1. Introduction

Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) is a local NGO that was formed in 2014 and is committed to fighting malnutrition and achieving a malnutrition-free Zimbabwe. NAZ’s mission aims to reduce stunting by fighting chronic malnutrition by promoting healthy practices (nutrition, hygiene, food, livelihood) in both normal and emergencies. Sectors of intervention are food security and livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, health, nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) is a registered organization (PVO 38/19) whose vision is a Zimbabwe free from hunger and malnutrition with the goal of having a Zimbabwe where all people have access to adequate diet and meet all nutritional requirements. Its mission is to eliminate all forms of malnutrition and hunger among vulnerable communities through nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. It focuses on social behavior change strategies feeding, and care practices, including food production targeting vulnerable groups especially adolescents which is a gender and youth component. The organization drives to address stunting, infant and young child malnutrition, nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases, and micronutrient deficiencies in children, adolescents, and youths by contributing towards improved food, nutrition, and income security. NAZ has been a leader in the nutrition sector in Zimbabwe. It implemented projects that supported the role out of the care group model for promoting community nutrition. Under the Takunda project as a sub-awardee to CARE, NAZ has led the formulation of local recipes that ensure women and children have access to essential micronutrients from what they produce locally. Successfully piloted and scaled the care group model and currently scaling the use of locally formulated foods NAZ is operation at national level in Zimbabwe and in 5 provinces Lead the nutrition component in the operational districts. This includes support in identification and utilization of local food types for optimal nutrition outcomes.

2. Project Context

The Sustainable Roots Project is a five-year nutrition promotion program that is designed to support rural communities to increase nutritional status of women, children, and their households. This will be done by promoting production and consumption of health and locally available foods. The project will apply regenerative agriculture, soil and water and sustainable use of forest products to meet dietary and health needs. The project will also support communities with improved access to water for domestic and productive use and will work with government departments and others present in the implementation location to ensure appropriate and synergistic implementation. The Sustained Roots Project is implemented by a consortium led by CARE Zimbabwe and includes Organization of Rural Associations for Progress and Nutrition Action Zimbabwe. The project is implemented in Buhera and Tsholotsho.

The project will be delivered under two outcome areas:

• Outcome 1: Consumption of sufficient and quality foods by women of reproductive age and children under two years of age increased [Diets]
• Outcome 2:  Barriers to optimal nutrition, especially for children under two years of age and women of reproductive age addressed [Care]

Specifically, the implementation of the program will benefit children in Buhera and Tsholotsho districts directly and indirectly by enabling:

• Access to nutritious food and nutrition education: By equipping women small-holder farmers with the tools and knowledge to grow nutrient-rich foods sustainably and profitably, and by educating families (and children) on nutritious and healthy eating habits through Care Groups and cooking demonstrations, children's diets and wellbeing will improve. They will be less likely to face food shortages, displacement, or other negative impacts. As a result, children’s physical and cognitive development will improve, setting a strong foundation for their future.
• Access to clean water: Rehabilitation and establishment of multi-functional water sources will enhance access to clean water, which is essential for children’s health and wellbeing. Through the Care Groups, communities will learn how Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices improve access to nutritious food, incomes, and health outcomes

TARGET GROUPS

• 22,500 people will benefit directly
• 9,000 children at risk of food insecurity and stunting

• 4,500 mothers with a special focus on female-headed households in extremely vulnerable communities
• 9,000 community members, including farmers (male and female), youth, and community representatives.
• 30,000 people will benefit indirectly through the implementation of inclusive community plans, safeguarding awareness, use of developed communal water sources and other community-level activities.

3. Purpose of Nutrition Gap Analysis

The main objective of the analysis is

• to understand the dietary practices, and underlying determinants of malnutrition among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and children under two years in  Buhera and Tsholotsho districts, in order to inform the design and implementation of targeted interventions that improve dietary diversity, address nutritional deficiencies, and promote sustainable food security within the targeted communities.

The analysis will specifically inform project indicators related to dietary diversity scores (e.g., Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) and Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) for children 6-23 months), rates of exclusive breastfeeding, and prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition.

4. Objective of Nutrition Gap Analysis

1. To analyze the multifaceted determinants of malnutrition, including household food security (availability, access, utilization, and stability), socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors, gender norms, and access to healthcare, WASH services, and nutrition-specific interventions.
2. To understand barriers towards optimal nutrition among women and children in Buhera and Tsholotsho.
3. To map current nutrition-related initiatives (government, NGO, community) in the target areas to identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for collaboration and synergy.
4. Develop evidence-based recommendations for project interventions that address the identified nutritional gaps and improve the nutritional status of women and children in Buhera and Tsholotsho districts.
5. Identify specific strategies for promoting the sustainable production, consumption, and utilization of nutritious foods, including indigenous crops.

5. Methodology

The consultant hired to carry out this assignment will develop appropriate methodologies and or approaches to collect sufficient data for the Nutrition Gap Analysis. The methodology should clearly, state how cross cutting issues (gender, and disability) will be addressed in both data collection and data analysis. The methodology and methods chosen by the consultant will have to be approved by NAZ and its consortium partners. It is expected that the consultant applies a Qualitative methodology for the assessment. Furthermore, a broad range of community members, gatekeepers, stakeholders should be considered in order to triangulate perspectives. The consultant is expected to develop and share data collection tools to be used for  data collection (qualitative tools).

6. Target Area

The Nutrition Gaps Analysis will be conducted in 2 rural wards in Buhera (ward TBD), and two rural wards in Tsholotsho (wards TBD) Briefing

Prior to the Nutrition and Gap Analysis taking place, the consultant is expected to participate in a project technical briefing with the MEAL focal persons for the consortium. Virtual briefings must be agreed in advance.

7. Sampling

Sample size: The consultant will assess target scope of the project, and use technical capacity to propose appropriate sampling procedures and sample size and respondents. The consultant will also give rationale and justification of their proposed sampling procedure, sample size, and population categories.

8. Duration of the Services

This assignment should be completed within a period of 21 days from the date of signing the contract

9. Required Competencies

 It is essential that the Lead consultant has:

PhD and or Masters’ degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences or equivalent

• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation including assessments and writing-up of project completion reports,
• Experience of working with/evaluating INGO work;
• Experience in Rapid Qualitative Assessments or supporting Humanitarian Projects with a special focus on:
• Nutrition Sensitive Programing, Food Security and Livelihoods

• Ability to use participatory approaches on Assessments,
• Ability to conduct interviews with community members, gate keepers, high-level government and non-government officials
• If the consutant(s) is affiliated to a consultant company the following documents should be attached:
  • Company registration documents, (CR6, cr14, tax clearance certificate (valid),
  • Relevant company banking details in company name or that matches the tax clearance certificate.How to apply
  • Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest together with the technical and financial proposal by 25th of Feb 2025.Selection of consultant will be on a rolling basis.
• While submitting the proposals, the applicant shall, in particular, ensure to attach  the   following:
• Profile of the Lead Consultant & Team (max 2 pages) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
• Relevant experience (max 2 page).
• Methodology with expected deliverables and timelines, team composition, work-plan
• Budget
• Current CV

10. Proposed Budget

The consultant is required to develop a budget for development of tools, training of enumerators, accommodation and meals, transport, data analysis, and report writing. NAZ will only assist with logistical support including transport

11. Legal and Ethical Matters

The ownership of the draft and final documentation belongs to the consortium (NAZ and Partners).  The document, or publication related to it, will not be shared with anybody except NAZ before the delivery by NAZ of the final document to the donor. All data collected for the assignment belongs to the project and the consultant will not be allowed to use it purposes other than responding to questions for the Nutrition Gap Analysis. Submission of the final report should be accompanied qualitative datasets and other data used for the assignment. Qualitative data should be submitted in the following formats: a) original digital audio files, b) transcribed interview files, and c) translated interview files; the file names for each of these qualitative files should clearly correspond to one another and include information such as the type(s) of respondents, location, and date.

NAZ does not tolerate Fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. Selected consultant(s)  will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

12. Intellectual Property Rights

All documentation related to the Assignment (whether or not in the course of duties) shall remain

the sole and exclusive property of NAZ and its Consortium partners.

13. Deliverables/Requirements [24 Feb 2025 - 21 March 2025]

• An inception report with detailed strategies, methodologies    
• Inception Meeting
• Final copies of data collection tools to be used in the evaluation
• Enumerator training material
• Data Collection
• Data Cleaning and Analysis
• Qualitative transcripts
• Draft report
• Final analysis and complete written report with annexes

14. Selection Criteria

The evaluation of the applicants will be based on a weighted scoring approach, as specified below: Quality of proposed Nutrition Gap analysis and methodology -Demonstrating a strong understanding of the analytical / contextual / logistical issues relevant for the analysis of this type and the objectives of the analysis.

Quality of proposed Nutrition Gap analysis and methodology- 40%

• Quality of proposed Nutrition Gap analysis and methodology -Demonstrating a strong understanding of the analytical / contextual / logistical issues relevant for the analysis of this type and the objectives of the analysis.

Quality of the Team - 5%

• Relevant expertise, multiple teams (ability to collect data concurrent in the 2 districts), experience, understanding of the issues and ability to collaborate productively in an international setting.

Administrative - 25%

• Documentation, technical compliance, delivery timeline and work plans, payment terms, financial proposal.

Budget - 30%

• Cost and value for money.

NAZ does not tolerate Fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. Selected consultant(s)  will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSALS

The consultant/team should prepare both the “Technical” and “Financial” proposal. Also include the electronic copy of Technical Proposal (in word version) and upload to the smart recruiters platform. In the cover letter of the proposal, the consultant must indicate “Sustainable Roots Project - Nutrition Gap Analysis 2025”.

Use the smart recruiter’s platform to input the required information in the data fields on the platform and upload your proposals and requisite documentation by the 25th of February 2025: 

Selection of the consultant will be on a rolling basis.

Application Link:  https://smrtr.io/pHXfp