International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the nutrition related results and strategy and make recommendations for future action
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional and country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Background
The Accelerated Value Chains Development (AVCD) program commenced in October 2015 and is implemented by a consortium of CGIAR centers i.e. the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Areas Tropics (ICRISAT), and the International Potato Center (CIP), under the leadership of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), with financial support from Feed the Future (FtF) of the United State of America International Development (USAID). AVCD focuses on four value chains: livestock, dairy, staple and root crops. The goal of the FTF-AVCD program is ‘to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in the Feed the Future Zones of Influence in Kenya’ and the development objectives are ‘Inclusive agricultural sector growth and Improved nutritional status for women and children in the targeted value chains in the Feed the Future zones of influence in Kenya’ targeting a total of 326,000 beneficiaries in 21 counties.
AVCD’s theory of change is based on a two-pronged approach for economic growth, inclusive agricultural growth and improved nutrition for women and children. The main implementation strategies include: improving access to knowledge tools (technologies and innovations); buying down risk (increasing resilience); improving the nutritional status for the target population; enhancing natural resource management; improving market linkages; re-aligning business regulatory policies; improving access to inputs; strengthening business and financial services; and promoting greater diversification.
The AVCD nutrition impact pathways focus on production, income and women’s empowerment with cross cutting nutrition Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) approaches. These SBCC approaches are aimed at influencing dietary practices as well as utilization of health and nutrition services. Appropriate maternal and infant dietary practices measured by dietary diversity scores and improved utilization of maternal and child health and nutrition services are the desired behavioral changes that are expected to improve nutrition outcomes of the beneficiaries.
An internal mid-term review was conducted in May 2017 and made recommendations to re-focus the programme in advance of the final year of implementation. It would be useful at this stage to take stock of the impact of nutrition related activities, and to look strategically at future interventions with a view to increased effectiveness and a focused approach.
Objective of The Assignment
The primary objective of the study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the nutrition related results and strategy and make recommendations for future action. Specific objectives include;
- Assessing the progress with the nutrition impact pathways (production, income, women’s empowerment) with reference to the nutrition strategy, objectives and indicators defined by the project document.
- Assess the multi-sectoral collaboration including the implementation arrangements, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each sector, and identify major issues that impact on the achievement of project objectives.
- Based on the stipulated dietary practices to be changed, establish what has changed and the approach that has been most effective in creating the desired change. The use of proxies to establish this should be taken into consideration.
- Assess the different priority nutrition SBCC approaches used by AVCD to improve dietary practices and health/nutrition care of beneficiaries and rank their effectiveness using suitable measurement criteria.
- Make recommendations on the most effective nutrition SBCC approaches for improving nutrition amongst the different segment of AVCD’s target population.
Scope of Work
Duties and tasks will include the following:
- Conduct a review of the activities being undertaken by the value chains aimed at effecting on the nutrition impact pathways
- Assess the existing nutrition strategy and identify priority areas of engagement, offering recommendations
- Assess the level of collaboration at national and county levels with the relevant stakeholders in the line sectors including Agriculture, Health, Education and private sector offering recommendations to enhance achievement of program nutrition objectives
- Check the level of nutrition knowledge and practices amongst government trained trainers and trainees’ community members at household level with reference to the approaches used
Final Products
A final report of the findings and recommendations
Essential Skills and Qualifications Required:
Required qualifications of the team members
- Advanced degree in Education (pedagogical), Sociology, rural development or related training
- Over 10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation with a bias in nutrition in Agriculture
- Previous experience with agriculture or nutrition implementation in Kenya is a requirement
- Knowledge of the Kenyan nutrition land scape
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent command of English language
Consultancy Fee: Lump sum
Post location: Home based
Duration: 6 weeks (December 2017 to February 2018)
How to apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 19 December 2017.. The position title and reference number REF: C/AVCD/2017 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/
To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.