Development of the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (ARNS) 2026 to 2035 at Nutrition International

Scope of work and responsibilities of the Nutrition Specialist Consultant

• In consultation with the Lead Consultant, the Nutrition Specialist consultant will:
• Propose the methodology and workplan for development of ARNS 2026-2035.
• Recommend the strategic and technical changes that should be incorporated into the new ARNS 2026-2035, through review of feedback from ATFFND 2024 meeting, desk review of relevant documentation, including the current 2016-2025 ARNS and theory of change, national, regional and global nutrition strategies and plans, and the latest global guidance and lessons learnt related to multisector nutrition and food security programming with a special focus on the life cycle approach.
• Special consideration will be given to proven, scalable, cost-effective and impactful interventions.
• Assess the implementation and results of the current 2016- 2025 ARNS, through a participatory analysis and review at regional and Member State levels (in the five AU recognized regions), FAO, AUC, ECA and WFP. 2023. Africa - Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023: Statistics and trends. Accra.
• The WHA six global targets include reducing stunting and wasting in children under 5, halting the epidemic of obesity, reducing anaemia in women of reproductive age, reducing low birth weight and increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding.
• Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agriculture Growth and Transformation (Assembly/AU/ /Decl.1(XXIII))
• UNICEF, WHO, The World Bank. Levels and trends in child malnutrition: Key findings of the 2023 Edition of the Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates – UNICEF | for every child

Deliverables

• The consultant will report and provide the following deliverables (mandatory outputs) to the AUC:
• Inception report on an understanding of the Terms of Reference (TORs), describing the methodology and approach to be used in undertaking the assignment, including timelines and risk assumptions, and a detailed plan of stakeholders to be consulted.
• A report of the review of the implementation of the ARNS 2016-2025, including the review of institutional capacity and needs for strengthening.
• A situation analysis report on nutrition and food security on the continent.
• Briefs from technical consultation meetings on the ARNS 2026-2035.

 Timeline

• The assignment will be undertaken over a period of 12 months. Taking into cconsideration flexibility to plan missions as per convenience and availability of country and regional teams, and time required by the Technical Advisory Committee, ATFFND, STC members and other stakeholder colleagues to review and provide feedback on intermediate products as per proposed timeline. The envisaged timeframe is to produce an inception report within 4 to 6 weeks after the start of the assignment, with the implementation review, situation analysis report and policy brief produced within 5 to 6 months after the start of the assignment.

Expertise Required

• The Nutrition Specialist consultant should possess relevant skills, experience, and capacities to undertake the assignment. Range and nature of skills and experience to include, but not be limited to:
• Advanced university degree in Nutrition and Public Health or related disciplines.
• Over 10 years of country or regional experience in nutrition, policy and programming or related fields.
• Conversant with the current and emerging nutrition issues/challenges and approaches and frameworks in nutrition, including the 1000 days approach, the lifecycle approach, nutrition specific- and sensitiveinterventions, nutrition integration, and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement.
• Have developed strategic frameworks, strategies, policies or related or reports at least within the last five years.
• Experience in collation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data including for desk reviews.
• Excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with government, development organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrated cognitive and analytical capacity to synthesize experiences and findings and formulate relevant and cohesive recommendations.
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications including datamanagement and analysis applications.
•  Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Highly motivated and committed to core values of professionalism, accountability, courage in action, integrity and teamwork.
• Applicants must have excellent working knowledge of English. Working knowledge of another AU language, especially French, will be an added advantage.