Consultant Job In Zambia
Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition (RAIN+)
Terms of Reference for Consultancy to design the social accountability component of the RAIN+ Project
Background
Concern has been working in Zambia since 2002 implementing livelihoods, HIV and AIDS and nutrition programmes. In Mumbwa District, Central Province, Concern Zambia is implementing the Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition Project (RAIN) that focuses on reducing the prevalence of stunting in children by promoting improved nutrition during the critical period from conception to 23 months of age. Concern is also a member of the consortium (SUN Fund) responsible for the scaling up of nutrition under the Most Critical 1000 Days Programme through capacity building and support to the key line Ministries, nutrition planning and activities in 14 pilot Districts and support for related operations and innovations research. In Western Province, Concern is implementing an Integrated Poverty Reduction and Women Empowerment Programme, a Conservation Agriculture Project that promotes sustainable agriculture with the poorest farmers in these marginal areas and supports the local integration of former Angolan Refugees.
A second phase of RAIN started in 2015 in 4 wards within Mumbwa district, funded by DFID. The RAIN+ project has a stronger women empowerment component, including increasing the linkages of farmers with markets. Using best practice, emerging evidence and current experience, the RAIN+ project will promote a sustainable model to effectively reduce child and maternal under-nutrition through a multi-sectoral approach that integrates agricultural and nutrition interventions with women’s empowerment and the systematic promotion of gender equality. The project will be implemented in close coordination with Mumbwa Child Development Agency (MCDA), Women for Change (WfC) and the District Nutrition Coordinating Committee which includes representatives of key line government departments at district level. The project targets 6000 women in 290 groups and their household members and works with government at each level.
Recent research has shown that social accountability approaches work in increasing utilization of health services and improving health outcomes (Uganda) and infant mortality reduction in Brazil. Community consultations (FGD) for women and husbands and District discussions with government and stakeholders informed the design of RAIN+ project. Women highlighted both the lack of information related to health & agriculture and the absence of agricultural extension services as key barriers to improving household nutrition. Therefore Concern included a social accountability component in the RAIN+ project, which, by increasing knowledge and demand, aims to help increase coverage and quality of services in the field of health, agriculture and water.
Objectives of the Consultancy
The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support in the design of the social accountability component of the RAIN+ project, develop necessary materials and to train project staff in the methodology in order to effectively support women groups to lobby for improvements in the quality and accessibility of local services important for improved nutrition.
Specific tasks of the consultancy
The specific tasks of the consultancy are:
- To review programme documents from the RAIN and RAIN+ project
- To draft a strategy on how to incorporate social accountability into the RAIN+ project within available funds and project implementation structure.
- To design/develop the materials necessary at community level
- To train project staff (Concern/Women for Change and Mumbwa Child Development Agency) in the methodology
Expected Outputs ( Deliverables)
- A clear strategy on how to incorporate a social accountability component in the RAIN+ project set out in the RAIN+ Operations Manual
- Materials developed necessary for the implementation of the social accountability component
- Training conducted for project staff
Duration
The first phase of the consultancy will start in January 2016 and will take up to 20 days.
Required Qualification
Education: The consultant should have a relevant post graduate degree in development studies or related field.
Experience: Practical, demonstrable and relevant experience in implementing social accountability activities, preferably in the Zambian context
Lines of Communication
The Consultant(s) will report to the Director of Programmes and work closely with the District Programme Coordinator and Country Director.
Submission details
Interested applicants should send financial and technical proposals including CV to [email protected] and richard.mwape @concern.net by 18th December, 2015. Note that the government of Zambia requires a 20% tax to be withheld on all consultancy payments.
PROTECTION OF BENEFICIAIRES AND OTHER PROGRAMME PARTICPANTS
Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.
To apply for this job email your details to [email protected]