Background 

Before the start of Suaahara, an evaluation was planned and the International Food Policy  Research Institute (IFPRI) was contracted to design the impact evaluation and lead the baseline  survey of the impact evaluation in the summer of 2012. A Nepali survey firm was responsible for  the baseline survey data collection and management. Additionally, in 2014 a mixed-methods  process evaluation (de facto Suaahara I endline and Suaahara II) was carried out by an externally  contracted principal investigator to lead the study design and locally contracted firms to carry out  the quantitative and qualitative components. 

The endline for the main quasi-experimental impact evaluation of Suaahara was planned to take  place in the summer of 2020, but due to COVID-19 was postponed until the summer of 2021. This  evaluation is to estimate the effect of Suaahara interventions on household behaviors and  nutritional status, as well as on knowledge and skills among health workers and FCHVs. The primary research questions are: What is Suaahara's impact on maternal and child nutritional  status and dietary diversity? Secondary questions include: 1) What is Suaahara's impact on  maternal and child nutrition, health and WASH behaviors and knowledge? and 2) What is  Suaahara's impact in reducing equity gaps in nutritional status, dietary diversity, and maternal  and child nutrition, health and WASH behaviors and knowledge? Additionally, a sub-study will be  carried out in a few areas to assess the effect of the homestead food production intervention on  food security, dietary diversity, agricultural practices and production, and other outcomes. To complement this quantitative study, a qualitative evaluation focusing on the effect of Suaahara at  the FLW/community level and policy levels (federal, provincial/district and local) is also planned for the summer of 2022. 

Qualifications/Evaluation Criteria 

• Bachelors degree, with preference given for those with a masters or doctoral degree, in epidemiology, statistics, economics, or public health nutrition or similar field (3 points) 
• Experience working on quantitative studies, including all steps of the process from design to tool development to training and data collection, with preference for prior experience on  at-scale and/or multi-sectoral program evaluations (5 points) 
• Previous quantitative research experience in Nepal, with preference for prior experience  in impact evaluations (3 points) 
• Previous experience working on a team and ability to work effectively across cultures,  languages, and working styles (2 points) 
• English writing and oral communication skills (2 points) 

The top three candidates will be shortlisted by the technical evaluation committee. Based on a  review of the application materials submitted and estimated costs, the evaluation committee will  make a best value trade-off evaluation of the technical quality and the consultant’s daily rate,  associated travel and incidentals costs to identify the successful candidate. 

This consultancy will report to the Suaahara II Sr. Technical Advisor. 

For the detailed TOR please CLICK HERE