, experience, skillset, deliverables, deadlines, etc.