Call for Expression of Interest - State Program Management Consultant(s) for Vitamin A Supplement Project. at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Health programming for CRS in Nigeria has undergone significant growth over the past 2        years and currently includes projects in the areas of malaria, HIV, childhood       tuberculosis, polio eradication, nutrition, WASH and health systems strengthening. The            VAS M&E Consultant will facilitate high quality VAS programming as well as position CRS    in Nigeria for growth in Nutrition/MNCH programming.

CRS has received funding from Micronutrient Initiative (MI), an international not for profit NGOwith its headquarter in Ottawa, Canada and a country office in Abuja Nigeria. MI supports and promotes food fortification and micronutrient supplementation    program in developing countries including Nigeria. MI program focus in Nigeria include promotion of vitamin A supplementation, salt iodization, iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant women and use of Zinc and low-osmolarity ORS in the management of childhood diarrhea. Since 1997, MI provided more than 75% of the vitamin A required for supplementation programs in developing countries–more than 8 billion capsules and oral doses of vitamin A. MI in collaboration with CCPN have developed a robust VAS SBCC strategy to improve VAS using the MNCH Week as the delivery platform. 

In addition, although recent monitoring reports suggest that health personnel have been trained to provide MNCH-Week in most of the 14 MI priority states, it is difficult to ascertain content of training. Moreover, training is not standardized across states and local government areas and may not be provided in accordance with the MNCHWs  guidelines. CRS in collaboration with MI will support the production and distribution of job-aids for VAS as well as the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of VAS during the November 2017 MNCH Weeks in Gombe and Plateau states.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONSULTANCY

•  The Vitamin A Supplement project has four (4) specific objectives. These include:
• To increase coverage of Vitamin A supplementation in Gombe and Plateau    States;
• To roll out the recently developed VAS-SBCC strategy in Gombe and Plateau  States;
• To support Gombe and Plateau States to effectively plan and implement the November 2017 MNCHW;
• To support the states to provide high quality and effective monitoring and    supportive supervision during the November 2017 MNCHW.

DELIVERABLES:

 Program Quality

• Monitor and coordinate the state level planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of the November 2017 MNCH Weeks in Gombe and Plateau states;
• Roll out the developed VAS SBCC strategy in Plateau and Gombe states. This will involve:
• Engaging with the primary health care development agencies in the project states to quantify and plan for VAS-SBCC material dissemination.
• Ensure distribution of all VAS-SBCC materials including job-aids, stickers, posters etc. within the state;
• Support the state PHCDAs to plan and implement the VAS-SBCC strategy and training of frontline health workers at state level on how to use the materials.
• Actively participate in the state level training.
• Provide technical support to State PHCDA in LGA level training including orientation of town announcers using the key messages developed.
• Planning for MNCHW in Gombe and Plateau states. This will involve: Support the project states to initiate early planning for November 2017 MNCHW including advocacies and preparation of detailed work plan and budgets to facilitate early release of funds by the government.
• Support state to align implementation dates with national date through early planning and identifying reasons for shortfalls.
• Participate and provide technical support in the development of micro-plans at state level.
• Facilitate and participate in post MNCHW review meetings in the project states after the November, 2017 MNCHW.
• Quality MNCHW monitoring and supervision during the November 2017 MNCHW.
• Support the M&E Consultant to refine the e-based monitoring platform.
•  Recruit, train, and manage NYSC Youth Corpers as independent monitors to conduct monitoring of MNCHW activities in the project states.
•  Participate in monitoring and supervision of MNCHW activities in project states and selected LGAs.
• Support the M&E consultant to train independent monitors on use of the electronic platform and the development of a harmonized monitoring report.

Financial & Operational

• Manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources for project in the states.  
• Representation, Coordination and Advocacy
• Develop strong relationships with state stakeholders in key government ministries and agencies – SMoH and SPHCDAs.
• Represent CRS at all MNCH Week technical review meetings at the states.

 PLANNING & LOGISTICS
Travel to Abuja, Gombe and Plateau states will be required for this consultancy service.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• University degree or its equivalent in health, nutrition, public health or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience in Health and Nutrition programs.
• Demonstrated experience in VAS Programming, Nutrition and/or Public Health programs including VAS, USI, child survival and maternal health and nutrition programs.
• Experience working with an international NGO and at the community level, will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize competing demands Strategic, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Professional proficiency in English oral and written communication skills; strong demonstrated writing skills required (reports, evaluations).
• Must be domiciled in or willing to work in the project states and selected LGAs for the project implementation.
• Must be personable, tactful, culture sensitive, respectful, confidential and trustworthy.

TIMELINE/DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
This assignment will be completed between September 25, 2017 and March 29, 2018 (6          months).

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
CRS HSS Unit, MI VAS team and other VAS Partners, Plateau and Gombe State Ministry of Health & State Primary Health Care Staff, Plateau & Gombe State Health Workers and Community members.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Payments will be made monthly upon achievement of deliverables set at the beginning of every month based on agreed work plans at the point of engagement.

Please note that CRS will deduct and remit to the Federal Inland Revenue (FIR) a 5% withholding Tax from the total consultancy fees in accordance with the Nigerian Tax Law.