Job Description
GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs)
CONSULTANCY ON FOSTERING SOUTH-SOUTH LEARNING THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CASE STUDY & DOCUMENTATION OF SUCCESSES FROM THE THIRD-PARTY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN FOR IMPROVED FORTIFICATION COMPLIANCE AND WORKFORCE NUTRITION IN NIGERIA
ISSUED BY: GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN)
PROJECT: LARGE SCALE FOOD FORTIFICATION (LSFF)
(I) SUMMARY OF DEADLINES
Proposal Submission Deadline: 09 February, 2024
Award of Contract: 12 February 2024
All deadlines are described in detail under section IX.
As part of the selection process, GAIN reserves the right to request clarifications regarding bids that substantially qualify. Questions in the technical review are at GAIN’S discretion and will only be directed to bidders who have submitted substantially responsive bids.
The final award is subject to other terms and conditions included in this solicitation, as well as the successful final negotiation of all applicable terms and conditions related to the awarded contract.
(II) ABOUT LSFF AND GAIN
The Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) strategy is a cost-effective and proven method to combat micronutrient malnutrition by adding one or more essential nutrients to widely and regularly consumed foods during processing. Since 2002, GAIN has supported the roll-out of LSFF in approximately 40 low and middle- income countries. GAIN’s support includes the rollout or expansion of LSFF programmes where there is a need and an appropriate food vehicle, technical assistance to improve compliance with existing national fortification standards and mandates and monitoring and measurement of programmes. GAIN-supported LSFF programmes reach over a billion people annually.
GAIN supports mandatory fortification of commonly consumed foods and condiments, including salt, edible oils, wheat flour, maize flour, and rice. GAIN supports the government to create effective fortification policies and provides technical assistance to support industry’s ability to fortify.
The consumption of fortified staples and condiments can play a major role in underpinning the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies across entire populations – particularly in women of reproductive age and adolescent girls – thus helping to address adequate nutrition during the critical periods of preconception and the 1,000-day window. GAIN and partners continue to drive new investments for fortification through global advocacy and generating evidence on the actual and potential contribution of fortification in the context of national nutrition strategies.
(1) About GAIN
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with governments, businesses, academia, and civil society, GAIN aims to transform food systems to make healthier diets from sustainable food systems accessible to all people and especially those who are most vulnerable to shocks.
(III) ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND
The increasing prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria is a pressing concern, with dire consequences for the nation’s workforce and economic development. Fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients has been identified as a viable and cost-effective strategy to combat malnutrition. However, compliance with fortification standards remains a challenge in the country. A third-party advocacy campaign has been launched to promote fortification compliance and better workforce nutrition in Nigeria to raise awareness and galvanise support.
The campaign intends to create private sector awareness and generate strategic visibility on the problems, steps, and successes recorded in fortification compliance for the Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) strategy in Nigeria by enlightening critical stakeholders to understand and engage around crucial elements of the new LSFF strategy, and improving the wellbeing of people in the workplace and by promoting wellness, preventing infectious diseases and boosting food security and nutrition in private organisations in Nigeria. Likewise, getting early input from a wide range of stakeholders at the execution phase of the LSFF strategy to enhance the level of compliance in Nigeria.
The campaign is implemented by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and E-health Africa with technical support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
(IV) OBJECTIVES
The assignment will achieve the following objectives:
(a) Overall
The primary objective of the south-south learning initiative is to develop comprehensive, analytical, and detailed case studies and success stories from the Third-Party Advocacy campaign. To systematically document, analyse, and present the campaign’s successes, challenges, and learnings in a journalistic style, culminating in compelling short stories and case studies. These narratives, crafted with a journalistic approach, will serve as tools for South-South learning, demonstrating the campaign’s effectiveness and providing evidence for fundraising towards a national scale-up and serve as crucial tools for fundraising, further advocacy, and scaling up the initiative.
(b) Specific objectives
(i) Campaign Tracking and Data Collection: Monitor campaign activities, capturing quantitative and qualitative data regarding fortification compliance, workforce nutrition, and stakeholder engagement.
(ii) Stakeholder Interviews & Surveys: Conduct interviews and surveys with key stakeholders, documenting experiences, perspectives, and testimonials.
(iii) Data Analysis & Interpretation: Analyse collected data to derive insights, identify trends, and understand the campaign’s impact. The analysis will focus on fortification compliance changes, workforce nutrition improvement, and the effectiveness of the advocacy campaign.
(iv) Drafting Case Studies and Success Stories: Based on the data analysis, outline detailed case studies and success stories highlighting the campaign’s successes and learnings. These narratives will adopt a journalistic approach, weaving facts, experiences, and perspectives into engaging and persuasive content.
(v) Review & Finalization: Review and refine the case studies and success stories, ensuring they are accurate, insightful, and impactful. Incorporate feedback from the campaign team and stakeholders.
(vi) Assessment of Third-party advocates: Conduct a meticulous assessment of the performance, contributions, and impact of the third-party advocates throughout the campaign period. Key aspects of their performance, such as engagement levels, message dissemination, and stakeholder influence, will be assessed to derive actionable insights.
(vii) Dissemination & Closure workshop: Share final case studies among stakeholders and potential donors in a workshop. Discuss lessons learned, successes, and areas of improvement for future interventions. Conclude the pilot with a strategic plan for scaling up.
(V) SCOPE OF WORK
The successful applicant will be responsible for capturing the intricacies of the campaign, paying keen attention to the various processes, changes, and impacts realised. The focus should be on the effectiveness of advocacy efforts, the level of fortification compliance, and the evolution of workforce nutrition practices.
(VI) EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
| S/N | DELIVERABLES | TIMELINES |
| 1. | Submit a draft inception report containing work plan and the methodology to be used to undertake the study. | 9th February 2024 |
| 2. | Submit the final inception report incorporating the amendments made through discussions with the GAIN team. | 14th February 2024 |
| 3. | Facilitation of Stakeholder interviews and Surveys | 19th – 21st February 2024 |
| 4. | Facilitation of Outcome harvesting workshops with third-party advocacy partners and other key stakeholders. | 26th – 28th February 2024 |
| 5. | Dissemination Workshop with stakeholders | 4th March 2024 |
| 6. | Submission of detailed Case Studies, with thoroughly analysed narratives presenting the campaign’s outcomes, learnings, and impact. | 8th March 2024 |
| 7. | Submission of Success Stories in journalistic-style narratives illustrating the campaign’s significant successes. | 8th March 2024 |
| 8. | Submission of an all-encompassing analytical report detailing the entire campaign, containing data analysis, outcomes, challenges, learnings, and recommendations for future scaling up. A strategic blueprint for national scale-up of the campaign, leveraging lessons learned and successes from the pilot.
|
8th March 2024 |
(VII) COMPETENCIES
· Demonstrated experience in outcome harvesting and case study development.
· Excellent report writing and communication skills.
· Strong analytical and research skills.
(VIII) EXPECTATIONS FROM APPLICANTS
The successful applicant (s) will:
· Work closely with representatives from GAIN and its partners: A lead contact will be designated for regular communication and monitoring of deliverables.
· Meet with representatives from GAIN shortly after the contract is awarded, following which a work plan will be developed detailing the objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budget for each of the parts outlined in the Scope of Work.
· Meet with GAIN regularly during the Project as well as at the request of GAIN.
· Submit deliverables and reports according to the revised work plan’s agreed-upon schedule.
· Technical application should not be longer than 15 pages, including cover page. All supporting documents should be included in the annexes.
(IX) TIMELINES
The assignment must not exceed a maximum of 1 month from the day the contract is awarded. The comprehensive table of the assignments is expected to be as follows:
| Proposal Submission Deadline: | 9th February 2024 |
| Award of Contract: | 12th February 2024 |
| Deliverable 1: Provide a timeline (detailing all activities), and revised methodology. | 14th February 2024 |
| Deliverable 2: Stakeholders’ workshop facilitation | 4th March 2024 |
| Deliverable 3: Final report | 8th March 2024 |
The proposal submissions must be received via email by GAIN on or before 11:59 pm on Friday, 9 February, 2024.