TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT ANNUAL NUTRITION BUDGET ANALYSIS FOR USE IN ENGAGING POLICYMAKERS AT THE NATIONAL AND FOCAL STATES

 Background

The Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) is a project designed to strengthen Nigeria’s nutrition systems to be more Result-driven, Effective, Serviceable, Efficient, and Transparent (RESET). This is to facilitate the delivery of nutrition interventions and to hold the government accountable for commitments made to allocate, release, and use transparent funds for implementing high-impact nutrition interventions in Nigeria through evidence-based advocacy.

Malnutrition in Nigeria is caused by several factors, including lack of food, improper feeding and caring practices, economic and political structures, low status, and lack of education among women, etc. Therefore, a multi-sectoral approach is required for the reduction and eventual eradication of the scourge. The UNICEF conceptual framework (UNICEF 2013) brings to the fore the need for multi-actors, disciplines, sectors, and systems in this effort as evidence increasingly suggests that solving malnutrition can benefit from a systems approach (WHO 2009; Hammond & Dube’ 2012).

PINNS project adopts a systems approach to strengthening bodies and structures burdened with the responsibility of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. It pays attention to the unpredictable interaction among factors, sectors, disciplines, and determinants of nutrition, bringing to the table key tools and technical support required for the effective coordination and implementation of programs. PINNS seeks to focus on strengthening governance, policy implementation, effective coordination, financing, building the capacity of state actors, generation and effective communication of evidence, and promoting accountability. This collective effort will contribute to a reduction in malnutrition, thereby improving the nutritional status of Nigerians, particularly women, and children. The organizational capacity of CS-SUNN to become a leading voice on nutrition advocacy in Nigeria by deepening expertise gained from the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project and building new ones is also one of the goals the project intends to achieve.

 Rationale

The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is a non-governmental, non-profit making coalition, made up of organizations with a shared vision to transform Nigeria into a country where every citizen has food and is nutrition secured. CS-SUNN pursues this lofty goal by engaging and mobilizing Government and Non-state actors to advocate for relevant policy implementation, raise awareness, generate evidence, build capacity, and stimulate communities to scale up nutrition in Nigeria, with a special focus on maternal and child nutrition. The organizational capacity of CS-SUNN to become a leading voice for nutrition advocacy in Nigeria led to the PINNS Project.

Over the last 10 years, the budget of the government of Nigeria for healthcare has not been up to the African Union-Abuja Declaration proposed 15% of the national budget on Health which Nigeria is a signatory to, and the 1% consolidated revenue fund designed to operationalize the 2014 National Health Act was still not captured in the 2017 budget 3 years after. Government funding for nutrition in the country has also been abysmal especially on high-impact interventions like IYCF, Maternal Nutrition, and staple food fortification, as shown in the 2018 budget submitted to the House of Assembly, where a paltry sum of 30 million naira was proposed. There is a need to generate evidence that clearly shows whether government spending on such key interventions is adequate or not and also if allocated funds for both health and nutrition are released as when due, used judiciously for what they are meant for as captured in the appropriation acts of each project location, is germane to improving the health and nutritional status of Nigerians, a core prayer of the Pooled Fund Project.

A concise narrative and pictorial description of low health budgeting and its implication for health/nutrition in Nigeria must be produced. This will provide respective legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders with a better understanding of the state of funding for health and nutrition in project-specific locations.

To this effect, CS-SUNN requires the services of a well-experienced expert to collect health and nutrition-related budgets and budget performance information from 2022, analyze and come up with a comprehensive report and budget infographics for use as evidence to engage in advocacy and campaigns. The analysis will look at funding trends, nutrition funding, and legal implications of poor funding, compare focal states’ budgets for nutrition and come up with smart recommendations.

 Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to first conduct a budget analysis with a narrative report for nutrition funding at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Oyo). The budget analysis will particularly focus on funding for high-impact nutrition interventions like; Maternal, Adolescence, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition, staple food fortification, and second, develop budget infographics with a call to action for improving, releasing, and efficient use of funding for nutrition.

 Specific Tasks

The specific tasks for the consultants are:

• Conduct a 5-year (2018-2023) trend analysis of the health and nutrition budget at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Oyo) with a narrative report. The analysis will focus on funding trends for high-impact interventions like IYCF, Maternal Nutrition, and staple food fortification.
• The analysis should use a series of comparisons to access the following:

1. If the budgetary allocation and actual spending on the nutrition and health sector has improved in the focus states over the review period.
2. If the credibility (variance between budgetary allocation and actual spending) of the budget for nutrition and health met the minimum acceptable standard set within the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework,
3. If the focus states are prioritizing the health sector and nutrition intervention compared to other components of the budget.
4. If funding for nutrition interventions and the health sector was adequate during the period under review?

• Report to include a comparison of Nigeria’s funding commitments as it relates to meeting global commitments/targets for nutrition
• Develop budget infographics on findings from trend analysis with smart recommendations to address gaps in funding commitments at National and focal states.
• Do a comparative trend analysis of the nutrition budget at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Oyo). To provoke healthy competition among states in nutrition funding.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations of findings for engaging in advocacy for executives, legislators, and policymakers.

Expected Outputs

By the end of the assignment, the following outputs will be expected:

• Budget infographics on findings from trend analysis with smart recommendations to address gaps in funding commitments at the focal states.
• PowerPoint presentation of findings
• Final narrative report on a 5-year (2028-2023) trend analysis of nutrition budget at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Oyo).

Type of Consultants Required

The consultant should have extensive knowledge of the Nigerian health/Nutrition systems and budget analysis with experience in implementing public health programs, especially MNCH and nutrition-related services. An advanced degree in Health Planning, Health Economics and Financing, and related disciplines is necessary. S/He should have an in-depth understanding of the Nigerian budget process and cycles. S/He must also be able to show clearly through past works; the ability to conduct budget analysis, develop infographics and effectively relate budget information to developmental issues to spur action from policymakers.

Timing of Consultancy

The assignment will be carried out at national and focal states (Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Bayelsa, Oyo) and will last for 60 working days within April – June 2023. The assignment must be completed, and final submissions made by the close of business on the 30^th of June 2023.

 Anti-Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

CS-SUNN has a zero-tolerance for sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in all ramifications.

This is considered gross misconduct. ‘Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion.

Of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Application

Interested consultants who meet the above-stated criteria are to send an expression of interest with the following:

– Curriculum Vitae

– Technical offer/ proposal containing work plan and methodology

– Links to past works that relate to this assignment

– Financial offer including (a) daily consultancy fee– all taxes and duties included; (b) travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs (if applicable) via mail to procurement@cs-sunn.org  on or before Monday 7th April 2023.

 Please address correspondence to:

The Executive Secretary,

Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)

​Plot 203 Cadastral Zone B02, Off Oladipo Diya Way (Beside Coded Suites), Durumi District, Abuja.

Successful consultants will be contacted for a formal meeting