Consultancy: Nutritionist – Gaza Malnutrition Risk Assessment

Background

HelpAge International, together with local partners and with Amnesty International, is undertaking research to better understand the nutritional situation of older people in Gaza. Older people are among the most at risk in crisis contexts, yet their nutrition and health status are rarely documented systematically.

The current crisis in Gaza has disrupted food systems, health services, and coping mechanisms. This has placed older people in a particularly vulnerable position, but little empirical evidence exists to capture the extent of malnutrition and the specific risk factors affecting them.

This research will provide robust, disaggregated evidence on the nutritional status and vulnerabilities of older people in Gaza. The findings will be used to support advocacy and influence humanitarian actors, donors, and policy makers on the specific impacts of the crisis on older people.

Objectives

Generate timely, representative estimates of malnutrition among older people in Gaza to:

• Estimate prevalence of undernutrition/malnutrition using BMI and MUAC.
• Identify risk factors (dietary intake, access to food & nutrients, illness, displacement) using mini assessment.
• Support advocacy by providing robust, disaggregated evidence on the nutritional status and risks facing older people. This evidence will be used both to strengthen broader advocacy on the situation in Gaza and to inform policy makers, donors and humanitarian actors on the specific impact of the current crisis on older people.

Scope of Work

The consultant will provide technical leadership and oversight for this research, ensuring methodological rigor, credible findings, and clear presentation of evidence that contributes to the wider understanding of the crisis’ impact on older people.

Methodology & Tools

• With input from all partners, refine research design, sampling approach, and data collection tools.
• Ensure methods are aligned with international standards but adapted to Gaza’s context.

Quality Assurance

• Designed with all partners, ensure integrity of the sampling and data collection.
• Provide ongoing guidance to partners and monitor adherence to protocols.

Capacity Building & Supervision:

• Support partners to design training for enumerators in anthropometric measurements (BMI, MUAC, edema) and research ethics.
• Provide oversight to ensure research protocols are consistently followed.

Analysis & Reporting

• In conjunction with the partners, guide analysis and interpretation of results.
• With inputs from HelpAge International and the partner, draft a research report that highlights key findings, disaggregation, and risk patterns.
• Frame findings in ways that strengthen advocacy, policy influence, and public communication.

Deliverables

• Inception note with finalized research methodology and sampling plan.
• Field quality assurance note during data collection.
• Draft research report with analysis and recommendations.
• Final validated report (including annexes with methodology, tools, and data summary).

Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed over 45 days starting October 20th, 2025.

Skills and experience required

• Advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in nutrition assessments in humanitarian/emergency contexts.
• Expertise in anthropometric measurement protocols (BMI, MUAC, edema) with older populations.
• Strong background in sampling design, data quality assurance, and statistical analysis.
• Proven track record of high-quality reports and publications.
• Experience in conflict-affected settings; prior work in Gaza/MENA region desirable.
• Excellent coordination, mentoring, and communication skills.

Safeguarding

• Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Diversity & Inclusion

• HelpAge International is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all its employees/consultants while extending the culture of inclusion into our work.
• We believe that our workforce should reflect the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and that diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our work. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviours across our organisation and work regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status, and political beliefs.