Myanmar: Food Fortification and Evaluation Specialist (Home Based, Retainer)

Title: Food Fortification and Evaluation Specialist (Home Based, Retainer)

VA No: VA/2016/B5506/10496

Level: IICA-3

Department/office: AR, MMOH, Myanmar

Duty Station: Home based

Duration: 1.5 months

Application period: 20-Jul-2016 to 02-Aug-2016 the

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background Information - Myanmar

The UNOPS Myanmar under the UNOPS Asia Regional Office has been established to better support, develop and oversee the UNOPS portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar with focus on health programmes and livelihoods and rural development. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between projects are effectively developed.

The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently comprises several programmes and projects, including fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund. In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar. UNOPS Myanmar has also been designated as Principal Recipient of the GFATM for a Regional Malaria Grant (Regional Artemisinin Initiative) covering 5 countries- Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar, including advisory services in these areas.

UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with government counterparts, donors, and UN Agencies.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS is the Fund Manager for the multi-donor Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), which was established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT’s donors are Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. From the private sector, the Mitsubishi Corporation is a donor.

The overall goal of LIFT is to sustainably reduce the number of people living in poverty and hunger in Myanmar. LIFT’s purpose is to improve the incomes and nutrition status of poor rural people by promoting resilient livelihoods and food security. Its designated outcomes are improvements in income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments.

LIFT works with implementing partners (IPs), such as international NGOs, national NGOs, United Nations agencies, international organisations, academic and research institutions and the Government of Myanmar. LIFT is currently funding projects at the Union level and in the Ayeyarwady Delta, the Dry Zone, Myanmar’s Uplands and Rakhine State.

So far, LIFT has reached over 3.6 million people, or roughly 10 per cent of Myanmar's rural population, and is active in just under half of the country's townships. The Fund is expected to continue operations until the end of 2018.

For more details, please go to www.lift-fund.org
Evaluations of projects supported by LIFT **

LIFT supports projects that are implemented by implementing partners (IPs) according to a grant agreement. Since October 2014, according to LIFT operational guidelines, all LIFT-supported projects (except some few cases) are subject to a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation managed by the LIFT Fund Management Office. Mid-term reviews (MTR) are managed in collaboration with implementing partners and should assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the project, as well as particular technical issues specific to the project, and include recommendations for improving the project in its remaining tenure.

Background of the project to be reviewed

The Introduction of Fortified Rice in Myanmar project is implemented by PATH, in partnership with Population Services International (PSI) Myanmar, Myanmar Business Development Consultancy (Myanmar BDC) and the Nutritional Development Initiative Consulting Group (NUDI). The project aims to contribute to LIFT’s food security goal by increasing access to nutritious food and essential micronutrients. The National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NPAFN) 2011-2015 identified several food fortification strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies. The project’s focal agency within the Ministry of Health (MoH) is the National Nutrition Centre (NNC), which is tasked with operationalizing the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) initiative. Additionally, the project will create income generation opportunities along the value chain for fortified rice by: (1) transferring the PATH Ultra Rice technology to selected food manufacturers in Myanmar, who will then produce and sell fortified grains to rice millers; (2) paving the way for rice millers, traders, and retailers to increase revenue and market share through value-added product portfolios; and (3) transferring blender fabrication technology to local manufacturers so they can sell and install the technology across millers and selected distribution sites.

Functional Responsibilities

Project purpose:

The purpose of the project is to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in the population while creating income generation opportunities for supply-chain and distribution actors through the introduction of fortified rice in Myanmar. The project seeks to help LIFT achieve its goals on reducing hunger and poverty through:

• Food Security: fortified rice will increase access to essential micronutrients, especially among the poor and vulnerable. The project seeks to promote the direct purchase of fortified rice by consumers as well as increasing distribution through non-governmental organization (NGOs).
• Improving livelihoods: rice is the most crucial commodity in Myanmar’s agricultural economy. Introducing fortified rice products will bolster economic activity, create jobs, and develop income generation opportunities along the value chain for fortified rice.

Project Outputs:

Output 1: Create a favorable policy environment– supportive policy environment in place, developed with government and key stakeholders, in order to engage supply chain and distribution actors.

Output 2: Develop a supply chain and distribution channels– established sustainable local production and distribution of fortified rice.

Output 3: Generate sustainable demand – strong and sustained demand for fortified rice from consumers, NGOs, and national/subnational agencies involved in food distribution.

Funded through the LIFT Learning and Innovation Window, the project uses an innovative approach to improving nutritional outcomes, creating income generation along the fortified rice production and distribution value chain, and influencing government policy on rice fortification. The project applies an integrated approach. It combines policy and advocacy work on the introduction of fortified rice in Myanmar with initiatives to facilitate sustainable local production of fortified grain and rice and the creation of a supply chain and distribution network for fortified rice through social and private sector channels. To complete the picture it also works on generating demand and raising consumer awareness of fortified rice through international and national non-governmental organizations (INGO/NGO) and civil society organizations. The development of successful programs for micronutrient fortification of foods calls for active collaboration between several sectors: the scientific community, national and local governments, NGOs, private industry, media, consumer groups, and donor agencies.

The project started on 1 October 2013 and will end on 31st March 2017. However, PATH plans to request an extension up to the 31st December 2018 due to the several challenges faced in regard to the supply chain, demand creation, and the legal/administrative framework.

1. Objectives of the Mid-Term Review

The MTR will evaluate the progress of the project to date, particularly in terms of the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability, as well as review its overall approach and specific methodologies. It will summarize findings, lessons and recommendations that will contribute to project improvement and the design of a possible extension phase.

The specific objectives of the review include:

1.1 Address the LIFT-level evaluation questions concerning the following criteria, in relation to the project’s overall approach and its individual components where appropriate: **

Relevance: The extent to which the project and its components are suited to: (1) the priorities and needs of the target beneficiaries; (2) LIFT’s policies and objectives; and (3) the Myanmar policy and development context.
Effectiveness: A measure of the extent to which the project is attaining its expected results and targets, based on the project’s theory of change, measurement framework and/or logical framework.
Efficiency: A measure of the extent to which the project has delivered value for money, in terms of costs and major benefits. Sustainability**: An assessment of the economic and, where appropriate, social and environmental sustainability, of a project. Particular focus in on whether the benefits of the project are likely to continue after donor funding has been withdrawn.** Gender equality**: The extent to which project design and implementation has considered gender-related differences in the roles, responsibilities and needs of the target beneficiaries and enabled greater gender and women’s empowerment.

1.2 Address specific technical questions on the following project components:

· a supportive rice fortification advocacy and policy environment

· sustainable supply chain production and distribution

· sustainable demand generation

1.3 Distill lessons and good practices, as well as identify barriers to effective implementation, in order to provide meaningful and feasible recommendations for improving the project in it remaining time, as well as in a possible extension period.

These lessons and good practices should aim to be of value for PATH but also may to other similar projects and stakeholders. Thematic areas to consider for learning that are of particular interest to LIFT and PATH and may be relevant to this study are: nutrition, inclusive value chains, and gender. Generic lessons should be avoided in favour of rich and context specific learning.

2. Midterm Review Questions and Issues of Concern

This section provides more detail on additional topics and issues that are particularly important to LIFT and its partners.

Early on in the consultancy, the Consultant will work closely with LIFT and PATH to further refine these questions, from which the Consultant will then develop the appropriate data collection instruments.

2.1Address the LIFT-level evaluation questions concerning the project’s overall approach and its components where appropriate:

Relevance:

• How relevant are the project’s overall purpose and objectives to the needs of Myanmar?
• How relevant are the project’s overall approach and components to the Myanmar socio-political context and for achieving the project’s objectives?

Effectiveness:

• To what extent has the project achieved its expected outputs and outcomes on the basis of the project logframe?
• To what extent has the project contributed to the achievement of the LIFT logframe, particularly to increasing incomes, improving the nutrional status of women and children, and improving pro-poor policy.
• What have been the positive and negative unintended and unexpected consequesnces of the project?

Efficiency:

• To what extent has the project been implemented on budget and on time?
• To what extent is the project delivering or posed to deliver value for money, as defined by costs versus major benefits

Sustainability:

• To what extent has the project established a viable business model for private sector provision of services and products?
• Are there issues or concerns regarding the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the project?

Gender equality

• To what extent has the project considered gendered differences in the needs, constraints and opportunities of beneficiaries?
• To what extent have women participated equally in the project?
• To what extent have men and women benefitted equally from the project?

2.2 Address specific technical questions of each project component, focusing on (some of these questions may overlap with the questions listed above)**:**
a. Supportive rice fortification advocacy and policy environment:

• To what extent has the project generated robust, useful evidence regarding the benefits of producing and distributing fortified rice?
• To what extent has the evidence generated been recognized and used by key development partners?
• To what extent has the project contribured to improving the formation and implementation of a policy that facilitates the introduction of fortified food to address malnutrion.
• What are the government’s plans in regards of food fortification?
• Is a rice or food fortification policy currently being developed? If not, what are the main obstacles to that?
• What aspects of the health system and regulatory environment are influencing the implementation of the project?
• What is the role of the Rice Fortification Working Group and what are the results achieved so far?

b. Sustainable supply chain production and distribution:

• How effective was the project in integrating fortified karnel production and the blending process in the rice supply chain within the Myanmar context?
• What are the limiting and facilitating factors in the fortified rice supply chain?
• What are the existing delivery options for fortified rice and what are the optimal delivery options that can reach a wider population group in the country context?
• What other efforts/inputs/incentives are needed to stimulate additional supply and demand for fortified rice in Myanmar?

c. Demand generation:

• What are the main triggers and barriers to fortified rice trial and use?
• How well are these triggers and barriers addressed by the project?
• To what extent have the project strategies been successful in building consumer awareness, trust and demand?
• What does the awareness curve for the project look like?
• What does the demand curve for the project look like?
• How does the average selling price of Pawsan and Emeta fortified varieties compare with that of their unfortified counterparts?

3. Approach and Methodology

Although to be determined by the Consultant, suggested data sources and collection methods include:

• Review of existing project documentation (project proposal, the baseline report, annual and semi-annual reports, and FMO’s field visit reports and other relevant project documents), the LIFT Strategy (2014-2018), and other relevant documented experiences on the introduction of food fortification from PATH and other agencies in other countries
• Conduct/update landscape analysis to assess factors that influence the feasibility, sustainability and impact of rice fortification (building on the analysis conducted in 2013)
• Conduct consultations with relevant project stakeholders and partners (government, non-government and the private sector)

LIFT will provide facilitators to support the Consultant (in the logistics and arrangements for research and consultations, and respond to the consultant’questions on the interpretation of interviewees’ responses and on written and spoken information. To demonstrate objectivity and the credibility of the review, the consultant will clearly demarcate between sources of information, comment, opinion and interpretation.

4. Scope of the Evaluation and Timing

The Consultant will work for 23 days, partially working from home for the desk review and report writing and in Myanmar for the research work (Yangon, and in Nay Pyi Taw).

This is planned for the last two weeks of August 2016. Field work will be followed by consultations, debriefing and writing in preparation for a presentation in Yangon. A single draft final report must be submitted within seven calendar days after the debriefing presentation in Yangon. A single final report must be submitted within seven calendar days after written feedback from LIFT.

5. Tasks

1. Preliminary review of PATH project documentation: project proposal, logframe, baseline report, annual and semi-annual reports, FMO field visit reports and meeting/workshop reports

2. Review of programmatic experience and evidence of food, and in particular rice fortification, projects

3. Consultation with LIFT FMO M&E, the Knowledge Management Analyst and the Financial Inclusion/Private Sector Engagement and Delta Teams

4. Consultation with PATH and its implementing partners including PSI, fortified grain and rice distributers, and retail shops

5. Consultation with relevant Government staff, Rice Fortification Working Groups and other key stakeholders

6. Drafting of the inception report, which includes:

· methodology and workplan

· key issues within the limited scope of field work (as agreed with LIFT & PATH)

· confirmation of the arrangements and methods for interviews and consultations for Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII)

1. Analysis of key project outcomes compared to baseline in order to assess overall progress towards achieving project objectives
2. Assessment of the appropriateness of the strategies in place for achievingthe planned results
3. Identification of lessons from the project and provision of recommendations to improve project performance during the remaining period
4. Identification of recommendations for possible project extension and expansion
5. Presentations and Reporting

6.Deliverables

The following documents / events will be required at the suggested times:

1. Design workshop with key stakeholders, to clarify midterm review’s objectives and major questions and to review logistics

2. Inception report, including refined midterm review objectives, major questions, sampling strategy, data collection instruments (i.e., FGD and KII topic guides), and workplan.

3. Debriefing workshop with PATH and LIFT to discuss the findings, lessons, and proposed recommendations (two days after completing the field trip)

4. A single Draft Final Report as per an agreed table of contents (up to seven days after the briefing presentation

5. A single Final Report (up to seven days after receiving final written feedback from LIFT)

Competencies

· Professionalism– Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, analyze options and recommend solutions. Ability to work systematically, accurately and under pressure.

· Cooperation: Ability to appraise situations and challenges and form productive relationships with staff and stakeholders.

· Planning and organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan in relation to other stakeholders and actors in the evaluations.

· Result-oriented - Ability to focus on the result for clients and concerned related parties, and respond positively to feedback.

· Client orientation - Ability to identify clients' needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients and related parties.

· Analytical skills– Strong skills in methodology and analysis.

· Communication - Proven ability to present and write English in a clear and concise manner, and adaptable to participants with other languages.

· Self-reliance: Ability to act independently with a minimum of supervision.

· Technological awareness - Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s Degree in relevant subject is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional two years of similar experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in project implementation, evaluation and/or research, preferably on subjects relevant to Livelihood and Food Security, is required.
• Technical knowledge and experience in rice fortification and food fortification in general is preferred.
• Experience in value chain development of a product (particularly with regards to creating an enabling environment, establishing a supply chain and demand generation) is preferred.
• Proven understanding of the socio-economic and political situation in Myanmar is desirable.
• A sound understanding of livelihoods and food security issues in South-East Asia and/or Myanmar is an advantage.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (Retainer)
Contract level: IICA 3
Contract duration:23 days, over a period of 1.5 months (August – September 2016)

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.**

DISCLAIMER: The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your profile to ensure completeness, especially the education and experience sections. Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 7.2