Nutrition Assessment Consultant at VillageReach

VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone, so that each person has the health care needed to thrive. We develop solutions that improve equity and access to primary health care. This includes making sure products are available when and where they are needed and primary health care services are delivered to the most under-reached.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Assessment Consultant

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Contract

Description
State-Level Consultant for Nutrition Ecosystem Assessment – Nigeria:
Background:

• VillageReach supports health systems strengthening initiatives that improve equitable access to essential health services and commodities.
• In Nigeria, VillageReach is supporting efforts to better understand the drivers of nutrition outcomes across states.
• Nutrition outcomes vary significantly across Nigerian states despite similar national policies and programs.
• This variation suggests that system-level factors—including governance, financing, service delivery, workforce capacity, supply chains, and information systems—play an important critical role in shaping nutrition performance.
• VillageReach is conducting a rapid nutrition ecosystem diagnostic to identify operational and system-level enablers that contribute to stronger nutrition outcomes.
• The assessment applies the WHO Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) building blocks framework to examine how different system components interact to influence nutrition outcomes.
• The assessment will be conducted in selected Nigerian states using a mixed-methods approach that includes qualitative consultations, document reviews, and a structured review of existing quantitative data.
• Findings from each state assessment will contribute to a cross-state synthesis across selected states to identify common system enablers and support systems learning.
• VillageReach will provide the assessment tools, interview guides, and analytical framework, while state-level consultants will be responsible for implementing the data collection and documenting structured findings and state-level insights.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

• The purpose of this consultancy is to support the implementation of a rapid nutrition ecosystem assessment at the state level.
• The assessment will generate qualitative insights and draw on existing quantitative data to understand system drivers influencing nutrition outcomes.
• The consultant will engage key stakeholders, collect and analyze data, document findings using structured tools, and develop a concise state insight brief. These outputs will contribute to a cross-state synthesis across selected Nigerian states led by VillageReach.

Scope of Work

• The consultant will implement the state-level nutrition ecosystem assessment using standardized tools and guidance provided by VillageReach.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Validate and refine pre-developed stakeholder lists
• Engage state-level government gatekeepers and relevant authorities to secure approvals and facilitate the assessment.
• Coordinate with the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and nutrition focal persons
• Coordinate and schedule interviews and consultations with key stakeholders.

Qualitative Data Collection:

• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) with government officials, program managers, implementing partners, and technical experts.
• Facilitate focused consultations where required.
• Capture detailed notes using structured templates provided on key system domains, including governance, financing, service delivery, workforce, supply chains, and information systems related to nutrition programming.

Document Review:

• Collect and review relevant state-level documents (e.g., policies, strategies, program reports).
• Extract key information using provided templates.
• Quantitative Data Review and Extraction
• Extract relevant state-level nutrition data and program indicators from existing sources (e.g., DHIS2, state reports, dashboards, logistics data).
• Use quantitative data to contextualize and triangulate qualitative findings.
• points with relevant state stakeholders where needed.
• Document all data sources and clearly note any limitations, gaps, or inconsistencies.

Structured Documentation of Findings:

• Complete all data collection templates, including KII summaries, document review templates, and quantitative data extraction sheets.
• Organize findings according to predefined domains aligned with the WHO Health Systems Strengthening framework.
• Ensure all findings are clearly sourced and attributable.
• State-Level Insight Generation
• Develop a concise state-level insight brief summarizing key nutrition ecosystem enablers, operational challenges, and emerging patterns and contextual insights.
• Highlight priority issues for further analysis.

Collaboration and Clarifications:

• Participate in follow-up discussions to clarify findings as needed.
• Respond to feedback on submitted outputs.

Deliverables:

• Stakeholder engagement log and list of consultations conducted.
• Completed KII
• Completed document review and data extraction templates
• Extracted quantitative dataset with sources documented
• State insight brief
• Participation in clarification discussions, as needed.

Reporting and Coordination:

• The consultant will report to the VillageReach Nigeria Country Team Lead.

VillageReach will provide:

• Assessment tools and templates
• Data collection and documentation guidance
• Analytical framework
• Technical guidance and quality assurance
• VillageReach will lead ecosystem mapping, cross-state synthesis, and final reporting.

Requirements
Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Health Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in public health, nutrition programming, or health systems assessments.
• Demonstrated experience conducting mixed-methods research or assessments.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s health and nutrition systems.
• Experience engaging government stakeholders and development partners.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

Required Competencies:

• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex system insights into clear findings.
• Experience conducting qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Familiarity with health systems strengthening approaches.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online