Job Description
GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN)
CONSULTANCY ON NATIONAL SCANNING OF POTENTIAL PREMIX SUPPLIERS IN NIGERIA FOR THE GAIN GLOBAL PREMIX FACILITY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs)
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: 13 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.
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
Fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients is a public health priority in Nigeria, addressing widespread nutrient deficiencies. The sustainability and efficacy of this initiative significantly depends on the quality and capacity of local premix suppliers. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has established the GAIN Premix Facility that requires a consistent, reliable, and quality supply of premixes to facilitate its global nutritional interventions. Identifying potential new suppliers for national and regional supply and enhancing their capacity is integral to ensuring a robust and quality-assured supply chain. Aligning these suppliers with the GAIN Global Premix Facility further enhances the robustness of any fortification program.
Outputs and Outcomes
The successful completion of this project will yield a comprehensive list of premix blenders/suppliers prequalified for the GAIN Global Premix Facility, with evidently improved quality assurance and increased supplier capacity.
(IV) OBJECTIVES
The assignment will achieve the following objectives:
(a) Overall
The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the identification, pre-qualification, ensuring quality assurance, and capacity building of potential premix suppliers for the GAIN Global Premix Facility.
(b) Specific objectives
(i) Conduct a comprehensive national scanning exercise to identify potential premix blenders/suppliers.
(ii) Evaluate suppliers to establish appropriateness of quality and safety systems.
(iii) Support the identified premix suppliers/blenders towards pre-qualification for approval by the GAIN Premix Facility.
(iv) Build the capacity of the selected premix suppliers/blenders to meet GAIN standards.
(V) SCOPE OF WORK
(i) National Scanning: A comprehensive scanning of all premix blenders/suppliers in-country to identify and select potential premix blenders/producers to be supported and assess their capability and readiness to become pre-qualified suppliers on the GAIN Global Premix Facility.
(ii) Pre-qualification of Suppliers: Support the selected suppliers/blenders towards meeting the prequalification requirements of the GAIN Global Premix Facility. This may include financial vetting, capacity assessment, legal checks, etc.
(iii) Supplier Quality Assurance: Develop and implement a robust quality assurance process/system for local suppliers, ensuring premix quality compliance from raw material procurement to final product delivery and ensuring suppliers meet the GAIN Global Premix Facility’s quality standards. This will involve providing guidance on setting up a quality control system, establishing quality assurance guidelines, and monitoring adherence.
(iv) Capacity Building: Conduct capacity-building activities to enhance the ability of the suppliers/blenders to meet and exceed GAIN standards. This may involve training on best manufacturing practices, quality control, logistics, etc.
(v) Stakeholder Engagement: Encourage and propose ways of establishing synergy and mutual understanding between suppliers, government bodies, and NGOs in food fortification.
(vi) Sustainability Strategy: Formulate a comprehensive sustainability plan to maintain the established quality assurance system, capacity-building initiatives, and provide continuous support for suppliers towards GAIN pre-qualification.
(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. | 09th February 2024 |
| 2. | Submit the final inception report incorporating the amendments made through discussions with the GAIN team. | 15th February 2024 |
| 3. | Submission of a detailed report of the national scanning exercise, including a list of potential suppliers/blenders. | 8th March 2024 |
| 4. | A list of potential suppliers for GAIN pre-qualification and a strategy for enrolling on the GPF. | 15th March 2024 |
| 5. | Pre-qualification status report of the identified suppliers. | 31st March 2024 |
| 6. | Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) framework and manual for local suppliers. | 10th April 2024 |
| 7. | Quality assurance strategy document and assessment report of supplier adherence. | 30th April 2024 |
| 8. | Capacity building program, including workshops and training materials. | 20th June 2024 |
| 9. | Capacity building program report detailing activities carried out and impact assessment. | 30th June 2024 |
| 10. | A comprehensive final report, including findings, progress, and recommendations. | 30th June 2024 |
| 11. | Monthly monitoring and evaluation reports. | Monthly |
(VII) COMPETENCIES
· Qualification in food technology/science and or food safety/quality with proven experience of principles being applied in food production.
· Proven experience in Supplier Quality Assurance and Capacity Building initiatives, preferably in the fortification sector. Likewise, experience in auditing food quality and safety.
· Familiarity with GAIN Premix Facility requirements.
· Strong analytical skills.
· Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
· Proficient in both English and local languages.
· Ability to travel and work in Nigeria.
(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 6 months from the day the contract is awarded. The comprehensive table of the assignments is expected to be as follows:
| Proposal Submission Deadline: | 09th February 2024 |
| Award of Contract: | 13th February 2024 |
| Deliverable 1: Provide a timeline (detailing all activities), and revised methodology. | 15th February 2024 |
| Deliverable 2: National Scanning | 08th February 2024 |
| Deliverable 3: Pre-qualification of suppliers | 31st March 2024 |
| Deliverable 4: Supplier Quality Assurance | 30th April 2024 |
| Deliverable 3: Capacity Building | 20th June 2024 |
| Deliverable 3: Final Report | 30th June 2024 |
The proposal submissions must be received via email by GAIN on or before 11:59 pm on Friday, February 09, 2024.