Nutrition Assessment Consultant - Port Harcourt at VillageReach

Description
State-Level Consultant for Nutrition Ecosystem Assessment – Nigeria:
Background:

• VillageReach supports health systems strengthening initiatives that improve equitable access to essential health services and commodities.
• In Nigeria, VillageReach is supporting efforts to better understand the drivers of nutrition outcomes across states.
• Nutrition outcomes vary significantly across Nigerian states despite similar national policies and programs.
• This variation suggests that system-level factors—including governance, financing, service delivery, workforce capacity, supply chains, and information systems—play an important critical role in shaping nutrition performance.
• VillageReach is conducting a rapid nutrition ecosystem diagnostic to identify operational and system-level enablers that contribute to stronger nutrition outcomes.
• The assessment applies the WHO Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) building blocks framework to examine how different system components interact to influence nutrition outcomes.
• The assessment will be conducted in selected Nigerian states using a mixed-methods approach that includes qualitative consultations, document reviews, and a structured review of existing quantitative data.
• Findings from each state assessment will contribute to a cross-state synthesis across selected states to identify common system enablers and support systems learning.
• VillageReach will provide the assessment tools, interview guides, and analytical framework, while state-level consultants will be responsible for implementing the data collection and documenting structured findings and state-level insights.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

• The purpose of this consultancy is to support the implementation of a rapid nutrition ecosystem assessment at the state level.
• The assessment will generate qualitative insights and draw on existing quantitative data to understand system drivers influencing nutrition outcomes.
• The consultant will engage key stakeholders, collect and analyze data, document findings using structured tools, and develop a concise state insight brief. These outputs will contribute to a cross-state synthesis across selected Nigerian states led by VillageReach.

Scope of Work

• The consultant will implement the state-level nutrition ecosystem assessment using standardized tools and guidance provided by VillageReach.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Validate and refine pre-developed stakeholder lists
• Engage state-level government gatekeepers and relevant authorities to secure approvals and facilitate the assessment.
• Coordinate with the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and nutrition focal persons
• Coordinate and schedule interviews and consultations with key stakeholders.

Qualitative Data Collection:

• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) with government officials, program managers, implementing partners, and technical experts.
• Facilitate focused consultations where required.
• Capture detailed notes using structured templates provided on key system domains, including governance, financing, service delivery, workforce, supply chains, and information systems related to nutrition programming.

Document Review:

• Collect and review relevant state-level documents (e.g., policies, strategies, program reports).
• Extract key information using provided templates.
• Quantitative Data Review and Extraction
• Extract relevant state-level nutrition data and program indicators from existing sources (e.g., DHIS2, state reports, dashboards, logistics data).
• Use quantitative data to contextualize and triangulate qualitative findings.
• points with relevant state stakeholders where needed.
• Document all data sources and clearly note any limitations, gaps, or inconsistencies.

Structured Documentation of Findings:

• Complete all data collection templates, including KII summaries, document review templates, and quantitative data extraction sheets.
• Organize findings according to predefined domains aligned with the WHO Health Systems Strengthening framework.
• Ensure all findings are clearly sourced and attributable.
• State-Level Insight Generation
• Develop a concise state-level insight brief summarizing key nutrition ecosystem enablers, operational challenges, and emerging patterns and contextual insights.
• Highlight priority issues for further analysis.

Collaboration and Clarifications:

• Participate in follow-up discussions to clarify findings as needed.
• Respond to feedback on submitted outputs.

Deliverables:

• Stakeholder engagement log and list of consultations conducted.
• Completed KII
• Completed document review and data extraction templates
• Extracted quantitative dataset with sources documented
• State insight brief
• Participation in clarification discussions, as needed.

Reporting and Coordination:

• The consultant will report to the VillageReach Nigeria Country Team Lead.

VillageReach will provide:

• Assessment tools and templates
• Data collection and documentation guidance
• Analytical framework
• Technical guidance and quality assurance
• VillageReach will lead ecosystem mapping, cross-state synthesis, and final reporting.

Requirements
Required Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Health Systems, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in public health, nutrition programming, or health systems assessments.
• Demonstrated experience conducting mixed-methods research or assessments.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s health and nutrition systems.
• Experience engaging government stakeholders and development partners.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

Required Competencies:

• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex system insights into clear findings.
• Experience conducting qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Familiarity with health systems strengthening approaches.