About gain

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches.

We build alliances between governments, local and global businesses, and civil society to deliver sustainable improvements at scale. We are part of a global network of partners working together to create sustainable solutions to malnutrition. Through alliances, we provide technical, financial and policy support to key participants in the food system. We use specific learning, evidence of impact, and results of projects and programmes to shape and influence the actions of others.

Background

Over two billion people, mainly living in Asia and Africa, are affected by malnutrition. One of the most critical forms of malnutrition is micronutrient deficiency, or a lack of the essential vitamins and minerals required for healthy growth, development, and function. Children and women of reproductive age are most often affected, with children suffering irreversible damage such as decreased cognitive development potential and pregnant women at risk of increased maternal mortality.

Micronutrient deficiency has multiple underlying causes but is most directly affected by narrow diets of energy-dense staple foods that lack micronutrients (refined cereal grains, rice and cassava). One of the most rapid, cost-effective and directly impactful strategies to reach hundreds of millions to combat micronutrient malnutrition is to fortify staple grains and condiments with vitamins and minerals – this process is done through the addition of Vitamin and Mineral Premix or straight fortificants (either a Vitamin or Mineral) to a food vehicle, e.g. wheat flour, maize flour, edible oil. GAIN has, over the past 15 years, mobilized partnerships to catalyze food fortification programs in over 30 countries.

One of our programs in Ethiopia is supporting food fortification. Food fortification is one of the key strategies endorsed by the Government of Ethiopia to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. GAIN is working with Government, private sectors and non-government organizations on wheat and oil fortification.

Fortifying food staples is a proven and cost-effective method of reaching populations with essential nutrients that improve health and strengthen immune systems. As part of the fortification program, promoting /demand crating for fortified food (wheat flour and edible oil) is one of the initiative. Considering the impact of reaching out fortified food through Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) GAIN would like to conduct a study to understand the opportunity and challenges of introducing fortified food products on PSNP.

scope of work and deliverables

Scope of the work

The successful applicant shall report to GAIN, under an agreed work plan, to undertake tasks that will include, the following:

•  Understanding and documenting summary of PSNP programs including Key players and stakeholders of the PSNP programs and their roles in coordination, implementation and supply chain. These include but are not limited to:

1. Government agencies/ministries
2. UN agencies
3. INGOs and local NGOs.
4. Donors
5. Any other stakeholders
6. Geographical spread, number of beneficiaries etc
7. Various non-food mechanisms e.g., vouchers, cash etc

• Understand the current type of food used in the PNSP and the distribution system.

1. Processes for inclusion of foodstuff onto the food basket i.e. specification development, technical reviews, approvals and associated timelines etc
2. Food basket for the social safety program and extent to which it has changed over the years and key driving factors.
3. Rations distributed, at what intervals and who are the beneficiaries.
4. Average cost of the food basket.
5. Identification of key decision makers

• Assess awareness of about fortified products among the program implementers and the users and feasibility for implementation.

1. Quantify potential volumes of fortified wheat, oil and salt for the SSN.
2. Incremental costs associated with inclusion of fortified flour compared to grain and fortified oil
3. Identification of potential suppliers and capacity

• Explore how social safety net programs (SSNPs) in Ethiopia can be optimized to improve nutrition outcomes through fortified wheat flour and edible oil

1. Food quality assurance and supplier assurance program
2. Facilities/storage/handling e.g., four vs grain
3. Logistics of grain vs flour
4. Modelling nutrient intakes from current food basket compared to food basket with fortified foods. Assess institutional capacity of key stakeholders involve in SSN and identify gaps for improvement.

• To identify both challenge and opportunity for using fortified food

1. Role of government, capacity, incentives, enabling environment including potential barriers and identification of key parties/agencies critical for success.
2. Assess receptivity by policy makers, implementers, beneficiaries and other interest groups.
3. Industry readiness to supply including availability of vitamin and premix for fortification.
4. Contracting mechanisms by program implementers
5. Potential demand forecasts over a 3–5-year period.
6. Budgets; donor vs governments own budgets

• Road map /strategy to introduce fortified food products to PSNP program.
• Identify p PSNP area for piloting and estimate related cost to start the introduction of fortified wheat and oil ,

Deliverable

• Detailed narrative report covering the scope of work under 3.1
• Report formats – word document and PowerPoint presentation
• Reporting – in person meeting or Video-conference debrief with GAIN depending on circumstances with COVID

TIMELINE

The timeline for completion of all aspects of the Scope of Work and submission of deliverables is by 28^th May 2021.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF CONSULTANT

The Candidate consultant /consulting firm should at least meet the following:

• MA degree or solid understanding/experience in Business analysis
• Extensive experience in supply chain analysis
• Previous experience in developing solutions targeting bottom of the pyramid consumers a distinct advantage.
• Knowledge of fortification is advantageous/desirable
• Understanding of food aid programs, social safety net programs and other public distribution schemes.
• Experience of working with government of Ethiopia, National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), UN agencies such as WFP, UNICEF or FAO and other donor food aid programs would be a distinct advantage.
• Track record in similar studies

Submit expected compensation (daily rate)

How to Apply

INSTRUCTION FOR APPLICATION

Interested consultants should submit a proposal by sending the following:

1. An electronic copy of the proposal both technical and financial separately containing sample similar study report:
2. Technical proposal including sample report to: ggebremedhin@gainhealth.org
3. Financial proposal to: ethiopiaoffice@gainhealth.org
4. Use the following as a subject line of your email “Proposal For scoping study on the use of fortified products on PSNP in Ethiopia’’ for both proposals
5. Use the name of your organization to save the financial and technical proposals

Deadline for submissions is before March 29, 2021.  

N.B: Late submissions will not be accepted. Proposals that do not follow the above guidelines will be rejected automatically.