Company Information: About HarvestPlus

At HarvestPlus, we believe that hidden hunger should not be inevitable for the people most at risk. We break down silos between agriculture and nutrition to develop creative solutions to combat hidden hunger. Our food-based approach targets some of the most vulnerable populations around the world. HarvestPlus, and its CGIAR partners, breed crops with naturally higher levels of key micronutrients, using a process called biofortification, as well as other beneficial agricultural traits, such as climate resilience, higher yields, disease resistance, and pest tolerance. This approach complements other nutrition interventions, and is evidence-based, cost effective, and sustainable. We work across the entire value chain to develop and deliver nutrient-enriched seeds, grains, and foods to the people who need it most, via a large collection of innovative and traditional supply chain activities. HarvestPlus is a program of the International Food Policy Research Institute, a research center of the CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. To learn more about HarvestPlus, visit our home page here.

Work in Malawi

Malawi continues to have high levels of malnutrition. It is estimated that 37 percent of children under the age of 5 years are stunted, reflecting chronic malnutrition, while 4% of the under five children suffer from acute malnutrition (Malawi Demographic Household Survey – MDHS 2016; UNICEF 2018). In addition, it is estimated that only 8% of children aged 6-23 months meet the minimum acceptable diet. In addition, there are also high levels of vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies (Hidden Hunger) in Malawi, which aggravates the burden of malnutrition. The anaemia prevalence rate (reflecting iron deficiency) has been reported at 28% for children under 5; 55% for preschool aged children; 21% for school-aged children; 35% for adolescent girls (15-19 years old); and 39% for women of reproductive age (Micronutrient survey 2016). Adolescent girls are especially at risk of anaemia due to high nutritional needs resulting from increased growth and menstruation.

There is also vitamin A deficiency, whereby about 3.6% of children are affected. It is also estimated that 40.6% of the population has inadequate zinc intake. Zinc deficiency has been labelled as a major public health concern in Malawi considering that it is common and high in all subgroups. Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as zinc, iron, and vitamin A can cause profound and irreparable damage to the body in terms of blindness, growth stunting, learning disabilities, low work capacity, and even premature death.

Child malnutrition is linked to poverty, low levels of education, and poor access to health services. Stunted children are more likely to drop out of school and repeatedly experience lower productivity later in life.

The Cost of Hunger (COHA 2012) study found that about 23 percent of all child mortality cases in Malawi are associated with under-nutrition while 18 percent of school repetitions (majority of whom are adolescents) were a result of under-nutrition. The annual cost associated with under-nutrition to the public sector was estimated at 19.5 percent of the total budget allocated to health in 2012. The overall cost associated with under-nutrition was estimated at 10.3% of GDP for 2012.

The burden of under-nutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies is therefore huge for Malawi, requiring collaborative, multi-faceted efforts from different stakeholders targeting the whole spectrum, from policy to program implementation levels. Biofortification is one of the proven cost-effective, sustainable approach interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies, which is a major component of under-nutrition. Based on the demonstrated national commitment (through policy instruments) and the proven impacts of biofortification, it is important to support the government to continue to advance and scale-up biofortification in Malawi to bring sustainable solutions to the problem of under-nutrition. This up-scaling requires an enabling policy environment and well-coordinated public investments to ensure leveraging on contribution of different stakeholders.

Details on this Request for Proposals

In this context, HarvestPlus is seeking a policy consultant who can help with policy analysis, engagement, communication, and coordination activities for Malawi between May and August 2023.

Key Areas for Policy and Program Analysis and Advocacy on Biofortification:

• Integrate biofortification in national, sectoral, and sub-sectoral policies in the agriculture and nutrition sectors.
  • Integrate biofortification in 4 national policy development processes (such as ongoing National Agriculture Policy, the planned Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Policy, Malawi Investment Plan-MIP1 and other relevant national strategies)
• Build an investment case on scaling biofortification in Malawi
  • Complete analysis and write the investment case in collaboration with HarvestPlus HQ team and key stakeholders such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and Ministry of Agriculture
  • Inform the upcoming National Agriculture Investment Plan
• Facilitate broad engagement and development of sector and subsector policies relevant to biofortification
  • Design and moderate at least one biofortification stakeholder conference to share learnings on biofortification scaling from targeted policy partners, share the investment case, and build momentum for obtaining investment approvals from NAIP and national programs
• Support resource mobilization
  • Engage with development partners to identify programming and funding opportunities in new and pipeline funding that integrate and upscale biofortification in Malawi

Specific Deliverables

The Consultant will engage with development partners to identify programming and funding opportunities in new and pipeline funding that integrate and upscale biofortification in Malawi. The contract will include 15 person days per month. In addition to completing the deliverables below, the consultant will be expected to provide progress updates regarding each deliverable on the 1st day of each month in bullet points.

• Policy engagement plan (May 15, 2023)
• Meeting outputs, such as formal commitment memos from government (ongoing)
• Investment brief (June 15, 2023)
• One conference and related report (July 2023)
• Concept note or proposal (August 2023)

To Apply

Applicants for this position should provide a comprehensive proposal, reflecting their knowledge of biofortification and the national policy and investment architecture relevant for biofortification. The proposal should also include a capability statement, details on the approach to the assignment, and a list of proposed activities/refined list of deliverables based on the information above. Additionally, proposals should include the consultant’s per day rate and timeline for activities.