1         About Gain

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has Programmes and projects being carried out in a variety of other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

GAIN is working in Pakistan since 2007 to tackle malnutrition, with an initial focus on Large-Scale Food Fortification. Later GAIN’s focus expanded to include Biofortification of Crops, Adolescents’ Nutrition and Private Sector Engagement through SUN Business Network. GAIN plays a significant role in the public policy landscape in Pakistan, as it does in many other countries around the world.

In Pakistan, malnutrition, particularly among children and women, remains a significant public health challenge. GAIN's work in the country is aimed at helping the government address these issues through evidence-based policies and programs. GAIN's role in the public policy landscape in Pakistan is aligned with the global effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security.

2         Background

Nourishing Food Pathways is an initiative that aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG2) by supporting inclusive and coherent food systems transformation. Our focus under NFP in Pakistan is to support food system transformation by mobilising the relevant stakeholders in the public and private sector of the country.

A key part of transforming food systems is strengthening knowledge in academia to support long-term change. However, there is a gap in understanding of food systems among universities, colleges, faculty and research institutions. To bridge this gap, GAIN provided technical support to National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council (NAEAC) which developed three specialized courses namely (i) Course 1- Fundamentals of Food Systems, (ii) Course 2- Advances in Sustainable Food Systems, (iii) Course 3- Sustainable Food Systems: Research and Policy. These courses are designed to equip the students with the tools necessary to explore pathways for an identical transformation of food systems at both national and sub-national levels in the country.

To ensure that the courses are delivered to the students in accordance with established standards, it is pertinent that the capacity of the university faculty around these courses be built so that they can impart relevant tools, support students in the exploration of research themes, while guiding students in exploring the practical solutions for the food systems transformation. Hence, GAIN Pakistan through this RFP intends to hire a consultant/firm/institute to build the capacity of Faculty of Food Sciences in different universities of Pakistan.

3         Scope of Work and Deliverables

3.1        Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive capacity building plan for the faculty of food sciences for the various universities across Pakistan. This will be achieved by conducting a capacity gap analysis of the faculty for identifying various areas/themes that require major enhancements.  This gap analysis will assess faculty expertise in food systems, research methodologies, policy linkages, and pedagogical approaches related to the three developed courses. The results of this assessment will serve as the foundation for developing a structured and impactful training program tailored to the specific needs of university faculty.

3.1.1       Desk Review

• The consultant will conduct a thorough desk review of documents, strategies, and plans relevant to food system transformation and key gaps that need to be addressed in Pakistan to align its priorities with food system transformation and Pakistan’s commitments to addressing the malnutrition.
• Review the course outlines of the three developed courses—Fundamentals of Food Systems, Advances in Sustainable Food Systems, and Sustainable Food Systems: Research and Policy—to design a capacity-building program that enhances faculty members' ability to effectively teach these courses.

3.1.2       Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct primary research to carry out a comprehensive capacity gap analysis of university faculty in food sciences. This will involve engaging faculty members through structured and semi-structured interviews to assess their existing knowledge, and practices related to food system transformation.
• The findings from this assessment will help identify key thematic areas requiring capacity building, ensuring that the training program is tailored to address specific gaps in faculty expertise.

3.1.3       Capacity Building Material

• Develop capacity-building materials tailored as per the requirements of faculty of food sciences. These materials will be designed to enhance the existing skills of the faculty in teaching food system concepts, integrating research methodologies, and linking academic content with real-world applications. The training resources may include detailed training manuals, presentation decks, case studies, practical exercises, and reference materials, ensuring a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.

3.1.4       Incorporating International Best Practices

• Consultant need to engage an International university/academic institute having capacity and experience on delivering similar courses on food systems transformation to ensure that their learnings are embedded in the capacity building of the faculty of various universities of Pakistan.

3.1.5       Workshops

• The consultant will conduct capacity-building workshops for university faculty across all provinces and the federal territory to enhance their ability to effectively teach the three developed courses. These workshops will provide hands-on training, interactive discussions, and practical exercises to strengthen faculty competencies in food system education, research methodologies, and policy linkages.

3.1.6       Pre and Post Assessments

• Conduct pre- and post-assessments to measure the impact of the training sessions on faculty knowledge, teaching competencies, and research capabilities. These assessments will help evaluate the effectiveness of the capacity-building program, identify areas of improvement, and ensure that the training objectives are met.

3.1.7       Reporting and Presentations

• The consultant will submit a Capacity Building Report outlining key capacity gaps and training needs of university faculty, along with Capacity Building Workshop Reports detailing the sessions conducted, participant feedback, and training outcomes.
• Present key findings and recommendations to GAIN/stakeholders and any follow up required.
• Consultants may also suggest a mechanism for ongoing capacity building of faculty in Food System and Nutrition
• Provide a summary report suitable for sharing with stakeholders to support decision-making.

Against the scope of work provided, the consultant is expected to submit the following deliverables.

3.2        Deliverables

• Inception report including the methodology and tools.
• Skills and Knowledge Gap analysis report.
• Capacity building training material including Manual, slide decks, and other reference material.
• Training sessions report (after completing agreed number of training sessions – 4 provinces and 1 federal).
• Final Report.

4         Timeframe of the Assignment

In the light of the scope of work, the duration of the assignment is three months (15th March – 15th June 2025) along with the submission of the deliverables.

5         Proposal Outline

The consultant/service provider needs to prepare and submit a technical proposal that is 5 pages or less, with the following headings:

ü  Introduction and organizational capacity of the consultancy firm/consultant.

ü  Consultant’s understanding of the assignment

ü  Examples of Previous Relevant Experience

ü  Methodology

ü  Scope of Work

ü  Team Member’s Competencies and Clear Roles and Responsibilities (full CVs can be included in an annex)

ü  References

ü  Timeline against the deliverables (as per project timeframe).

The details of the cost in the financial proposal must be mentioned in PKR and shall include the details given below:

ü  Budget Items

ü  Unit Cost

ü  Activity Cost

ü  Personnel Cost

ü  Travel and Accommodation Cost

ü  Taxes

ü  Admin Cost

The total proposed budget should include all items like fees, travel, meetings/workshops/FGDs, Taxes etc.

6         Evaluation CRITERIA:

ü  Demonstrated expertise and experience in the same areas.

ü  International academia partner

ü  Clarity of the assignment and technical soundness of the proposal

ü  Qualifications, and experience of the proposed team members with clear roles and responsibilities.

ü  Alignment with project objectives and deliverables.

ü  Cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget.

ü  Timeline

7         Submission of Proposal:

7.1        Submission and Deadline

Completed proposals should only be submitted in electronic format to email address  hrpakistan@gainhealth.org by 9 MARCH 2025 with subject line ‘ Faculty Capacity Building on Courses for Food System Transformation - Pakistan’.  

7.2        Unacceptable

The following proposals will automatically not be considered or accepted:

Proposals that are received after the RFP deadline at the specified receiving office.

Proposals received by fax/hard copy.

Incomplete proposals.

Proposals that are not signed.

7.3         Acceptance

GAIN will not necessarily accept the lowest cost or any of the Proposals submitted. Accordingly, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and mandatory requirements shall govern.

7.4        Completion

Proposals must be submitted on official letterhead of the lead organisation or firm and must be signed by a principal or authorising signatory of the lead firm or organisation.

In case of errors in calculating overall costs, the unit costs will govern.

While GAIN has used considerable efforts to ensure an accurate representation in this Request for Proposal (RFP), the information contained in this RFP is supplied solely as a guideline. The information is not warranted to be accurate by GAIN. Nothing in this RFP is intended to relieve applicants from forming their own opinions and conclusions with respect to the matters addressed in this RFP.

By responding to this RFP, the applicant confirms its understanding that failing to comply with any of the RFP conditions may result in the disqualification of their submission.

7.5        Rights of Rejection

GAIN reserves the right to reject any or all submissions or to cancel or withdraw this RFP for any reason and at its sole discretion without incurring any cost or liability for costs or damages incurred by any applicant, including, without limitation, any expenses incurred in the preparation of the submission. The applicant acknowledges and agrees that GAIN will not indemnify the applicant for any costs, expenses, payments, or damages directly or indirectly linked to the preparation of the submission.

7.6        References

GAIN reserves the right, before awarding the Proposal, to require the applicant to submit such evidence of qualifications as it may deem necessary, and will consider evidence concerning the financial, technical, and other qualifications and abilities of the applicant.