Consultant - Conduct Menstrual Health and Hygiene Related Policy Desk Review and Analysis at Save The Children

Introduction

• Menstrual hygiene and health (MHH) remain a pressing public health and social issue in Nigeria, with millions of women and girls facing significant barriers to managing their periods safely and with dignity.
• A major challenge is period poverty, which encompasses the lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and limited education on menstrual health.
• This often forces girls to rely on unsafe alternatives such as cloth or tissue paper, increasing their vulnerability to infections and health complications.
• Cultural stigma and harmful taboos surrounding menstruation further silence open conversations, deepen misinformation, and contribute to feelings of shame, particularly among adolescent girls.
• The consequences of poor menstrual hygiene management are far-reaching, especially in the education sector, where many schoolgirls miss classes or drop out due to inadequate support during menstruation.
• However, Save the Children commits to supporting addressing these challenges and improving MHH.
• In Cross River state, we have the yearly distribution of Dignity Kit in Schools, awareness creation and campaigns and empowerment and training of Adolescents and Adults in production of Reusable Sanitary pad, and provision of Hygiene and Sanitation items in schools.
• However, there are still systemic gaps.
• A sustainable solution to these challenges requires a coordinated approach that integrates relevant government policies and strengthens active stakeholder engagement.
• Save the Children is seeking to engage a highly skilled Policy Expert. This expert will support the desk review and analysis of existing policies and legal frameworks across relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) at the National and in Cross River State and develop a policy brief with strategic recommendations for the development or improvement of Menstrual health-related policies.
• The consultant will conduct in-depth policy reviews, engage key stakeholders, to identify policy gaps or opportunities for strengthening implementation, and propose practical evidence-based recommendations to inform advocacy efforts with Cross River state decision-makers.

Background

• The arrival of Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria has presented a new dimension to the already complex humanitarian situation in Cross River State.
• According to a July 2024 UNHCR Nigeria-Cameroonian Refugees Overview, the Nigerian refugee response operation hosts 68,410 refugees, of which 12,127 are men, 20,509 are women, and 35,774 are children. It is anticipated that the Cameroon conflict will continue to displace an additional 10,000 refugees this year. Among these, 30% (20,660) are registered in the refugee settlements in Cross River State (8,070 in Adagom 1, 3,070 in Adagom 3, 2,760 in Ukende), and in Benue State (6,760 reside in Ikyogen). The remaining 70% (40,370 persons) reside in host communities in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
• Addressing gaps in MHH, since 2019, Save the Children has been intervening in three settlements in Cross River States. There are 3 settlements in Cross River state which include: Okende, Adagom 1, and Adagom 3. In 2024, the Berglund Family Foundation, expanded to four additional schools in Boki Local Government Area in Cross River State, for a total of 16 supported schools. Activities included the establishment of environmental health clubs, training on production of reusable Sanitary Pad, and provision of sanitation and hygiene items to learners.
• The environmental health clubs implemented various initiatives to promote healthy habits, increase access to sanitary pads and maintain the cleanliness of the school/community.

Purpose, Objectives and Scope

• This desk review and analysis will be carried out to identify MHH policy gaps or opportunities for strengthening implementation and propose practical evidence-based recommendations to inform advocacy efforts with lawmakers.
• This in-depth study will cross-cut policies, strategic papers, roadmaps briefs from all related line ministries to Menstrual Health and Hygiene management, to deliver on gaps, recommendations and policy briefs that promotes menstrual health and hygiene literacy, addresses stigma, supports gender equality and ensures safe hygiene practices in schools across Cross River state.
• This will be utilized to engage with relevant stakeholders to integrate MHH education into the school’s curriculum.

Specific Objectives:

• To conduct a comprehensive desk review and analysis of existing MHH-related policies, strategies and implementation frameworks across relevant Government ministries, departments and agencies at the national and Cross Rivers state.
• To identify policy gaps and opportunities for strengthening menstrual health and hygiene to provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations that can inform advocacy efforts and policy reform.

Intended Audience:

• The primary intended audience of the assignment include Heads of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, CBOs, Community members, children and Adolescents
• The Policy desk review and analysis will help to inform high level advocacy in bridging MHH knowledge Gaps through introduction of MHH in school curriculum, increase access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools among others.

Policy Sources:

• All Policies, legal frameworks, sectorial strategies and Road Map to be reviewed will be sourced by the consultant from relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), such as Ministries of Health, Education, Women Affairs, Labour, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA) among others.
• Save the Children will provide guidance on engaging certain mapped stakeholders to add value to overall Outcome. The consultant will reference all documents reviewed with explanation and justification.
• The consultant is required to adhere to the Save the Children Child Safeguarding; Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying; and Data Protection and Privacy policies throughout all process.

Ethical Considerations:

It is expected that the ethical considerations for engaging Vulnerable persons and children will be a joint responsibility between the consultant and technical leadership from SCI:

• Risk Assessment: SCI team will conduct a thorough risk assessment highlighting mitigation plans to address any risk related to the participation of children, adolescents, and adults especially for children with disabilities in the Analysis. The risk assessment will be approved by the Safeguarding team.
• Informed Consent: It is expected to obtain informed consent from all respondents participating in the activity.
• Confidentiality and Data Protection: Ensure adherence to all SCI data protection policies by ensuring the protection of data during all stages—collection, storage, transfer, analysis, and reporting. The consultant will be guided to ensure measures are put in place to protect the identity of all participants and any other information that may put them or others at risk
• Child Safeguarding and Protection: through SCI technical lead, establish a referral mechanism to handle any child safeguarding or protection issues that may arise during the study. The Consultant will be taken through the SCI Safeguarding policy.
• Inclusive. SCI will ensure that children from different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds have the chance to participate, as well as children with disabilities and children who may be excluded or discriminated against in their community.

Experience and skill set required

Individual consultants who respond to the application must meet the following criteria to be considered, Consultant must have demonstrated skills, expertise and experience in:

Essential Criteria:

• Agrees to comply with Save the Children standard policies and procedures
• Successfully completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, such as Public Health, Medical Sciences, Policy Study and Analysis, Social Sciences or related courses

Capability Criteria (technical):

• Evidence of minimum of three years’ experience designing and carrying out quality policy review, analysis and recommendations, for one or more of the following thematic areas:
• Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Health and Nutrition
• Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management
• Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health
• Climate, Environment Economics
• Evidence of experience working in development or Humanitarian settings
• Evidence of being engaged with Government Stakeholders and CBOs
• Evidence showing training experience in Policy review, analysis and Policy Briefs writing
• Evidence showing Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Evidence showing Excellent written skills in English.
• Evidence of working experience in Nigeria or similar contexts
• Evidence of working in Cross River State.