National Consultant: Provincial Multi- Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) - 7 Consultants based in Provinces, Nepal Country Office

Job no: 580357
Position type: Consultant
Location: Nepal
Division/Equivalent: Kathmandu(ROSA)
School/Unit: Nepal
Department/Office: Kathmandu, Nepal
Categories: Nutrition

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The third phase of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP), spanning from 2023 to 2030, has been developed under the leadership of the National Planning Commission (NPC) to build on the achievements of MSNP I (2013- 2017) and MSNP-II (2018-2022) and attain international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goal 2030 (SDG 2030) the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 and the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. MSNP-III was approved by the Government of Nepal (GoN) on February 1, 2024, and has garnered continued support from the European Union (EU), which has committed €23 million for its implementation from 2024 to 2026. This support is structured through direct budgetary contributions and complementary measures facilitated by UNICEF as per the financial agreement (FA) between the GoN and the EU.
The success of the EU’s budgetary support for MSNP-III heavily relies on the critical complementary role to be played by UNICEF. Technical assistance from UNICEF is vital for achieving the key objectives of MSNP-III, particularly in meeting Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) that are linked to fund disbursements. Additionally, UNICEF’s expertise will be essential in scaling up nutrition-friendly governance mechanisms at the local level, enhancing capacities across all relevant sectors, promoting social behaviour change, and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation systems, including sectoral information management and quality reporting. Given these requirements, UNICEF’s technical assistance is crucial to sustain past progress and accelerate efforts toward achieving the ambitious goals of MSNP-III. Further, the financing agreement signed between GoN and the EU on October 4, 2024, governs UNICEF technical support to implement MSNP- III as stated in the Country Program Action Plan (2023-2027).
 
Purpose of the Assignment:
The Provincial Coordinators (PCs) will play a vital role in supporting the implementation of MSNP III, working closely with provincial, district, and local governments to strengthen multi-sector coordination, planning, monitoring, and reporting. They will provide hands-on technical support to local governments and MSNP Facilitators to integrate MSNP into local plans using the 7-step planning process and ensure effective tracking through the Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS). At the provincial level, PCs will work with the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission and sectoral ministries to facilitate the implementation, monitoring, and review of MSNP III, ensuring strong collaboration among stakeholders for better decision-making and increased resource allocation. Their support will be instrumental in achieving Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) and expanding Nutrition-Friendly Local Governance (NFLG) by guiding local governments in institutionalizing nutrition within their governance structures. With their technical expertise and facilitation skills, PCs will be key drivers in accelerating the progress of MSNP III, strengthening accountability, and promoting sustainable nutrition governance at all levels.
 
Scope of Work
The Provincial Coordinator (PC) plays a vital role in localizing MSNP-III across Nepal’s seven provinces and 753 local levels. The PC ensures MSNP integration into provincial and local government periodic plans while providing dedicated technical support for targeted interventions. By enhancing the capacity of MSNP facilitators, Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committees (NFSSC), government officials, civil society, and private sector stakeholders, the PC strengthens MSNP-III implementation and mainstreaming. Additionally, the PC drives the Nutrition-Friendly Local Governance (NFLG) agenda, facilitates monitoring, reporting, and coordination across federal, provincial, district and local levels, and contributes to achieving Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). The dedicated involvement of the PC is crucial for achieving MSNP-III’s overarching goals of improved nutrition outcomes and sustainable development.
Key responsibilities:
Coordination Facilitation:
  • Engage with Provincial (Policy) Planning Commission (P(P)PC), sectoral ministries, and key agencies to integrate MSNP into policies, plans, and budgets.
  • Strengthen collaboration with civil society, media, academia, and the private sector for advocacy and mainstreaming MSNP priorities.
  • Facilitate the activation and strengthening of NFSSC and MSNP Facilitation Committees at all levels.
  • Coordinate MSNP programs under NPC and MoFAGA leadership within respective provinces.
  • Liaise with UNICEF Field Office for planning, implementation, and monitoring support.
  • Support to organize multi-sector coordination meetings at provincial and local levels.
  • Support institutionalization of PLNFSSC within P(P)PC and LLNFSSC within municipalities.
  • Strengthen coordination among District Coordination Committees (DCCs) and local levels.
  • Facilitate joint reviews, donor visits, and advocacy for MSNP incorporation into the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Technical Support and Capacity Building:
  • Support local governments in formulating MSNP-aligned annual work plans and budgets.
  • Facilitate MSNP integration into local planning, ensuring alignment with policies and priorities with adequate attention to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and persons with disabilities,
  • Support to strengthen institutionalization of NFLG, linking it with CFLG and EFLG.
  • Facilitate capacity building of sectoral staff, MSNP facilitators, and local governments for effective implementation of both nutrition specific and sensitive interventions.
  • Assist in adapting and executing directives from NPC, MoFAGA, and P(P)PC.
  • Enhance emergency preparedness for food security and nutrition service delivery.
  • Support nutrition gap analysis and recommend interventions to provincial authorities.
  • Establish MSNP demonstration sites to showcase best practices.
Reporting, Documentation, Review, and Monitoring:
  • Prepare monthly and periodic reporting on MSNP progress including DLI at provincial and local levels and submit to NPC/NNFSS, MoFAGA, UNICEF Field & Country office.
  • Strengthen the Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS) and link it with DHIS2/HMIS.
  • Conduct regular monitoring visits to assess progress and provide technical support.
  • Coordinate stocktaking, stakeholder mapping, and collaboration with development partners.
  • Facilitate joint monitoring visits by federal agencies, the EU, and UNICEF.
  • Document case studies, success stories, and best practices for knowledge sharing.
Advocacy, Social and Behavioral Change (SBC), and Community Engagement:
  • Advocate for increased domestic resource allocation at provincial and local levels.
  • Support SBC interventions to improve dietary practices and encourage positive health and nutrition behaviors.
  • Promote local food production, climate-resilient food systems, and nutrition prioritization in local development agendas.
  • Encourage Nutrition-Friendly Local Governance (NFLG) adoption.
 
Duration of the Contract: The total duration of the assignment is for 9 months starting from 01 April 2025.
 
Duty Station: The consultants will be based in Provincial Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat/Province Policy Planning Commission:
1. Koshi Province – Biratnagar
2. Madesh Province- Janakpur
3. Bagmati Province – Hetauda
4. Gandaki Province – Pokhara
5. Lumbini Province – Dang
6. Karnali Province- Surkhet
7. Sudurpaschim Province- Dhangadhi

Deliverables for the Assignment:

1st Deliverable by 15 May 2025

  • Updated list of established/strengthened NFSSC and their members.
  • Submission of the documents on the proceeding of the Provincial and Local level Nutrition and Food Security Steering committee meeting including the key decision/minutes.
  • Submission of the mapping of Nutrition stakeholders/DPs and their interventions.
  • Submission of MSNP progress report with DLIs

2nd Deliverable by 15 July 2025

  • Submission of approved MSNP work plans & budgets for next FY with an analysis on budget allocated for MSNP from various relevant sectors at province and local level.
  • Submission of training reports on MSNP and NFLG.
  • Submission of field visit reports along with areas of support required.
  • Submission of MSNP progress report with DLIs

3rd Deliverable by 15 September 2025

  • Submission of TOR of monitoring task team, monitoring checklists and joint monitoring reports.
  • Submission of Integrated plan of local levels of respective province and review meeting report of province, districts and local levels.
  • Submission of MSNP progress report with DLIs and along with the progress in the demonstration sites.
  • Submission of at least 3 success stories and case studies.

4th Deliverable by 30 October 2025

  • Submission of the updates on the NFLG adoption status and Nutrition profile of the province and local level.
  • Submission of SBC reports on the interventions implemented in the local levels.
  • Submission of MSNP progress report with DLIs

Final Deliverable by 31 December 2025

  • Analysis of the province/local planning and budgeting reflecting the coverage on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and persons with disabilities,
  • Prepare and submit a summary of special grants proposal submitted by the province and local governments.
  • Prepare update on the reporting status of local levels through WBRS.
  • Submission of Province and local levels annual progress report of MSNP DLI’s against plan of FY 2081/82 and Plan for FY 2082/2083 based on Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS) and DHIS2/HMIS.

For details on the assignment including tasks and deliverables, please refer to the link: Terms of Reference.

Note:

Please include the names of your preferred duty stations in order of preference in your cover letter.

Please submit financial proposal based on the above deliverables.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

Minimum bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture/livestock, food technology, health education, and related subjects with master’s degree and above as an advantage.

Work experience: 
  • A minimum of three years of professional experience in health/nutrition or multisectoral nutrition-related programs/projects with government, non-governmental organizations, UN/UN-supported projects.
  • Prior experience in multi-sectoral nutrition planning and programming, with ability to collaborate effectively with government agencies and multiple stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in computer skills, including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Fluency in both English and Nepali is required; proficiency in a local language is an advantage.

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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. 

Advertised: Nepal Standard Time
Application close: Nepal Standard Time

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