CONSULTANCY FOR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP TO CARRY OUT FOOD SAFETY TRAININGS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRAINING MANUALS.

INTRODUCTION

The USAID SUN TA Project supports the Government of Zambia’s Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN 2.0) program whose aim is to reduce stunting among children under the age of two. SUN TA works with the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Local Government, Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental protection and Community Development and Social Services structures from national to district and community levels

The Agriculture and Livelihood component aims to increase reliable access to safe and nutritious food through nutrition-sensitive agriculture and financial inclusion. Access to safe and nutritious food is being achieved through production of diverse (nutrient-dense) vegetables, legumes, crops, and poultry at community and household levels using climate smart agriculture practices to sustainably address household food, income, and nutrition security. Food processing and storage is one of the key interventions SUN TA is promoting to increase access to a diversified nutritious diet all year round.

Food naturally starts to spoil as soon as it is harvested. Foods are prepared, preserved, and packaged to extend their shelf life and protect them against microbial (bacteria, yeast, and mold) spoilage as well as enzyme, temperature, and metabolic changes. The project is seeking the services of the consultancy over a period of 32 working days ending March 15, 2024, to develop a government staff and SUN TA staff member food safety training manual that targets Community Based Volunteers (CBV and to lead the TOT on food safety and hygiene, storage and preservation).

TASKS OF THE CONSULTANCY

Working closely with and under the guidance of the Technical Expert, Agriculture and Livelihoods, the consultant will:

1.     Assess current food safety aspects and practices among community members in one representative district, Chibombo.

2.     Develop a food safety community teaching manual to be used by GRZ and SUN TA staff to train community volunteers and community members.

3.     Develop literate appropriate IEC materials for CBVs and community members.

4.      Conduct a 2 days trainer of trainer targeting Government and SUN TA staff on food safety;

• Training of Government and SUN TA staff on food safety at different stages (production, storage, handling/processing, and consumption) regarding maize, soybeans, sunflower, groundnuts, and horticulture.
• Training of Government and SUN TA staff on food safety at different stages (production, storage, handling/processing, and consumption) regarding animal protein such as (village chicken among other livestock) and protection measures.

5.     Produce a training report, guidelines and submit to SUN-TA

6.     Maintain regular communication with the Technical Expert and share updates during the period of engagement.

Level of Effort

Tasks

• Preparation  –  2 days
• community Assessment (Chibombo) – 3 days
• Develop a food safety community teaching manual to be used by GRZ and SUN TA staff to train community volunteers and community members – 10 days
• Develop literate appropriate IEC materials for CBVs and community members – 5 days
• TOT (13 Districts will be clustered by province) – 12 days
• Report writing and debrief – 2 days
• Total days – 32 daysPlease note that USAID requires us to do a lump sum contract.

CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The Consultant (individual/team) is expected to possess the following:

1.     MSc/PhD in Food Safety, Nutrition, Food Science, or related qualifications

2.     At least 5 years research experience on e.g. agriculture, food safety, nutrition, health, demography, development studies and related socio-economic issues

3.     At least 5 years practical work experience in thematic areas highlighted in 2 above.

4.     Quantitative and qualitative data processing experience

5.     Proven technical report writing experience.

6.     Proven stakeholder engagement and presentation skills

Applicants should submit CV(s) and a budget to:  SUNTA_Recruitment@dai.com