Delivering technical assistance to SUN Countries

The C2D framework is an approach to ensure that the technical assistance delivered through the SUN Movement adds value at the country level. Providers of technical assistance, SUN Countries and the SUN Movement Secretariat all abide by the following principles. The technical assistance will:

• be government-led, accessible to all countries, and provided in a relevant, timely and quality manner
• be transparent and will not jeopardize, duplicate or overlap work already existing in countries
• be consultative of all relevant stakeholders from various sectors in countries or with members of the SUN Multi-stakeholder Platform (MSP)
• build capacity and strengthen experience and expertise to ensure long term sustainability
• be assessed for its cost and effectiveness and its contribution to advancing the four strategic objectives of the SUN Movement

The C2D framework is also a tool. To deliver, while fostering collaboration, transparency and learning among technical assistance providers, the SMS has developed a web-based tool that records, tracks and stores all documentation (terms of reference of support offered, deliverables) pertaining to the technical assistance delivered within the C2D framework. The tool is accessible to the partners of the SMS involved in the delivery of technical assistance.  Access can be granted upon request, by contacting the SMS.

The C2D framework provides an overview of only those requests for technical assistance from SUN Countries that are shared with the SMS. In no way should this be seen as a comprehensive appreciation of all support provided to SUN Countries by partners of the SUN Movement. In this way, C2D is envisaged as a last resort mechanism, acknowledging that most of the gaps are addressed at country level.

Building on the needs identified by SUN Countries, the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2020) identifies three capabilities that are to be strengthened if SUN Countries are to effectively scale up nutrition and the C2D framework is aligned with this vision to focus on:

• Continuously improving country planning and implementation to end malnutrition
• Mobilising, advocating and communicating for impact
• Strengthening the capacity for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration at all levels

Technical Assistance for Nutrition 

The Technical Assistance for Nutrition (TAN) programme set up in 2015 by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), is intended to help strengthen the capacity of all SUN Countries to deliver policies and programmes which reduce undernutrition. In order to achieve these, the TAN programme aims to:

• Coordinated provision of technical assistance that helps national SUN focal points to overcome gaps in capacity in design and delivery of multi-sectoral national nutrition plans;
• Improved learning and accountability across the SUN movement that influences decision making by the SUN movement’s leadership, networks and national governments;
• Sustained national and international leadership that drives prioritisation of and investment in nutrition in the first 1000 days.

The TAN programme regroups three key partners (Nutrition International -previously Micronutrient Initiative-; the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN); and the Maximising the Quality of Scaling Up Nutrition Plus (MQSUN+) consortium. The latter associates the Aga Khan University (AKU), Development Initiatives (DI), Health Partners International (HPI); NutritionWorks (NW) under the leadership of PATH and uses standardized operating procedures adapted from the previous MQSUN project that ran between 2012-2016.

Other partners

Outside of the formalized agreements between providers detailed above, other partners are involved in delivering technical assistance to SUN Countries such as Alive and Thrive, who specialize in providing behavior change communication support to a number of SUN Countries and two Ethics Advisers engaged by the SMS to provide support to countries in developing approaches to prevent and manage conflict of interest.

If you would like to learn more about providers of technical assistance within the C2D framework or if you want to join the pool of experts, please contact the SMS.

The SMS plays a role of a tracker and a match-maker – registering and compiling requests while ensuring they are matched with specific support. It also facilitates the relation between the countries and the providers of technical assistance. The process followed by the SMS are described in the six following steps:

1. SUN Government Focal Points raise their need for technical assistance to the SUN Movement Secretariat during SUN Country Network Meetings and face to face meetings and through bilateral calls and written communication
2. The country liaison team of the SMS works with SUN Government Focal Points and in-country stakeholders to understand the context and ensure compliance with the C2D framework principles of technical assistance
3. Confirmation is received with a written request from a SUN Government Focal Point which enables the SMS to proceed to the identification of providers
4. Matched providers and countries stakeholders agree on the scope, objectives and content of the technical assistance, which are captured in Terms of References
5. Technical assistance is delivered through remote work and/or in-country consultations. Support is focused on reviewing working tools e.g. Declaration of Interest templates.
6. The technical assistance provided is evaluated and all relevant material and communications are stored on the web-based C2D tool.