Consultancy for Adapted Semi-Qualitative Evaluation at Concern Worldwide

Specific objectives

1. To estimate the treatment coverage of children 6-59 months with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in the 12 health facilities/catchment areas targeted for the Community Screening Surge pilot in Marsabit, providing a reliable single coverage estimate and confidence interval.
2. To classify the level of coverage in the Health Surge pilot arm (11 facilities) and Preventative Actions Surge pilot arm in Marsabit (8 facilities) as low (<50%), medium (=50%) or high (>50%)
3. To identify factors affecting uptake of SAM and MAM services in the pilot areas (barriers and boosters) and determine the degree to which barriers identified have been addressed (if at all), according to the action plans developed at baseline.
4. To understand from health facility staff and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in the Screening Surge and Preventative Actions Surge pilot what actions were planned and triggered and when and where during the previous twelve months of the pilot.
5. To strengthen the skills of technical staff (MOH and Concern/Nawiri) in the SQUEAC methodology through training and mentorship.
6. In collaboration with the MOH teams in two Counties, Nawiri and other nutrition partners in the area, provide specific recommendations on how the Screening Surge pilot components and Preventative Actions pilot components could be improved to increase coverage in the future using the Adapted IMAM Surge approach.

Justification

Concern is the lead partner for health and nutrition in the Nawiri consortium and for piloting the Adapted IMAM Surge approach in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, which will inform the final approach to implementation during the remainder of the project. Assessing IMAM coverage requires specialised skills. Thus, Concern seeks the service of an experienced consultant to adapt the SQUEAC methodology and conduct the assessment in Marsabit County.

Technical Approach and Methodology

Specific tasks to be undertaken by the consultant

The following should be undertaken in collaboration and support from Concern/ Nawiri and County/ subcounty health authorities:

• Survey method: Work with the Concern and MoH team (and potentially external experts) to confirm the final survey methodology vis-à-vis the context of the IMAM Surge pilot and baseline survey method and results, ensuring robust comparisons can be made according to the specific objectives above.
• Tools: Develop and review the data collection tools.
• Training: Train data collectors for the assessment. Transfer skills in undertaking a SQUEAC assessment to Concern staff, MOH staff and recruited SQUEAC data enumerators to equip them with skills to undertake a SQUEAC coverage assessment.
• Administration: Supervise the full coverage survey (survey planning, data collection and analysis, and reporting) in all the targeted areas of operation.
• Implementation of surve*y: Lead in the organization and implementation of the actual survey: with support from Concern technical and MoH staff, ensure accurate data collection at field level. Ensure adequate supervision and coordination of the survey teams in the field.
• Data processing and management; ensure accurate information is collected and analysis of all data is done with the team using all existing and new information available.
• Reporting and dissemination: provide regular/scheduled updates via power point presentations to the NITWG at different stages of the SQUEAC assessment for quality checks. During dissemination and validation workshops of the survey the consultant will present the results to the Nutrition Information Technical Working Group (NITWG) and the appropriate County Nutrition Forum.
• Action planning: In collaboration with Nawiri/Concern lead a one day workshop for MOH staff and partners working in the two counties to develop specific recommendations to improve coverage of CMAM program in the target areas, including practical adaptations to the IMAM Surge approach for the next phase of Nawiri implementation.

Outputs and Deliverables

The following are the deliverables expected of this assignment

• An inception report outlining the methodology, teams and resources needed and final timeline to be followed
• Concise SQUEAC assessment report with executive summary
• Power point presentation outlining the methodology and preliminary findings for dissemination during the NITWG and County forums

Timeframe

The proposed consultancy will last for 30 days (including training, data collection and technical report). A proposed work schedule will be developed and agreed with the consultant. The expected time for the assessment will be in May/June 2022.

Remuneration

• Concern will pay the consultant a fee per day for the agreed number of days required for the work*.*
• Please indicate the number of days required (share a detailed work plan) and your daily rate in the proposal.
• The payment is subject to withholding tax and other requirements under the Laws of Kenya.
• In your quotation clearly indicate if VAT is applicable or not.

Working Conditions

The Consultant is expected to work at the direction of Concern. Internally s/he will closely work with Concern NAWIRI team - Project Lead, Senior Advisor-Health and Nutrition, and Nutrition Technical Specialists. Externally, the Consultant will interact with other NAWIRI partners that includes Tufts University and Catholic Relief Services among other consortium members. At the county level, the consultant will liaise and engage with County Nutrition Officers/ Coordinators in Marsabit (and possibly Isiolo) County. Further, this assessment involves interaction with Ministry of Health (MOH) and other national government departments and officials.

Essential Qualifications

• Extensive experience conducting IMAM coverage surveys, including SQUEAC and/or SLEAC and training and supervising teams on the approach.
• Post graduate qualification in nutrition or related health science,
• At least 3 years’ experience working in the humanitarian/ development sector and conducting similar assessments.
• A strong understanding of the statistical basis for SQUEAC and SLEAC in order to guide the team on the best method to use for the needs outlined above.
• A very good command of spoken and written English.
• Consultants and consultancy firms based in Kenya with solid experience in the health and nutrition sector in Kenya are encouraged to apply.
• Previous experience in the ASALS will be an added advantage

Supporting documentation required

• Certificate of Incorporation (firms) or National ID card (individual)
• Valid Tax Compliance Certificate
• PIN Certificate
• Company / Consultant’s Profile
• CVs of key staff
• Certificate/reference information of previous undertakings of similar contracts with NGOs/UN agencies.
• Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct etc. or what are the necessary provisions have you put in place to keep everyone safe in the course of your engagement.
• Attach copy of Certificate of Good Conduct or proof that you have applied for the same.
• Confirm the gender ratio for the team that you will be engaging in this exercise.
• A detailed work plan with milestones.