Request for Concept Notes - Assessment of GAIN Supply Chains for Nutritious Foods Program Portfolio

Since 2003, GAIN has been investing in efforts to improve nutrition and diets for the world’s most vulnerable populations by shaping supply chains to deliver nutritious food. GAIN’s Programs on Supply Chains for Nutritious Foods work along food supply chains to improve the accessibility, desirability, and quality of foods by working with products, processes, and people. GAIN works with companies and regulators to improve the value propositions and nutrition potential of specific products. Programs are targeted across supply chains to improve processes: logistics, communication, interactions, engagement, and know-how. Throughout its engagements, GAIN works with the various people who farm, transport, process, and retail foods to improve people’s access to and demand for safe, nutritious foods. Four key supply chains programs have been developed as part this effort and are being implemented across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (PLAN) aims to reduce postharvest loss of nutritious perishable crops by supporting private sector actors involved in the storage, transport, and processing with improved technologies in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. 1 In Tanzania, Vegetables for All (VfA) works along the entire value chain of select vegetables to increase the consumption of fresh and dried vegetables by base of the pyramid consumers. The project supports farmers with improved production and storage practices, businesses training and disruption support, and also runs a demand creation campaign around the consumption of FFV. In Zambia and Ethiopia, GAIN supports dairy companies to develop and market fortified milk products through 2 different mechanisms.

Further examination is needed in practical terms of how private sector involvement might be promoted to improve the supply of nutritious foods, the challenges that such promotion initiatives face, and the potential effectiveness of such programs in meeting their nutrition objectives. The experience being gained by GAIN’s supply chain programs presents a valuable opportunity for operational learning. These learnings must be systematically captured through a comprehensive assessment of program design, implementation, uptake, and based on these, their potential for impact.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSESSMENT

The objective of this research is to examine the design, implementation, and outcomes of four supply chain interventions, aiming to improve access to nutritious foods to determine their effectiveness and to identify additional intervention areas. An in-depth assessment of one program will also be conducted to document program outcomes and implementation in greater detail. Accordingly, this work will include (i) a review the strength of the existing evidence supporting program theories of change, (ii) an assessment of the program design, implementation, and impact on targeted outcomes, with an in-depth case study of one program, and (iii) the positioning of the programs within a larger framework of supply chain interventions that can be used to address nutrition.

Under this Scope of Work, GAIN is seeking a consultant to co-design with GAIN and then conduct an assessment of the GAIN’s supply chain interventions for nutrition and an in-depth case study of the PLAN programs.

In detail:

1. Co-develop a research proposal and assessment framework addressing the research questions around (i) the larger portfolio and (ii) an in-depth case study of the PLAN programs

2. Conduct a landscape review of the grey and academic literature to identify existing frameworks of nutritious supply chain interventions (e.g. institutional and government multisectoral nutrition strategies)

3. Review program design and conduct reviews of the literature to determine the strength of the evidence supporting program theories of change and their relevance to nutrition outcomes

4. Review program documentation and monitoring data and conduct a series of key informant interviews with program staff and beneficiaries to assess implementation fidelity and relevance

5. Conduct an in depth case study of the PLAN programs to document in greater detail intervention uptake and impact

6. Prepare a report summarizing findings for each program

7. Prepare a cross-cutting synthesis report on the effectiveness and relevance of GAIN’s programs (i) positioned within the larger landscape of supply chain interventions for nutrition and (ii) relative to alternative strategies targeting the same outcomes

8. Provide recommendations for future activities

Content of proposal
Submissions should include:
• A proposal clearly articulating the proposed methods to meet each of the stated research objective and a timeline of proposed activities
• A summary of the applicant’s qualifications, expertise, and experience relevant for the successful execution of the proposed analysis. Curriculum vitae for lead personnel should be submitted.
• A detailed budget proposal shall be in US Dollars broken down by main cost categories (Personnel, travel, operational, and indirect costs). Include a brief narrative justification for line items included. A narrative that does not exceed 4 pages of single spaced in text inclusive of references, tables, and figures.
• A cover letter on letterhead, indicating that a formal offer of services is being made in reference to this request.
Instructions for responding
Concept notes will be submitted in English in electronic copy and addressed to [email protected]. Please include Supply Chains Portfolio Assessment in the subject line. Requests for additional information can be directed to the same e-mail addresses.
Staff will be available via e-mail to respond to clarifications on this solicitation. Please direct all inquiries on the RFP to the GAIN email address: [email protected] by Tuesday, March 19th. Reponses to all received questions will be posted publicly. Responses will not be confidential except in cases where the applicant clearly indicates that proprietary information is involved.
Summary of deadlines
• Release: March 11th, 2019
• Submission of any clarification questions: March 19th, 2019
• Application deadline: April 1st, 2019