Individual Consultant for Nutrition and School Meal Program Specialist

1. Background

The Nurturing Early Skills through Technology (NEST) Project is funded by the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and administered by the World Bank. The Project is implemented by Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) of Cambodia.

The Project aims to enhance access to and quality of Early Childhood Education (ECE) through the promotion of learning through play and the integration of digital technology in target districts in Cambodia. The Project supports teacher professional development, establishment of an ECE digital resource platform, parental and community engagement, improvement of preschool learning environments through construction and renovation, and implementation of pilot school meal programs.

The Project is implemented in selected districts in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Pailin provinces, targeting public preschools with the objective of strengthening equitable access to quality ECE services for young children aged 3–5 years.

Under Sub-Component 2.2, the Project will introduce a pilot school meal program in selected preschools to improve children's nutritional well-being, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage regular preschool attendance. The intervention includes establishment of kitchens and meal preparation facilities, development of nutrition and food safety standards, strengthening of community participation, and gradual transition toward community cost-sharing for sustainability.

To support the effective implementation of the school meal program, SVA seeks to recruit a qualified National Individual Consultant – Nutrition and School Meal Program Specialist.

2. Objectives

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical leadership and coordination for the design, implementation, monitoring, and gradual transition to community cost-sharing of the school meal program across six target preschools in three provinces: Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Pailin.

Specifically, the Consultant will:

• Establish and operationalize the school meal program in newly constructed preschool facilities.
• Develop evidence-based, locally sourced nutrition standards and menus appropriate for children aged 3–5.
• Build the capacity of School Meal Committees and preschool staff to manage food safety and daily operations.
• Design and support the implementation of a monitoring and reporting framework for nutrition outcomes.
• Lead the phased transition of cost-sharing responsibilities to communities.

3. Scope of Work

Upon commencement of the assignment, the Consultant shall undertake the following tasks, organized by thematic area:

a. Program Establishment and Infrastructure

• Lead establishment and operationalization of the school meal program in six newly constructed preschools.
• Provide technical guidance on the construction and setup of kitchens and dining spaces, ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Provide technical input for procurement planning for kitchen equipment, utensils, and initial food supplies.

b. Nutrition Standards and Menu Development

• Develop preschool-appropriate nutrition standards and locally sourced breakfast menus aligned with Ministry of Education standards.
• Ensure menus promote dietary diversity and are culturally appropriate, feasible, and cost-effective.
• Develop food safety, hygiene, and quality control standards tailored to preschool settings.

c. Operational Systems and Documentation

• Develop a comprehensive Operational Manual for the school meal program covering daily operations, procurement, food safety, hygiene, and financial management.
• Design community-based monitoring mechanisms related to food safety, nutrition, attendance, and operational quality.
• Provide technical support to ensure alignment with the project's financial structure and costing standards.

d. Capacity Building and Training

• Design and deliver training programs for School Meal Committees, preschool teachers, cooks, and community members.
• Develop training materials and reference guides for ongoing use by school and community stakeholders.
• Conduct regular supportive supervision visits and on-site coaching.

e. Transition to Community Cost-Sharing

• Support sustainability planning for the school meal program, including gradual community participation and future cost-sharing approaches.
• Engage local government, parents, and community representatives in sustainability planning.
• Document lessons learned, implementation challenges, and good practices to support future scale-up and replication.

f. Monitoring, Reporting, and Coordination

• Provide regular monitoring, supervision, and reporting to SVA on program implementation progress.
• Prepare periodic progress reports and contribute to the project's overall monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Coordinate with SVA project management, and relevant government counterparts.

4. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected over the course of the assignment. Timelines are indicative and subject to agreement at contract signing.

5. Work Supervision

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the SVA Senior Coordinator for ECE and Field Office Management for the NEST Project, in close coordination with the Sub-Component 2.2 focal point and the SVA Project Manager. The Consultant will also liaise with:

• School Meal Committee members and preschool teachers at target sites.
• District government officers, Commune Council, CCWC in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Pailin.
• Other project consultants and implementing partners as relevant.

The Consultant will submit all deliverables to the SVA Senior Coordinator for review and approval prior to finalization. Regular progress updates shall be provided in writing or at coordination meetings.

6. Contract Term and Location of Assignment

The initial contract period is one (1) year, with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance, project needs, and availability of funding.

The Consultant will be engaged as an Individual Consultant (IC) under the NEST Project and is expected to provide regular technical support throughout the assignment period.

Key arrangements are as follows:

• Duty Station: Battambang Province, with regular travel to Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces, as required.
• SVA will provide office space at its Battambang office. The Consultant is expected to provide their own computer and personal working equipment.
• Payment Modality: Payment shall be made on a monthly basis upon submission and approval of progress reports and agreed deliverables.
• Travel costs directly related to project implementation and approved by SVA, including travel to target preschools and project meetings, will be covered in accordance with SVA travel policy.

7. Consultant Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, public health, food security, education, social science, or a related field.
• Advanced qualifications in nutrition, public health, or community development are an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in school feeding, community nutrition, or food security programs, or related programs.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, preferably World Bank or WFP-supported programs.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, stakeholder coordination, and sustainability planning.
• Experience working in Cambodia, particularly in rural or provincial settings, is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with government counterparts, including education authorities, is an advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, and age-appropriate nutrition guidelines.
• Ability to develop operational manuals, training materials, and monitoring frameworks.
• Strong analytical, coordination, and report-writing skills.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Khmer language proficiency (spoken and written) is required.
• Familiarity with World Bank procurement and safeguard requirements is desirable.

Other Considerations

• The assignment requires flexibility to travel to target provinces and conduct on-site visits.
• The Consultant must not be a current government official during the contract period.

8. Guidelines for Applying

Interested candidates should submit the following documents to the contact below, with the subject line:

“Application for IC –Nutrition and School Meal Program Specialist – NEST Project: [Your Full Name]”

Required submission documents:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) clearly demonstrating qualifications and relevant experience.
• Cover letter outlining suitability for the role, expected monthly rate, and availability.

Submit to:

Ms. Chea Sopheavy

Position: Procurement and Operation Officer, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)

Address: No. 8, Street 424, Sangkat Tomnob Teuk, Khan Boeng Keng Kang, Phnom Penh

Email: info@sva-cambodia.org

Copy to:

Ms. Ayano Kikuchi

Position: Project Manager, NEST Project, SVA

Email: kikuchi@sva.or.jp

Applications will be accepted until June 28, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Revised February 2025), under the Individual Consultant (IC) selection method.