CMAM Counter - Referral Mapping Consultant at Helen Keller International

Purpose

• The consultant will conduct a mapping exercise of counter-referrals and support systems in community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) centers in Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Ebonyi states, and the FCT.
• The Contractor shall use all reasonable efforts to perform the following services following the terms and conditions outlined in this agreement:

Background

• USAID Advancing Nutrition is the Agency’s flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, led byJSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners.Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners.
• The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement, and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity, and advance development. In Nigeria, the project aims to meet the following objectives.

Objectives of the Project

• Objective 1: Strengthen multi-sectoral linkages and coordination through technical assistance to the Government of Nigeria, the Mission, and implementing partners
• Objective 2: Support the Government of Nigeria to strengthen wasting prevention and treatment services
• Objective 3: Generate evidence and test innovative approaches to improve nutrition programming and inform future designs
• In an effort towards achieving its second objective, USAID Advancing Nutrition seeks to strengthen the capacities of the facility and community-based actors by providing relevant information through the mapping of counter-referral systems as a first step towards reducing the number of relapsed wasting cases.
• Therefore, USAID Advancing Nutrition, in collaboration with SMOH and in consultation with existing
• partners will undertake a counter-referral and support system mapping exercise.

Objective

• To provide local decision-makers with information to strengthen counter-referral systems to prevent relapse and prevent other children from becoming wasted.

Activities
The consultant will work in close collaboration with the USAID Advancing Nutrition MIYCN Advisor based in Abuja to do the following:

• Desk review: ensure review of relevant literature in line with the activity objective
• Develop interview guides: working closely with the MIYCN Advisor and the MEAL Advisor, design interview guides in line with the activity objective.
• Attend stakeholders’ meetings: ensure participation in familiarization meetings (physical or virtual) with relevant government stakeholders to ensure maximum support toward the success of this activity
• Conduct field travels to facilitate mapping exercises: working closely with the MIYCN Advisor, State Coordinators, and stakeholders in Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ebonyi states, and the FCT, the consultant will embark on at least a week journey per state to lead and conduct the mapping exercise.
• Document information: Ensure efficient notetaking of all relevant information for reporting.
• Progress Report: Share the progress report and challenges of ongoing mapping exercise for action where necessary
• Report: Write a comprehensive report of the mapping exercises and develop a referral directory for each CMAM site according to the findings for presentation.

Deliverables and Schedule
The contractor is responsible for the timely submission of the following deliverables, as part of the SOW:

The total LOE is approximately equivalent to [40] days.

All required deliverables and reports shall be submitted to USAID Advancing Nutrition

Tentative Timeline

• The anticipated duration to complete this task is 40 days, between January 30, 2023, and April 14, 2023.

Ethical and Legal Matters:

• The ownership of the draft and final documentation belongs to the agency and the funding donor exclusively. The document, or publication related to it, will not be shared with anybody except USAID Advancing Nutrition has approved of it. USAID Advancing Nutrition is to be the main addressee of the report. USAID Advancing Nutrition is likely to share the activity report with the following groups:
  • Donors
  • Various coordination bodies
  • Government stakeholders
• For independent consultancies, the consultant mustn’t have any links to project management or any other conflict of interest that would interfere with the independence of the activity.

Intellectual Property Right:

• All documentation related to the assignment (whether or not in the course of duties) shall remain the sole and exclusive property of USAID Advancing Nutrition.

Consultant Qualifications
The consultant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or a similar related field.
• 10+ years of experience in nutrition/ public health programming
• Knowledge of the management (prevention and treatment) of acute malnutrition especially ‘wasting’.
• Substantial knowledge of referral systems in health and (or) nutrition.
• Extensive experience in organizing and conducting mapping exercises (or similar) in Nigeria.
• Experience in writing high-level reports. Experience in writing high-level reports.
• Proficient in English (written and oral communication skills).
• Strong personal discipline and capacity to respect deadlines, even if under pressure.
• The ability to work closely in a team, to be patient, adaptable, and flexible.
• Relevant experience in similar work will be an added advantage.