Research Study on Impact of Covid-19 on Nutrition Situation in Somalia: Call for Proposals

Deadline: 04-Dec-20

On behalf of the European Union (EU), UNOPS invites interested and eligible applicants to submit proposals for a research study on the impact of Covid-19 on the nutrition situation in Somalia.

This study will cover Somalia and the Federal Member States including Jubbaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State and Puntland using a conceptual framework approach that addresses the key drivers -immediate, underlying and basic determinants – of malnutrition.

The immediate determinants are food intake and diseases, and the underlying determinants are food, health and care practices. The underlying causes are themselves determined by more structural basic or root causes.

From conceptual framework perspectives, nutrition-specific interventions are those expected to address the manifestation and immediate causes; nutrition-sensitive interventions aim to address the underlying causes; and enabling environment interventions address the basic or root causes of malnutrition. The study also recognizes that nutrition is not a domain of one ministry or discipline but a multisectoral and multi-disciplinary issue.

Objectives

The main objective is to conduct an in-depth analysis of drivers of malnutrition in Somalia in context of the Covid-19 pandemic, assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the nutrition situation, and recommend feasible intervention to address the drivers.

The aim of the study is to inform context-specific evidence to inform policy recommendations which can be used to strengthen and or inform on-going and future interventions.

The study has four-fold specific objectives:

To determine the key drivers of malnutrition in Somalia in context of COVID 19 Pandemic
To assess the impact of Covid-19 on nutrition at household level in Somalia
To identify and document evidence on ongoing sectoral and multisectoral interventions adopted in addressing the Covid-19 impact on nutrition in Somalia
To assess the disruptions caused by COVID-19 to food supply-chains and perishable foods, including dairy products, potatoes and fresh fruits.
To generate context-specific recommendations to inform ongoing and new sectoral and multisectoral interventions for the COVID-19 nutrition impact with a focus on strengthening collaboration at country level between different networks through joint planning and collaboration.

Eligibility Criteria

All grantees must comply with these minimum eligibility requirements in order to be allowed to the grant evaluation step:

A completed application form with the required attachments are submitted prior to the closing date/time of the Call for Proposal (CFP) period.
The application is received from a registered organization with the permission to operate in Somalia (please attach proof of registration allowing operations in the country.
Experience in conducting health and nutrition or other relevant impact studies in Somalia.
Published materials, tools, reports, etc., with a bias in food security and nutrition is required.
Provide CVs of Key personnel: Team Leader shall have:
- A Master’s degree in Social Sciences or related field;
- 8 years of experience in research and evaluations of development-humanitarian action;
- Experience in working in Somalia in a similar assignment;
- Knowledge and experience in data collection, data analysis, and report writing.
Experience conducting mixed methods -qualitative and quantitative nutrition-related research studies and policy briefs using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions and analyzing qualitative data.
Extensive experience working and delivering similar assignments in Somalia and related fragile contexts.

Priority will be given to applications from national/local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and consulting firms that demonstrate the use of country systems and partnerships to strengthen nutrition surveillance and resilience throughout the country.

For more information, visit https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/118136