CONSULTANCY CALL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KENYA NUTRITION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Overview

The Ministry of Health through the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics (DND) developed the Kenya Nutrition Capacity Development Framework (KNCDF) 2014 - 2019 to guide capacity development in nutrition. The KNCDF has been used as a reference document in guiding Nutrition Capacity Development. The KNCDF provides a comprehensive guide for shaping nutrition capacity development, recognizing the role of policies, funding mechanisms, and organizational synergies, as well as coordination, monitoring, and evaluation strategies. The framework provides standardized approaches for evidence-based Nutrition Capacity development notably: key pillars (Systemic, Organization, Technical, and Community) for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in Nutrition Service Delivery. A review of the KNCDF implementation was conducted in 2022 which provided strategic recommendations on improving capacity for nutrition-sensitive and specific sectors. This consultancy seeks to identify and onboard an experienced consultant to facilitate DND and nutrition sector stakeholders in the development of the next Kenya Nutrition Capacity Development Strategy 2023-2027. The consultant will process and incorporate feedback from global strategies, the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan (KNAP) Mid-term review report, and the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS), 2022 findings and ensure alignment to applicable policies and action plans across the nutrition sector (Nutrition specific and Sensitive—Agriculture & Livestock, Blue Economy & Fisheries, Social Protection, Education, Water). The development process will be widely consultative and participatory under the coordination of the DND and will ensure the inclusion of other sectors, County Governments, Academia, regulatory bodies, and other partners.

Introduction

Moving Integrated, Quality Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Family Planning and Reproductive Health (MNCH/FP/RH) Services to Scale (MOMENTUM) Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) is a five-year global project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide targeted MNCH/FP/RH technical and capacity development assistance (TCDA) to countries to facilitate countries’ sustainable development plans. MCGL also aims to contribute to global technical leadership and learning, and USAID’s policy dialogue for achievement of global MNCH/FP/RH goals through support to globally endorsed MNCH/FP/RH initiatives, strategies, frameworks, guidelines, and action plans. In addition, MCGL has received funding from USAID to support targeted capacity development activities to strengthen programming for nutrition.

MCGL Kenya contributes to the following four main result areas:

Result 1: Access to and use of evidence-based, high-quality MNCH/FP/RH information, services, and interventions are scaled up and sustained. Result 2: Capacity of host country institutions, local organizations, and providers to deliver evidence- based, high-quality MNCH/FP/RH services is improved, institutionalized, measured, documented, and responsive to population needs. Result 3: Adaptive learning and use of evidence in MNCH/FP/RH programming through sustained host country technical leadership increased. Result 4: Cross-sectoral collaboration and innovative partnerships between MNCH/FP/RH and non-MNCH/FP/RH organizations increased.

With funding from USAID, MCGL will complement the work of USAID Advancing Nutrition in strengthening planning, coordination, and resource mobilization for multisector nutrition. Specifically, this activity will support organizational and systemic capacity strengthening at the national level and improve the leadership and coordination of the nutrition workforce at the county level.

Objective of the assignment

To develop a costed Kenya Nutrition Capacity Development Strategy To provide guidance on a nutrition capacity development strategy that describes the effectiveness of capacity strengthening implementation structures, interventions, and operational tools.

Responsibilities

Key Deliverables:

Lead the technical workshops and meetings for the entire development process (Draft agenda, consensus building and identify key issues to be incorporated. Outline of the KNCD strategy Inception report that includes clear KNCD strategy development process Draft 1 KNCD strategy for Validation Draft 2 of KNCD strategy with comments incorporated Facilitate stakeholders validation workshop of the draft KNCD Strategy Printer ready for final KNCD Strategy Develop PowerPoint slides and materials for both validation and dissemination events.

Expected Outputs (Proposed KNCDF development process)

Participate in inception meetings with stakeholders and write an inception report demonstrating understanding of the task and outlining the proposed approach within 5 days after the meeting. Conduct desk review on capacity development including Global guidelines, the review report on the Kenya Nutrition Capacity Development Framework 2014 – 2019, the Midterm Review Report for Kenya Nutrition Action Plan 2018 – 2022, Mapping Report for Food and Nutrition Coordination Structures and Capacity Assessment Reports among others. Develop stakeholder engagement tools to guide the strategic development process and KNCD Strategy outline Guide stakeholder engagement processes to generate inputs, build consensus and synthesize the inputs. Draft the Kenya Nutrition Capacity Development Strategy and incorporate feedback from stakeholder reviews and inputs. Cost the capacity development interventions and present a final strategy for validation. Refine and present a final print-ready strategy Develop a concise PowerPoint presentation for dissemination to stakeholders.

Timeframe and deliverables

This consultancy is expected to be finalized within 3 months of the contract signature unless otherwise stated by the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics. The level of effort expected for completing the assignment is no more than 45 working days. The assignment is spread over a three-month period. The start and end dates will depend on when the consultant and Jhpiego sign a consultancy agreement.

Accountability

The day-to-day management of this consultancy will be done by the Capacity Program Manager and Save the Children Senior Nutrition Technical Advisor with close consultation with USAID MCGL. The technical working group for Capacity development under the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics will provide oversight and technical support during the review, validation, and finalization of the final document. Other key stakeholders in MOH and development and implementing partners will also provide technical inputs into the document to ensure quality before finalization.

Required Qualifications

PhD. in Nutrition, governance, strategy, or related field degree or higher in nutrition, health systems strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, planning, public policy, management, development economics, and economics. Previous experience leading national-level policy development, action plans, etc highly preferred At least 7 years of senior-level experience in leading national-level engagement of government agencies, stakeholders, decentralized planning, and working with development partners and networks on decentralized services. Experience conducting assessments, capacity development mapping, and stakeholder analysis for public sector institutions. Familiarity and understanding of the multi-sectoral nutrition coordination, national and county cluster coordination platforms for Health/Agriculture/Education, etc. Effective working relationships with stakeholders from government agencies, international organizations, donors, academics, and opinion leaders. Experience with the following approaches: system strengthening, training and capacity building, and working with civil society organizations and the private sector. Relevant knowledge and experience in nutrition-specific and sensitive stakeholder landscape, and nutrition programming and planning processes including various coordinating mechanisms.  Strong English writing and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders and partners at all levels. Working knowledge of Microsoft software packages: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Experience undertaking assessments supported by USAID or other US Government funded organizations/ international NGOs.