These are terms of reference for the event management firm to support the logistical arrangement, coordination, and budget management for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition Interventions in Northern Nigeria.

1.1       About Nutrition International

Nutrition International (NI) is a global organization dedicated to delivering proven nutrition interventions to those who need them most. Working in partnership with countries, donors, and implementers, our experts conduct cutting-edge nutrition research, support critical policy formulation, and integrate nutrition into a broader development agenda. In more than 60 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa, NI nourishes people to nourish lives.

1.2        Context and Rationale

Nigeria continues to bear a disproportionate burden of maternal and child mortality. With an estimated 1,047 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (World Bank, 2023), Nigeria accounts for nearly 13% of all maternal deaths globally, ranking second after India. These national figures mask wide regional disparities. The Northwest region, characterized by high poverty rates and limited access to health services, reports maternal mortality ratios as high as 1,012 per 100,000 live births, while the Southwest region reports significantly lower ratios, around 165 per 100,000.

Child health indicators also remain concerning. According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), neonatal mortality stands at 35 deaths per 1,000 live births, contributing significantly to the under-five mortality rate of 102 per 1,000 live births. Neonatal deaths now account for nearly 40% of all under-five deaths, reflecting the urgent need for focused interventions in the prenatal and early postnatal periods.

A major contributor to poor maternal and newborn outcomes is maternal anemia, which affects approximately 58% of pregnant women in Nigeria (NDHS 2018). Moderate to severe anemia is associated with increased risks of maternal mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal death. The leading cause of anemia globally—and in Nigeria—is iron deficiency, especially during pregnancy, when iron requirements nearly double from 18 mg/day in non-pregnant women to 27 mg/day.

Although dietary intake alone is insufficient to meet these increased demands, daily iron supplementation during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia by up to 70%. More recent global evidence now supports the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy. Compared to Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation alone, MMS has been associated with greater reductions in the incidence of low birth weight, preterm births, and small-for-gestational-age infants.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its antenatal care guidelines to conditionally recommend MMS that includes iron and folic acid, particularly in research and implementation settings. Nutrition International, through its implementation research in Nigeria, has demonstrated effective models for integrating MMS into antenatal care (ANC) services, showing promising results in improving both maternal nutrition and birth outcomes.

Overall Goal:

To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria by strengthening antenatal nutrition interventions through the effective integration of evidence-based Micronutrient Supplementation into ANC services. Specific Objectives:

1. To prioritize and accelerate the scale-up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) within routine antenatal care (ANC) services to improve birth outcomes, including reductions in low birth weight, preterm delivery, and neonatal mortality.
2. To strengthen health system capacity to deliver high-quality maternal nutrition interventions through training, supportive supervision, supply chain improvements, and fostering multi-sectoral engagement to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in the target states.
3. To increase community awareness, engagement, and ownership of maternal nutrition interventions through behavior change interventions, gender mainstreaming, community mobilization, and support for demand generation to ensure long-term sustainability 
4. To address regional disparities by prioritizing interventions in high-burden states, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

2.0       Scope of Work

Under the terms of this Agreement, Nutrition International is seeking to work with event management firms to manage the activities listed below. The aim is to ensure effective planning, organization, and execution of events to support the National and state governments of the target states in implementing activities toward achieving the project-specific objectives and deliverables. Activities:

1. Support the training of health workers to build capacity on MMS in NI’s target states- Jigawa and Katsina

3.0         Key Responsibilities

1. Develop a work plan detailing the tasks for each of the proposed activities and the level of effort in collaboration with NI.
2. Develop and manage the event planning process within approved timelines and budget.
3. Identify suitable venues and conduct site visits to proposed venues.
4. Provide oversight on meal provision through vetted and approved vendors.
5. Handle all protocols, logistic requirements (including hybrid, if necessary), and payments to vendors/suppliers/resource persons/state program teams.
6. Handle all protocols and logistics requirements for participant attendance to events, including travel arrangements, issuing of per diems, and booking of accommodation.
7. Set up event venues, including seating and all the necessary visual equipment.
8. Produce and provide event documents including agenda, attendance, minutes/report, evaluation forms, and other advertising materials where needed (i.e., banners).
9. Compile feedback from event evaluation forms and share with NI.
10. Hold state planning meetings with Nutrition International’s team to seek approval on selected venues, vendors, logistics, and meeting documents.
11. Any other services as may be required.

4.0         Deliverables of the Consultancy

In close consultation with NI, the Event Management firm is expected to provide the following deliverables for the event:

1. List of proposed meeting venues and vendors (food and accommodations) with quotations from three venues.
2. Detailed plans and budgets for proposed events.
3. Event reports/minutes, pictures, videos, and signed attendance sheets.
4. Compiled evaluation forms.
5. Financial reports for proposed events, including signed forms where participants receive funds, and bank transfer receipts for all payments made.
6. Invoices/receipts of payments to vendors and participants, including signed forms by each participant in the event, stating that they have received funds.

5.0         Management and Supervision arrangements

The firm is to be managed and supervised by NI.

1. All deliverables will be planned in consultation with NI and the State government.
2. Prior approval from NI will be sought for the events’ proposed plans and budgets.
3. The selected agency/ consultant will be required to submit venues and vendor quotations at least two weeks prior to the event for approval by NI.
4. Prior approval from NI will be sought for the selection of meeting venues and proposed food vendors.

6.0          Key Specifications for the Event Management Firm

For an event management firm to be considered for this role, it must meet the following criteria:

1. A company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
2. Has a Tax Clearance Certificate (at least 3 years).
3. Has the capacity and demonstrated experience to coordinate and successfully manage meeting logistics nationwide, particularly in Katsina and Jigawa states.
4. Has robust financial structures to process payments to third parties, e.g., participants, food vendors, and hotels, and the ability to prefinance activities.
5. Can provide at least three references from previous clients.

7.0        Submitting the proposal  

The event management firm is expected to submit to NI an implementation proposal (ideally not more than ten pages – excluding Annexes, team members’ resumes, previous reports, description of roles, timeline, and the financial proposal). 

Annex 1 Planned budget services as a tool for submission of financial proposals for the different activities, including service fees.  

Based on these Terms of Reference, applicants should submit a proposal and support documents by August 25th, 2025, to [email protected].  

Please find attached the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Event Management Firm to support the Logistical Arrangement, Coordination, and Budget Management for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition (MNHN) Interventions in Northern Nigeria.

You are advised to please read carefully, the guidelines on the ToR and to respond in the prescribed format.

Also share your financial proposal by filling out the sections of the attached excel document (BUDGET TEMPLATE-MNHN_MMS_Training) accordingly. BUDGET-TEMPLATE-MNHN_MMS-Training.xlsx

Please submit your proposal along with other relevant documents listed in the ToR to email: [email protected] only not later than Monday  25^thAugust  2025 before 11:59PM deadline for submission.

For further enquiries or clarifications, please write to [email protected]  on or before Friday 22^nd August  2025.