Background
Concern Worldwide developed the CMAM Surge Approach to support health systems to become more resilient to the shocks and stresses that regular surges in the demand for treatment of acute malnutrition present in vulnerable contexts. The model draws heavily from Concern’s experience supporting CMAM and health services in a range of contexts over the past fifteen years. To date, Concern has piloted the CMAM Surge Approach in Marsabit County in Northeast Kenya (2012-2014) and has introduced elements of the approach in a number of other country programmes, including in the Karamoja District of Uganda (2014). The Marsabit County CMAM Surge programme was externally evaluated in November 2014 with positive results. An internal review of Concern’s Uganda CMAM Surge programme also recommended continuation and scale up. There is also growing interest in other countries with similar ‘surges’ in caseload to pilot the CMAM Surge approach, particularly in East Africa and the Sahel. To do this, practical tools and guidance are required, and ideally key implementing partners will have the opportunity to influence these as they are developed to improve the usefulness of the final product.

A pilot project for the CMAM Surge Approach in Ethiopia and Niger will be carried out over the next 18 months.

Purpose
The purpose of the consultancy is to facilitate an evaluation and learning reviews of the CMAM Surge Approach pilot in Ethiopia and Niger.

Objective
To design and carry out an evaluation of the CMAM Surge pilot in Ethiopia and expansion in Niger and lead periodic learning reviews with Concern staff, Ethiopian and Nigerienne Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders for the production of an evaluation report and learning brief to inform the scale up of the approach in each country and globally.

Scope of duties and responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for planning the evaluation, including drafting tools for its execution (e.g. key indicators, interview guides) in consultation with key Concern staff and leading the evaluation of the CMAM Surge Approach pilot in Ethiopia and Niger.

The consultant will be responsible for facilitation of midterm and final learning review workshops in each country with relevant stakeholders including Concern staff, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and USAID.

Expected deliverables
- Evaluation protocol and tools finalized
- Midterm and final learning review workshops in country facilitated
- Learning Brief finalized in English and French
- Two evaluation reports finalized – one per country

Supervision
The consultant will be supervised by the Nutrition Advisor based in the head office. During country trips the consultant will report to the Program Director with support from the Nutrition Advisor.

Time frame
Approximately 50 over the period August 2017 to December 2018. Home based with trips to countries (2 trips to Ethiopia, 2 trips to Niger – at midline and end of project).

Qualification and competencies
1. At least 10 years of past experience supporting CMAM programming
2. Knowledge of Health System Strengthening Approaches
3. Experience with Ethiopian and Niger context
4. Excellent analytical, report writing, and human relation skills
5. Excellent communication skills in English and French required

Application
Qualified individuals or consultancy firms are requested to submit CVs of key personnel along with expression of interest, including costed plan and methodology of a maximum of 3 pages, to: suzanne.fuhrman@concern.net by 18 August 2017. Applications without costed plans will not be considered. Late submission will not be considered. Successfully shortlisted applicants will subsequently be invited to submit detailed proposals.