Annual Global Nutrition Cluster Meeting

Nutrition Cluster Coordinators and Information Management Officers Meeting

Nairobi, Kenya, Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel

16 October 2015

Draft Agenda

Timing / Agenda Item / Moderator/Presenter/
Facilitator
09:00 – 09:15 / Introduction / Josephine Ippe, Global Nutrition Cluster Coordinator
09:15 – 9:30 / Review of the recommendations and action points from the previous meeting (Rome, 2014) / Josephine Ippe, GNC
09:30-10:30 / Challenges for advocacy? What capacities do we need for effective advocacy?
  • Brief description of the advocacy cycles and content for the advocacy toolkit [10 mins]
  • Group work on key challenges faced for developing and implementing advocacy and key elements the toolkit should include (20mins)
  • Feedback to plenary (20 mins)
  • Completion of case studies for the toolkit [20 mins]
  • Final remarks/ next steps (10 mins)
/ Elena and Sandra, ACF-UK
10:30 – 10:45 / Coffee break
10:45 – 11:45 / IYFC-E presentation: Challenges and What NCCs should know about IYCF-E programming in the MICs. / Save the Children
Christine Fernandes
11:45 – 12:45 / Sharing of experience of Kenya and FSAU in setting up nutrition surveillance or Nutrition Information systems – what are the enabler and how does effective system look like?
What advise can countries with no/weak nutrition surveillance system be given
How to better integrate nutrition indicators for emergency response as part of existing systems Guidance on calculation of needs when there isn’t enough information. / Grainne Moloney/Louise Mwirigi, UNICEF Kenya
12:45 – 13:45 / Lunch
13:45 – 14:15 / Developing and implementing nutrition cluster preparedness plans / Grace Omondi, GNC RRT
Megan Gayford (Save UK)
14:15 – 15:00 / Information Management Challenges and Ways Forward (discussion), to be consolidated from IM meeting (12 Oct) / Josephine Ippe, GNC
Anna Ziolkovska, GNC RRT
IMOs
15:00 – 15:15 / Coffee break
15:15-15:45 / Humanitarian Programme Cycle - Guidance Updates and Q&A / Ayadil Saparbekov, GNC
15:45 – 16:45 / GNC Help Desk: Lessons Learnedfrom the country clusters and ways forward / Josephine Ippe, GNC
Geraldine Bellocq, GNC Help Desk
16:45-17:00 / Wrap-up and ways forward / Josephine Ippe, GNC

Nutrition Cluster Coordinator Meeting

Rome, 15 September 2014

Recommendations and action points

No / Action Point / Recommendation / Progress
1 / Limited availability of quality (and causal) data for developing a response plan and influencing decisions, often due to limited staff and capacity as well as lack of systems for assessment and analysis. There is need to review what the gaps are in terms of guidance on assessments, data collection and presentation methods. It was suggested that perhaps this is something the IM Taskforce could take forward.
2 / Undefined technical support for country clusters on assessments, data analysis, quality assurance and information management. There was an informal expression of interest by some global partners to provide organized support on these topics. Additionally, a concept note for a technical surge team, which includes expertise in these issues, has been developed, though it remains unfunded. / The GNC Help Desk was established in June 2015: provides “hand-on” support to all country clusters on coordination and technical NiE issues, facilitates NCC calls and experience exchange
A consortium of NGOs led by IMC organised itself to form the NiE Technical RRT team – CMAM, IYCF-E and Assessments to benefit all clusters
3 / Delayed response due to administrative procedures required to issue Project Corporation Agreements (PCA) and release funds. As the actions needed under this constraint are to be taken by the CLA at country level, an action point was developed for the GNC; however, this issue can be taken up with the CLA and the NCC as part of the preparedness actions by the CLA.
4 / Human resource capacity in government and NGOs is limited in terms of technical skills (CMAM, IYCF and data collection/analysis/use) and ability to scale up programming response. Skills’ sharing at country level is not being incentivized. GNC capacity building efforts focus on coordination, it was requested that global partners continue their support with technical capacity building initiatives. The Harmonized Training Package is part of the WP and can support these efforts. / Capacity mapping tool is being updated as a part of the IM Toolkit. This should help identify capacity gaps, including in knowledge and skills of the partners that could be addressed by cluster partners, including UNICEF.
5 / Strategic response planning (SRP) process and OCHA reports can be time consuming and are often met short deadlines and often do not coincide with other reporting processes. There is a recognized need to include government and sub-national level structures more in this process. Countries can work with governments and sub-national structures to identify and routinely collect necessary data for on-going reporting processes to increase involvement of actors and have data available in a timely manner. Additionally, the Humanitarian Country team agrees the timeline for HNO and SRP development so the NCC has an opportunity to influence this at country level. At global level, the GNC-CT will also advocate with OCHA for specific issues if formerly articulated by NCC/IMO. / New HRP/HNO calendar circulated to all clusters in July 2015 ahead of the process.
6 / CMAM is often the focus of the emergency response with limited assessment and planning for IYCF and micronutrients programmes, often due to lack of capacity. A concept note for a technical surge team, which includes expertise in these issues, has been developed. It remains unfunded.
7 / Inter-sectoral linkages are recognized as an important component to ensure an effective response. At a strategic level they are being articulated but they remain an operational challenge, as they require continuous engagement and commitment of a variety of actors. This is an area for continued advocacy at country and global level. The WP includes the development of guidance for inter-cluster response planning from nutrition perspective. Additionally, discussions have started within the Health, WASH and Food Security Clusters on the same issue. Learning on country experiences around this could also contribute to the knowledge management activities in the WP. / An inter-cluster matrix will be part of the IM Toolkit
8 / While some countries have succeeded in accessing requested resources, leveraging resources in protracted emergencies is challenging. An advocacy plan for the GNC will be developed as part of this WP; it is a funded activity and will commence shortly. Learning on successful country experiences could contribute to the knowledge management activities in the WP. Additionally the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement is developing technical briefs that could be used for advocacy purposes.
9 / Limited experience in national advocacy (outside emergency funding and IYCF messaging) yet recognized need. An advocacy plan for the GNC will be developed as part of this WP; it is a funded activity and will commence shortly. However there do exist advocacy resources for use at country level including the UNICEF advocacy toolkit and Nutrition Cluster handbook. Additionally the SUN movement is developing technical briefs that could be used for advocacy purposes. / The GNC is working with ACF-UK to develop a country toolkit for advocacy. Will be presented in the Annual meeting
10 / Limited experience or guidance on transition (phase-out) and preparedness and linking cluster efforts in these to wider initiatives such as SUN/REACH. The GNC-CT has initiated discussions with the SUN Movement Secretariat in Geneva and the articulation of how the GNC links with initiatives such as SUN, REACH and other global initiative is part of the advocacy work to be undertaken for the GNC by ACF. Additionally, UNICEF has commissioned a study on the learning from cluster to sector in nutrition response where some of these issues will be looked at and documented in detail. / The work is ongoing with UNICEF PD on transition – will be presented at the Annual Meeting.
All NCCs were asked to provide comments to the joint GNC-SUN paper.
11 / While there have been some initiatives, outside of the GNC Annual Meeting, there is an undefined process for capturing and sharing experiences and learning across country clusters[1]. A concept note has been written to support the development of a knowledge management process for country clusters; this remains unfunded. Additionally, UNICEF has commissioned a study on the learning from cluster to sector in nutrition response where some of these issues will be looked at and documented in detail. / The GNC is working with ENN to document country cluster experiences/lessons learned. Will be presented in the Annual meeting
Activity/issue proposed /raised during the GNC meeting / Summary of discussion and action points / Progress
Oct 2015
GNC business
Clarifying practically the Nutrition cluster role in preparedness activities (e.g. need systems for data collection to ensure it happens) / JI clarified that role of the NCC is to coordinate cluster input into the preparedness plan for the country and when event happened – to mobilize partners to respond. In Myanmar the NCC and Cluster role was to define minimum preparedness actions, prepare contact list of people to be deployed if needed, and provide coordinated sector input to the overall strategic plan for the country. In Sudan the role of the Cluster was to develop guidance notes for known hazards with identified resources, prepositioned supplies, list of cluster members to be deployed, etc. Somalia IMO raised an issue of IMO contribution to preparedness plans and what IMO’s role should be.
Action Points: GNC-CT to collate good examples on preparedness actions from countries to compliment what was heard from the three countries examples (Pakistan, Myanmar and Somalia) and consolidate this and share good examples of preparedness plans amongst the clusters countries and post on the website.
Based on country examples GNC-CT to develop a check-list to guide NCCs in development of contingency plans. In the check-list to clarify responsibilities of IMO and NCC. / On-going. The Preparedness Checklist is being developed by the GNC. Will be presented at the Annual meeting.
Clarification of the role of the nutrition cluster IMO vis-à-vis CLA IMO activities / CLA IMO should focus on UNICEF-specific information management activities, while Cluster IMO should focus on collective information management activities, however in some countries IMOs are double-hatting. There is also a felt lack of understanding from the CLA r UNICEF on what the responsibilities of Cluster IMO are and requests IMO to serve UNICEF interests. Therefore a guidance is needed in this regard. It was highlighted that such guidance should also advocate for a need for an IMO in each cluster.
Action point: GNC-CT will get in touch with countries to collect examples of ToRs for IMOs (cluster and UNICEF) and will look into complementarities in order to prepare a short note on cluster visa-vis CLA IMO.
OCHA engagement and resources for IMOs to access technical support / GNC-CT updated the participants about a Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) that is has signed with ACF to develop an IM toolkit and training package for IMOs. Currently GNC-CT is recruiting IMO RRT to provide remote support to countries on IM. This two activities are expected to enhance the support being provided to IMOs including technical support as we cannot depend on OCHA for this.
CAP/SRP tips / CAP tips were developed by the GNC-CT in 2012, but it is recognised that they should be updated in line with the current SRP guidance.
An NCC advocated the importance of including in the CAP/SRP tips the use of incidence for caseload calculation vis-à-vis prevalence, so that case load estimates will be compatible across countries. This issue was raised due to the fact that, OCHA in some countries insists on the use of prevalence for target calculations.
Action points: GNC-CT to update CAP/SRP tips and to share with countries for input and also with OCHA at global level to initiate this discussion.
GNC-CT to include caseload estimation tips (such as using incidence instead of prevalence) to the CAP/SRP tips. / HRP tips document is updated and shared for comments
Improve caseload estimate methods / GNC-CT had a preliminary discussion with UNCIEF on caseload estimation methods. Once discussed and agreed upon, the guidance will be shared with countries.
Action point: GNC-CT to share caseload estimation guidance with countries once developed (and with OCHA for information) / The template for caseload calculation is a part of the IM toolkit to be presented at the GNC Annual meeting.
Provide guidance for NCC /IMO to carry out field monitoring of coordination activities / There is an expectation in some countries that NCCs should conduct field monitoring missions, however it is not clear what should be monitored. It was clarified that programme field monitoring is not the role of the NCC/IMO.
Action point: GNC-CT to develop guidance for field monitoring which clearly indicates purpose of monitoring / A field monitoring checklist is developed.
NCC to take care of
How to ensure engagement of sub-national clusters in SRP/how to ensure SRP takes into account sub-region feedback/inputs / The problem with sub-regional feedback engagement in Somalia is access that makes difficult to participate in the meeting, therefore national level builds capacity of government and sub-national focal points and follows up with them on all meeting minutes’ recommendations is what is being undertaken by the Somali cluster in order to strengthen subnational level engagement in the SRP development, but it still remains challenging.
In Myanmar, the focus is on two parts of the country, where a sub-national coordination mechanism was established. National NCC will go there next week to facilitate SRP workshops, this would be followed by a national SRP workshop that would take into account sub-national discussions.
Afghanistan raised an issue of short time to develop SRP that does not allow comprehensive consultations with sub-national level. It is therefore recommended that, when global guidance is developed on yearly basis it is necessarily to make sure that OCHA allowed sufficient time for SRP development and engagement with sub-national level. Another suggestion made by Afghanistan is the need for proactivity by the NCC as it is possible to start SRP preparation earlier without official start of the SRP planning process as this can allow for consolation period with
Action point: GNC-CT to get in touch with each cluster to find out which actions were taken for sub-national level consultations and to prepare recommendations to OCHA on realistic timeframe for SRP planning.
Generating government buy-in around improved nutrition coordination / In Sudan at country level coordination of the cluster is rotational with partners and government office chairing meetings. To generate government buy-in cluster works on working close with the government, creating trust and building relationships.
In Afghanistan, cluster provides technical assistance to the government by seconding someone to the ministry to support government and build its capacity. This person works closely with the Cluster and serves as a liaison person.
In Myanmar technical nutrition meetings are held on a quarterly basis with all partners including both development and humanitarian actors and government. Myanmar sector coordination group also supports capacity development of the MoH.
In Niger over a year government is a chair and is involved in the coordination. The problem is not government commitment but its capacity
Action point: GNC-CT to get in touch with each cluster to find out actions taken to involve government, collate experience and prepare a check list of government engagement for the cluster.
Improve inter-sectoral linkages at country level to facilitate joint programming / There are global initiatives on inter-sectoral linkages and a framework at global level is under development. In SRP/CAP tips there is a section on inter-sectorial planning
Action point: GNC-CT to get in touch with each cluster to find out actions taken to improve inter-sectoral linkages, collate experience and prepare recommendations on inter-sectoral linkages
Funding cycles and fundraising to facilitate country response / This is concern that UN and donors funding cycle is not in line with the partners’ funding cycle. The new SRP guidance allows for a multi-year SRP for a country and decision on this lies with the HCT. NCC can raise the issue in the HCT through the CLA representative. For example in Niger, SRP is for 3 years with yearly funding, in Afghanistan the work plan is for 2 year. There is an example in Afghanistan of cluster advocacy leading donors to change their funding cycles in line with sector’s requirements.
Action point: GNC to collate examples of how funding cycles of donors are being influenced in countries by clusters’ advocacy and to identify a window of opportunity for advocacy.
Action points from IMOs side meeting
Dedicated IMO annual meeting / Action point: Anna to get in touch with IMOs on what IM specific actions are to be taken in relation to IMO side meeting action points. / 12 October 2015
IMO workshop to share experience
IMOs contribution to the GNC bulletin
Continue Skype group for IMOs / Ongoing.
Guidance on building dashboards with Tableau / Action point: Guidance on building dashboards with Tableau and guidance and a template for use of ActivityInfo to be incorporated in the IM toolkit that is being developed
GNC guidance and a template for use of ActivityInfo

[1] Issues identified that would benefit from consolidation of learning across countries include: strategic response planning process, transition plans and response, preparedness activities and strategies, engaging development actors and networks in preparedness, contingency planning, resource mobilization- what works in different contexts and commonalities across similar contexts (sudden onset, protracted emergencies and sector coordination).