Consultant - Terms of Reference for Development of Nutrition Operational Plans in WINNN Implementing Local Government Areas in Kebbi and Katsina State at Save The Children

Rationale for Local Operational Plan

• In the last three years, nutrition has received increased attention in Nigeria. The Nutrition Strategic plan of action (NSPAN) was reviewed and updated in 2015. The Nutrition strategic plan of action provides an overview of the priority nutrition interventions and strategic direction for nutrition in the health sector.
• It consolidates and builds upon various health sector strategies and effort such as the National Strategic Health Development Plans 2010-2015 and the Saving One million lives Initiative.
• At the federal level, Nigeria has developed several policies and action plans to address the issue of malnutrition with the overall goal of improving the nutritional status of all Nigerians. Some of these documents include: National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria (2001); National Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria (2004); and the National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria (2011).
• The National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria sets specific targets, which include reduction of severe and moderate malnutrition among children under five by 30% by 2010, and reduction of micronutrient deficiencies (principally of vitamin A, iodine and iron) by 50% by 2010.
• The plan of action sets specific targets for the reduction of stunting by 20% among children under five by 2018 and the reduction of low birth weight by 15% by 2018. 
• The NSPAN prioritizes key high impact-low cost interventions such as community management of acute malnutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Programs   and Micro Nutrient Deficiency that will have a significant impact on nutrition outcomes.
• Anecdotal evidence in Nigeria has shown that most policies in Nigeria remain at the level of adoption as there is a general lack of framework for policy implementation and monitoring at both state and local government levels.It is against the backdrop of the above that WINNN will be supporting LGAs to operationalize and domesticate state  nutrition policies and strategic plans by developing 5 years LGA specific plans.
• The purpose of the consultancy is to support local government  to develop 5 years nutrition strategic plan.
• Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN) is a 6-year project funded by DFID, which started in September 2011.
• The overall objective of the project is to reduce mortality through decreasing the incidence and prevalence of under nutrition in Nigeria with focus on Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara States.
• The programme is implemented by a partnership that includes UNICEF, Save the Children and Action against Hunger (ACF).
• The overall object of the WINNN programme is to build the capacity of the state and LGAs to implement nutrition interventions as routine services through existing PHC structures and to use evidence-based advocacy to improve political commitment to and government funding for nutrition interventions.

Consultants Duties and Responsibilities

• Under overall supervision of Nutrition Advocacy Advisor, the consultant will be responsible for formulating and facilitating the development of the local government nutrition operational plan for 3 LGAs in Kebbi and Katsina states.
• The consultant will work in close collaboration with project team in the states, Government counterparts i.e State Nutrition Officer, the State Committee for Food& Nutrition  and Federal/State Government agencies as well as UNICEF

Tasks

• Conduct  a review of the National Nutrition Policies  and strategic Plans
• Facilitate a five -day stakeholder meetings with LGA officials from the 3 implementing  LGAs in each of the targeted states (Kebbi & Katsina) to domesticate and cost LGA level Nutrition plans of action
• Facilitate a five -day stakeholder meetings with LGA officials from the 5 LGAs in each Katsina and Kebbi  to develop a costed  LGA Nutrition strategic plan of action
• Support local government  finalize  a costed plan of action in collaboration with Nutrition Partners in the local government

Expected Deliverables:

• Consultancy implementation workplan and TOR/agenda for workshops
• Inception report documenting findings from the desk review
• A costed Strategic Plan for LGAs (WINNN LGAs in Katsina and Kebbi)  One plan for each of the LGAs .
• Detailed report of the process

Key Competencies

• At least 7years working experience in International development
• Post Graduate degree in Health, Nutrition or social sciences.
• Good research methods and analytical skills.
• Evidence of similar work done (This should be submitted with the proposal/application).
• Working Knowledge of the Hausa Language.