UNICEF Australiaand UNICEF Cambodia

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Review of the UNICEF Cambodia Programmefor Combatting Child Malnutrition (2014-2016)

Consultancy: One position, Evaluation Consultant

Location: UNICEF Cambodia, Phnom Penh

Duration: 24days (from mid-October to November 2016)

I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

  1. Background:Under the 2011-2015 and now 2016-2018 Country Programme, UNICEF Cambodia has sought to increase coverage of evidence-based nutrition interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition in women of reproductive age and children under five. Planned interventions aimto promote optimal infant and young child feeding practices, emphasizing adequate complementary feeding while continuing breastfeeding promotion. During this period foundational work towards a national system for management of acute malnutrition has been established with government counterparts and prevention of anemia and other micronutrient deficiencies in children and womenis being addressed through multiple micronutrient supplementation and fortification.
  2. Reviewto date has revealed that a lack of progress in nutrition indicators is partially explained by stagnant trends in some determinants of nutrition, including diarrhoea prevalence, improper complementary feeding and inadequate WASH access and practices. The reasons for a recent decline in breastfeeding rates and the nature of inappropriate infant feeding patterns remain unclear and further research is required to ensure effective interventions.
  1. The strategic vision for the programme, moving into the 2016-2018 program period, under the umbrella of the ScalingUp Nutrition (SUN) movement, is to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2014-2018 including strategies for improving breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrient interventions and management of severe acute malnutrition.
  1. In the new UNICEF Country Programme (2016-2018), Nutritionhas merged together with UNICEF’s Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Child Protection, Child Rights and Early Learning programme components under a new Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) programme structure promoting early childhood survival, care, development and protection for children under the age of six, particularly in six target districts in six provinces, predominantly in the north-eastern region where child poverty and rights deprivations are significantly more prevalent compared to national averages. Within the IECD programme, the Nutritioncomponent seeks to apply experienceand lessons learnt from the 2011-2015 country programme, to strengthen capacity and services provided by district and commune in their provision of nutrition interventions through integrated health services, as well as the capacity of families and communities to provide adequate nutrition, to promote actions and practices that enhance full potential child development of children.
  1. This will be achieved through a focus on:

Activity 1: Increase the number of acute malnourishedchildren receiving treatment: Wasting contributes to adverse health conditions, such as stunting. Evidence suggests that multiple episodes of wasting negatively affect linear growth and, therefore, undermine a healthy growth and development in children. The current low coverage of wasted Cambodian children receiving treatment adds to the burden of morbidity and mortality in the under-five population and is likely to limit the optimal linear growth of thousands of children. The main priority of this proposal for nutrition is to increase coverage of appropriate treatment in acute malnourished children through improved identification and referral of cases as well as access, use and adherence to treatment. Funds will be allocated to ensure to fill the gaps in order to reach nationally more than 10,000 children. Alternative will be sought for moderate acute malnourished children.

Activity 2: Increase awareness of appropriate feeding practices during pregnancy and the first two years of life: According to the recent UNICEF data (2016) among 2,648 children aged 6-23.9 months, 78.9 per cent of them do not get the minimum acceptable diet. Even if 75.3 per cent gets the minimum meal frequency, each time ¾ of the children are eating less than a half a bowl. The latest awareness raising messages on appropriate feeding practices were developed in 2011. UNICEF, with the Ministry of Health will adapt these mass media materials to be more in line with the current situation and findings, using up-to date communication means use by the target audience. A special focus will also be done on pregnant women as UNICEF demonstrated in 2016 that more than 20 per cent of them had a pregnancy at risk for low birth weight and stunting. UNICEF will increase its intervention among pregnant women by facilitating the screening of pregnant women at risk of health issues and provide solutions when needed such counselling and food solution to increase their energy intakes will be tested locally through the health facilities.

Activity 3: Support external and internal quality assurance to ensure the enforcement of the sub-decree no. 69 on iodization of salt: One of the major barriers is the lack of enforcement in quality control and compliance systems to ensure that salts are fortified at the required level to have a public health impact. UNICEF will first support series of independent quality control at the market level (one every trimester) to compare the results with the one gathered by Cam-Control. In the meantime, UNICEF will closely work Cam-Control to ensure that measures are taken once irregularities are found. In addition, UNICEF will develop technical guidelines on the production, monitoring, quality control and quality assurances at different levels as to date the sub-decree is the only existing document.

Activity 4:Enhanced monitoring survey:This is our best tool to understand how people change and how we should prioritize our multi sectoral interventions (Health, Nutrition, Wash and Education). It is critical to collect data, to provide effective feedback and adjust our interventions. The main objective of the study is to inform the Government of Cambodia on the functioning of the current health system in the selected districts, and to provide rapid feedback on how enhancing and enforcing the current health system could lead to significant health improvements.

  1. Rationale: The UNICEF Australia National Committee (hereafter referred as UNICEF Australia) has been funding Combatting Child Malnutrition Programme from 2014 to 2016 to a value of AUD$ 600,000. Funding for the programme has focused support to large scale food fortification initiatives, scaling up MNP usage, development of a new innovative food supplements, improved and accelerated national complimentary feeding campaigns and improved treatment and screening of severe acute malnutrition. Although UNICEF Cambodia is making progress in combating child malnutrition, there is a need for an external review to meet the accountability and reporting requirements of UNICEF Australia for the funds received by UNICEF Cambodia over the period 2014-2016.

II.PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK

  1. Purpose:The review aims is to systematically identify, assess and select relevant existing evidence on progress made in child malnutrition. This review is timely as it is coming at the end of the first year of implementation of the new Country Programme, and it is expected to generate evidence to inform action to further strengthen the Nutrition component and to inform the management and implementation of the reaming part of the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) that will end in 2018.
  1. Objectives:The review is expected to achieve the following objectives:

To consolidate and analyse findings from existing programme documents, studies and evaluation relating to the implementation of the Nutrition programme from January 2014 to December 2016 and consolidate these into a comprehensive overview of documented achievements against planned results in the Logical Framework;

To identify and document lessons learnt and cases studies of effective practice; and

To establish and validate recommendations for future nutrition interventions.

  1. Scope of Work:The scope of the review is restricted to the following activities implemented over the period 2014-2016, as follows:
  • Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) screening and treatment;
  • Development of innovative food supplementation;
  • Generation of evidence; and
  • Distribution and uptake of Micronutrient Powders and improvement of feeding practices.
  1. The key questions guiding the review and consolidation of findings are:
  • What if any evidence is there of tangible positive outcomes in UNICEF’s work to combating child malnutrition that are directly attributable to the Nutrition programme in the past three years – that is, achievements that would very likely not have occurred in its absence?
  • What if any unintended negative consequences has the Nutrition programme incurred (e.g., low government ownership)?
  • To what extentwere the results achieved relevant to the needs of Cambodian population, including the most vulnerable, and to what extent the activities supported the national policies and guidelines?
  • To what extentwere the Nutrition programme design, activities and approaches feasible, credible and effectively able to achieve the intended results?
  • On balance, to what extent did the programme design and approaches represent an efficient mechanism to support government priorities and were they cost effective?
  • Does the implementing partner NNP and the relevant line ministries of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Planning take ownership of achieved results and is it likely that they will build on these in the future?Is there evidence of leverage of increased government funding for combating child malnutrition as a result of the programme?
  1. All the questions above will be answered with a view to identifying and document key strengths on which to capitalize, and shortcomings to address, so as to improve the Nutrition programme moving forward, identify lessons learned and best practice.

III.METHODOLOGY

  1. The methodology will include:
  • Adesk review examining the annual programme reports, programme donor reports, previous reviews and evaluations, UNICEF Cambodia programme mid-term review 2013, National Nutrition report of 2014 and 2015 (led by UNICEF) and longitudinal study implemented in the first semester of 2016.
  • In-country consultations with UNICEF Cambodia staff, management and implementing partners. The consultant will take into consideration input by community stakeholders and beneficiaries in evaluations already undertaken and incorporate this in consolidated findings. During the desk review, the consultant will however identify if further community consultation is required and incorporate this into the work plan. This will involve a mix of face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and if needed, a field visit to at least one target area.
  • A multi-stakeholder in-country one-day validation workshop with up to 20 participants from UNICEF and its implementing partners (incl. the National Nutrition Programme, HKI, the Ministry of Planning, Provincial Health Departments, selected hospitals involved in SAM project). The objective of the workshop will be to reflect on achievements, challenges, cases of effective practice, and work towards building consensus of best practice in order to validate key findings, conclusions and recommendations of the review. UNICEF Cambodia to invite relevant participants, organize and provide a suitable venue, snacks and meals for participants, as well as required workshop materials.
  1. All documentation and information obtained will be treated as strictly confidential and is not to be used for public dissemination. The review will follow the ethical procedures set in the UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation, Data Collection and Analysis (2015).
  1. The consultant will be expected to triangulate data sources using the most appropriate methods to answer the questions above. Accordingly, a first course of action for the selected consultant, after meeting with UNICEF Australia focal point and UNICEF Cambodia Nutrition Specialist, will be to deliver an Inception Report that includes among other items, a detailed analysis plan demonstrating how it will harness specific data sources to answer each of the questions above. After the completion of the desk review, in-country consultations and validation workshop, the consultant will analyse and synthesize the findings into a comprehensive Review Report and Power Point Presentation against the following headlines:
  • Introduction, purpose objectives and scope;
  • Methodology and limitations;
  • Key findings pertaining to all areas of UNICEF Australia support against the guiding questions outlined above, and conclusions;
  • Recommendations for subsequent nutrition interventions; and
  • Additional observations (in Annex).

IV.MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ARRAGEMENTS

  1. Theconsultantwill be responsible for the following:
  • Conceptualize and organize all aspects of the review, including preparing an Inception Report with a proposed analysis plan and work plan detailing key activities against timelines for the consultancy. This must be finalized in consultation with the UNICEF Cambodia NutritionSpecialist and UNICEF Australia focal point;
  • Undertake the desk review of the evolution and impact of nutrition interventions from 2014-2016.
  • Undertake in-country stakeholder consultations as outlined above;
  • Deliver the stakeholdervalidation workshop; and
  • Deliver a draft and then final Review Report and PowerPoint Presentation,both of which must be concise, visually engaging, and equipped with a list of all sources of data and people consulted.
  1. The Nutrition Chief / Specialist(UNICEF Cambodia) will be responsible for:
  • At the start of the consultancy provide softcopies of all available background documentation and previous evaluations and studies;
  • In consultation with the consultant identify required participants for in-country consultations and stakeholder workshop; and
  • Provide operational supervision and logistical supporton day-to-day execution of planned activities, including technical supervision; and
  • Review and approve final deliverableson behalf of UNICEF Cambodia.
  1. UNICEF Australiawill be responsible for:
  • Financing all aspects of the consultancy, including expenditures for in-country consultations as per agreed costs with consultant.
  • Advertising, shortlisting and recruiting the consultant. This will be done using UNICEF Australia’s recruitment procedures. Technical assessment of up to three (3) shortlisted be done in consultation with UNICEF Cambodia’s Nutrition Specialist and CSD chief, who will also sign of on UNICEF Cambodia’s behalf on the preferred candidate to be selected;
  • Pay consultantin agreed stages upon final approval of UNICEF Cambodia of agreed deliverables;
  • Input into the review process, and approve final deliverables.
  1. The UNICEF Cambodia Research and Evaluation Steering Committee will review the deliverables of the consultancy (draft Inception Report and draft Review Report) and provide quality assurance.

V.KEY SKILLS, ACADEMIC/TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

  1. Thecomplete assignment will be executed by an individual consultant. S/he will need to have significant experience in conducting program reviews and evaluations (minimum 10 years).S/he will be working closely with both the UNICEF Cambodia and UNICEF Australia teams as outlined above.An invitation is extended to development consultants with substantial knowledge and experience in design, monitoring and evaluation, as well as nutrition programming for children, to submit an application to execute the consultancy. The successful consultant should offer the following range of skills and experience, namely:
  • Demonstration of strategic thinking skills;
  • Technical knowledge, skills and expertise in programme design, monitoring and evaluation;
  • Relevant expertisein nutrition programming preferred, however relevant expertise in health and/or early childhood development programming will be considered.
  • Strong skills in understanding and application of qualitative and quantitative research;
  • Participatory facilitation and consultation skills;
  • Active listening and good time management skills;
  • Excellent oral and written communication and report writing skills in English, proficiency and the ability to communicate inKhmer will be assessed an added advantage; and
  • Computer literacy in Word, Excel and Power Point.

VI.TIMELINE, TIME ALLOCATION, DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT

  1. The consultancy is estimated at 24-26working days, to be commenced in mid-October 2016and finished by 30 November 2016. The consultant can work from home except for when undertaking in-country consultations and facilitating the stakeholder design workshop.

Key Tasks / Deliverables and Payment / Time Allocation (days) / Deadline
Conduct preliminary consultations, produce Inception Report / 40%: (1) Inception Report, includinganalysis plan and work plan for the consultancy; (2) Invoice for estimated travel expenditures and working days required for in country consultations and workshops / 6 / 31/10/2016
Desk review, in-country consultations and workshop / 40%: Completion of desk review, in-country consultations and workshop / 12-14 / 18/11/2016
Finalization of Review Report (maximum 20,000 words without Annexes) and presentation of review findings and recommendationsfor dissemination purposes / 20%: Final Review Report and PowerPoint Presentation (in English) / 6 / 30/11/2016
TOTAL / 100% / 24-26

VII.EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

  1. All interested and eligible consultants should send an application packet including the following:
  • A cover letter outlining your ‘expression of interest’ and suitability for selection;
  • A quotation for completion of work based on consultancy fee/rate, per person day. Please note this is a competitive tender process and the overall budget submitted for the consultancy will be used as part of the selection process;
  • Updated CV/Resume, and/or completed UN Personal History Profile (P11)[1]; and
  • A relevant sample report, with a clear indication of the applicant’s contribution to the report.
  1. Prospective consultants must include in their Expression of Interest a total quotation for the consultancy outlining their professional fee/daily consultancy rate. The quotation must be inclusive of any requests for daily subsistence allowance and international and domestic transportation for tasks to be completed in-country in Cambodia (this includes field work and translation costs). If the consultant is not based in Cambodia, UNICEF Australia will cover travel costs including economy class airfare. The total quotation will form part of the final selection process.
  1. The estimated maximum budget for the consultancy is AUD$25,000 (approximately USD$18,000) plus international airfare on economy class.
  1. The consultant will be paid in accordance with the payment schedule under section VI above, following full completion of required deliverables that have been approved by the UNICEF Australia and UNICEF Cambodia.
  1. UNICEF Australia is a Child Safe Organization. To be eligible for engagement as a consultant with UNICEF Australia the successful applicant will be required to present a National Police Check or equivalent background check and provide suitable referees before approval of their contract.
  1. The application packet should be transmitted via email to Ms Felicity Weveras per instructions below:

Email: