SSA Consultant

Type of Contract: Special Services Agreement

• Duration: 6 Months

JOB PURPOSE:

• To critically review the supplementary nutrition programme (SNP) of Anganwadi services scheme, especially Take-Home Rations (THR) and map the different models for its production, recipe combinations for THR distributed across the states and UTs and assess their adherence to recently released NFSA 2023 norms as well as similar other global norms for products meant for infants and young children
• KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not All-inclusive, Nor Exhaustive)
• Conduct a state and UT-wise mapping of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under the anganwadi services (formerly ICDS scheme), especially in terms of entitlements (Dry ration / THR) provided to anganwadi beneficiaries (Children 6m 6 years, Pregnant and Breastfeeding women, Adolescents).
• Map the individual types, models of production, constituents, packaging, serving size and instructions for use (availability of any recipe document or IEC material for the end users), frequency of distribution, processing methods, and quality control and assurance procedures for production and distribution of Take Home Rations (THR) in all states and union territories of India.
• Map any specific types of supplementary nutrition distributed to only select geographies / beneficiary groups in States
• (E.g any specific THRs distributed to pregnant women, children with SAM etc)
• Identify and document efforts to improve linkage between the supplementary nutrition and nutrition education at the community level taken by different state and UTs.
• Conduct a theoretical analysis of the THRs / Dry Rations to assess their conformity to product composition and nutritional standards as per NFSA 2023.
• Compare the THRs / Dry Rations with global standards for similar supplementary nutrition products for young children and their alignment to the principles of complementary feeding.
• For all the THR products / Dry Rations mapped as part of the study, also gather information from states / UTs of the current costs incurred by the state from production to distribution of the product.
• To develop recommendations based on the mapping exercise to improve the quality of the THRs in a bid to improve complementary feeding practices as well as prevent stunting.
• Provide case studies for the identified states with best THR products / efficient models of production to further understand practices which can be replicated across other states / UTs
• (Minimum 3 states).
• Deliverable plan (indicative, not all inclusive)
• Inception report and plan for the study : Includes inception meeting with WFP officials, background, rationale, methodology for data collection, and timeline; takes 0.5 months
• (15% Payment)
• Topline findings : Covers types, models of production, constituents, packaging, serving size, instructions for use (recipe document/IEC material for end users), frequency of distribution, processing methods, modality of production, and quality control/assurance procedures; takes 2.5 months
• (25% Payment)
• Nutritional analysis of individual THR products/dry rations : Presentation on nutritional analysis of THR products/dry rations/UTs; takes 4.5 months
• (25% Payment)
• Draft final report : Submission of final report with all annexures and analytical tables; takes 5.5 months
• (20% Payment)
• Final report : Re-submission of the report based on WFP inputs; takes 6 months.(15% Payment)
• At all stages of the study, the consultant is expected to work in close collaboration and guidance from WFP Country office staff and shall be available for meetings / discussions as per WFPs requirements
• The consultant is also expected to keep WFP staff updated on weekly basis regarding progress on data collection, analysis, challenges foreseen etc.
• Data collection methodology:
• Secondary data collection through official government websites
• Primary data collection through telephone calls / virtual meetings with concerned officials
• In case information is not readily available, the Consultant will be required to undertake travel to capture the necessary information.
• In states with WFP presence, WFP will try and facilitate the findings through their staff positioned in such districts (Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana).
• Undertake travel as required to collect information or cross validate information as may be required,
• STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• EDUCATION
• Advance university degree in Nutrition, Public health, Management, Dietetics, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• 10 years of progressively responsible work experience preferably in the development sector in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO.
• Experience on working with nutrition or school-based programme and preparation of such large-scale reports.
• Good understanding of public health nutrition, especially implementation of the supplementary nutrition programme of the anganwadi services (formerly ICDS) scheme in India.
• Previous experience of conducting similar studies / analysis.
• LANGUAGE
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi.
• KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
• Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication ability.
• Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders particularly government, academia etc.
• Excellent report writing skills
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft office;
• Knowledge of UN system would be an asset in particular WFP programmes is an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of nutrition and food security experts.
• CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
• Willingness to travel to Delhi for meetings with WFP staff / travel to states for additional data collection.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.
• Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
• Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.
• WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage
• Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.