Global Communities Nutrition Assessment Consultancy Job Vacancy in Rwanda

Impact
Assessment of Nutrition Programs

Introduction

Global Communities
is currently managing two USAID-funded programs in Rwanda which include
nutrition interventions with a wider set of program services in a total of 21
districts.

The USAID/Higa Ubeho
program is a five-year USAID/PEPFAR funded program with the goal to increase
the use of health and related social support services among the most
vulnerable, including orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), people living with
HIV and AIDS (PLHA) and their families. The program provides holistic support
for vulnerable families through a wide range of services including Farmer Field
Schools and nutrition interventions through Positive Deviance Hearth (PDH)
groups with targeted interventions for adults and children-under-five years of
age.

The USAID/Ejo Heza
is a five-year USAID/Feed the Future funded with the goal of improving
livelihoods and food consumption among Rwanda’s rural poor, with a particular
focus on women. The program is building the capacity of low income households
to access financial services necessary to grow their enterprises, and offers a
wide range of services including integrating nutrition into adult literacy
education; improving production, storage and handling; establishing kitchen
gardens; and promoting better food utilization. 

Together, these
programs are supporting thousands of rural households to improve their food
security and nutritional status through sustainable and affordable household
investments.

Consultancy
Background

This assessment will
aim to assist Global Communities to evaluate the impact, quality and
cost-effectiveness of selected food security and nutrition interventions –
including: Farmer Field Schools (FFS); improved kitchen gardens; Positive
Deviance Hearth groups (PDH) – Adults; Positive Deviance Hearth groups (PDH) –
Children Under five; nutrition education and behavior change communication
(BCC).

The specific
objectives of the assessment are:

1. To
   measure the impact of food security and nutrition services provided by the
   two programs at the individual and household level.
2. To
   evaluate the quality of nutrition services provided.
3. To
   evaluate cost effectiveness of Global communities nutrition programming.
4. To
   develop strategic recommendations based on the research findings to guide
   future investments in nutrition and food security interventions.

The assessment
should be designed to include mixed assessment methods for purposes of
triangulation and include but not necessarily be limited to a selection of the
following methods: extensive Literature review of relevant program documents; a
quantitative questionnaire administered at the household and individual level;
key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with selected
nutrition group members. The sample should be selected from approximately 400
beneficiaries across 4 districts with representation of both USAD/Ejo Heza and
USAID/Higa Ubeho supported areas.

Consultancy
Deliverables

The consultant, with
support from the Global Communities’ technical teams, will:

1. Conduct
   a literature review.
2. Develop
   an in-depth research proposal (including sample, methodology, data
   collection tools, timeframe and proposed reporting format) to be approved
   by Global Communities.
3. Pre-test
   the data collection tools.
4. Collect
   data that ensures standard and rigorous data quality control, through
   focus group discussions, individual and household questionnaires.
5. Conduct
   data entry and analysis.
6. Draft
   report.
7. Convene
   meeting to present and validate findings with program teams.
8. Develop
   concise report based on feedback from program teams.
9. Provide
   the assessment data set to Global communities for future program needs.

Timeframe

This assignment
should be completed within 40 calendar days

Desired
qualifications

• Bachelors
  degree in Public Health, Statistics, Social Sciences, nutrition or a
  related field;
• Experienced
  researcher with experience in the design/execution of livelihood -related
  research and particularly nutrition research; Minimum of five years research
  experience is required;
• Knowledge
  of national/international nutrition and food security indicators and
  assessment tools;
• Excellent
  analytical and report writing skills;
• Knowledge
  of the country context;
• International
  experience is preferred;
• Fluency
  in English and Kinyarwanda required.

Application
Instructions

1. Technical
   proposal including Cover letter addressed to the Country Director of
   Global Communities; Executive summary; Proposed Methodology &
   Timeline, Evidence of consultant(s) qualifications; references for similar
   work done and proof of service (minimum of three).
2. Financial
   proposal detailing all costs associated with the delivery of the above
   services.  Note: All logistical costs including transportation, data
   collection fees and printing costs will be covered by the consultant and
   should be detailed in the financial proposal. All logistical expenses will
   be reimbursed based on the submission of receipts.