LRPS-2024-9193404 to conduct an in-depth review and costing of the Nutrition Programme for the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar.”

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT

 

Title of the assignment

An in-depth review and costing of the nutrition programme for the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar.

Purpose

Comprehensive review and costing of the existing Rohingya nutrition response programme in Cox's Bazar to inform and suggest strategic adjustments for effective programming.

Location

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Estimated Duration

6 months

Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment

Nutrition Manager, UNICEF Cox’s Bazar.

 

1.  

 

Although the Rohingya’s from Myanmar have been seeking safety in Bangladesh over the past five decades, the largest influx was in 2017. As of July 2024, a total of 989, 585 refugees are residing in Cox’s Bazar District, in 33 congested camps designated by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in Teknaf and Ukhiya Upazilas. Out of the 33 camps, Kutupalong and Nayapara registered camp were established in 1991-92 by UNHCR. Teknaf and Ukhiya are also among the poorest of the eight Upazilas in Cox’s Bazar District –where the refugee population exceeds the host community population with global acute malnutrition (GAM) of 12.8 percent for Teknaf and 11.1 per cent for Ukhia.  

The refugees are vulnerable and completely reliant on humanitarian aid, with limited access to income generation and livelihood opportunities. The situation is aggravated by limited health care, and nutrition services, food insecurity, psychosocial distress, poor living conditions and hence pushing children, adolescents, and women into a spiraling cycle of disease and malnutrition. The refugee communities have enormous needs for social assistance and basic services, including nutrition which places a significant strain on an already resource constrained delivery system.

The comprehensive nutrition intervention package for Rohingyas includes community-based screening, detection, and referral of children with wasting, community-based nutrition education by community nutrition volunteers (CNVs), vitamin A supplementation among children 6-59 months and deworming of children 24- 59 months twice a year, maternal and IYCF counselling and support for caregivers, Community Management of Acute Malnutrition Infant at Risk- CMAMI, mother support groups, cooking demonstrations, ‘mukhe vat’ (rice feeding ceremony), Iron Folic Acid (IFA) given to pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and adolescent girls coupled with nutrition education, counselling and support. The caregivers of children 24-59 months also receive nutrition-sensitive e-voucher aims to ensure that refugees have access to sufficient food and maintain a healthy and diverse diet, while reducing negative coping behaviours, in the mega camps only. Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) for children aged 0-59 months, early childhood care and development (ECCD) and recently added psychosocial support (PSS), gender, child protection and disability services are also offered to all the under-nourished children in all the integrated nutrition facilities (INFs). Outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) for children 6-59 months with severe wasting and inpatient therapeutic programme (ITP) in the stabilization centres (SC) for the treatment of children with severe wasting with medical complications, targeted supplementary feeding programmes (TSFP) for the treatment of children 6-59 months with moderate wasting and blanket supplementary feeding programmes (BSFPs) to prevent acute malnutrition among children 6-23 months and PLW.

The refugees receive other social basic humanitarian assistance including primary health care, water, sanitation, and shelter from UNHCR while food security sector co- leaded by WFP and FAO was providing food assistance through e-vouchers and provide support for self-reliance. In addition, health sector focusing on maintaining a facility-based comprehensive curative and community health response package to improve the health status and well-being of affected people.

 

Before 2020, nutrition services were provided in 84 facilities supported by different UN agencies and implementing partner NGOs with the location of these partnerships across camps and, in some cases with catchment areas not clearly defined. This resulted in gaps, overlaps and duplication in both the provision of services and in reaching targeted beneficiaries. In 2020, following the completion of rationalization, all facilities and partnerships providing nutrition services were split by camp with at least ‘one-stop’ single INF with some camps having two INFs to serve larger catchment population providing a complete nutrition intervention package. Nutrition services are now offered in 45 INFs supported by UNICEF and WFP (34 INFs in 25 camps) and UNHCR and WFP (11 INFs in 8 camps) partnership through cost sharing model. The nutrition service rationalization led to many improvements in cost effective nutrition service provision in Cox’s Bazar. The double counting of beneficiaries and the duplication of services were reduced, coverage was improved, and defaulter rates reduced, client centered, increased accountability and ownership and reduce costs.

 

UNICEF is the main lead for nutrition including providing overall technical oversight, capacity building, nutrition supply chain management, nutrition information system and coordination. UNHCR, UNICEF, and WFP are the core programme partners of the Nutrition Sector in Cox’s Bazar. Besides, CWW, CARE, World Vision International, Save the Children International and ACF are the international implementing partners, and GK, and SHED are the national implementing partners. ECHO, European Union (INTPA), USAID/BHA, DFAT, World Bank and other donors support the nutrition programmes.

 

Nutrition situation for Cox’s Bazar Refugee Camps

The gains made in reducing global acute malnutrition between 2017 and 2022 (19.3 to 12.4 per cent), among the Rohingya population are under threat because of the declining funding situation. In 2023 for example, there was a 30 per cent reduction across all programmes including for General Food Assistance (GFA) from $12 per person (equivalent to 2,100 Kcal), to $8. Although this has been further increased to $11, these reductions will have long term serious risk of increasing malnutrition and its determinants among children, women and adolescent girls within the Rohingya refugee community.

The Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) 2023 reveals worsening malnutrition among children with wasting at a critical prevalence level of 15.4 per cent, and stagnated chronic malnutrition as stunting remains very high (41 per cent) for the past two years. The prevalence of severe wasting has nearly tripled, from 0.7 to 2.0 per cent from 2022 to 2023.  Anemia prevalence (38 per cent) although declining, remains high among children and medium (24 per cent) among women. The current deteriorating nutrition situation is an interplay of multiple factors in various systems such as food, health, WASH and social protection. The GFA cuts as reported above, may have partly contributed to the situation.

The recent nutrition survey shows that only 26.9 per cent of children aged 6 to 23 months consume food from more than five of the recommended eight food groups meaning that their diets are not diverse enough to meet their nutritional needs. The children ate less legumes, eggs, dairy products and “other” (non-vitamin A rich) fruits and vegetables.  Furthermore, the prevalence of diarrhea has increased from 9.5 to 21.6 per cent between 2022 to 2023 in younger children due to poor water and sanitation and limited health services, food insecurity due to limited access to regular income and livelihood opportunities which has left 97 per cent of households vulnerable to food insecurity are among the contributing factors. Furthermore, limited resilience to the effects (such as floods) of monsoonal rains, summer and climate change, child marriages that affect childcaring and feeding practices put children at risk of malnutrition.

The Nutrition Sector provides essential nutrition services to two Upazilas (Teknaf and Ukhia) of the host community as part of the humanitarian response. UNICEF also provides a package of nutrition services to the remaining six Upazilas including facility-based IYCF counselling and messaging, GMP, nutritional assessment, counselling, and IFA for adolescent girls in schools. UNICEF also supports women and vulnerable marginal farmers in Teknaf, Pekua, Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Moheshkhali with homestead nutrition gardens and income generating activities to increase their nutrition resilience, promote dietary diversity and hence improve nutrition status.

 

 

 

 

1.  

 

UNICEF seeks to hire an institution to conduct a comprehensive review and costing analysis of the existing Rohingya nutrition response programme in Cox's Bazar to inform and suggest strategic adjustments for effective programming amidst the prevailing global economic crisis.  The review process should be designed to attain the highest level of participation and ownership by the nutrition sector partners, beneficiaries, other relevant stakeholders and UN agencies. UNICEF will take a leading role while the consulting institution will facilitate the comprehensive review and costing, and consolidate/document all the key findings, consensus, and final products with recommendations for implementation.

 

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the assignment are to: 

1. Cost the current Rohingya nutrition response for key key programme components[1]
2. Review the nutrition response strategy and implementation/operational models within the broader framework of the humanitarian and development nexus landscape in Cox’s Bazar, the joint response plan (JRP), the humanitarian action for nutrition (HAC), the 2015 National Nutrition Policy, 2nd National action Plan for Nutrition, Nutrition Sector strategy 2023-25, and the global standards/ recommendations;
3. Suggest programmatic adjustments on the basis of the comprehensive programme review; 
4. Carry out a costing analysis for different nutrition services package reflecting different funding scenarios for programme activities while ensuring alignment with the outcomes of the programme review and; 
5. Develop advocacy briefs and publications for an investment case in nutrition

 

3.0 Scope

To successfully achieve the objectives of this assignment, the following key elements should be considered;

 

• Extent of programme review: Review the INF approach/model which is currently being used (since 2020) by the Nutrition sector to deliver a package of nutrition services in the Rohingya refugee camps. The review should establish the efficiency, costs and relevance of the INF model/approach in achieving the intended results and recommend to the Nutrition sector on any necessary adjustments. Further, the review should also cover nutrition services being offered in two host communities (Teknaf and Ukhia) falling under the annual JRP. In line with the costing component, the review should establish a minimum package of interventions that can be implemented under different funding scenarios e.g. at 50% funding, 75% funding and 100% funding.
• Geographic coverage: The review will focus on the nutrition response programme implemented through 45 INFs spread across 33 refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and two JRP host communities of Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas. 
• Partner coverage: UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR and its various implementing partners (national and international NGOs) support the Nutrition response and hence these are key stakeholders for the review and source of financial and programme data.  The Nutrition Sector and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (the Civil Surgeon) are also the key partners.
• Costing of the nutrition programme: The costing part of the assignment should establish unit costs for management and treatment of SAM and MAM children (also pregnant and lactating women with MAM) per year. Further, the costing should establish cost drivers across the intervention package mix in the INFs and the two upazillas. Elements to be considered may include but not limited to technical support (salaries for staff at all levels), capacity building for staff and volunteers, nutrition supplies, logistics (warehousing, clearance and transport), programme management and nutrition infrastructure and equipment.  The reference period for establishing unit costs is from 1 January  to 31 December 2023[2].

 

The exercise is expected to answer, but not limited to, the following key questions:

• To what extend is the current nutrition response implementation model/approach/strategy relevant and efficient?
• What opportunities exist for improving efficiency in programme delivery while ensuring achievement of the intended results?
• To what extend is the current nutrition response cost effective?
• What is the cost efficiency of the current nutrition delivery model/approach?
• What is the key cost driver to the nutrition response?
• What opportunities exist for improving efficiency and quality of service in programme delivery?
• What elements of the existing programme contribute the most to programme results?
• What are the gaps, weaknesses, and orientations for the JRP response expenditure?
• What are the challenges/bottlenecks, lessons learned and emerging programmatic priorities of focus
• What nutrition response model/strategy/approach is suggested to deliver  comprehensive nutrition services with the needed quality and standards 

 

1. Methodology

The consultants are expected to develop a robust costing approach to be finalised in consultation with key stakeholders during the inception phase based on extensive literature review which will include but not limited to the following:

 

A historical costing is at least required to address objective number 1 in costing the current Rohingya nutrition response programme while normative costing is at least required to respond to objective number 4 in conducting the costing analysis for different nutrition services package reflecting different funding scenarios for programme activities.

 

Both costing exercises should apply multiple approaches, including desk review, case studies, and in-depth interview with related stakeholders. Consultation workshops should be planned for to verify the results. The desk review should include the key strategic documents such as the JRP, programme documents (PD) or agreements between UN agencies and implementing partners, HAC and relevant global nutrition costing models/approaches that have worked elsewhere.  Stakeholder consultations will be critical during inception phase of the assignment to further agree on the scope of the costing component and the programme review in general.  Validation of results and refinement will also require stakeholder consultations and discussions. Beyond stakeholder consultations, it will be critical to conduct field visits to a representative sample of INFs in the camps run by different partners and some host community facilities that provides nutrition services to have a deeper understanding of the nutrition programme response approach.

 

Key implementing partners and stakeholders in the Rohingya camps include:

 

Main Partner

Implementing Partner

Coverage

1.  

Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK)

4 camps and 6 INFs

Concern World Wide

4 camps and 5 INFs

UNICEF and WFP[3]

Concern World Wide

10 camps and 13 INFs

1.  

9 camps and 11 INFs

World Vision

4 camps and 6 INFs

Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK)

2 camps and 4 INFs

1.  

4 IPs across the response

33 camps and 45 INFs

 

Historical costing exercise

The consultants are encouraged to apply the activity-based costing approach using well established costing guidelines such as those developed by MQSUN+ guidance notes[4]and USAID[5]. While the framework of Scale Up Nutrition (SUN) can be referenced, it is important to note that the nutrition programmes are limited to what is outlined as nutrition sector programme in the JRP.

 

Normative costing exercise

A mixed approach can be applied here, utilising the best practices identified in the historical costing exercise and the standard activity-based costing approach as appropriate. The choice of which approach is best applied can be consulted with key nutrition sector stakeholders particularly in defining the standard, types and quantity of resources for implementation of each activity.The consultants are also expected to apply expert knowledge in refining the activities list, standard for implementation, types and quantity of resources emphasising on cost efficient approaches in consultation with key stakeholders. The costing variables to be used for the normative costing will be informed by the refined activities. Global and regional benchmarks for cost efficient nutrition programmes can be applied as appropriate.

 

5.0 Expected Results, Deliverables and Timelines

 

The institution will implement all activities and deliverables of this work to achieve the planned results. Timelines to complete the deliverables are presented in Table 1. The work will be carried out in two phases with each phase having its key deliverables.

Expected Result: Cost of the current and adjusted Rohingya nutrition response programme, nutrition services including different costing scenarios based on potential programmatic shifts and nutrition service packages, effective strategic and programmatic model/approach for nutrition response, advocacy briefs and publications for increased funding and investment in nutrition sector.

Phase 1: The first phase of the assignment will involve costing of the current nutrition programme implementation model (implemented through integrated nutrition facilities) focusing on all key programme components such as infant and young child feeding, community management of acute malnutrition, blank supplementary feeding, Nutrition Sensitive E-Voucher (NSEV), nutrition education (including cooking demonstrations), micronutrient supplementation, growth monitoring and promotion, early childhood care and development and psychosocial support for mothers and caregivers.  Results of phase 1 are meant to inform programme planning for 2025.

Phase 2: The second phase of the assignment will focus on overall nutrition response programme review for effective programmatic shifts and adjustments and suggesting costing models in line with strategic programmatic shifts. 

 

Deliverable 1 of phase 1: Desk review of strategic documents and the inception report outlining the methodology for the in-depth review, costing and deep dive workshop

Activities

• Desk review of strategic documents including various nutrition implementation models in relevant humanitarian contexts in relation to the model for Cox’s Bazar Rohingya response
• Review of the current response landscape including the nutrition sector strategy to form a better understanding of humanitarian response in Cox’ Bazar and strategy for implementing nutrition activities in line with National Nutrition Services
• Conduct an inception meeting with stakeholders to agree on the scope of costing, cost drivers, costing approaches and programme review. 
• Develop an inception report outlining the agreed methodology for the review, detailed cost analysis protocol indicating and explaining choice of the analysis method, cost drivers to be considered, analysis plan, the design of the costing tool to be used and workplan for the assignment.

Deliverable 2 of phase 1: Costing of the current Rohingya nutrition response programme in Cox’s Bazar  and costing matrix development

Activities:

• Desk review of programme and strategic documents such as JRP, programme documents (PD) or agreements between UN agencies and implementing partners, HAC and global nutrition costing models including those in Humanitarian settings, Asia and Bangladesh.  
• Estimate costs for each of the activities under the major programme components focussing on the agreed cost elements including technical support (salaries for staff at all levels), capacity building for staff and volunteers, nutrition supplies, logistics (warehousing, clearance and transport), programme management and nutrition infrastructure and equipment.
• Develop an easy-to-use nutrition programme costing matrix with different costing options based on a nutrition service package offered under different funding scenarios.
• Validation meeting/ workshop of the costing and refinement based on the feedback.
• Prepare a brief costing report

Deliverable 1 phase 2: A comprehensive review of the nutrition strategy for Rohingya response.

Activities

• In depth analysis of the Rohingya nutrition response strategy within the broader framework of the Bangladesh nutrition programme and assess alignment with the current funding landscape and other concurrent emergencies.
• Review of institutional/ organizational structures and stakeholders responsible for nutrition interventions in the Rohingya response.
• Analysis of functions and responsibilities of various and relevant sectors and determine how these can be re-aligned for better coordination, rationalisation and execution of nutrition actions.
• Data collection including field visits to the camps
• Identify and document challenges/bottlenecks, lessons learned, emerging programmatic priorities of focus and technical recommendations for programme adjustment, refinement and/ or scale up.

 

Deliverable 2 phase 2: Recommend and design an effective model for delivery of quality comprehensive nutrition services for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar

Activities:

• Suggest and recommend an effective comprehensive nutrition response model that delivers comprehensive nutrition services within the needed quality standards in the camp. 
• Revise the first costing (under deliverable 1of phase 1) to reflect any new changes as a result of programmatic strategic shifts that may be proposed after the review.

 

Deliverable 3 phase 2: Final stakeholder deep dive workshop of the comprehensive review, costing and recommendations of the nutrition strategy.

Activities:

• Planning and preparing for the final workshop including an internal and external stakeholders’ workshop in liaison with nutrition sector and UNICEF Nutrition Section in Cox’s Bazar. The workshop will focus on reviewing and refining the activities and costing of different scenarios and planning the way forward for validation and endorsement of the costed strategy.
• Prepare a power point presentation and design participatory facilitation methodologies with potential facilitators.
• Facilitate a workshop to discuss the findings and adaptation of the strategy or proposed adjustments including group costing exercises.

 

Deliverable 4 phase 2: Documentation - Final report, revised costed nutrition strategy and scenarios, costing guide and investment in nutrition advocacy briefs and documents for Rohingya response and host communities.

Activities:

• Comprehensive report - consolidate findings of the review and the costed and recommended implementation model.
• Provide an executive summary (10 pages maximum) of key findings and recommendations.
• Revise costed strategy with different scenarios.
• Investment case advocacy briefs and power point presentations 

 

Table 1: Contract milestones, deliverables, and timeline

 

Task/Milestone

Deliverable/Outcome

Estimated # of days

Planned Completion date

1. Desk review of strategic documents and the inception report outlining the methodology for the in-depth review, costing and deep dive workshop

• Desk review of strategic documents
• Review of current response landscape
• Inception meeting for scope of the assignment, cost elements to be considered and scope of the programme review.
• Inception report outlining the agreed methodology for the review, detailed cost analysis protocol, tools to be used and workplan

Inception meeting and Inception Report

20 days

20 November 2024

2. Costing of the current Rohingya nutrition response programme in Cox’s Bazar

• Review of programme and strategic documents such as JRP, programme documents (PDs), HAC
• Costing of programme component  activities
• Develop an easy-to-use nutrition programme costing matrix with different costing options based on a nutrition service package offered under different funding scenarios.
• Validation meeting/ workshop of the costing and refinement based on the feedback
• Prepare a brief costing report

A report detailing costing of current programme activities and matrix of costing

30 days 

19 December 2024

3. A comprehensive review of the nutrition approach/strategy for Rohingya response. 

 

• In- depth review and analysis of the Rohingya nutrition response approach /strategy
• Review of institutional/ organizational structures and stakeholders
• Data collection and management
• Analysis of functions and responsibilities of various sectors for better coordination and nutrition actions.
• Document challenges, lessons learned, emerging programmatic priorities and suggest programmatic adjustment.
• Validation meetings/ workshop

 

Validation reports and comprehensive report/documentation and power points

 40 days

29 January 2025

4. An effective model for delivery of a quality comprehensive nutrition services.

• Suggest and recommend an effective comprehensive nutrition response model
• Revise the first costing (under deliverable 1of phase 1) to reflect any new changes as a result of programmatic strategic shifts that may be proposed after the review

Costing report for an efficient delivery of nutrition interventions

50 days

20 March 2025

5. Deep dive workshop of the nutrition strategy, costing and recommendations.

• Planning and preparing for the final workshop including power point and designing participatory methodologies
• Facilitate the deep dive workshop to discuss the findings and adaptation of the strategy or proposed adjustments including conducting of group costing exercises.

Workshop report with detailed inputs and critical revisions for the overall review and costing

30 days

19 April 2025

5: Documentation - Final report, revised costed nutrition strategy and scenarios, costing guide and investment in nutrition advocacy briefs and documents.

• Consolidate findings of the reviews, costed and recommended implementation model in one comprehensive report.
• Provide an executive summary (10 pages maximum) of the key findings and recommendations.
• Provide costed strategy with costing scenarios for different nutrition service packages.
• Investment/funding  case advocacy briefs and power point presentations 
• Final assignment report

Final report including executive summary, PowerPoint presentations, policy and advocacy briefs and a costed nutrition response model that can be adopted by the Nutrition Sector 

20 days

 9 May 2025

 

 

6.0. Reporting requirements

 

The assignment will be under the direct leadership of UNICEF Cox’s Bazar Field Office under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Manager and overall oversight by the Chief of Nutrition in Dhaka. The institution will also operate in close cooperation with the Nutrition Sector and other Government ministries and departments such as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (the Civil Surgeon), Department of Agriculture Extension, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Education and other relevant agencies (WFP, UNHCR, FAO) and nutrition sector partners. 

As part of reporting requirements, the institution will submit the following reports;

• Inception report providing details on the approach to the assignment, workplan etc 
• Bimonthly updates through Power point presentation on the status and progress of deliverables
• Two validation meeting reports
• Deep dive workshop report
• Comprehensive report/documentation and power points on nutrition strategy and costing
• Final report including 10-page summary, PowerPoint presentations, advocacy briefs and a costed nutrition response model (including a costing guide) that can be adopted by the Nutrition Sector. 

 

 

1.  

All payments, without exception, will be made upon certification from the supervisor of the contract, of the satisfactory and quality completion of deliverables and upon receipt of the respective and approved invoice.

#

Item

% of Payment

Due

1

Upon satisfactory submission and approval of inception report and current programme cost.

25%

22 November 2024

2

Upon submission of a report detailing costing of current programme activities and matrix of costing

15%

20 December 2024

3

Upon submission of second validation meeting report and a draft of a comprehensive report on costing and recommended an effective model

15%

30 January 2025.

4

Upon submission of a costing report

20%

21 March 2025

5

Upon submission of deep dive report, final report, PowerPoint presentations, policy and advocacy briefs and a costed nutrition response model that can be adopted by the Nutrition Sector

25%

10 May 2025

 

 

8.0. Qualification requirements of the Company / institution / organization

The assignment requires a consultancy institution consisting of a lead international consultant. In case of partnership with a local individual consultant, the Request for Proposals (RFP) should name the selected local individual and provide justification for its selection as well as clearly outlined roles and responsibilities. The following are the required qualifications and experience.

Team Leader’s experience:

• An advanced university degree (master’s or PhD) in Development Studies, Public Health, Health Economics, Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, International Health and Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition, health policy and Management or a related nutrition field is required.
• Proven practical experience (with examples of previous work) in similar assignments (costing of public health and or nutrition interventions). 
• Experience in development of multisectoral nutrition strategic documents using a systems approach (Food, Health, WASH, Education and Social Protection) is an added advantage.
• Previous experience in stakeholder consultations, development of frameworks and policy and advocacy briefs and dissemination of results.
• Experience working with governments, NGOs, UN agencies or other relevant development partners.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in the public health/nutrition policy and or programming at international level
• Advanced skills on analysing relevant documents from various sources, statistic data analysis to generate/summarize required reports and demonstrated ability to produce high quality evaluation and/or analytical reports.
• Good team player with ability to work independently and efficiently in a time-bound manner, delivering high quality products through participatory processes.
• Excellent communication, oral and written, skills.

 

Proposed team experience:

• An advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, International Health and Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition, Social Sciences, Health Economics, Development Studies, or a related nutrition field is required.
• Knowledge of Bangladeshi’s and Rohingya strategic and operating environment for implementation of nutrition programmes.
• Previous experience in stakeholder consultations, development of frameworks and policy and advocacy briefs and dissemination of results.
• Experience working with governments, NGOs, UN agencies or other relevant development partners.
• Experience working in humanitarian and development context
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in the public health/nutrition policy programming and research at national level and or international level.
• Proven experience in conducting nutrition policy and programming landscape analyses including CMAM, Infant and Young Child Feeding policy and programme, analysing and synthesizing policy, strategic and programme information, and in conducting literature reviews on health and nutrition is a major asset. 
• Good computer knowledge. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint), various email applications and using the internet for research and reports.
• Advanced skills on analysing relevant documents from various sources, statistic data analysis to generate/summarize required reports.
• Strong networking and communication skills (written and verbal) in English and Bangla

 

1. Evaluation Process and METHODs

 

Each proposal will be assessed first on its technical merits and subsequently on its price.  In making the final decision, UNICEF considers both technical and financial aspects.  The evaluation team first reviews the technical aspects of the offer, followed by review of the financial offers of the technically compliant vendors.  The proposal obtaining the highest overall score after adding the scores for the technical and financial proposals together, that offers the best value for money will be recommended for award of the contract. The following documents should be submitted to enable UNICEF to evaluate the suitability of a firm/institution to carry out work under this TOR:

The Technical Proposal should include but not be limited to the following:

• Institution/ Company Profile

• Ensure to include information related to the experience of the company as required and outlined in Section 6 of this document.
• Copy of the company registration

 

• Methodology

• A description of the approach and methodology the company intend to follow in meeting the requirement detailing how to meet or exceed UNICEF requirements for this assignment.

 

• Work Plan

• Proposed work plan showing detailed sequence and timeline for each activity and man days of each proposed team member.

 

• Team Composition

• Title and role of each team member. Educational qualifications and professional experience
• Experience in working on similar assignments.

 

• CV’s

• CV of each team member (including qualifications and experience)
• Ensure to include information related to the qualifications and experience of each proposed team member as required and outlined in Section 6 of this document.

 

• Any project assumptions

 

• References

Details of similar assignments undertaken in last three years including the following information:

• Title of Project
• Year and duration of project
• Scope of Project
• Outcome of Project, include reports, web-links, etc.
• Reference / Contact persons

 

The Financial Proposal should include but not be limited to the following:

Bidders are expected to submit a lump sum financial proposal to complete the entire assignment based on the terms of reference.The lump sum should be broken down to show the detail for the following:

• Resource costs

Daily rate multiplied by number of days

• Conference or workshop costs (if any)

Indicate nature and breakdown if possible

• Travel Costs

All travel costs should be included as a lump sum fixed cost.

For all travel costs, UNICEF will pay as per the lump sum fixed costs provided in the proposal.  A breakdown of the lump sum travel costs should be provided in the financial proposal. Travel costs shall be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel, and costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), details can be found at http://icsc.un.org

All travel arrangements and expenses are covered by the selected company and included in the financial offer (lump sum and per-line breakdown).

• Any other costs (if any)

Indicate nature and breakdown

 

The vendor will be responsible for administering its own travel. Travelexpenses will be reimbursed separately upon presentation of receiptsorasperUNrates(http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp) whichever is lower.

The contracted consultant/firm will be responsible for overall management of the assignment including logistical arrangements.  The contracted firm will also be responsible for final editing of the project deliverables (as needed) and will ensure final deliverables are of publishable standards.