Request for Proposal (RFP) - EatSafe Nigeria Training Consultant at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Proposal (RFP) - EatSafe Nigeria Training Consultant in Kebbi and Sokoto States

Background
The EatSafe (Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Food) programme aims to generate evidence and knowledge of the potential of increased consumer demand for safe food to substantially improve the safety of nutritious foods in informal market settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The five-year programme is funded by USAID and is undertaken by a consortium led by GAIN and containing the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Pierce Mill Education and Media as well as Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics (Busara).

In Nigeria, where GAIN holds a country office, programme activities will be focused on different cities and markets within Kebbi and Sokoto States. Phase 1 objectives involved conducting formative research and generating evidence on consumer and vendor knowledge, perceptions, needs, choices, and practices related to the safety of nutritious foods purchased in informal markets, as well as evidence on hazards associated with the market and the target food commodities. The project is currently on its Phase 2 activities which (amongst others) includes the implementation and rigorous testing of interventions to improve the safety of foods purchased in informal markets.

Key to the Phase 2 of the programme is the testing and implementation of interventions designed in phase 1 of the programme. To this end, GAIN seeks to conduct trainings for all stakeholders involved in the implementation to better understand the interventions, have knowledge on basic food safety requirements, understand minimum food safety requirements and their application in food handling across supply chain. These trainings would cover vendors, consumers, implementation personnel and implementing partners, market managements as well as relevant government and non-government organizations with specific roles in ensuring safety of food in target informal markets in Kebbi and Sokoto States.

The successes of this training would in no small ways impact on the successful implementation of the intervention and improvement in food safety in the programme States and Nigeria as a whole. Consequently, GAIN seeks a Training Consultant (Contractor) to carry out these trainings.

Scope of Work & Deliverables
GAIN seeks a Training Consultant (Contractor) to support the implementation of EatSafe in-country activities in Nigeria in coordination with GAIN staff in the Nigeria country office and elsewhere and with other project partners as needed. Under the direction of GAIN staff, the broad objectives of the work to be undertaken by the Contractor are:

• Consult with GAIN on the content, method and behavioral impact approaches for training for each group covered by the training.
• Design suitable training manuals, materials and other methods for each category of trainees/intervention and finalize same with GAIN;
• Draft training plan, schedule, implementation strategy and finalize same with GAIN;
• Document and submit reports on pre/post training evaluation for each trainees’ categories and/or interventions;
• Support logistical planning and other activities according to the workplan.
• Conduct trainings according to requirements set by GAIN on the training content, method and behavioral impact approaches.
• Submit deliverables for the training for each category/intervention including but not limited to training reports, attendance lists, training manual, pre and post tests, etc.
• As needed, participate in in-person in-country meetings or functions with implementing partners, stakeholders, USAID Nigeria mission, and others as may be required for the successful training activities.

Contractor, in coordination with GAIN, should provide contingency plans in case of re-introduced travel restrictions to Kebbi and Sokoto States due to Covid-19 or any other related constraints. All data collection must be undertaken in line with local COVID related rules, and it is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure this.

Expected Expertise

• The Contractor, possibly comprising multiple teams within a single organization, must have significant (at least 10 years) of prior experience with:
  • National, regional and international food safety best practices;
  • Conducting food safety trainings at national, regional and regional levels;
  • Advanced knowledge on contemporary trend on food safety and food handling techniques and standards;
  • Advanced knowledge on training methods and approaches that impact behaviour
  • Demonstrable familiarity with food safety issues in informal food sector and track of advocacy drives in addressing them;
  • Previous work on food safety in informal markets is a strong asset.
• The Contractor must have a track record of successful collaboration with national, regional, and international organizations.
• In terms of logistics and familiarity with the study context, contractor must be based in Kebbi or Sokoto State and/or have previous positive experience working in both States.
• Must be familiar with government and institutional structures governing food markets in Nigeria, Kebbi and Sokoto States.
• The Contractor must possess excellent project management, planning, organizational and time management skills, excellent writing and communication skills, and must be able to communicate very well across diverse audiences.

Application Closing Date
23rd March, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Interested organizations should send: (a) maximum 8-page expression of interest including qualifications, prior relevant experience, available structures and staff, and a preliminary workplan with estimated work days with daily rates and detailed budget; and (b) brief (<3 pages) CV for each key staff member, highlighting recent relevant experience to: rfp@gainhealth.org

Please use the subject line ‘EatSafe Nigeria Training Consultant in Kebbi and Sokoto States’ when responding.

Note: Local Nigerian organisations with the required experience and capacity are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

• GAIN will not necessarily accept the lowest cost or any of the Proposals submitted. Accordingly, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and mandatory requirements shall govern.
• GAIN reserves the right to reject any or all submissions or to cancel or withdraw this RFP for any reason and at its sole discretion without incurring any cost or liability for costs or damages incurred by any applicant, including, without limitation, any expenses incurred in the preparation of the submission. The applicant acknowledges and agrees that GAIN will not indemnify the applicant for any costs, expenses, payments or damages directly or indirectly linked to the preparation of the submission.
• GAIN reserves the right, before awarding the consultancy, to require the applicant to submit such evidence of qualifications as it may deem necessary, and will consider evidence concerning the financial, technical and other qualifications and abilities of the applicant.

Click Here (PDF) for a detailed description of the RFP.