International Consultancy – Development of the National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Education Communication Advocacy Strategy

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BACKGROUND

Decades of a sustained high prevalence of undernutrition, including stunting and micronutrient deficiencies have stalled Malawi’s growth and development efforts. The 2012 Cost of Hunger in Malawi study showed that up to 10.3 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) was lost in that one year alone due to undernutrition-related losses in education, health, and productivity, suggesting that undernutrition has been holding back national growth in a long time. Because 60 percent of the working adult was stunted as children, the loss in productivity in the adult population alone accounted for 90 percent of the total loss in GDP.

The Government of Malawi has been responding to the high burden of undernutrition through policies, programs, and strategies aimed at tackling the immediate, underlying, and basic causes of undernutrition. The Food and Nutrition Security Policy (1990); National Plan of Action for Nutrition (2000); National Micronutrient Plan of Action (2004); National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan (2007), 2018 -2022 National Multi-sector Nutrition Policy; and, the 2018-2020 National Multi-sector Nutrition Strategy, and, are examples of sustained Government efforts to provide a policy environment to guide stakeholders into a coordinated response to nutrition problems that arise due to multiple systemic failures at the immediate, underlying and basic levels

The Malawi Government has, through the 2018-2020 National Multi-sector Nutrition Policy elevated Policy Nutrition Education, Social Mobilisation, and Positive Behaviour Change as one of the policy initiatives that aim to increase adoption of optimal nutrition practices. The Policy has thus placed it as a strategic activity to achieve the national vision of a well-nourished Malawian population that effectively contributes to the economic growth and prosperity of the country.

JUSTIFICATION

The Malawi Government through the Department of Nutrition, HIV, and AIDS (DNHA) is mandated to provide oversight functions of the National Nutrition Response, policy and technical guidance, and high-level advocacy with clearly defined nutrition policy and costed strategic plans. Through its mandate, the DNHA is spearheading the Government Nutrition agenda within the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III) and as enshrined in the Constitution. With s, a Nutrition Education Communication Strategy (NECS) II was developed to guide stakeholders on effective social behavior change communication approaches in the delivery of high-impact nutrition practices at the facility, community, and household levels. NECS II provides standardized nutrition key messages by adopting a life-cycle approach aimed at effectively reach and educate all targeted groups on optimal nutrition practices for better nutrition outcomes.

Malawi is one of the Scaling Up Nutrition Early Risersuch that the coming in of 2021-2025 Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Strategy SUN 3.0 which emphasizes on impact at the country level and leadership taking center stage in addressing all forms of malnutrition and supporting actions across nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive sectors, through strengthened food and health systems, and with a focus on gender and economic equity.

It is against this, that a National Multisectoral Nutrition Education Communication Advocacy Strategy is needed as a key tool in ensuring nutrition visibility at different levels. The strategy will enable in advocating on specific issues related to NECS II, SUN 3.0, Nutrition Strategy and ending malnutrition which will be elevated to the highest levels and facilitate political commitment, buy-in within government, agencies, institutions, and local levels,  in global, regional and national fora. Considering that investing in nutrition is a key element of building human capital and essential to achieving the SDGs.

How can you make a difference?

The objectives of the consultancy are to develop an Advocacy Strategy to popularize and raise awareness on the Multisectoral NECS leading to the implementation of the multi-sectoral Nutrition policies and strategies and improved financing for positive nutrition outcomes;

In particular, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Review existing multisectoral nutrition policies and other strategies that promote improved nutrition in the country.
• Engage various stakeholders/private sector critical to the realization of improved dietary diversity in the country.
• Develop a comprehensive Advocacy Strategy using a multisectoral approach. The Strategy will address key advocacy gaps aimed at popularizing and raising awareness of the NECS II leading to the implementation of the multi-sectoral Nutrition policies and strategies and improved financing for positive nutrition outcomes. 
• Develop a costed advocacy plan, tools, and aids to support advocacy for various groups – policy, influencers, and public.

The above will be achieved through the following;

1. Consultation with various stakeholders
2. Data Collection/Research
3. Strategy Development

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum post-graduate degree or equivalent in advocacy, international relations; development studies; social sciences or humanities.

Proven minimum of 10 years of experience developing advocacy and communication strategies at the national or international level in policy development/formation and advocacy.

Experience in working with the government and developing Advocacy strategies with the following attributes;

• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders within a short period of time with minimal supervision
• A team player, result-oriented, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy, and integrity
• Excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with government and development partners
• Proven previous experience of working with governments and UNICEF in developing strategies
• Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops

Excellent writing and analytical skills      

High level written and spoken fluency in English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

To view further information, click on the link below for the ToRs

 TOR Development of NECS Advocacy Strategy.pdf

Use the below template to submit your financial proposal

 Financial Proposal Template.xlsx

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credentials (s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.