ToR for hiring an agency for conducting an acceptability study under the project titled

“Comprehensive Management of Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (SAM andMAM)”

Background of the Organizations:  

Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation(VCF):
Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation(VCF) is a not for profit organization which focuses on a wide range of themes, including livelihood promotion, agriculture, sanitation, nutrition, education, skill development and conservation, among others. VCF has anchored multiple nutrition projects, including Strengthening ICDS system and promoting rice fortification. VCF will implement and manage the proposed project across 3 districts in Andhra Pradesh, with support from Tata Trusts and TINI. VCF proposes to intervene in Manyam, NTR, and Tirupati districts, given the burden of SAM and MAM children as well as to build synergies with existing initiatives.

Since 2018, VCF has been actively engaged in various programs aimed at improving nutrition standards in rural communities across Andhra Pradesh. As part of this integrated project, VCF successfully transformed over 280 Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) and provided training to 12,000 Anganwadi workers. Additionally, VCF intervened to address Micro nutrient deficiency and collaborated with the AP government to supply nutrient-rich fortified rice to children and mothers through the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) and ICDS schemes. 

About the Program:
This proposed program aims to promote and institutionalize continuum of care for addressing acute malnutrition (viz. SAM as well as MAM) by leveraging combined protocol for acute malnutrition study (ComPAS model) through both community and facility-based approaches in the system. This model has unified the treatment of uncomplicated SAM and MAM children into one protocol in line with recent CMAM protocol released by GOI, simplified the diagnostic criteria, viz. Growth Monitoring (height and weight) only and utilizes energy dense nutrient food supplement (EDNF). EDNF refers to foods specially formulated to provide high energy and essential nutrients in a small quantity, making them suitable for people who cannot consume large volumes of food. The formulation will be share to the interested agencies only. 

The other areas of the project with a focus on prevention shall include: a) Institutionalizing a convergence matrix to efficiently leverage the network of AAAs (Anganwadi Workers, ASHA and ANMs) at all levels allowing them to work in tandem; b) Building capacities of AAAs to identify, screen, diagnose, manage and treat SAM & MAM children at the community level;c) Improving dietary intake of communities by building their capacities on mother and child nutrition practices and; d) Supporting national and state specific protocols for management of SAM by integrating community-based approaches.  

The goal of the program is to achieve sustainable improvement in nutrition and health outcomes of children under 5years and women of reproductive age, with a special focus on most vulnerable populations. 

Specific Objectives:

• To improve quality and coverage of services designed to address acute malnutrition viz. CMAM.
• To strengthen CMAM implementation by introducing cost effective and locally available food based interventions.
• To promote intensified growth monitoring campaigns with an aim to test, trace and treat.
• To improve nutritional intake of communities by building their capacities on mother, infant and young child nutrition

Objective of the assignment:
The primary objective of the assignment is to develop design and methodology for conducting an acceptability study in the given locations. Provide orientation to the project team for data collection as well support and monitor project team to adhere and follow the guidelines of the study  

Scope of Work:

The key tasks for this assignment will be undertaken in consultation with VCF project management team as follows:

• Develop a detailed study protocol and methodology for the acceptability assessment
• Design data collection tools (quantitative and qualitative), including sensory evaluation formats
• Provide orientation to project team 
• Developing a data collection tool to obtain feedback on acceptability study 
• Do periodical visits if necessary to support/monitor field team 
• Develop and share the acceptability study final report 
• Analyze data and generate actionable insights
• Document findings, conclusions, and recommendations for product improvement or scale-up

Key Responsibilities of agency/institution for the assignment: 

Duration of Assignment:

• This would be Agency/consultant contract for the duration of 4 months (from March 2026 to June 2026) schedule with the broad time frame 
  
  

 
Specific Deliverables:

• Develop methodology for acceptability study in consultation with VCF and WCD, Andhra Pradesh
• Develop data collection tool for acceptability study
• Orientation to the field team 
• Inception report with detailed methodology and tools
• Interim progress update (if required)
• Final acceptability study report (in edit and printable format) including:
  
  

1. Key findings and analysis oAcceptability scores and interpretations
2. Recommendations for product modification, communication, or rollout
   
   

Support from VCF:

• Support in providing state specific documents relating to the assignment if any. ?Provide any further information on the program.
  
  

Eligibility Criteria

• Research institutions, academic bodies, public health organizations, or agencies with experience in nutrition or social research
• Demonstrated experience in conducting acceptability or sensory evaluation studies
• Experience working with government nutrition programs will be preferred
  
  

Terms for the Payment:

 
Interested candidates can email their CVs to: Careers@vijayavahini.org 

Job Email ID: Careers(at)vijayavahini.org