Consultant

World Food Programme is recruiting a Consultant to develop a national mechanism for provision of premix, to be based in Maputo.

Background

• Recognizing the high level of chronic malnutrition in the country, the Government of Mozambique developed the Multi-Sectorial Plan to Reduce Chronic Malnutrition (PAMRDC 2011-2015(20)). Improving the consumption of micronutrient-rich foods and mass fortification of staples as well as promotion of production and consumption of iodized salt are recognized as important interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies (Strategic objective number 4 in the PAMRDC). The National Programme for Food Fortification was started in 2011, and it is expected that this program will make a substantial contribution to filling nutrient gaps in the daily diet of people which extends beyond low intake of iron to low intakes of other vitamins and minerals such as folate, zinc, and vitamin B12. The program is financed by GAIN, Irish Aid, DANIDA and the EU through the MDG1 program. WFP, HKI and GAIN are the primary technical partners supporting this initiative
• A Ministerial Diploma issued in 2000 made iodization of all salt for human and animal consumption mandatory. A Ministerial Diploma making fortification of wheat flour, cooking oil and possibly more stable foods such as sugar, cassava and maize flour mandatory is currently being developed. Consequently many food industries will need to continue and/or start ordering premix and fortifying food. In any of the cases, it will greatly expand the need for premix and require establishing good communications and practices between the companies and premix suppliers. Premix for fortification of staple foods will be procured by the industries with subsidies paid by government partners, but this will only be in the initial phase of the program. After the initial subsidies, industries will continue to procure their own premix without subsidies, since it was recognized that the procurement of the premix for staple foods must become part of the standard way of doing business for the private sector. To support industries in this endeavor, a mechanism will be established to facilitate the process of managing credit, the actual procurements, storage and distribution of premix for fortification of staple foods

Purpose of The Consultancy

• The overall aim of this assignment is to define procurement, finance, distribution and storage mechanisms of premix for different staple foods (edible oil, wheat flour, maize flour, cassava flour and sugar) to guarantee affordable, differentiated and timely access to fortification premix for food industries

Scope of The Assignment

• Finding and ordering the proper premix at a competitive price is a new and challenging experience for many stakeholders within the context of the national food fortification program in Mozambique. And, experience has shown that one of the major constraints and reasons for delay in implementing and sustaining food fortification programs in most of countries has been difficulties in securing premix. In order to tackle this potential problem, WFP supporting the Technical Fortification Unit seeks a consultant to provide technical assistance to the MDG1 program in the development of a mechanism for premix acquisition. The consultancy is to: Review existing food fortification mechanisms in Mozambique with main focus on financing, procurement, storage and distribution of fortificants; Explore the Mozambican context in order to identify the pros and cons of various possible mechanisms; Advice about the best model for the Mozambican market and Develop, in close collaboration with stakeholders, the proposed mechanism for Mozambique

Methodology and Technical Approach

• The consultant will first perform a desk research (review relevant documents) and contact/meet key stakeholders including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Health, WFP, HKI, GAIN, and possible suppliers for the premix. Based on this, the consultant will present a report with identified mechanisms that may be suitable for Mozambique. It is recommended that during this phase of the consultancy the focus should be on understanding the current status of the National Program for Food Fortification in Mozambique, with specific focus on the financing, supply and distribution of premix for each specific industry and understanding on the capacity of different types and sizes of companies and associations within each industry to self-manage supply and distribution of premix
• The international consultant will visit different sites (based on industry type and as proposed in table 1 below) in order to meet the producers of oil, flours (wheat, maize and cassava) and sugar respectively, to understand their constraints with and suggestions for the acquisition of premix. Based on this, the consultant will draft the mechanism most appropriate for the Mozambican context as well as an operational plan describing in detail how the mechanisms will work (procurement, import, storage, distribution and financing) and a road map for implementation of the mechanisms. The draft document will be reviewed by relevant stakeholders and subsequently finalized with their inputs and a final presentation to the same stakeholders to build consensus

Work Assignments/Tors

• Under the supervision of Head of Programme, the consultant will be responsible for the following activities: Review financing, procurement and distribution mechanisms of premix and Identify how key player’s on food fortification in Mozambique are dealing with import, storage and distribution of fortificants; Identify the sources of food fortificants/premix used by industries
• Develop the proposed mechanism for provision of premix
• Elaborate a very detailed comparison of the identified mechanisms which includes feasibility studies (price of the premix, logistics regarding handling, distribution and storage, quality assurance, etc.). It is important to refer that recommendations for premix provision should take into account the sustainability of the National Food Fortification Program, Advice on the best model for the Mozambican market
• Facilitate a workshop to build consensus on the premix mechanism for Mozambique
• Prepare reports/short notes for any of the above designed duties
• Identify areas(s) that need further assessments and additional studies

Qualifications Or Experience Required

• Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: sociology, economics, development, administration and similar relevant discipline
• At least 5-10 years of relevant professional working experience at the national and international level in designing mechanisms (procurement, import, distribution, credit facilities) for food industry
• Significant experience in food fortification, health or nutrition
• Familiarity with food industries and able to understand industry constraints and provide advices
• Knowledge of African context on fortification
• Demonstrated experience in similar consultancies
• Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills
• Strong analytical and report writing skills
• Fluency oral and written communication in English. Proficiency in Portuguese is an added advantage

Estimated Duration of Contract

• It is estimated that the assignment will require 32 working days expected to be completed between beginning of January and mid-February 2015 (final dates to be determined). Refer to work schedule on the breakdown of the days for each component

Work Schedule (Maximum)

• Week: Present work plan
• Week: Desk review; Meet with relevant stakeholder; Elaborate report
• Week : Visit sugar factories; Visit oil refineries; Visit large scale wheat and maize mill; Visit medium scale maize and cassava mills, Week: Produce first draft of a proposed mechanisms and share with stakeholders for comments
• Week: Finalize proposed mechanisms with inputs from all stakeholders and Workshop to build consensus (mechanism to be accepted by relevant stakeholders)
• Week: Final report

Notes

• Only short listed applicants will be contacted