The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is a non-governmental, non-profit making coalition, made up of organizations with a shared vision to transform Nigeria into a country where every citizen is food and nutrition secured. We pursue this lofty goal by engaging government and non-state actors to raise awareness, sustain commitment and actions to effectively tackle under-nutrition in Nigeria. The coalition was formally launched on the 7th of August, 2014.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant to Conduct Baseline Study on the Use of Evidence by Policy Makers to Inform Decision Making at the National and Focal States

Location: Abuja

Background
The Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) is a project designed to strengthen the Nigeria nutrition systems to be more Result-driven, Effective, Serviceable, Efficient and Transparent (RESET). This is to facilitate the delivery of Nutrition interventions and to hold government accountable on commitments made to allocate, release and use transparently funds for implementation of high impact Nutrition interventions in Nigeria through evidence-based advocacy.

Malnutrition in Nigeria is caused by several factors including lack of food, improper feeding and caring practices, economic and political structures, low status and lack of education among women, etc. Therefore, a multi-sectoral approach is required for a reduction and eventual eradication of the scourge. The UNICEF conceptual framework (UNICEF 2013) brings to the fore the need for multi-actors, disciplines, sectors and systems in this effort as evidence increasingly suggests that solving malnutrition can benefit from a systems approach (WHO 2009; Hammond & Dube’ 2012).

PINNS project adopts a systems approach to strengthening bodies and structures burdened with the responsibility of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. It pays attention to the unpredictable interaction among factors, sectors, disciplines and determinants of nutrition, bringing to the table key tools and technical support required for the effective coordination and implementation of programs. PINNs seeks to focus on strengthening governance, policy implementation, effective coordination, financing, building the capacity of state actors, generation and effective communication of evidence and promoting accountability. This collective effort will contribute to a reduction in malnutrition, thereby improving the nutritional status of Nigerians, particularly women and children. The organizational capacity of CS-SUNN to become a leading voice on nutrition advocacy in Nigeria by deepening expertise gained from the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project and building new ones is also one of the goals the project intends to achieve.

Rationale

• Uptake of evidence in the policy making process is important and the depth and quality of knowledge used by policy makers during the process is relevant for national development. Typically, solving real life problems which is one of the reasons for evolving policies, is more likely to succeed if the situation is studied via research/problem analysis and recommendations made with evidence from the research becomes the basis of policy proffered.
• There 2 Key players in evolving evidenced based policies and they both have conflicting goals; The researchers goal is to solve problems by producing and expand knowledge while the Policymakers solve problems by satisfying people with specific political, cultural and other contextual agendas. Researchers and policy makers have great roles but the challenge has always been taking evidence from research and use as a basis for making policy decisions as it relates to real life issues in health and nutrition.
• The level of evidence-literacy in policy making institutions is a reflection of the society evidence-literacy. Therefore, it is important to access the policy makers ability to use evidence in decision making. Also, there is need to generate more synergies between platforms to communicate and promote the use of evidence among policy makers towards evolving and implementing policies.
• The PINNS project is looking to engage a consultant to conduct a study that will analyze context on evidence communication to policy makers, the capacity of policy makers to use research, identification of incentives that motivates policy makers to use research, current capacity of policy makers in evidence-use to inform decisions and the best linkage strategies between researchers and policy makers at the national and state level. The information garnered during this study will aid advocacy for improved funding and implementation of the National Multisectoral Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NMSPAN) with focus on high impact interventions -EBF, IYCF, Maternal nutrition and in the Agricultural sector.

Purpose of Assignment

• The purpose of this assignment is to have a study on the use of evidence by policy makers to inform decision making as it relates to prioritizing implementation of high impact nutrition interventions at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa).

Specific Tasks
The specific tasks for the consultants are:

• Develop a study design that clearly contextualize:
  • How well is research communicated to policy makers?
  • How well connected are policy makers and researchers?
  • How evidence-literate are policy makers?
  • What is the use of research access of policy makers?
  • How evidence-informed is the existing policy (NSPAN, ASFNSP)?
  • What are the contributions from evidence-informed policies?
• Develop and produce the study tool
• Conduct the study
• Triangulate findings against regional / global best practices
• Develop a comprehensive report which should be peer reviewed for quality and output at the end of the assignment

Expected Outputs
By the end of the assignment the following outputs will be expected:

• Study design and tool
• A final study report with recommendations on the use of evidence by policy makers to inform decision making at the National and focal state.
• Policy brief on Use of evidence by policy makers to inform decision
• An aide memoir

Type of Consultants Required

• The consultant should have extensive knowledge of the Nigerian health/Nutrition systems and policy landscape with experience in implementing public health programs, especially MNCH and nutrition-related services.
• The consultant will be expected to have an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Planning, Policy and Management, Epidemiology, Health Economics and Financing, Public Policy, Nutrition, Sociology and related disciplines.
• S/He should have an indepth understanding of how the Nigeria Nutrition System works, the challenges and how to address gaps and way forwards.
• S/He must also be vast in collecting and analyzing both quantitative/qualitative data.

Timing of Consultancy:

• The assignment will be carried out in Abuja and focal states (Lagos, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna) and will last for 20 working days in the month of July/August 2018. Assignment must be completed and final submissions made by close of business of the 22nd of August, 2018.

Application Closing Date 
13th July, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send an expression of interest by submitting a formal application with the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Technical offer containing work plan and methodology
• Confirmed availability for the completion of the job
• Financial offer including: (a) daily consultancy fee - all taxes and duties included; (b) travel, accommodation and subsistence costs (if applicable).

Interested candidates should send their complete offer via mail to: info@cs-sunn.organd or csscaleupnutring@gmail.com 

Please address correspondence to:
The Executive Secretary,
Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN),
33 Imo Crescent, 
Area 1, Garki, 
Abuja.