Terms of Reference (ToR) for the recruitment of Consultants to provide Technical Assistance to Nutrition International Projects in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Posted on Thu 19th Jun, 2025 - ngojobsite.com --- (0 comments)

1. About Nutrition International

Founded in 1992, Nutrition International 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 broader development programs. In more than 60 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa, Nutrition International nourishes people to nourish life.

2. Background and Justification

Nigeria’s 814 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births contribute to 10 percent of all maternal deaths globally, second only to India.1 There are huge in-country disparities in maternal mortality figures in Nigeria. The extremely poor north West part of Nigeria has the highest maternal mortality rate 1,026 per 100,000 live births compared to 165 per 100,000 live births in the southwest. According to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the infant and underfive mortality rates were 67 and 132 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Neonatal mortality accounts for 30% of the under-five deaths annually, the second highest national total globally.

Anemia in pregnant women is at 58%² in Nigeria. Moderate or severe anaemia during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of premature delivery, maternal mortality, and infectious diseases. Anaemia during pregnancy may result from several causes, but globally, the most significant contributor is iron deficiency. The iron requirement increases from 18mg/day in non-pregnant women 19-50 years of age, to almost double (27mg/day) during pregnancy. Even where intake and absorption of iron is optimal, it is difficult for pregnant women to meet their daily iron requirement through food intake. Fortunately, evidence shows that there is a 70% reduction in the risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia when pregnant women receive daily supplementation of iron.³

Again, Childhood diarrheal diseases remain a threat to child survival in Nigeria. The country still records national prevalence as high as 13%⁴. State specific variations in prevalence of diarrhoea are also recognised. Noticeable adverse relationships between diarrhoea and physical growth and development of a child have been demonstrated by epidemiological studies. Diarrhoea is a recognised cause of poor nutrition among children particularly in more serious and prolonged episodes, due to loss or reduced intake of nutrients associated with episodes of diarrhoea. Conversely, pre-existing malnutrition is known to prolong episodes of diarrhoea and increase mortality due to childhood diarrhoea5. These, and many other undesirable possibilities make it vital to integrate diarrhoea control (prevention and appropriate treatment) into comprehensive nutrition programming for under five children. Nutrition International’s approach to addressing nutrition problems among her target populations is holistic and integrative. This entails addressing all factors that impact on nutritional statuses of the target populations, hence the investment on

NDHS,2018 Key indicators report
NDHS, 2018. Key indicators report. Average of the age –groups for the prevalence of any anemia
Pena-Rosas et al, 2015
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF. 2019. Nigeria Demographic and Health

Survey 2018 Key Indicators Report. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF.

Patwari AK (1999). Diarrhoea and malnutrition interaction. Indian J Pediatr. 1999;66(1 Suppl):S124-34.

improving the capacity of the target States to better control (prevention and treatment) of diarrhoea diseases in under-five children.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem worldwide and is among the most important contributors to morbidity and mortality among pre-school age children particularly in Sub Sahara Africa. In Nigeria, 1 in 3 children under-5 are Vitamin A deficient⁴. The National food consumption survey carried out from 2001-2003 showed that 29.5% of under-5’s in Nigeria are Vitamin A deficient⁴. Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) coverage in Nigeria remains very low (41%⁵) despite almost 10 years of implementing VAS during the maternal newborn and child health week (MNCHW

The government of Nigeria uses the biannual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHW) to deliver essential health services to families, such as vitamin A supplementation (VAS) to children 6-59 months of age, and to increase demand for maternal and child health services. Over the last five years, NI has supported vitamin A supplementation (VAS) through the MNCHW at national and state levels in 14 states. Currently, NI in collaboration with UNICEF and support VAS in 8 states of Nigeria comprising both northern and southern states- Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Delta and Cross River state. Some areas of support in the past 5 years included: a national review of state performance using the score card system; roll-out of VAS specific BCC materials; roll-out of VAS job aids for health workers; MNCHW monitoring and supervision; trainings; and improved micro-planning to target unreached population. NI in partnership with UNICEF worked to improve enabling environment for MNCHW at state level by engaging in high level advocacy and consultative meetings with commissioners of health to improve funding support for key MNCHW activities and facilitate budget release. The core of NI programming is to be able to identify program barriers and gaps to improved coverage of essential health services, and to close the gaps where possible through provision of technical and financial support.

Despite NI and its implementing partners’ technical and financial support to the federal and state governments for strengthening the planning, implementation, monitoring and supervision of VAS as part of the MNCHW service package, 2-dose VAS coverage is still below expected levels (40.8%)⁴.

NI Nigeria will support the Nigerian government in the target states through implementation of the following projects:

a) Enhancing Maternal Nutrition in Northern Nigeria through Maternal Supplementation and Nutrition Counselling

The project is expected to reach pregnant women who attend ANC during pregnancy and consume IFA/MMS using health facility-based ANC contacts. In addition, the project will assist the states to develop costed nutrition plans with increased budget allocations and utilization for nutrition and IFA/MMS procurement including provision of seed grants to the state for IFA/MMS supplies. The project is expected to build the capacities of frontline health workers to provide a focused ANC package including IFA/MMS; supply chain managers to forecast and quantify adequate IFA/MMS stocks; and community-based health workers/CHIPS to provide nutrition education, mobilize, and track IFA/MMS consumption among pregnant women in the target states. The project will also roll out evidence-informed gender-responsive behaviour change intervention (BCI) strategies to create awareness and demand for IFA/MMS and ANC services. NI will collaborate with state governments and other partners to deliver on the project’s results. The project will be implemented in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa and Bauchi states.

b) Improving the capacity of National and State government to sustain Vitamin A Supplementation in Nigeria.

The VAS project is expected to reach over 8 million under-5’s with 2 dose VAS each yeat by 2024. The main purpose of NI support for VAS in Nigeria is to sustainably improve access to sufficient high-quality VAS services and thereby increase demand for and use of services provided. Support during the duration of this project will focus on increasing the efficiency, planning, microplanning and supervision of MNCHW at the national, state and LGA levels.

3. Description of consultancy work

The primary purpose of this consultancy work is to provide technical assistance to the focal points at the State Ministries of Health/Primary Health Care Development Agency (SMOH/SPHCDA) of target states in order to strengthen the skills required to effectively plan, implement, supervise, monitor and report on NI’s programs (Maternal and New born Health and Nutrition and; Child survival) in the states during the period between 1^st November 2019 and November 31^st 2020, with possible extension depending on availability of funds. The secondary purpose is to ensure that projects data are regularly generated and used for decisions and actions in the implementation process.

The State consultant will be based in the NI state office located either in the State Ministry of Health Office/SPHCDA with frequent travels to the program LGAs and health facilities in each state. S/He will work under the overall guidance of NI Nigeria National Program Officers to support the implementation of NI’s programs in an assigned state. S/he will be responsible for providing technical support and coordination to such programs in collaboration with state government and NI’s partners.

4. Scope of work

Partnership development:
1. Work with the NI Senior Program Officer (SPO) in preliminary engagement of state government
1. Work with the NI SPO in securing appointments with high level government health stakeholders in the state
1. Follow up with state government on agreed commitments and contributions to the project from state
1. Work with the SPO and state government in revitalizing the State Committee on Food and Nutrition
1. Represent NI at state Nutrition partners’ meeting/State Food Committee on Food and Nutrition meetings /Technical working group meetings and all other relevant health and nutrition forum in the state

Program planning and management:

Develop a gannt chart/detailed work plan and track progress monthly
Keep abreast with landscape changes in the state and across LGAs and communicate important changes to NI National office in a timely manner
Facilitate logistics for state level participants to attend the Program Inception planning meeting/workshop at a central location in the country
Participate in the inception planning meeting/workshop for project start-up at state level with NI and partners (UNICEF, state and federal )
Participate in the M&R workshop for the development of project monitoring and reporting framework and tools to be facilitated by NI M&R team
Work with NI’s Partners in coordinating program planning with Government partners (SPHCDA, SMOH) and other authorities in the state to ensure timely implementation and deliveries.
Provide technical inputs and facilitate NI program delivery in collaboration with NI’s Project partners including state government partners-SPHCDA and SMOH
Ensure all NI programs activities at state level are safe for children in-line with NI child safeguarding policy.

c) Program Implementation

i. Enhance Maternal Nutrition in Northern Nigeria through Maternal Supplementation and Nutrition Counselling

Support the State Ministry of Health/SPHCDA on IFA/MMS program implementation at the state, LGAs and community levels
Conduct state monitoring of bottleneck analysis, IFA/MMS supply and other supply chain barriers including reporting of gaps to ensure prompt resolution; as well as providing hands-on guidance to the service providers
Participate in coordinated project advocacy with the state for increased funding allocation from the government to effectively implement and sustain IFA/MMS programs in the state, including provision of adequate quantity of IFA/MMS commodities required by pregnant women in the state.
Coordination of IFA/MMS supplementation activities at the state, LGAs and Communities through field visits, meetings with community leaders and stakeholders and provide progress report of activities to NI Nigeria.
Provide inputs into and facilitate/guide the adaptation of BCI materials and liaise with NI Partners to work with the state and LGAs on demand generation activities.
Facilitate the implementing partner’s work-plan deliverables, targets and key performance indicators and provide necessary feedback to NI country office;
Participate in planning and review meetings with focal points at the SMOH/SPHCDA and provide key challenges and updates to NI
Provide monthly technical progress reports against agreed and detailed work plan milestones to NI Nigeria.

ii. Improve the capacity of National and State governments to sustain Vitamin A Supplementation in Nigeria.

Support NI partners and the state primary health care development agencies (SPHCDA) in planning and implementation of the bi-annual MNCHW
Support and initiate early planning for the MNCHW for timely implementation
Provide technical assistance during the microplanning training and development
Work with the state MNCHW lead and NI implementing partners to build the capacity of LGA teams on effective supportive supervision during the MNCHW
In states where NI is directly working with state governments; Prior to the MNCHW recruit, train, and deploy independent monitors across LGA’s during the MNCHW in consultations

with the SPO and M&E Officer

Collate independent monitor data and post to the ONA platform daily during the MNCHW for analysis by the M&E officer
Work with state government representatives to, coordinate all activities and meetings supported by NI and ensure proper documentation
Participate in planning and micro-planning meetings before the MNCHW
Monitor the MNCHW bi-annually using NI-approved monitoring tools
Participate in the VAS supply chain process before, during, and after the MNCHWs
Participate in Post Event coverage survey (PECS) planning and survey debrief meetings at state level
Ensure NI VAS program activities at the state level are safe for children in line with NI child safeguarding policy
Participate in all child health and nutrition activities at the state level and keep abreast of any landscape changes
Provide monthly progress reports in line with agreed deliverables and timelines
Parcipate in state discussions around routine VAS and monitor VAS supplies in the state
Conduct bi-monthly field visits to monitor VAS activities at the health facilities and communities including the Use of Vitamin A Capsules; expiry dates, routine VAS activities, availability of VAS BCI materials and job aids,

d) Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Monitor state and LGA stock commodity situation and liaise with NI’s Partners and state to ensure prevention of stock-outs
Track program progress against set deliverables and targets
Provide necessary support to program evaluations being carried out in the assigned state;
Support NI country office in preparing/developing project dissemination tools (reports, case studies, success stories) in coordination with NI Nigeria team.
Provide technical support to the implementing partner in drafting quarterly and annual program reports to be submitted to NI
Provide technical support to the implementing partner in collating and validating service delivery data in line with NI essential indicators
Support the documentation of lessons learned and challenges throughout the project as a source of learning for NI and the state government
Actively participate in routine supportive supervision mission of the state and assist in synthesizing field visit findings into actionable plans to improve service delivery in health facilities.
Also participate in monitoring the implementation of state drug revolving funds where NI supports such.
Provide monthly program progress updates to NI, Nigeria

e) Relationship Development

Support stakeholder liaison, including meetings, visits, responding to requests for information, and assisting with advocacy needs in the state in collaboration with the implementing partner (where present);
Represent NI in all technical forums (health and nutrition forums) in the state;
Engage with partners working in the states and look out for areas of synergy and possible collaboration

f) Documentation and communications

Document relevant project success stories and lessons learned for NI publications
Compile and update periodically, state nutrition landscape information

Other functions

Act as repository for relevant data, Government policy guidelines, and new research, and share the same across NI Nigeria and implementing partner NGO;
Keep abreast with the latest developments on the field;

Any other specific task assigned as required.

5. Qualifications

Preferred

B.sc in Public Health Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Dietetics, or related discipline
Familiarity with IFA/MMS and VAS, programming in Nigeria
Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and interpretation
General understanding of maternal, newborn Health and Nutrition, and Child Health landscape in Northern Nigeria with at least 2 years of fieldwork experience. e) Strong expertise in health system strengthening.

Required

Experience working with government agencies and international (I)NGOs
Experience in advocacy and influencing strategies
Good writing and communicative skills
Good command of English and Hausa languages
An indigene of Kebbi State is preferred

6. Summary of Key Deliverables

Detailed state-level annual workplan developed and submitted to SPO
Annual TA plan prepared and submitted to focal SPO
Quarterly Field monitoring and supervisory visit plan developed and submitted for approval
Monthly activity work plan developed and submitted for approval of SPO by the 28^th of each month
Monthly reports that provide adequate information on progress with the program implementation in the state, any landscape changes, achievements, challenges and mitigation strategies, lessons, and next steps submitted by the 25^th of every other month
Monthly submission of success stories, pictures etc.. in line with the NI consent form, story template guide, and guidelines for program staff on documentation.
Monthly TA reports which detail TA provided to the government focal point (s) in line with the TA plan and field supervisory visits conducted during the month submitted by the

25th of every other month viii. Update inventory/distribution data as well as coverage data from the DHIS and other community platforms shared with the progress report

ix. All deliverables should be delivered in soft copies, reviewed, and approved by NI Country office focal SPO

The consultant is expected to have her/his laptop. This consultancy will require 40% travel to the target communities and health facilities within the state.

7. How to Apply

Based on this Terms of Reference, applicants should submit CV and Cover letter by June 30, 2025 to [email protected].