Jessica Meeker1, Abigail Perry1, Carmel Dolan2, Colleen Emary3, Kate Golden4, Caroline Abla5, Anne Walsh6, Ali Maclaine7, Andrew Seal1. 1. 1 UCL Institute for Global Health, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK. 2. 2 Emergency Nutrition Network, Oxford, UK. 3. 3 World Vision International, Nutrition Centre of Expertise, hosted by World Vision Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. 4. 4 Concern Worldwide, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. 5. 5 International Medical Corps, NW, Washington, DC, USA. 6. 6 Valid International, Oxford, UK. 7. 7 Save the Children UK, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There is a recognised need to strengthen capacity in the nutrition in emergencies sector and for greater clarity on the role of emergency nutritionists and the skills they require. Competency frameworks are an important tool for human resource development and have been developed for several other humanitarian sectors. We therefore developed a technical competency framework for practitioners in nutrition in emergencies. DESIGN: Existing competency frameworks were reviewed and interviews conducted to explore methods used in developing competency frameworks for other sectors. Competencies were identified through interviews with field experts, feedback from course trainees, academic course content and job specifications. Competencies were then categorised and behavioural indicators developed for each. The draft framework was then reviewed by members of the Global Nutrition Cluster and modified in an iterative process. SETTING: Global. SUBJECTS: Not applicable. RESULTS: A wide range of competencies were identified as essential for nutritionists working in emergencies, covering technical skills and general core competencies. The proposed framework contains twenty competency areas with 161 behavioural indicators categorised into three levels, corresponding to the requirements of progressively more senior roles. Many of the competencies are common across development and emergency nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technical competency framework should prove to be a valuable tool in creating standards within the sector and promoting effective capacity strengthening and professionalisation. Continued research is needed to validate the framework, optimise methods for assessment, develop approaches to integrate it within the sector and measure its impact on performance.
OBJECTIVE: There is a recognised need to strengthen capacity in the nutrition in emergencies sector and for greater clarity on the role of emergency nutritionists and the skills they require. Competency frameworks are an important tool for human resource development and have been developed for several other humanitarian sectors. We therefore developed a technical competency framework for practitioners in nutrition in emergencies. DESIGN: Existing competency frameworks were reviewed and interviews conducted to explore methods used in developing competency frameworks for other sectors. Competencies were identified through interviews with field experts, feedback from course trainees, academic course content and job specifications. Competencies were then categorised and behavioural indicators developed for each. The draft framework was then reviewed by members of the Global Nutrition Cluster and modified in an iterative process. SETTING: Global. SUBJECTS: Not applicable. RESULTS: A wide range of competencies were identified as essential for nutritionists working in emergencies, covering technical skills and general core competencies. The proposed framework contains twenty competency areas with 161 behavioural indicators categorised into three levels, corresponding to the requirements of progressively more senior roles. Many of the competencies are common across development and emergency nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technical competency framework should prove to be a valuable tool in creating standards within the sector and promoting effective capacity strengthening and professionalisation. Continued research is needed to validate the framework, optimise methods for assessment, develop approaches to integrate it within the sector and measure its impact on performance.
Authors: Kim Bergeron; Samiya Abdi; Kara DeCorby; Gloria Mensah; Benjamin Rempel; Heather Manson Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-11-28 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Jessica C Fanzo; Matthew M Graziose; Klaus Kraemer; Stuart Gillespie; Jessica L Johnston; Saskia de Pee; Eva Monterrosa; Jane Badham; Martin W Bloem; Alan D Dangour; Richard Deckelbaum; Achim Dobermann; Patrizia Fracassi; Sm Moazzem Hossain; John Ingram; Johann C Jerling; C J Jones; Stefanus Indrayana Jap; Lynnda Kiess; Quinn Marshall; Keith Martin; Anuradha Narayan; Mary Amuyunzu-Nayamongo; Fré Pepping; Keith P West Journal: Adv Nutr Date: 2015-11-13 Impact factor: 8.701