Background

Under the National Nutrition Program II (2016-2020) and National Food and Nutrition Policy (Nov., 2018), the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has committed to reducing micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations in the country. The GoE, with support from Nutrition International (NI), UNICEF and GAIN, has launched a national food fortification program. NI has been supporting the GoE to implement the national Food Fortification Plan of Action (FF PoA) that was jointly developed with other partners in September 2017. The FF PoA identifies fortification of wheat flour, salt and edible oils as potential interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies.

One of the key outcome objective of the FF PoA is to put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system that ensures effective monitoring and reporting of results, and allows for important checks and balances in program implementation for course correction and decision making based on data obtained from the system. Under the BMGF-funded UNICEF-led food fortification project in Ethiopia, NI’s role is to lead the development of the monitoring and evaluation system of the National Fortification Program (FFP) as well as build the capacity of regulatory agencies, national and regional Food Fortification Technical Coordination (FFTC) bodies to implement the system.

Nutrition International, Ethiopia Country office intends to provide technical assistance on a consultancy basis to ensure quality in the design, development, testing and implementation of the FFP Monitoring & Evaluation system.

Purpose and scope of activities:

The purpose of the technical assistance is to support EFDA and FBPIDI build their capacities to develop and use the FF information system to effectively implement food industry and food product inspection; monitor, steer and coordinate national FFP and enhance information flow to provide information for decision making, course correction to enhance improved coordination between the national and sub-national structures / offices. 

 The consultant will be responsible: 

• Provide TA to EFDA and FBPIDI IT-support teams to effectively synchronize/ integrate FFP inspection checklists and monitoring tools into the existing electronic regulator service and monitoring system,
• Work with the I-inspect module developing TWG to quality assure the development of inspection checklists,
• Quality assure the alignment between registration, licensing, importation, inspection checklists; 
• Organize biweekly follow up calls with national and regional regulators to monitor the implementation of the food fortification information system & tools and to identify technical assistance (TA) needs
• Develop detailed plan to support FBPIDI to establish and use mobile application (open data kit (ODK)) to improve data management and monitoring system of Oil, salt & wheat industry process owners of the institute
• Organize meeting with team FBPIDI from three department (Wheat + Oil + Salt), to build common understanding and develop implementation plan
• Develop data collection forms (ODK collect) and set up the ODK aggregate to server, install and configure the ODK collect forms to cell phones &/or tablets; online- & offline
• Test run to verify the ODK system
• Adapt and provide competency-based training to data collectors, managers on using data collection forms, data extraction, aggregation and analysis for decision making  
• Commission the installation of the ODK tool and provide training to public and private organizations to use ODK collect
• Support identification of data needs and development of user-friendly dashboard
• Compile users’ feedback on the checklists (paper based or ODK forms) and share with working group to address relevant technical and functionality gaps
• Coordinate and quality assure the planning and implementation of FF info system capacity building actvities provided by NI
• Advise FF M&E mentors and the I-inspect module development TWG (EFDA, JSI, UNICEF & NI) to develop training manual, identify training and priorities for mentorship actvities
• Supervise FF M&E mentors and monitor the implementation of planned actvities
• Support the FFP SPO on coordination and supervision of the FF coverage survey
• Participate in the selection of quality FF coverage survey proposals
• Ensure Follow-up to obtained feedback on survey approval of survey tools
• supervise and coordinate training & data collection activities
• review and provide feedback on coverage survey progress and interim report 

Deliverable

• Recommendations generated to align registration, licensing, importation, inspection checklists
• FF inspectors training manual
• ODK tools – developed, tested and accepted by FPBIDI
• Result of the pilot test functionality of tools developed
• Monthly progress update report addressing training, mentorship, FF coverage survey

 Reporting and Supervision  

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the NI Ethiopia, Deputy Country Director. S/he will be supported by the NI Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and the Senior Program Officer for Food Fortification.

The supervisor will ensure proper briefing on the consultancy assignment, provide guidance, advice, supervision and feedback on content and quality of deliverables to conform to NI standards compliance with the ToR, agreed bi-weekly or monthly work planning and timely delivery of the expected outputs/results.

Upon completion of contract assignments, the supervisor will certify relevant documents; evaluate the consultant’s work and follow-up on the payments.

Performance indicators: consultant’s performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: compliance with guidelines, completeness, timeliness, quality and attention to detail, acceptance of outputs/deliverables by involved stakeholders

Consultant’s Workplace: 

Consultant will undertake the assignment from alternate locations as deemed necessary and agreed with the supervisor using own equipment. Consultations with NI/Supervisor can be done via phone/ Skype or at NI in Addis Ababa.

Duration of consultancy service

The consultant will be engaged for a period not exceeding 8 months with the expected start-date for the assignment as Nov 1, 2020

Payment Schedule:  

Monthly payment based on satisfactory completion of tasks assigned, and submission of activity report and bill for number of days/hours worked. Supervisor and Consultant will establish an estimate of time required for each report/assignment.

Job Requirements

Education/Competencies and Experience

Education: 

• A Master’s Degree from a recognized university in Food technology and Engineering or in Food Science and Nutrition and at least 5 years’ experience in food fortification program. 

Experience required 

• Minimum of five years’ experience in nutrition programming both in government and NGO with emphasis on food fortification program management, particularly on program monitoring and evaluation.
• Background in the following technical areas: Quality assurance and quality control of food production, food institution and food product inspection, nutrition assessment, survey, program evaluation and research and public- private partnership.
• Experience of developing and applying ODK for survey or program monitoring
• Experience in on developing M&E plans and tools 
• Experience in providing technical assistance and advice to public institutions or private sector
• Knowledge of food safety and quality management program

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point; database software desirable.
• Ability and experience with group communication applications – Skype, Zoom or related applications

Other competencies:

• Excellent planning and follow-up practice to effective management of personal workload, 
• sensitivity to deadline and capacity to meet competing deadlines 
• Ability to work independently on technical matters with minimum supervision, identify issues and recommend technical solutions
• Ability to work well in group situations and participate and contribute to a team effort
• Ability to develop action plans, training modules and provide trainings
• Good analytical skills, critical reasoning and detail oriented
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
• Experience of providing TA to FFP stakeholder particularly public and/or private sectors 

NB: The Lead consultant can bring an additional person to complement and meet required skillset. In such circumstance, please include the CV of the additional person in the team.

How to Apply

Nutrition International invites those who are interested and fulfill the above criteria to apply by sending the following documents: - 

• motivation letter,
• CV
• brief proposal that includes statement of understanding the ToR,
• a workplan in Gantt chart, brief methods & approach and budget (including fees, expenses).

within 10 consecutive days starting from October 15, 2020 by email to Program.applicationETH@NUTRITIONINTL.ORG