Consultant for Baseline Showing Present State of Nutrition Governance & Readiness of Stakeholders on Becoming Functional at National & Focal States at Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)

Background
The Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) is a project designed to strengthen the Nigeria nutrition systems to be more Result-driven, Effective, Serviceable, Efficient and Transparent (RESET). This is to facilitate the delivery of Nutrition interventions and to hold government accountable on commitments made to allocate, release and use transparently funds for implementation of high impact Nutrition interventions in Nigeria through evidence-based advocacy.

Malnutrition in Nigeria is caused by several factors including lack of food, improper feeding and caring practices, economic and political structures, low status and lack of education among women, etc. Therefore, a multi-sectoral approach is required for a reduction and eventual eradication of the scourge. The UNICEF conceptual framework (UNICEF 2013) brings to the fore the need for multi-actors, disciplines, sectors and systems in this effort as evidence increasingly suggests that solving malnutrition can benefit from a systems approach (WHO 2009; Hammond & Dube’ 2012).

PINNs project adopts a systems approach to strengthening bodies burdened with the responsibility of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. It pays attention to the unpredictable interaction among factors, sectors, disciplines and determinants of nutrition, bringing to the table key tools and technical support required for the effective coordination and implementation of programs. PINNs seeks to focus on strengthening governance, policy implementation, effective coordination, financing, building the capacity of state actors, generation and effective communication of evidence and promoting accountability. This collective effort will contribute to a reduction in malnutrition, thereby improving the nutritional status of Nigerians, particularly women and children. The organizational capacity of CS-SUNN to become a leading voice on nutrition advocacy in Nigeria by deepening expertise gained from the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project and building new ones is also one of the goals the project intends to achieve.

Rationale

• The nutritional status of the Nigerian women of reproductive age and children under-five is inadvertently affected by the state of the Nutrition Governance system.
• For instance, poor coordination of key nutrition stakeholders will lead to poor implementation of nutrition programmes and this will affect beneficiaries and vulnerable groups.
• As CS-SUNN strives to support sustainable progress towards reducing malnutrition, it is important to understand the state of nutrition governance and functionality of key stakeholders both at the National and state levels.
• This information will enable the Coalition to build a body of evidence aimed at strengthening the governance system, building the capacity of state actors, conducting advocacies on identified gaps and promoting accountability within the system.

Purpose of Assignment

• The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a baseline study showing present state of nutrition governance and readiness of key stakeholders to become more functional at National and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa)

Specific Tasks
The specific tasks for the consultants are to:

• Develop a baseline study design to show state of nutrition governance and readiness of key stakeholders to become more functional at National and focal states
• Develop and produce baseline study tool
• Map nutrition stakeholders at the National and focal states and clearly define functionality indicators
• Conduct baseline study
• Develop comprehensive report that shows gaps and barriers to nutrition governance optimum functionality with recommendations.
• Write a report on the assignment. A draft version will be submitted to CS-SUNN for feedback and a final version within 10 working days of the end of the assignment.
• Work closely with CS-SUNN project team, state actors and state chapters in focal states

Expected Outputs
By the end of the assignment the following outputs will be expected:

• A final report on baseline study showing present state of nutrition governance and readiness of key stakeholders on becoming more functional at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa).
• Summary of report with key recommendation of not more than 10 pages
• Submit study designs and tools used.
• Draft and final reports submitted on time

Type of Consultants Required

• The consultant should have extensive knowledge of the Nigerian health/Nutrition systems and policy landscape with experience in implementing public health programmes, especially MNCH and nutrition-related services.
• The consultant will be expected to have an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Planning, Policy and Management, Epidemiology, Health Economics and Financing, Public Policy, Nutrition, Sociology and related disciplines.
• S/He should have an indebt understanding of how the Nigeria Nutrition Systems work, the challenges and how to address gaps and way forwards. S/He must also be vast in collecting and analyzing both quantitative/qualitative data.

Timing of Consultancy:

• The assignment will be carried out in Abuja and focal states (Lagos, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna) and will last for 20 working days in the month of May 2018.