Nutrition and Food Security Expert at Social Impact

job Description

Social Impact, Inc. (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as U.S. government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the contribution of community gardens to household nutrition and income. Community gardens and water supply infrastructure are the most common types of assets created by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)'s Early Recovery, Risk Reduction and Resilience (ER4) awards in Zimbabwe. Most community gardens are established to promote access to nutritious foods and increase household income. The gardens have had mixed success with some continuing to function after activities ends, while some are abandoned after activities end.

This evaluation will look at three aspects related to community gardens: 1) Assess if community gardens are making any meaningful contribution to nutrition, particularly focusing on dietary diversity of women of reproductive age and children 6-23 months old and household income. 2) assess different sizes of plots per participant and establish the minimum plot size necessary for gardens to be effective in improving nutrition and/or income. 3) Assess the functionality and sustainability of gardens focusing on governance, water supply, production, and marketing. The evaluation results will inform BHA on investment in gardens and related infrastructure. It will enable BHA to develop technical guidelines on minimum standards for investment in community gardens and related infrastructure.

Social Impact is seeking a Nutrition and Food Security Expert consultant to support all technical and management aspects of the Zimbabwe Evaluation. The Nutrition and Food Security Expert serves as a member of the Team, providing subject matter expertise in Nutrition and/or Food Security. The Nutrition and Food Security Expert is expected to work closely with the Team Leader, Evaluation Specialist, Project Director, the local data collection firm, and the Zimbabwe management team to ensure quality and timely deliverables.

Duties and Responsibilities

-Collaborate with the Team Leader on strategic and operational planning, to implement approved evaluation design, and ensure compliance with all USAID contractual reporting and financial requirements for the Zimbabwe Evaluation.
-Provide subject matter expertise in Nutrition and/or Food Security.
-Participate in the design of the data collection tools, particularly ensuring cultural and sectoral appropriateness and ensuring that quality data are collected and reported.
-Participate in the data collection and analysis, ensuring data quality.
-Support writing all deliverables associated with the evaluation including, but not limited, to the evaluation design (including tools) and the draft and final reports in conformity with SI and USAID regulations, and the Scope of Work (SOW).
-Manage all deadlines and record maintenance, including collecting and managing quantitative data and producing notes for all qualitative data collection events for delivery to USAID.
-Provide local context and ensure achievement of deliverables.
-Assist in maintaining good working relationships with USAID, Government of Zimbabwe counterparts, local organizations, and other program partners.
-Collaborate with the Program Director and Zimbabwe+ staff with strategic and operational planning to implement the approved evaluation design.

Qualifications and Experience

-At least 8 years of experience with Nutrition and Food Security projects; USAID project implementation experience preferred
-Must hold a master's degree in public health, nutrition, or other related fields
-Expertise in supply and demand for Nutrition and Food Security services at the community and clinical levels; subject matter experience in Zimbabwe is desirable
-Experience in conducting USAID evaluations of health/nutrition programs/activities
-Familiarity with health and nutrition integration, specifically with nutrition programs in Zimbabwe
-Experience with community gardens
-Proven leadership and organizational skills to successfully support the Team Leader
-Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience successfully interacting with host government officials, civil society partners, and other stakeholders
-Proficiency in written and spoken English
-Good writing skills, including experience writing evaluation and/or assessment reports