Terms of Reference - B3H_FFP_Porridge Mum Operational Research for Action Against Hunger’s Intervention at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Project and Study Summary Table
Reference of the Assessment B3H FFP Porridge Mum Consultancy Service
Project Name Improving Food and Nutrition Security of conflict affected communities in North-east Nigeria 2021-2021
Sector Food security and livelihoods, nutrition
Implementing Partners (if applicable) N/A

1. Project Background
1.1. Rationale for the Project
Among AAH beneficiaries of the Food For Peace (FFP) programme in North of Nigeria, in Borno state, Pregnant & Lactating Women (PLW) who are identified as “vulnerable“ qualify for admission into the Porridge Mum programme. The nutritional status of their children is not an admission criteria for participating in Porridge Mum activities.
In addition to the pregnant and lactating women, community members including older women, community leaders, youths and spouses of the beneficiaries are participating during the health education,
hygiene promotion session and cooking demonstrations.
A total of 3,600 participants among whom 1,500 are PLW are targeted in this Porridge Mum programme in 2020-2021. The average number of children attending the porridge Mum are 2,100, however this figure changes as some children graduate from the program once they are beyond 24 months of age.
Some vulnerable host community members i.e. 249 PWs have also been recently enrolled as new beneficiaries and engaged in Porridge Mum activities.
The objective of Porridge Mum programme is to favour positive outcomes in terms of nutritional status of children below 24 months of age. The Theory of Change of this programme is that “women learn
about good nutrition and hygiene practices and adopt the porridge mum nutritious recipes at home” thus AAH expects this approach to prevent children from becoming acutely malnourished.
The duration and intensity of the intervention lasts 8 months in total within the total duration of FFP programme from June 2020 until April 2021 (11 months).
1.2 Project Goal
The project will conduct operational research to assess the effect of porridge mum to reduce the incidence of acute malnutrition among targeted children. A comparative study will estimate the incident
cases of acute malnutrition (defined by WH<-2 and/or MUAC<125mm and/or bilateral pitting oedema) among children 6-59 months from households targeted by AAH over several months of the program and compare it to households receiving different aid packages.
Main Hypothesis
The combined “Porridge Mum” intervention improves more the nutritional status of children from the beneficiary households (Porridge Mum + cash) compared to other children in the same area receiving
only Cash Transfer.
1.3 Geographical scope covered by the analysis
The geographical scope of the assessment is Jere, MMC LGAs in Borno state
2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

2.1. Objectives of the Assessment
To conduct a comparative study that shall estimate the incident cases of acute malnutrition (defined
by presence of oedema and/or MUAC<125mm) among children 6-59 months of households targeted by AAH over 3 months of the program and compare it to households receiving only cash transfer.
To identify risk factors for a lack of effectiveness of the programme.

3. Profile of the Consultant

The evaluation will be carried out by an international researcher consultant with the following profile:

• PhD, or post-Doc in epidemiology, public health, or Masters of Sciences degree with proven experience in scientific data analysis and interpretation including publications as first author in peer- reviewed journals
• Solid background in research, and particularly in the area of impact evaluation or effectiveness studies of food security & livelihoods, nutrition, or health interventions, as evidenced by authorship or co- authorship in peer-reviewed journals on these topics
• Experienced in operational research studies targeting children population is a plus,
• Experience in conducting research in developing countries, and in difficult environment with insecurity a plus
• Affiliated with a research institute or a university in the related field a plus
• At ease with distance work with teams, good communication and coordination skills
• Rigorous, organised, sense of anticipation, leadership for strong coordination of contributors,
• Fluent in English, French a plus
• Computer literate for MS Office, statistics software such as STATA, R prog, SPSS etc.