National Consultant: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Consultant, Kathmandu, Nepal, Only for Nepalese Nationals

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For every child, result

The success of the EU's budgetary support to the Government of Nepal for MSNP-III relies predominantly on the essential complementary support measures provided by UNICEF. This assistance is pivotal for achieving the key objectives and results outlined in MSNP-III, particularly in meeting the targets of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), which are mandatory conditions for fund disbursement associated with the variable tranche. Furthermore, UNICEF's assistance is crucial for scaling up the institutionalization of nutrition-friendly governance mechanisms at the local level, enhancing institutional and individual capacities across all relevant sectors and levels of government, scaling up social behavior change interventions, and strengthening the review, monitoring, and evaluation system, including sectoral routine information management systems and quality reporting mechanisms.

Recognizing the utmost significance of technical assistance (TA) from UNICEF, a 'Program Implementation Framework' has been developed. This framework delineates the different components of uninterrupted technical support from UNICEF to the Government of Nepal (GoN). Building upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UNICEF and the National Planning Commission (NPC) during the second phase of MSNP, UNICEF will continue providing technical assistance for the implementation of MSNP-III.

Under this context, UNICEF will be providing technical assistance to GoN in particular National Planning Commission, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Health and Population/Department of Health Services including other sectoral ministries. The TA will support the Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat within NPC for effective functioning of High-level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee (HLNFSSC) and National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee (NNFSSC) at NPC and MSNP- Operation and Facilitation Committee (MSNP-OFC), MoFAGA. In addition, NNFSS based HR will provide technical and managerial backstopping to MSNP- Operation and Facilitation Committee (MSNP-OFC) within MoFAGA for developing program implementation documents, budgetary guidelines, advocacy and communication material, and capacity development, monitoring, reviewing, and reporting the progress and performance of MSNP, updating the Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal and Web-based Reporting System, generating evidence to guide policy decision-making, and developing data-driven annual programs. Additionally, HR will facilitate sectoral ministries in mainstreaming MSNP into their sectoral plans and policies at the federal and provincial levels, as well as into the annual programs and budgets at the local levels. The TA will also capacitate the local level for the effective implementation of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, and advocate to leverage more resources from government and non-government counterparts for MSNP implementation.

Scope of Work:

MEAL consultant at the federal level is crucial for supporting the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat (NNFSS) at the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the MSNP Operations and Facilitation Committee (MSNP-OFC) at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) in strengthening the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, institutionalizing nutrition-friendly governance mechanisms, and enhancing institutional and individual capacities while scaling up Social Behavior Change (SBC) interventions. To perform these functions, an uninterrupted supply of a dedicated and technically competent team of human resources has been ensured for the MSNP-OFC /NNFSS. Among these roles, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Consultant plays a pivotal role in facilitating NPC, MoFAGA, and the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in strengthening monitoring, review, reporting, and evaluation mechanisms related to MSNP-III across all levels of government.

Furthermore, the MEAL Consultant is crucial in providing support to sectoral ministries, departments, and sections at the federal, provincial, and local levels to enhance the capacity of these entities in monitoring program outputs, tracking progress against annual targets, conducting periodic progress reviews, and documenting best practices. Moreover, the MEL Consultant will guide local levels in developing nutrition profiles, preparing data-driven annual programs and budgets, and updating the Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal along with other sectoral information systems. The MEAL Consultant's role is critical in supporting evidence-based decision-making and knowledge management for the successful implementation of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan-III.

Specific Tasks:

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support at all three tiers of government, particularly at federal level to monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the MSNP and capture the learnings from its implementation. This position will provide technical assistance to the National Planning Commission/National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat, MSNP-OFC and relevant government ministries/departments/sections at the federal, provincial, and local levels for implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) functions in relation to MSNP-III. This position will support the local level in ensuring the M&E system is functional for conducting quality monitoring visits, recording, and reporting quality data timely, and documenting the success stories in line with MSNP’s M&E Framework and streamlining the sectoral information system with Result Framework of MSNP-III. Also, this position will support Evidence and Research functions by carrying out the periodic review, research, and evaluation and regularly updating Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal and Web-based Reporting System.

The major tasks of the consultant are:

• Provide technical support to develop M&E tools and guidelines, capacity development manuals, and MSNP implementation guidelines.
• Assist the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to develop MSNP-III’s implementation guidelines.
• Support and capacitate Provincial and Local Level Nutrition and Food Security Secretariats to effectively monitor, document, and report outcomes aligned with the MSNP-III’s MEAL Framework.
• Monitor the implementation of MSNP-III’s implementation and facilitate tracking the progress towards the MSNP-III’s result.
• Facilitate the conducting of various capacity development activities for MSNP Coordinators, MSNP Facilitators, political leaders, bureaucratic leaders (MSNP focal persons, sectoral unit heads), and civil society organizations to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Program.
• Provide technical support to the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission and Provincial MSNP Coordinators to establish functional M&E mechanism including documentation and reporting mechanism at federal, provincial, and local levels.
• Support sectoral ministries and departments to prepare and compile periodic progress reports against the indicators of MSNP-III’s Result Framework and publish the report periodically on time.
• Support to MOFAGA to develop definition booklet of indicators to be included in the revised NFLG.
• Assist in developing and finalizing the ‘Social and Behavior Change Strategy’.
• Monitor the implementation of Multi-Sector Nutrition Program and facilitate tracking progress towards the MSNP-III’s results.
• Provide technical assistance to align sectoral routine information management systems with MSNP-III’s Result Framework and strengthen the Web-based Reporting System of MoFAGA and Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal hosted by NPC.
• Provide assistance in developing integrated nutrition information management systems at the federal level.
• Backstop NPC and MoFAGA to prepare periodic progress reports against the indicators of MSNP-III’s Result Framework.
• Provide technical inputs to revise the Nutrition Friendly Local Governance indicators and prepare the outline of the nutrition profile for local government.
• Prepare presentations, monitoring reports, and other day-to-day activities as directed by the Division Chief/Joint Secretary of Good Governance and Social Development Division, NPC and Federal Affair Division, MoFAGA
• Support in conducting financial tracking of MSNP-III and facilitate in advocating for nutrition budget code.
• Support NPC and UNICEF in conducting small-scale surveys, implementation research, and documenting best practices.
• Support in preparing the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Joint Annual Assessment Reports and document other SUN-related activities.
• Prepare presentations, monitoring reports, and other day-to-day activities as directed by the Division Chief/Joint Secretary of the Good Governance and Social Development Division, NPC, and Federal Affairs Division, MoFAGA.

Duration of Contract: The total duration of the contract is for 12 months tentatively starting from 04 July 2024.

Duty Station: The consultant will be based at National Planning Commission/National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat, Kathmandu.

Deliverables:

Tasks/Milestone:DeliverablesTimelineProposed Fee- Provide technical assistance to NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA/MSNP-OFC to track the progress against MSNP-III’s Result Framework and in particular the DLIs. - Provide technical support to develop M&E tools and guidelines and MSNP implementation guidelines. - Provide technical inputs to MoFAGA to revise the Nutrition Friendly Local Governance indicators and prepare the outline of the nutrition profile for local government. - Technical support to MSNP-OFC/ NNFSS to documentation of information and data compilation and preparation periodic report

• Submission of M&E Guidelines including M&E Checklist for local levels.
• Submission of definition booklet of indicators to be included in the revised NFLG implementation guidelines 2080 (Nepali Version).
• Submission of outline of nutrition profile for local levels.
• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

31 August 2024 - Assist to develop capacity development manuals for MSNP Facilitators and review the Resource book. - Facilitate the conducting of various capacity development activities for MSNP Coordinators, MSNP Facilitators, political leaders, bureaucratic leaders (MSNP focal persons, sectoral unit heads), and civil society organizations to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Program. - Technical support to MSNP-OFC/ NNFSS to documentation of information and data compilation and preparation periodic report

• Submission of Training material for capacitating MSNP Facilitators and local government.
• Submission of report of capacity development program conducted at provincial and local level under the leadership of MoFAGA.

• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

  • Facilitate NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA for conducting annual planning and review meeting at federal level.
• Backstop NPC and MoFAGA to prepare periodic progress reports against the indicators of MSNP-III’s Result Framework.

• Technical support to MSNP-OFC/ NNFSS to documentation of information and data compilation and preparation of annual report

• Submission of report of annual review and planning meeting conducted under the leadership of MoFAGA/NPC.

• Submission of MSNP Annual progress report of MSNP for FY 2081/82

• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

  31 January 2025 - Backstop to capacitate Provincial and Local Level Nutrition and Food Security Secretariats to effectively monitor, document, and report outcomes aligned with the MSNP-III’s MEAL Framework.

• Provide technical assistance to align sectoral routine information management systems with MSNP-III’s Result Framework and strengthen the Web-based Reporting System of MoFAGA and Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal hosted by NPC.
• Provide assistance in developing integrated nutrition information management systems at the federal level.

• Support in preparing the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Joint Annual Assessment Reports and document other SUN-related activities.

• Submission of reports capacity development on the M&E activities at all levels.

• Submission of report on updates of Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal.
• Submission of report of consultative meeting for aligning sectoral routine information system with MSNP-III’s Result Framework.
• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

31st March 2025 - Support NPC and UNICEF in conducting small-scale surveys, implementation research, and documenting best practices. - Technical support to MSNP-OFC/ NNFSS to documentation of information and data compilation and preparation periodic report - Assist in developing and finalizing ‘SBC Strategy’ to implement Social Behavior Change interventions at local levels.

• Submission of best practices (at least 2).
• Submission of reference material for conducting SBC activity at local levels.
• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

31st May 2025 - Technical support to MSNP-OFC/ NNFSS to documentation of information and data compilation and preparation of annual report - Support to NPC/NNFSS to prepare annual progress report for the year 2025 to be submitted to the EU.

• Submission of Annual Progress Report for the year 2025.
• Submission of the final report of the consultancy
• Submission of regular update of MSNP implementation

03 July 2025 To qualify as an advocate for every child the consultant will have…

Academic Qualification:

• University Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, social sciences, or related fields.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in MEAL and Information Management Systems with substantial experience in working with the federal government, National Planning Commission, MoFAGA, Department of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Population, and other MSNP-related sectoral ministries under multilateral /bilateral funded project and program.
• Proven experience in developing the Theory of Change, Result framework, and MEAL framework of a government plan that is multi-sectoral in nature.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and updating Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal, integrated dashboard, and information management systems such as Health Management Information System, and Web-based Reporting System among others.
• Experience in multisectoral coordination, planning with GoN, Development Partners, and other relevant stakeholders, local governance mechanism, and capacity building is an asset.
• Experience working at NPC/NNFSS federal level and supporting government in formulating Multisectoral Nutrition Plan and its Result Framework and M&E Framework including its implementation at province and local level is highly preferred.

• Previous work experience with UN or UN supported project and governance sectors is an asset.

  Special skills and/or knowledge required: good knowledge of study methodologies (both quantitative and qualitative) and demonstrated ability in the use of qualitative data analysis.

• Good knowledge of digital data collection systems and digital data management systems
• Demonstrated skills in developing advocacy and social behavior change communication materials.
• Demonstrated communication, advocacy and social mobilization skills

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Request to submit financial proposal (Nepalese currency) based on the deliverables for this assignment.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.