Helen Keller International – Founded in 1915, Helen Keller International is dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We combat the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition. We currently have more than 180 programs in 21 African and Asian countries. Part of this work is focused on preventing blindness and vision loss for millions of vulnerable people through cataract surgery, vision correction, vitamin A supplementation, screening and treatment for diabetic retinopathy, and distribution of treatments and cures for neglected tropical diseases. We also work to reduce malnutrition by promoting solutions aimed at improving nutrition practices for millions of families. These include vitamin A supplementation, maternal and child nutrition education, fortification of staple foods with essential nutrients, globally recognized family-led agricultural programs, and community based management of acute malnutrition. Helen Keller International also reaches tens of thousands of under-served youth in the United States each year through ChildSight®. This unique program provides free vision screenings and prescription eyeglasses to students living in poverty in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
We are recruiting a team of consultants for the following positions:
Job Titles: Consultant (Strategic Systems), Consultant (Nutrition), and PSR (Public Service Reform) Consultant
Location: AMAC, Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract
A. Background
- USAID Advancing Nutrition is the Agency’s flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, led byJSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners.Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners.
- The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement, and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition.
- Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity, and advance development. In Nigeria, the project aims to meet the following objectives
Objectives of the Project
- Objective 1: Strengthen multi-sectoral linkages and coordination through technical assistance to the Government of Nigeria, the Mission, and implementing partners
- Objective 2: Support the Government of Nigeria to strengthen wasting prevention and treatment services
- Objective 3: Generate evidence and test innovative approaches to improve nutrition programming and inform future designs
- USAID advancing nutrition is supporting the federal ministry of health, abuja to engage a consultants to support the nutrition division’s onboarding and divisional review retreat.
Preamble on the activity
- The Nutrition Division of the Department of Family Health drives the implementation of the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition II (NSPAN 2021). The goal is to attain optimal nutrition for all Nigerians along the life course through prevention, promotion, treatment and control of Acute and Chronic Malnutrition, Micronutrient Deficiencies and diet-related conditions/diseases with a particular focus on vulnerable groups especially women of reproductive age, children under five years of age, school-age children, adolescents, elderly and groups with special nutritional needs. This aligns with the current National Health Policy (2014); the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP, 2018), the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016) and the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition in Nigeria (2021).
- The recent changes in the headship of the Nutrition Division have made it necessary for the incoming Director and Head of Nutrition Division to be onboarded. This will enhance the commencement of the process of re-positioning the Division as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Hence the request for financial support to engage a Team of Three underlisted Consultants for 9 days each to facilitate the Onboarding and Divisional Review Retreat:
- Strategic Systems Consultant
- Nutrition Consultant
- PSR Consultant
Competencies Needed:
- Individuals with more than 10 years post qualification experience, is required for these roles. Preference will be given to persons who are very familiar with national drives on Health System strengthening, Nutrition sector and Public Service reform.
Specific Task
- Desk review on nutrition space, team, global and national aspirations
- Participate in inception meeting with the incoming Director and Head Nutrition Division on adaptation to new roles and responsibilities; minimizing disruptions and allowing for a more efficient learning curve.
- Facilitate 3 days engagement with the staff of the Division to familiarise with the ongoing interventions and programmes, and to review the workings of the Division.
- Facilitate 2 days engagement with selected major players in Nigeria’s nutrition landscape to explore strategies for enhancing the Division’s productivity and higher-quality work.
- Provide guidance on development and reaching consensus on the Division’s roadmap for the rest of 2023.
- Initiate team-building processes for promoting communication, overall work dynamics and a positive work environment.
- Write and submit a comprehensive report on the unbundling process to the Director and Head, Nutrition Division
Deliverables
- Desk review to prepare for the retreat
- Conduct inception meeting with Director and Head, Nutrition Division
- Facilitate 5-day meeting (operational and strategic meetings)
- Conduct contextual analysis of Nutrition Division
- Develop Nutrition Division’s roadmap for the rest of 2023
- Orientate staff of Nutrition Division on team-building, effective communication, work dynamics and positive work environment
- Prepare and submit a report on the retreat process to the Director and Head, Nutrition Division
Duration:
- Strategic Systems Consultant = 2 Preparation days + 5 Meeting days + 2 Report days = 9 Workdays
- Nutrition Consultant = 2 Preparation days + 5 Meeting days + 2 Report days = 9 Workdays
- PSR Consultant = 4 Preparation Days + 3 Meeting days + 2 Report days = 9 Workdays
Schedules and Deliverables
The contractor is responsible for the timely submission of the following deliverables, as part of the SOW
| S/N | Deliverable Name | Level of Effort (LOE) |
| 1 | Desk review to prepare for the retreatConduct inception meeting with Director and Head, Nutrition Division | 2 days |
| 2 | Facilitate 5-day meeting (operational and strategic meetings)Conduct contextual analysis of Nutrition DivisionDevelop Nutrition Division’s roadmap for the rest of 2023Orientate staff of Nutrition Division on team-building, effective communication, work dynamics and positive work environment | 5days |
| 3 | Prepare and submit a report on the retreat process to the Director and Head, Nutrition Division | 2 |
| Total LOE | 9 days |
The total LOE is approximately 9 days non-consecutive.
Tentative Timeline:
- The anticipated duration to complete this task is 9 LOE, between 10th Sept to 25thSeptember 2023.
Intellectual Property Right:
- All documentation related to the assignment (whether or not in the course of duties) shall remain the sole and exclusive property of USAID Advancing Nutrition.
Consultant Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree qualification
- The Team must be highly skilled in team building/bonding management with at least 10 years of team management experience.
- Collaboration and communication skills:
- Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines:
- Adaptability and willingness to accept feedback.
Application Closing Date
4th September, 2023.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send a Cover Letter and Resume to: nigeria.recruitment@hki.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.