Justification
The European Union / Ministry of Health SHARE programme commenced in November 2014. The overall objective of the programme is to significantly strengthen community resilience to handle shocks and stress through improved access, provision and monitoring of health, nutrition and sanitation status of the most deprived populations (women and children) in the counties under the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). The specific objective is to improve maternal and child nutrition of deprived communities in Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, West Pokot, Tana River, Samburu, Kitui, Kilifi and Kwale counties. The expected results of the SHARE programme are:
Community and individual capacities, practices and demand for services in targeted (most affected) populations, increased;
Access and utilization of basic social services in targeted (most affected) populations is improved;
Evidence based and knowledge management to best inform programme policy and strategies is improved at county level;
Resources for progressive investment in nutrition security and related interventions that will strengthen community and system resilience are leveraged at national level.
One of the components under Result 2 is modelling of social transfer interventions in cash or vouchers for improved Infant and Young Child Nutrition for vulnerable households.
Kenya is currently undertaking a significant scale up and expansion of social protection programming in response to the National Social Protection Policy, approved in 2012. Over the next three years Government plans to expand and harmonize existing social cash transfers from current coverage of around 500,000 households to over one million households. At the same time, management, targeting, payments, complaints, and monitoring and evaluation will be harmonized from the current five main transfers into a unified system, and a mechanism for scaleability in response to shocks and crises will be developed. Available evidence from the existing transfers (Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Hunger Safety Net Programme) shows that there is no or insignificant impact of the transfers on nutritional outcomes (though they do contribute to improved dietary diversity). It is therefore desirable to model and develop evidence on modifications or complementary programming that can enhance the impact of social protection on infant and young child nutrition, particularly among the most vulnerable communities and counties.
The objective of the consultancy is to design a cash transfer model focusing on enhancing nutrition resilience of young children in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, as part of the larger set of interventions.
Scope of Work
The consultant will review evidence from Kenya and elsewhere on social transfers for nutrition to identify the most appropriate design features for enhancing the impact of transfers on nutrition outcomes, and will consult with stakeholders to design a model for nutrition-focused transfers to be trialled in one or two counties in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands.
Specifically, the consultant will:
a) Review evidence on social transfers and nutrition from Kenya and other countries; identify critical design features for enhancing nutritional impacts; and review relevant elements of the current and planned social transfers in Kenya to identify opportunities for strengthening their impact on the nutrition of young children and pregnant women;
b) Consult with stakeholders at national, county and community level on the most appropriate design for a social transfer model to be trialled in one or two counties
c) Produce a draft design for the transfers, addressing the key design parameters in Annex A, and incorporating objectives, coverage, targeting, payment levels, payment delivery, financing and monitoring and evaluation.
d) Present the draft design to a group of key stakeholders in the identified county/counties;
e) Finalise the design document and develop a matrix of key preparation tasks and responsibilities in preparation for implementation to commence in May 2015.
RWPPCR/IRs areas covered
The consultancy contributes to Outcome 8, Output 2 (nutrition); and Outcome 6, Output 2 (social protection models) of the Country Programme. It also supports two of the three strategic shifts of the programme towards a) modelling of approaches to reach the most deprived children; and b) resilience building approaches.
Expected Deliverables
Activities and Outputs
Outputs/deliverablesEstimated
Duration
(person days) Deadline Produce an inception report within one week of commencement of the assignment including interpretation of the assignment, proposed methodologies and approach, and workplan 5 31 January 2015 Draft design for the transfer addressing the design parameters at Annex A and including objectives, coverage, targeting, payment levels, payment delivery, financing and monitoring and evaluation. 20 28 February 2015 Validation of design with key stakeholders 2 15th March 2015 Final design document and preparation matrix with responsibilities for preparation activities to facilitate commencement of the programme in May 2015 3 TOTAL person days 30
Desired background and experience
The consultant should have the following skills and qualifications:-
Higher degree in Economics, Social Development or related field
Minimum 8 years’ experience in planning and implementation of social transfer programmes in developing countries.
Knowledge of childrens’ rights, gender equality and human rights based Frameworks, and understanding of an equity based approach
Knowledge of approaches to modelling, monitoring and evaluation
Computer literate.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and writing skills
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/kenya) with subject line “KCO/SSA/SP/2015/001” and the consultancy title by COB 13 February 2015 to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.