CARE International in Lao PDRInternational or National ConsultantDevelop a strategy on how to best involve private sector actors to ensure that nutritious food is available and accessible to poor and non-poor 1,000-Day households living in peri-urban areasLocation: National and provincial level, incl. 3 Districts in Luang Namtha (Namtha District) and Luang Prabang (Luang Prabang and NamBak Districts) Provinces, Laos PDR.IntroductionCare International in Lao PDR in partnership with Committee de Cooperation avec le Laos (CCL), Save the Children (SCI), Child Fund Laos (CF) is implementing the project “Sustainable Change Achieved through Linking Improved Nutrition and Governance – (SCALING) in Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh and Luang Namtha provinces. The project (2017-2021) is funded by the European Union.The overall objective of the programme is to improve food and nutrition security among rural households and create sustainable agricultural wealth at the village and household level in Huapanh, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Phongsaly, more specifically to improve nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and children 0-23 months in project districts Objectives of the current assignmentThe overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a strategy to increase involvement of private sector actors to improve access to nutritious foods for poor and non-poor peri urban 1,000 Day Households. The strategy will be informed by conducting an in-depth analysis of the demand and supply side for nutritious foods in peri urban areas: assessment of the market supply of nutritious foods and exploration of barriers and enablers of 1,000-Day poor and non-poor households to access to nutritious foods for pregnant women and children 6- 23 months.[1] Particularly for adolescent girls, pregnant, lactating women and children aged 6-23 months living in peri-urban of selected three districts in Laung Prabang (Luang Prabang and Nambak Districts) and Luang Namtha (Namtha District) provinces.Specifically focus on assessment and recommendations related to: Generating information to inform the strategy through completing a literature review of lessons learnt from peri urban nutrition related interventions in Lao and neighbouring countries in South East Asia particularly related to private sector involvement and supply and demand challenges for access to nutritious foods Identification of a sample of target groups (poor and non-poor) 1,000 Day Households living in peri urban areas) and exploration of current practices, motivators and barriers including social norms related to: optimal maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding, demand for, and barriers to access to nutritious foods for pregnant, lactating women and children 6 – 23 months.Carefully segment target groups considering age, socio economic status, ethnic group, first time mothers, experienced mothers, mothers with infants from 0-5 months, 6 - 8 months, 9 -11 months, and 12 - 23 months.Identify the target groups information sources particularly for maternal and child nutrition; popular local means of information sharing, existing community women’s’ groups or networks, and popular ways to socialize, preferred ‘free time’ activities for women with young children and pregnant women.Identify and map local trading of current supply chains, focused on local market, (including list of suppliers and sellers);Identify and map the key partners (Gov’t, private sectors and NGOs) involved in supply of nutritious food in peri-urban;Analyse fresh products versus processed and the used of (banned) pesticides in fresh food.Provide practical recommendation on the business model (including list of potential suppliers and demand) and list of new products/ingredients that contain 9 food group that mention above;Develop draft strategy and share with CARE International for review/ feedback Finalise the strategy on how to best involve private sector actors to ensure that nutritious food is available to both poor and non-poor 1,000 Days Households in peri-urban areas, including a monitoring and evaluation framework.Prepare the presentation of this strategy/study results, and present findings at a consultation workshop of this strategy to consortiums and Government partners at national level and target provinces.Required expertise and Selection CriteriaAt least 5 years of experience on food security and nutrition programming, in Lao PDR.Demonstrated successful experience in conducting analysis of market supply chains (possibly food related and at sub-national level)Relevant technical experience (e.g. nutrition sensitive agriculture, gender mainstreaming, ethnicity, Social Behavioural Change and Communication, rural livelihoods, institutional development, etc.).Experiences on SME development in rural and urban contextAbility to work autonomously, and demonstrated skills in leading a research projectExcellent written and spoken English language skills.Experience in Lao PDR and Lao language skills are desirableTimeframeComplete the field assignment by end of End of September 2019 and submit report in English with donor acceptable requirement by End of October 2019.Suggested timeframe: about 30 days (or as per requirement described in the application)ApplicationBrief description of the methodology (incl. potential stages), tools and guiding questions, time frame;Team composition and CV of key researcher(s)Daily rate for consultant (note CARE does not provide separate per diem)Expressions of InterestPlease submit Curriculum Vitae for consultants, detailed response to the ToR, proposed methodology, proposed timelines and financial proposal, including daily rate for consultant and enumerators, travel costs and other expenses, one example of previous work (evaluation report). Please send your application: CARE-LAO Head office in Vientiane, CARE Laos, PO Box 4328, House No: 07, Unit 01, Nongsangthor Road, Nongsangthor village, Saysettha district. Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.Deadline for application submissions is COB 30th of August 2019 to lao.contracts@careint.org[1] (Focusing on Nine Food Groups: 1. Cereals or grains 2. Foods made from roots or tubers 3. Legumes 4. Milk or other dairy products 5. Organ meats 6. Any other meat 7. Eggs 8. Dark green, leafy vegetables 9. Fruit or vegetables that are orange or yellow inside),
