About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalises leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 11 countries, our team of 900+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains.

Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children.

Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives.

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-calibre colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

Job purpose

Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) are a WHO-recommended intervention to prevent malnutrition. Evidence shows that SQ-LNS prevents stunting and wasting and can reduce child mortality by 24%. Evidence Action is supporting the Nigerian government's rollout of SQ-LNS to children 6-18 months of age living in areas with elevated mortality and malnutrition.

Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) MMS during pregnancy improves maternal and child health outcomes by addressing multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Compared to iron and folic acid supplementation (IFA), MMS reduces stillbirths by 9%, small for gestational age by 8%, and low birth weight by 12%. Evidence Action is supporting the Nigerian government's scale-up of MMS for pregnant women in FCT, Oyo, and Jigawa states, building on the successful piloting of the program in FCT and Oyo State.

The successful candidate will provide technical assistance for the roll-out of SQ-LNS at the central level and in nine high-burden states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Plateau, and Sokoto. The successful candidate will also provide technical assistance to three states (FCT, Oyo, and Jigawa) for the scale-up of MMS.

Contract Type: Consultancy

Duration: 6 Months

 

Duties and responsibilities

 Evidence Action is looking for a qualified individual, preferably an individual with a demonstrable track record of high-level nutrition program coordination, to serve as an advisor to the Federal and State Ministries of Health in Nigeria. This role involves providing technical assistance for the nationwide implementation of Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) and MMS across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Advisor will offer direct technical guidance to the government, support crucial planning, facilitate cross-ministerial coordination, and assist with decision-making related to the SQ-LNS and MMS rollout.

Government Engagement & Partnership Management

Provide expert technical assistance to government stakeholders on Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) and MMS programming, with primary focus on securing national-level concurrence and facilitating adoption of the targeted distribution optimization tool for SQ-LNS, to enhance program efficiency and coverage.Serve as primary technical liaison between Evidence Action and the governmentBuild and maintain strategic relationships with key government decision-makers at the federal and state levels to advance SQ-LNS and MMS policy integration

 

Targeted Distribution Optimization Tool - Adoption & Implementation

Lead the presentation and advocacy efforts for the SQ-LNS targeted distribution optimization tool with national and state-level government stakeholdersDevelop compelling evidence-based briefs, presentations, and documentation demonstrating the tool's impact on program efficiency and beneficiary coverageFacilitate capacity-building workshops and training sessions for government staff on utilizing the optimization tool effectivelySupport government teams in integrating the tool within existing health system workflows and data management platformsDocument lessons learned and success stories from tool implementation to support scale-up advocacy

 

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

Provide hands-on technical assistance to government nutrition and health teams on SQ-LNS program design, targeting, procurement, supply chain, and distributionSupport government capacity in monitoring SQ-LNS and MMS program quality, coverage, and adherence to protocolsAssist in troubleshooting implementation challenges and developing context-appropriate solutionsMentor government focal persons to build sustainable in-house technical capacity for SQ-LNS programming

 

Strategic Planning & Coordination

Participate in national and state-level nutrition coordination forums to position SQ-LNS and MMS within broader nutrition agendasSupport resource mobilization efforts by providing technical inputs for funding proposals and donor engagement

 

Advocacy & Communication

Present SQ-LNS and MMS evidence and program results at government-led forums, technical meetings, and stakeholder conveningsSupport government communications on SQ-LNS and MMS to communities, health workers, and development partners

 

Key Performance Indicators

Achievement of state-level concurrence on targeted distribution optimization tool (documented agreement/policy adoption)Number of states procuring and adopting the SQ-LNS optimization for targeted distributionNumber of states procuring SQ-LNS and MMS through the CNFNumber of government stakeholders trained and demonstrating competency in tool utilizationIntegration of optimization tool into government systems and workflowsQuality of government partnerships as measured by engagement consistency and collaborative outputsDocumentation of lessons learned and technical assistance impact