Mathematica is a policy research organization based in the United States with a mission to improve public well-being by bringing the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and excellence to bear on the provision of information collection and analysis to our clients.

We are currently seeking two consultants (1 based in Rwanda and 1 based in Ethiopia), respectively, to support an endline evaluation of The Power of Nutrition, a multi-donor partnership that seeks to catalyze new resources to improve children’s nutrition, with a special focus on countries with a high burden of undernutrition. The Power of Nutrition is a financing and partnership platform launched in 2015 tasked with (1) raising new funding streams for nutrition, (2) generating investments via co-financing mechanisms, (3) investing in nutrition interventions in low- and middle-income countries that can be delivered at scale, and (4) raising nutrition to be among the top priorities for key institutions and stakeholders. Mathematica has carried out baseline and midline evaluations of The Power of Nutrition’s global investment portfolio and is now preparing activities for an endline evaluation with primary data collection activities expected in two priority countries: Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Mathematica will work with EDI and data collection firms in each country to:

1. Develop a survey instrument – Draft survey instrument(s), translate, pretest and pilot test survey instrument(s) to be used for data collection. The survey will be prepared and programmed into an electronic computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) software such as Survey Solutions, KoboCollect, etc. All data will be input electronically by enumerators using tablets or phones.
2. Prepare for in-country data collection – Work with data collection firms in each country to train supervisors and enumerators for data collection, facilitate in-country institutional review board (IRB) submissions and approvals, and procure necessary data collection and anthropometric supplies.
3. Collect high quality data – Mathematica will work with EDI, data collection firms and consultants to collect high quality data. The Power of Nutrition prioritizes interventions that support the healthy growth and development of children under-5. Therefore, anthropometric measures of children under-5 are the primary indicators of concern for these activities and need to be carried out with a high degree of accuracy.

The main objective of this consultancy is to support in-country data collection activities to:

1. generate a snapshot of the prevalence of stunting among children 0-24 months and 24-59 months in key regions of each country; and
2. generate a snapshot of the coverage of key nutrition interventions among targeted population groups supported by The Power of Nutrition in each country.

The data generated from these activities will be used to understand trends in nutrition outcomes over time.

The Consultants shall support the Mathematica team and its in-country partners in facilitating the collection of high-quality data. Specifically, the Consultants shall support the team in the following tasks:

1. Reviewing survey instruments;
2. Providing high quality technical guidance on training manuals and materials with particular focus on the quality of the anthropometric data collection procedures;
3. Supporting, and in some cases leading, training of the supervisors and enumeration teams; and
4. Overseeing the technical quality of the data collection activities, with particular focus on the quality of the anthropometric measures including piloting of the instrument.

Each Consultant shall conduct these tasks as directed by the Mathematica team.

Key qualifications and skills of the candidate

• Advanced university degree in nutrition, public health or related field.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of nutrition in Rwanda or Ethiopia
• Demonstrated experience in collecting and analyzing anthropometric data in Ethiopia or Rwanda, particularly length/height in children under 2.
• Good communication and facilitation skills.
• Excellent command of oral and written English.

Each Consultant should expect to commit 10-15 days. The estimated timeline for planning purposes is:

July 2022: 

• Review survey instrument and enumerator and supervisor training materials (1-2 days)

August 2022: 

• Facilitate/supervise supervisor and enumerator training (2-3 days)
• Support data collection (6-11 days)
• Other meetings/activities as needed (1 day)

Travel may be required within countries. No international travel is authorized.

Interested consultants should submit the following documents by email to SGriswold@mathematica-mpr.com no later than Monday May 30, 2022 at 11.59 PM ET (GMT -4):

• An updated CV (maximum 3 pages) in MS Word or PDF format
• An application letter/email that includes their daily rate
• An example of similar work (e.g. a training manual, report, or similar)
• At least two references from previous clients or employers

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.