Consultancy : SMART and NIS Technical Support to AAH Afghanistan

Action Against Hunger fights against the causes and effects of hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of children, women and men in vulnerable situations. Founded in France in 1979, Action Contre la Faim is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization.

Purpose:

Technical support for Nutrition Assessments implementation, review and validation of survey protocol, dataset and final survey report as well as Nutrition Information Management for Action Against Hunger Afghanistan Nutrition Surveillance Department.

Background:

SMART (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) is an inter-agency initiative, which was launched in 2002 by a network of organizations and humanitarian practitioners including; donors, policymakers and leading experts in emergency epidemiology and nutrition, food security, early warning systems, and demography. SMART is widely accepted by the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) and Action Against Hunger has acted as the SMART Project Convenor since 2009. The SMART methodology is universal and can be used in all settings (development, emergency, displaced populations) for assessing the prevalence of different types of malnutrition and/or the nutritional impact of a project (when there is a baseline).

SMART was initiated as a new tool to improve the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of humanitarian interventions. It has been designed to address issues of common interest to many organizations working in humanitarian assistance including the need to: i) standardize survey methodologies among organizations conducting nutrition surveys; ii) strengthen the technical capacity of all partners with user-friendly tools; and iii) establish comprehensive, collaborative systems to ensure good quality and reliable data is used for reporting and decision-making.

Since National Nutrition Survey (NNS) was conducted in 2013, there was not any nationwide assessment conducted. Action Against Hunger took step and started to conduct nutrition assessments in different provinces of Afghanistan in order to provide updated information to all relevant stakeholders. Since 2014, Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission conducted around 45 SMART assessments, 18 Rapid SMART assessments, 5 SLEAC and 31 SQUEAC assessments.

Action Against Hunger is the only agency in Afghanistan conducting nutrition assessments all over the country. Other clusters such as FSL, WASH and Health clusters also requested Action Against Hunger to add some questions in the survey questionnaire in order to capture information related to these fields. On 21 – 23 November 2016, Action Against Hunger organized a “Multi Sectorial Data Clinic workshop” with participation of Cluster Coordinators from FSL, WASH, Nutrition and Health sectors. During this workshop, all the cluster coordinators and members came up with indicators for rapid and in-depth assessments. Once again, a Workshop on multi-sectorial assessment held on July 2018 as a follow up of the 2016 workshop this workshop focused on issues aimed at enhancing the impact of nutrition information management and data utilization for stakeholders working in the field of nutrition and those regularly utilizing nutrition data and information from other sectors. To note that a National Nutrition Survey (NNS) is expected to take place in 2021, as it was postpone in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Nutrition Department (PND), under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), should lead this NNS. In parallel, the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) is also expected to be conducted in 2021.

Having said the above, Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission has limited technical capacities to handle all required nutrition surveillance activities. Therefore, the mission is requesting Consultant to provide remote, and potentially direct, technical support to assist the Nutrition Surveillance Department in improving the quality of the nutrition assessments conducted in Afghanistan. Technical support is needed in finalizing and validating the assessments methodology/protocol prior the field data collection, reviewing datasets, performing data analysis and reviewing final report (after the draft produced at mission level and before dissemination at internal and external levels) as part of the Action Against Hunger International internal quality control and standard practice for nutrition assessments.

Direct support may also be required if Action Against Hunger plans any national level training, workshop or take part of any national level survey like the NNS and DHS which are planned for 2021. For direct support, Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission will inform Consultant in advance with specific ToR and arrange flight, accommodation and perdiem during in country direct support.

The nutrition cluster, Assessment and Information management (AIM) technical working group and the PND/M&EHIS (Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Information System) directorate of MoPH will require technical support to review the various data sources available in Afghanistan and to perform robust data analysis. Hence, there is scope to guide better data utilization and sensitization to different stakeholders for efficient uptake to survey/research findings and recommendations at country level.

Objectives:

1. Ensure technical review of nutrition assessments methodology/protocol and provide final validation as well as necessary assessment tools prior the field data collection.
2. Ensure technical review of nutrition assessments raw data, perform data analysis and provide final validation after the draft assessment report shared first by the Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission team.
3. Provide necessary remote technical support to the surveillance department in regard to conducting nutrition assessments, data analysis, and survey protocol preparation, crosscheck dataset, preliminary results analysis, and perform additional analysis if required and overall quality control of the assessments reports.
4. Remotely assist Survey Program Manager, Deputy Head of Department (DHoD) and/or HoD of the health and nutrition department (as appropriate and needed) in different national level technical engagement with AIM-WG, Nutrition Cluster, PND/MoPH, M&EHMIS in regards to nutrition assessments. Moreover, other Nutrition Information Management related activities (e.g. Advocacy for surveillance activity, NIM Workshop, Technical presentation, support to national level nutrition surveys and nutrition assessments indicators, questionnaires and tools review/updating).
5. Provide direct in country support when required for specific tasks, such as for any national level training, workshop or take part of any national level survey like the NNS and DHS, which planned for 2021.

Timeframe:

From 1st January to 31st December 2021, (65 days remote and based on need direct support. The details consultancy support retro plan is attached in annex 1.

Terms & Conditions:

• Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission will arrange the flight, accommodation and perdiem for the technical expert during direct support if needed in the country during 2021.
• From other upcoming nutrition assessments out of the current planned surveys in 2021, Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission will share the detailed information and will adjust number of days and cost for the support.
• Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission will make available all the necessary data, information and any analysis/preliminary report available in regard to final report preparation.
• Action Against Hunger Afghanistan Surveillance Department staff will make themselves fully available to work together with technical expert when needed.
• Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission other relevant technical department will provide their needful support in reviewing survey reports and providing necessary inputs (as appropriate) based on their institutional knowledge, contextual experience and sectoral technical expertise.
• Consultant will ensure the availability of 1 expert to perform all duties as expected under this agreement.
• Technical consultant will ensure smooth communication and coordination with the Action Against Hunger Afghanistan mission but also with Action Against Hunger Headquarter, France.
• The agreement is subject to be amended and /or terminated at any time due to serious constraints such as lack of funds, no access to target areas etc. Therefore, the requested support, including total number of days and consultancy fee, may be adjusted based on evolving situation and funding availability.

Expected Deliverables from SMART and NIS Consultant:

• Nutrition Assessments methodology/protocol validated prior the field data collection.
• Nutrition Assessments final report reviewed and validated on time before internal and external dissemination.
• Necessary technical support to Action Against Hunger Afghanistan surveillance department in regard to Nutrition Assessments and other Nutrition Information Management related activities.
• Any request detailed in specific ToR related to surveillance department

Essential qualification and experience of evaluator(s)

• Demonstrated experience in conducting and coordinating quality SMART Consultancy, both process and results-orientated;
• Written and Oral skills in English are a requirement for this consultancy & survey;
• Expert Knowledge in Health and Nutrition sector with particular experience on Nutrition Assessment & Survey implementation
• Significant field experience on humanitarian / development project surveys;
• Relevant degree / equivalent experience related to the survey to be undertaken;
• Good communications skills and experience of workshop facilitation;
• Ability to write clear and useful reports
• Understanding of donor requirements
• Ability to manage the available time and resources and to work to tight deadlines;
• Independence from the parties involved;
• Familiarity with the context of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is considered an asset.

LOCATION OF WORK

The consultancy is home-based but will require travel to Afghanistan for interviews, work with AH technical department and information gathering. In the field, under the organizations responsibility, the consultant will endorse and strictly follow the ACF security and safeguarding policies.

Payment Conditions Payment by bank transfer according to each survey/ assessment. The consultant will receive their payment accordingly to following confirmation with the survey/ Assessment

1. Upon approval of inception report.
2. Upon approval of draft evaluation report.
3. After submission and approval of each final evaluation

APPLICATION PACKAGES AND PROCEDURES

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

1. Letter of interest in submission of a proposal (in the form of an email), to: [email protected] by January 10, 2021.
2. Detailed proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this Terms of Reference and including the following: a. Description of methodology, tools and sample size based on this Terms of Reference b. Proposed approaches to Survey data analysis, in response to overall objectives c. Considerations for child protection and safeguarding, gender, and adolescent friendliness throughout the study d. A proposed timeframe detailing activities and schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart for all stages of the evaluation process, include information/support required from Action Against Hunger) e. Demonstrated previous experience in mixed methods and other qualifications outlined in this ToR f. Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member and indication language skills of team members (if more than one) g. An alternative solution in case of movement’s restriction for the field visit due to Covid-19 context. Presenting modalities to collect information replacing the field visit.
3. A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the consultancy: a. Itemized consultancy fees/costs b. Currency of offer c. Offer validity
4. Curriculum Vitae(s) of all proposed team member/s outlining relevant experience
5. Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience
6. A copy of at least two previous reports of similar work undertaken
7. A Consulting Firm profile (if applicable).

Consultant support retro plan for 2021 [The plan is subject to change with change of context]

Type of survey :

1. 6 Rapid SMART Assessments
2. 3 SMART Surveys
3. Nutrition Information Management related activities (e.g. Advocacy for surveillance activity, NIM Workshop, Technical presentation, support to national level nutrition surveys and also nutrition assessments indicators, questionnaires and tools review/updating).

Period :

1. January – July 2021
2. Mar – May 2021
3. January – December 2021

Direct and remote support in 2021 (#days) :

1. 30 days
2. 15 days
3. 20 days

Type of support requires :

1. Remote support for technical review and validation of survey protocol, dataset and final report
2. Remote support for technical review and validation of protocol, dataset and survey report
3. In country direct and remote support for supervision and dissemination workshop, protocol review; data analysis, report incorporating, feedback and Validation

Remarks :

1. Technical review of analysis and survey report(5 days for each Rapid SMART)
2. Technical review of analysis and survey report (3 surveys, 5 days per survey)
3. AAH Afghanistan mission will support on arranging local flight, and accommodation during direct support if needed in the country during 2021; but consultant will bear all necessary costs associated with. Further technical review of the plan might change according to organizational need/ requirement.