Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Agriculture, Food Systems, Development Studies, or related fields.
  
• Proven experience in school feeding programmes, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food safety or food systems programming.
  
• At least 10–15 years of experience in policy development, research, or programme design in Nigeria or West Africa.
  
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s school feeding landscape (NHGSFP and state-level programmes).
  
• Experience working with government, development partners, and civil society.
  
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations and multi-sectoral processes.
  
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
  
• Evidence of similar assignments conducted.
  

Specific objectives include:

• Develop a comprehensive, evidence-based guideline on best practices in school feeding, drawing from ActionAid Nigeria’s innovative integrated model and other national and global experiences.
  
• Promote linkages between school feeding programmes and smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, within agroecological value chains.
  
• Integrate key cross-cutting issues, including nutrition, gender equality, climate resilience, local procurement, and community ownership.
  

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review and document global, regional, and national best practices in school feeding.
   
2. Analyse ActionAid Nigeria’s innovative integrated school feeding model and extract key lessons.
   
3. Develop a structured Best Practice School Feeding Guideline covering:
   • Programme design and implementation
     
   • Local food procurement and value chain integration
     
   • Nutrition standards and menu planning
     
   • Gender-responsive and inclusive approaches
     
   • Climate-resilient and agroecological linkages
     
   • Governance, accountability, and community participation
     
4. Develop practical tools, templates, and implementation recommendations.
   
5. Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders.
   
6. Finalise the guideline, incorporating stakeholder feedback.
   
7. Support the dissemination of the guideline through stakeholder engagement, policy dialogues, and communication materials.