• To map out both period and point coverage in the target local government areas (Dikwa and Gwoza) of Borno State, Nigeria.
• Identify factors (the barriers/boosters) affecting uptake and delivery of CMAM services in specific LGAs in Borno State
• Develop in collaboration with the Mercy Corps team and relevant local stakeholders’ specific recommendations to improve acceptance and coverage of the program in Borno State.
  • Recommendation needs to be on specific and actionable insights that can be translated quickly into area-based improvement plans.

• Conduct all assessment preparation activities including development and validation of protocol and tools, selection of assessment teams & preparation of necessary logistics.
• Train Mercy Corps staff, MOH and Stakeholders representatives and data collection team to equip them with skills to undertake a SQUEAC coverage assessment independently.
• Supervise a full coverage assessment (planning, data collection, analysis and reporting) in all the targeted areas of Borno State
• Lead daily reflection sessions that aim to triangulate and cross-validate findings from different sources as a key quality control mechanism
• Present the preliminary results and analysis to the MC team and the Nutrition Technical Working Group to validate findings.
• Final report Compilation and submission

• A SQUEAC assessment protocol drafted, presented, and validated by the Mercy Corps team. It will emphasize an iterative, phased approach to data collection and analysis, with findings from one phase informing the next, including:
  • Mixed-methods evaluation design, including the use of triangulation of qualitative data (interviews, FGDs, community observations) with program data and quantitative surveys. The design will also include guidance on how to iteratively refine hypotheses based on initial findings.
  • Strategies for community and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that local knowledge informs the qualitative data collection and that findings are validated by those involved.
  • Area-based sampling to identify and compare areas of low and high coverage, ensuring qualitative data collection is focused on where coverage barriers and boosters are hypothesized.
  • A plan for real-time data analysis and adaptive data collection approaches, enabling adjustments based on findings as they emerge during the assessment.
  • A Data Analysis Plan (DAP) that will focus on generating actionable insights, including practical recommendations for improving program accessibility and increasing coverage.
  • A plan for the sensitization and capacity building of Mercy Corps staff, ensuring they understand the SQUEAC process, their role in it, and how to interpret and act upon the findings. Assessment tools
  • Suggested improvements to the assessment scope
  • Ethical considerations, limitations, and mitigation strategies.
• Two rounds of presentation of preliminary results and analysis, one to the MC team and another to the Nutrition Technical Working Group.
• Submit a). A final assessment report as per specified format, b). A synthesized 2 pager with key highlights and findings, and C). Electronic files of all Data sets (quantitative and qualitative), code books, syntax, etc.

• The assessment must be conducted between 1st December 2024 to 30th January2025 for a duration not exceeding 25 working days including fieldwork, data analysis and report write-up.

• Line Manager – Emmanuel Igbhebo, Humanitarian MEL Manager.
• Technical Supervisor - Lindsey Pexton Senior Nutrition Advisor.

• Program teams, in the country Technical Support Unit and Strategic Learning Manager within the Program Performance and Quality Unit (Pa Q).

• Academic qualification in nutrition, epidemiology, demography, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting and managing all aspects of CMAM SQUEAC assessments.
• Led at least two SQUEAC assessments, preferably in different contexts.
• Experience in Northeast Nigeria or any other conflict affected contexts is preferred
• Experience, knowledge, and clear understanding of Nigeria’s humanitarian context.
• Experience with evaluating USAID-funded projects.
• Good people skills and understanding of cultural sensitivities.
• Readiness to travel to northeast, Nigeria and conduct direct standard assessment activities as well as field visits to program sites. Having a presence in West Africa or Nigeria is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English is required