Consultant for the realization of a study on the European Commission’s Official Development Assistance going in supporting nutrition effort

Background
Donors, like the European Union and its Member States, play a pivotal role in supporting nutrition efforts in partner countries. Their involvement is crucial in securing increased financial resources for nutrition, a need that has been consistently emphasized and is acknowledged by all stakeholders. However, as stated by the Global Nutrition Report, official development assistance (ODA) directed towards nutrition-specific initiatives has recently stagnated, remaining at $0.96 billion in 2018 and 2019, down from $1.07 billion in 20171. It is therefore fundamental that donor countries scale up financial resources for nutrition and make a more effective use by adopting a multisectoral integrated approach.
In the framework of its work on nutrition security, the Generation Nutrition coalition is launching a study on ODA funding allocated to nutrition security-sensitive and specific programs. This research aims to assess the trends in the European Commission’s nutrition-related development and humanitarian funding. The study will explore potential recommendations to provide to the EC to improve the quality and quantity of funding disbursed.

Key objectives and research questions
We are interested in a comprehensive trend analysis of the typology of activities and sectors that receive nutrition-related European Commission financial support. This analysis should place particular emphasis on identifying which sectors and activities secure the most substantial funding within the nutrition domain. This encompasses both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive actions, along with programs that have a nutrition-related focus across various sectors, such as health, food systems, gender, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).

The overarching goal of this analysis is to produce the necessary evidence for an improved understanding of how the EU as a donor funds a multisectoral approach to nutrition, best practices, and what could be improved. In essence, we aim to gain insights into the strategic allocation of resources across diverse sectors (according to EU official sector breakdown) and activities, thereby enhancing our ability to support and optimize efforts in addressing nutrition-related challenges. The study will also consider the geographical focus of the funding allocated.

Research methods
To be further developed with the selected consultant.
The study will primarily employ quantitative analysis and data collection. The study will result in an in-depth/ventilated analysis of EU ODA, but include also comparative analyses with main EU MS nutrition donors on overall nutrition ODA flows (data retrieved from OECD).
It will also incorporate qualitative analyses of three country case studies, to be selected with
Generation Nutrition members and the consultant. These qualitative analyses will involve semi-direct interviews with pertinent stakeholders, including civil society actors. It is important to note that the selected countries and interviewees will not be chosen to be representative but rather illustrative. The Coalition will actively support the consultant.

County case study format

1. Overview of financial flows by main EU Member States donors (OECD data)
2. Analysis of how is EU ODA ventilated by sector in the country
3. Budget tracking analysis on the country’s spending on nutrition (already available)
4. Country-specific recommendations (following commitments N4G, Abuja, etc) for the
   country’s government and EU.
5. Spotlight on CSO effective nutrition financing models and their influence on reducing
   malnutrition in the country.

Timeline
The consultancy is foreseen to last circa 32 full working days and start by mid-January 2024.
The distribution of working days is flexible, but the study needs to be completed ideally by the end of March 2024.

Roles and responsibilities

• Consultant
  The Consultant will carry out his/her mandate in accordance with the highest standards of the sector. He/She will prepare and submit all the deliverables to Generation Nutrition for approval.
• Generation Nutrition members
  Generation Nutrition members will provide support for logistics (e.g. organizing interviews with network representatives and partners), information/data gathering, and the development of recommendations. The collaboration details will be defined in the consultancy work plan after discussions with the coalition’s members.
• Generation Nutrition study focal points
  The coalition’s focal points will be the point of contact of the Consultant during his/her mandate.

Consultant profile
● At least 3 years of experience in the non-profit sector, preferably in humanitarian aid or development cooperation ;
● Having successfully completed at least 3 consulting mandates for NGOs over the past 3 years on relevant issues ;
● Extensive knowledge of EU funding mechanisms and OECD reporting methodology ;
● Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Study language
The intermediary deliverables and the final study have to be drafted in English and submitted to the coalition for approval.

Expected deliverables
The Consultant will have to deliver the following deliverables:

• Established Methodology for data collection (max. 4 pages)
• 1st Draft of the report including methodology and initial findings (max 15 pages)
• Comprehensive report that presents the study’s methodology, analyses and findings in
  detail (including through visual representations) as well as draft recommendations (max
  20 pages + annexes)

Proceedings

Stages Duration

• Kick-off meeting 1/2 day
• Design of the work plan 2 days
• Integration of coalition’s comments 1/2 day
• Existing literature and data review and development of the methodology 9 days
• Mid-term meeting with the coalition 1/2 day
• Data gathering and analysis 8 days
• Drafting of the 1st draft of the report 5 days
• Integration of the coalition’s comments and drafting of the final draft 4 days
• Presentation of the final draft to the coalition 1/2 day
• Integration of coalition’s comments 2 days
  TOTAL 32 days

N.B. During the consultancy, the Consultant shall demonstrate a clear understanding of the mandate and the specific objectives of the study, as well as openness to integrate the coalition’s feedback. The Generation Nutrition Coalition reserves the right to terminate the contract at the work plan stage if the Consultant is unable to meet expectations.

Generation Nutrition is a network of civil society organisations, collaborating to end malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. Members of Generation Nutrition include Action Against Hunger, Alliance2015, CARE, Global Health Advocates, Save the Children, WaterAid, and World Vision.