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Nutrition International (formerly the Micronutrient Initiative) is passionate about tackling one of the world’s greatest health issues: malnutrition. Recognized as global experts, we work around the world to create effective and sustainable solutions for hidden hunger. Nutrition International has headquarters in Ottawa, Canada and regional offices in N...
Terms of Reference (ToR)
Background
Technical Assistance for Nutrition (TAN) is a project supported by UK aid from the UK government, which seeks to improve the capacity of SUN countries to design, deliver, and track the progress of nutrition programs and to generate, learn from and adopt knowledge of what works. Nutrition International is contributing to TAN by coordinating the provision of technical assistance to help national SUN focal points in select countries to overcome gaps in capacity for the design and delivery of multi-sectoral national nutrition plans, tapping into its global hub to source and deploy the expertise needed.
Significant strides have been made in reducing malnutrition prevalence over the last five years. According to the 2008 and 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS) stunting levels decreased from 35% to 26%; wasting rates declined from 7% to 4%, and the proportion of underweight children dropped from 16% to 11%, between these surveys. Kenya is one of three countries currently making progress at the rate required to meet five out of the six World Health Assembly (WHA) targets for 2025, including a reduction of anaemia prevalence for women.
The Government of Kenya has demonstrated commitment to address the nutrition situation by putting in place policies, strategies and legislation aimed at reducing malnutrition. These include, 2012-2017 National Nutrition Action Plan (NNAP), Kenya National Food and Nutrition Security Policy 2012, East Africa Fortification Standards, Breastmilk substitute Act 2012 among others. While these have contributed to positive changes, there is recognition that in order to build on this progress and eradicate malnutrition, there is need for enhanced collaboration with other nutrition actors (e.g. education, WASH, social protection and agriculture). The private sector also needs to be brought on board if further and sustainable achievements are to be realized. Business has a significant role to play in Kenya achieving its ‘Vision 2030’ which clearly articulates that good health and nutrition play an essential role in boosting economic growth, poverty reduction and in the realization of its overarching goals. The 2012-2017 NNAP recognizes the value of partnerships in combating malnutrition under its eleventh objective “to strengthen coordination and partnerships among the key nutrition actors including the private sector.”
Kenya joined the SUN Movement in 2012, this signaling its commitment to undertaking coordinated actions to improve nutrition status in the country. Key achievements since the launch of SUN in Kenya include, adoption 2012-2017 NNAP and enhanced government leadership of the nutrition sector, which has resulted in improved coordination of actors and a more harmonized approach to implementation and monitoring of nutrition programmes. This is evidenced by inclusion of the nutrition indicators in the County Health Information System (CHIS), Annual Operational Plans (AOPs), and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The existence of coordination mechanisms with overall leadership from Nutrition Interagency Coordination Committee (NICC) have enhanced sector wide approach which has been instrumental in overseeing and guiding the implementation of the NNAP since 2012.
At the core of the SUN Movement is the need for cross-functional engagement in the fight against malnutrition. The establishment of six networks with the SUN Movement (Government network, Civil Society, UN System, Donor Network, Research/academia and Private Sector Network) highlights the critical role of each of the different sectors play in support nutrition. The SUN Business Network (SBN) was ‘established to mobilize and intensify business efforts in support of the SUN Movement and to ensure that all people realize their right to good food and nutrition’. It aims to find solutions to end malnutrition through business, markets and people.
In 2013, a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major companies producing food products and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) embraced the concept of a SUN Nutrition Private Sector Network in Kenya. In January 2015, 10 business representatives met with a view to steer engagement of the private sector in scaling up nutrition in Kenya and an interim Nutrition Private Sector Steering Committee, comprising of INSTA Foods (Chair), Unilever and Phillips (co-chairs) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Secretariat), was established. Furthermore, business representatives under the umbrella of SNPSN Kenya have participated in SUN meetings. Currently the Steering Committee is the sole representation of Nutrition Private Sector Network and is responsible for identifying opportunities for business to support the National Nutrition Action Plan, for advocacy on business engagement in scaling up nutrition and for representing the Network in various meetings and sharing feedback with the broader Network membership. Members of the Steering Committee act in their capacity as committee members in addition to their day-to-day job within industry and as a result the potential impact of the Network is currently not as great as it could be.
SNPSN undertook a situation analysis of the network and business engagement opportunities on nutrition, in alignment with the national strategy, in order to better mobilize business to help realize national nutrition objectives. Given the existing level of interest of the private sector in scaling up nutrition in Kenya and the Government’s recognition of the role that the private sector has to play in improving nutrition, there is a need to further strengthen the SUN Nutrition Private Sector Network in Kenya to encourage further private sector engagement and scale up impact.
It is in this context that the SUN FP requested for TA support from the TAN project to develop SUN Private Sector/Business Network Strategy and support the initial SBN coordination efforts. The TA (National SBN Coordinator) will facilitate the private sector platform, facilitate the development of the network’s three-year strategy and undertake a membership drive to collate and track a set of business commitments.
Objectives
Overall objective
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to support effective coordination of the SUN Business Network in Kenya in order to maximize its contribution to scaling up nutrition in the country.
Specific objectives
Expectations
Scope of Work
The consultant is expected to undertake the following activities and produce the listed deliverables.
Phase 1: Inception – During the first 4 weeks of the project, the Consultant will carry out the following activities:
Deliverables:
Methodology and work plan approved by the SNPSN convener and SUN FP;
Under objective 1: Facilitate development of a costed 3 year strategy and resource mobilization plan
Activities
Deliverables:
Under objective 2: Enhance private sector engagement and participation in the nutrition sector
Activities
Deliverables:
Detailed stakeholder mapping report that includes;
Under objective 3: Enhance continuous learning and mainstreaming private sector efforts in multi-sectoral nutrition environment.
Activities
Deliverables:
Duty Station/Location
This is a full-time consultancy for a period of 15 months. The consultant will be embedded with the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit for the duration of the assignment.
The consultant is expected to undertake some domestic travel within the country. All travels required under this consultancy will be provided for by NI and/or the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit (NDU).
Timeline
Profile/qualifications of consultant
Nutrition International is committed to gender equality. Consultants are required to indicate how they will ensure that gender equality considerations are included in the provision of TA including deliverables. Examples of integration of consideration for gender equality could include but are not limited to; ensuring government departments responsible for women are included wherever possible, gender sensitive indicators are included, emerging data is sex disaggregated, relevant documentation related to gender is reviewed. To this end, NI has developed the following tools in order to help.
Proposals should be submitted by email to technicalassistance@nutritionintl.org before close of business 19th April 2018, EST (Ottawa Canada).
This position is open to Kenyan nationals or persons with necessary permits to work in Kenya.
NI is committed to the fundamental principles of equal employment opportunity. Women are encouraged to apply.
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