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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, care. 

The third phase of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP-III), spanning from 2023 to 2030, has been developed under the leadership of the National Planning Commission (NPC) to build on the achievements of MSNP-II 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).

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

The MSNP Policy and Governance Consultant will provide intensive technical assistance to MoFAGA and local levels in institutionalizing nutrition-friendly local governance across the three tiers of government. The consultant will support the mainstreaming of MSNP into periodic plans and the annual programs and budgets of local governments. This role involves assisting in the generation and use of evidence to inform decision-making and improve MSNP implementation. The consultant will also support the design, planning, and execution of community engagement and advocacy efforts to enhance nutrition outcomes. Additionally, the consultant will facilitate policy dialogue and foster strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Strengthening the capacity of federal, provincial, and local government entities—such as the Provincial MSNP Coordinator, MSNP Facilitators, and members of the Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committees (NFSSC)will be a key focus. The consultant will enhance coordination mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of multi-sectoral nutrition interventions while also contributing to monitoring progress and facilitating knowledge-sharing. These efforts will help strengthen governance, accountability, and sustainability in MSNP implementation at all levels.

Key Tasks:

• Support MoFAGA, Province and local government for the integrated planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, review, and mainstreaming of MSNP through the integrated Annual Work Programme and Budget (AWPB).
• Assist in increasing investments in nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, ensuring adequate attention to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).
• Conduct capacity needs assessments for MSNP implementation and develop training and capacity-building plans.
• Support for the capacity development of the province and local stakeholders such as government officials, elected representatives, MSNP Coordinators, Facilitators, and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) for smooth implementation of MSNP.
• Prepare Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for different activities under MSNP.
• Support local governments to incorporate and mainstream MSNP in local periodic plan.
• Provide support to the NPC for nutrition, governance and community mobilization related interventions as per the need.
• Support strengthening the Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS) at the provincial and local levels and improving the information management system to ensure routine and regular reporting of MSNP implementation in local governments.
• Support to MoFAGA and other line ministries to prepare AWPB for FY 2025/2026.
• Provide technical support to provincial MSNP coordinators in MSNP planning, implementation and reporting of the MSNP intervention at local level.
• Support to develop Training Manual for MSNP Facilitators and MToT for Nutrition Friendly Local Governance (NFLG); revise and update the MSNP Resource Book, brochures, leaflets, communication and other resource materials and guidelines for MSNP implementation endorsed by MoFAGA.
• Provide technical assistance to MoFAGA to develop dashboard and fact sheets formats for use at local government level.
• Support MoFAGA in preparing regular/periodic reports on MSNP implementation status and progress including the DLIs on a monthly, trimester and annual basis.
• Support Periodic MSNP review, and planning meetings held by MoFAGA and Provincial Governments.
• Support NPC/NNFSS for reporting on DLIs for the budget support from European Union in coordination with line ministries and Provincial Governments.
• Support to develop the implementation guidelines, plans, and resource materials as per the MSNP-III SBC strategy developed under NPC leadership, ensuring their effective execution at federal, provincial, and local levels.
• Compile/document the good practices carried out at provincial and local level and share with MoFAGA, NPC/NNFSS, UNICEF.
• Support regular meetings of Multisectoral Nutrition Platforms at federal, provincial and local levels.
• Support to develop accountability framework: Including monitoring mechanisms, and grievance redressal and feedback mechanisms.
• Strengthen coordination mechanisms among District Coordination Committees (DCCs) and Operation and Facilitation Committees at local levels.
• Coordinate and support NPC and MoFAGA for the development of orientation sessions materials for parliamentarians and committee members.
• Facilitate visits to province and local level for monitoring MSNP implementation.
• Advocate with MoFAGA and other sectoral ministries at the federal level, as well as with Provincial Policy Planning Commissions (PPPC), to integrate MSNP into their annual and periodic plans.
• Facilitate the adoption of NFLG at provincial and local levels.
• Support in developing advocacy and communication materials for the visibility of MSNP.
• Support the UNICEF CO/FO team to conduct community engagement interventions and activities to promote nutrition-friendly behaviors.
• Collaborate with provincial and local governments, UNICEF Field Offices, and other stakeholders for effective MSNP-III Implementation.

• Support and coordinate for the meeting to conduct the MSNP Operation and Facilitation Committee.
• Conduct a Capacity Needs Assessment for MSNP and develop a comprehensive capacity-building plan.
• Develop implementation guidelines, SOPs, and training manuals for province, local governments and MSNP facilitators for different activities under MSNP
• Field visits to support provincial MSNP coordinators in MSNP planning, implementation and reporting of the MSNP intervention at local level.
• Prepare integrated MSNP progress reports focusing on DLIs.
• Support the NPC to rollout the SBC strategy and draft implementation guidelines, plans, and resource materials and ensure their effective execution at federal, provincial, and local levels.
• Support MoFAGA and NPC in conducting advocacy meetings with relevant line ministries to mainstream MSNP in their periodic & annual plans.
• Support MoFAGA and line ministries in preparing the Annual Work Programme and Budget (AWPB) for FY 2025/26 for effective MSNP implementation.
• Analyze and prepare a report on budget allocated for MSNP from various relevant sectors.
• Revise and update the MSNP Resource Book, brochures, leaflets and communication materials.
• Prepare integrated MSNP progress reports focusing on DLIs.
• Support MoFAGA in preparing mid-year integrated MSNP progress reports.
• Support to develop a detailed work plan for MSNP interventions under MSNP-III.
• Coordinate and facilitate the capacity-building workshops for provincial and local stakeholders on MSNP governance and community engagement.
• Support to conduct community engagement interventions and activities to promote nutrition-friendly behaviors.
• Develop training manuals for MSNP Facilitators and Nutrition Friendly Local Governance (NFLG) adoption process.
• Facilitate the adoption of NFLG at provincial and local levels.
• Provide technical assistance to MoFAGA to develop dashboard and fact sheets formats for use at local government level.
• Field visits to support provincial MSNP coordinators in MSNP planning, implementation and reporting of the MSNP intervention at local level.
• Prepare integrated MSNP progress reports focusing on DLIs
• Support to develop accountability framework: Including monitoring mechanisms, and grievance redressal and feedback mechanisms.
• Strengthen and support the Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS) at all levels.
• Support and facilitate NPC, MoFAGA to conduct annual review meetings at federal and provincial levels.
• Document good practices, impact stories, and lessons learned at the provincial and local levels.
• Prepare integrated annual MSNP progress reports focusing on DLIs and support NPC/NNFSS in reporting for EU budget support, in coordination with line ministries and Provincial Governments.

First Deliverable

• Submission of meeting notes, key action and progress of the MSNP Operation and Facilitation Committee.
• Submission of capacity needs assessment report with training plan.
• Submission of draft implementation guidelines, SOPs, and training manuals for province, local governments and MSNP facilitators
• Submission of technical support visit reports with action points.
• Submission of compiled MSNP progress reports.

Second Deliverable

• Submission of rollout plan and implementation guidelines and resource materials of the SBC strategy.
• Submission of meeting notes from the advocacy meetings.
• Submission of Initial draft of AWPB for FY 2025/26 reflecting the MSNP.
• Submission of compiled report on budget allocated for MSNP from various relevant sectors.
• Submission of updated MSNP Resource Book and advocacy materials.
• Submission of compiled MSNP progress report

Third Deliverable

• Submission of mid-year MSNP progress report.
• Submission of detailed work plan for MSNP and interventions
• Submission of training report on the capacity-building workshops for provincial and local stakeholders on MSNP governance and community engagement.
• Submission of activity completion report on the community engagement interventions and activities to promote nutrition-friendly behaviors.

Fourth Deliverable

• Submission of training manuals and materials for MSNP Facilitators and NFLG adoption process.
• Submission of compiled NFGL adoption status report.
• Draft dashboard and fact sheets formats on MSNP for the local government level.
• Submission of technical support visit reports with action points.
• Submission of compiled MSNP progress report

Final Deliverable

• Accountability framework documents include monitoring mechanisms, and grievance redressal and feedback mechanisms.
• Functioning Web-Based Reporting System (WBRS).
• Submission of annual review meeting reports of the federal and provincial levels.
• Compilation of best practices, impact stories, and lessons learned.
• Submission of integrated annual MSNP progress report including the DLI’s for EU budget support.

Duration: The Duration of the contract is for eight months, tentatively starting from mid-June 2025

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

Education: The consultancy is for the duration of eight months tentatively staring from mid-June 2025

Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture/livestock, social and behavioral science, public policy, communication studies/communication or any related subjects

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: health, nutrition, governance, social development programme planning, social and behavior change, communication for development.
• Experience in health, nutrition and SBC program/project, program development and management and experience in working government and non-government is desirable.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in both English and Nepali language is required.
• Experience in coordination planning, data analytics, facilitation, and budgeting.
• Excellent Nepali and English writing and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage.

Skills:

• Proven expertise in developing advocacy and social behavior change communication (SBC) materials.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) including ICT.
• Capacity to work independently and take initiative.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering timely, high-quality results with strong communication, advocacy, and social mobilization skills.

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.

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. 

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 health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

Candidates are requested to submit their financial proposal in Nepalese currency and based on the deliverables outlined.  Additional proposed cost for field travels should be indicated separately.