1. Background

• Project: Delivery Systems for Scale
• Location: Abuja, Nigeria
• Support Duration: 2 months
• Estimated start date: 1 May 2023

In July 2022, in response to the global food and nutrition crisis, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced unprecedented funding for the rapid scale-up of acute malnutrition treatment services. This historic $200 million financial contribution is intended to enable 13 countries - including Nigeria – to increase treatment coverage in record time. Together with USAID and UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Action Against Hunger and Save the Children are leading the ‘Delivery Systems for Scale’ project – which provides technical and coordination support in direct alignment with USAID supplemental funding.

In order to ensure that the USAID/UNICEF partnership is well-positioned to meet scale targets in Nigeria, the project seeks to hire a consultant to fill a new, fixed-term Delivery Advisor role.

2. Purpose & Scope

The Delivery Advisor (DA) will support UNICEF in reviewing its plans for bringing treatment of acute malnutrition to scale in Nigeria. This is a seconded role to UNICEF Nigeria Country Office. The primary functions of this role are expected to include:

• Providing strategic and subject matter expertise to UNICEF to develop and refine plans for scale of acute malnutrition treatment;
• Identifying challenges and sticking points in UNICEF’s scale ambitions where innovations and simplifications may be helpful;
• Facilitating decision-making by synthesizing evidence and framing trade-offs; and,
• Consolidate tools, evidence, plans and other country-specific resources.

The successful candidate will also be responsible for ensuring alignment and collaboration across multiple agencies and partners (e.g., nutrition sector coordination groups, WFP, WHO, FMOH, INGOs and other partners), where/as relevant.

3. Priority Activities and Outputs

ACTIVITY  DELIVERABLE DAYS

Develop an inception report outlining: a detailed activity workplan highlighting draft review periods and circulation groups, detailed content outline for each required deliverable, and a list of options for the technical focus areas of the case study.   

1. Inception report

5

Conduct a rapid mapping of existing plans and tools for scaling treatment of acute malnutrition in Nigeria. Mapping will be accomplished using a combination of agency briefings, tools, strategies, plans and other secondary resources.

Compile all resources into a centralized SharePoint folder of Nigeria-specific tools and documents.

2a. Synthesis report

 

2b. Resources binder

5

 

 

2

Support UNICEF in monitoring and assuring the quality roll-out of the Simplified Approaches SOP in Northeast Nigeria, building on the progress already made at the national working event to finalize and validate the SOP.

3. Monitoring plan and quality assurance tools

15 Support UNICEF in leading the development of a Decision-making Tool identifying the primary considerations for that facilitate or limit application this SOP in other areas and regions of Nigeria. To develop this tool, the consultant will facilitate collaboration and inputs across partners in other areas of the country to understand their challenges, opportunities and constraints, as to anticipate the potential differential application of the approach. 5. Decision-making tool as well as priority considerations for other regions 13

Consolidate and document recent learning in the form of a short Case Study.

6. Case Study

5

4. Deliverables

By the end of June 2023, the Delivery Advisor will provide:

• An Inception Report;
• A Synthesis Report of available scale-related tools and resources in Nigeria;
• An accessible folder – on SharePoint – consolidating all available, Nigeria-specific tools and resources useful for future scaling efforts;
• A Monitoring Plan and other quality assurance tools for the roll-out of the simplified approaches SOP in the Northeast,
• A Decision-making Tool, including priority considerations for adaptation of the approach in other regions; and,
• A case study documenting recent learning in Nigeria.

5. Contract Arrangements

As mentioned, this is a seconded role based within UNICEF Nigeria Country Office. This consultancy will be based in Abuja, Nigeria for the duration of the contracting period.

The consultant will be expected to complete work over a period of 45 days, with final deliverables submitted no later than June 30, 2023. Payment will be made upon final approval of all required deliverables.

6. To Apply

Recruitment for this position will be expedited.

Interested candidates should submit:

A brief, 1-2 page technical proposal outlining the candidate’s own understanding of the required scope of work;

An updated CV that clearly spells out his/her/their qualifications and experience in alignment with the scope of work;

A financial proposal showing expected daily rates / fees;

Examples of similar work completed in past years; and,

At least 2 reference contacts related to the aforementioned examples.

Applications should be sent by email to Ellyn.Yakowenko@rescue.org with Racheal.Kintu@rescue.org in copy. 

Materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early applicants that meet the essential qualifications listed below. We encourage interested candidates to submit their materials as soon as possible.

7. Successful Candidate Profile

Essential requirements for this Delivery Advisor role include:

• Advanced degree in nutrition, public health, or a related field, with at least seven years of relevant work experience.
• Strong technical skills in community-based management of acute malnutrition, including treatment of uncomplicated SAM cases, with specific expertise and experience in the context of Nigeria
• Demonstrated ability to translate research and evidence into practice and policy shifts
• Knowledge of relevant SAM treatment protocols, plans and strategies in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of the latest research, best practices, and emerging trends in acute malnutrition treatment, especially simplified approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic, with demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information to a variety of audiences, including donors, government officials, and community members.
• A deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, including sensitivity to the needs and perspectives of marginalized populations, and experience working with diverse communities in Nigeria or similar contexts.
• Prior experience working directly with stakeholders in Nigeria, including UNICEF, WFP, WHO, National Ministry of Health and civil society organizations. 

8. Desirable characteristics include:

• In-depth knowledge of the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to high rates of acute malnutrition in Nigeria, and strategies for addressing these factors through community engagement, behavior change, and policy advocacy.
• Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale acute malnutrition treatment programs in Nigeria or similar contexts, including expertise in project management, budgeting, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.

**The 13 high-burden countries include: Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Nigeria, Nigeria, and Yemen.