LRPS-2023-9181922 Study on Drivers of Mulnitrition
UNICEF Thailand is seeking a qualified national institution (company, academic institution, and/or foundation) with expertise in nutrition data and policy analysis to conduct a study of the drivers of malnutrition in Thailand, and the adequacy and appropriateness of the current government policy and programme response.
Background
Adequate nutrition is one of the five components of the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development, the evidence-based framework by WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank Group that sets the pathway for children to reach their full potential. Good nutrition provides the fuel for babies’ physical and brain development. Well-nourished children are better able to grow, learn, play and participate in their communities.
In Thailand, the nutritional status of children under 5 years is a concern as the country faces the #Triple Burden of Malnutrition”. While the prevalence of overweight among children is rising fast, the rate of undernutrition is stagnant. Data from MICS over the past 10+ years that the nutritional status of children is worsening in Thailand.
Objectives, Purpose & Expected results
The purpose of the study is to assist UNICEF to identify its strategic engagement, including key advocacy points and policy recommendations, and service strengthening that should be prioritized across the health and non-health sectors to improve the under-5 nutrition status in the country.
The objectives of this study are i) to identify the drivers of under-5 malnutrition for children in Thailand, and ii) to assess the appropriateness and adequacy of the existing policy and programme response that are trying to address those drivers.
Overall, the research will involve:
a) Development of tailored review framework for the Thai context analysis of available data and policies and programmes which is informed by UNICEF’s Conceptual Framework on the Determinants of Maternal and Child Nutrition 2020.
b) Synthesis of secondary analysis of available nutrition data across relevant sources.
c) Policy and landscape analysis, including review of legal, strategy, policy, and guideline documents from relevant ministries and agencies in health and non-health sectors.
d) Review of grey and published literature, as well as program and evaluation reports in health and non-health sectors.
e) Nutrition stakeholder analysis.
f) In-depth qualitative research with a sampling of stakeholders to provide contextual information.
The study must be conducted through a strong gender and equity lens and ensure families and children from disadvantaged contexts and marginalized communities (such as poor households, underserved provinces, migrant families, refugees, and children with disabilities) are represented in the study
Location and Duration:
• The contract duration is foreseen from June to November 2023, during which time all tasks are expected to be completed and all deliverables achieved.
• The detailed timeline will be agreed between the awarded institution and UNICEF, bidders are expected to include their specific timeline in the technical proposal, which is subject to review and approval by UNICEF.
• The assignment will be mostly completed at the contractor’s premises, and it is expected that the contractor is based in Thailand. The contractor will be responsible for acquiring resources and facilities required for its completion, including any travel arrangements.
• Travel is expected based on the geographic focus defined in the methodology. The cost of travels needs to be included in the proposal.
• If safety concerns are present due to COVID-19 restrictions, the FGDs and KII will be conducted virtually, and a contingency plan should be in place.
For full details, please refer to the attached Terms of Reference.
This tender will be run through the UNICEF e-submissions system (UNGM).
By clicking on the blue ‘Express Interest’ button in the UNGM tender notice, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document (including instructions on how to access the tender documents and submit an Offer) will be automatically emailed to the ‘contact persons’ included in your UNGM registration. Alternatively, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document is publicly available on the UNICEF supply internet pages here: https://www.unicef.org/supply/index_procurement_policies.html .
In the tender management site, if you navigate to the documents tab and opt in to confirm your intention to submit a Bid – you will then see the mandatory placeholders for documents that must be attached prior to submitting your Offer (you will also see if there are any mandatory questionnaires to complete). As such, you are recommended to `opt in` well before the submission deadline so you are clear exactly what documents are required to be uploaded prior to completing your submission.
Please note that in order to access the full-set of tender documents through UNICEF’s e-submissions system, vendors must: (1) be registered with UNICEF in UNGM as a company/NGO; (2) have successfully completed all mandatory information currently required by UNGM when registering.
Please ensure that any files submitted as part of your bid are not corrupt or damaged in any way. Please exercise caution when using compressed files. Any corrupt or damaged files may lead to your Bid being invalidated.
All vendors are strongly recommended to regularly log-in to the UNICEF e-submissions system to check for any deadline extensions, new clarifications, new correspondence or updated tender documents relating to this tender.
Should you have any questions against this solicitation, please submit your queries to Puntita Sookchareon at psookchareon@unicef.org with CC to: jbehr@unicef.org , osrimanotham@unicef.org and tkamtabnam@unicef.org- no later than 25th April 2023 so that all queries could be clarified and circulated to all bidders before the deadline.
We look forward to receiving your proposals within the given timeline.
Best regards,
UNICEF Supply team