Call for (a) Consultant(s) to Conduct a Study on the Food Provision Process in Malawi Prisons

Consultancies

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1. INTRODUCTION

The Malawi Inspectorate of Prisons seeks the services of expert consultant(s) to undertake a study in relation to the food provision process and in Malawi prisons and to produce a report based on the same. The consultant will be required to compile the report in tandem with a human rights expert appointed by the Inspectorate. This report will be provided to the Malawi Government and other NGOs working in the areas of food and nutrition to be used as an advocacy tool to lobby for sustainable solutions to issues identified therein.

2.0 THE ROLE OF THE MALAWI INSPECTORATE OF PRISONS

The Malawi Inspectorate of Prisons derives its powers from S169 of the Constitution. Its main duties and functions are;

  1. to monitor the conditions, administration and general functions
  2. Investigates any matters connected to penal institutions
  3. Visit all institutions within the Malawi Prisons Services, and
  4. Propose legal reforms to the Minister responsible for prisons.

2.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Starvation and hunger remains a persistent and pervasive problem in Malawian prisons, and a stain on the human rights record of Malawi.

The study and report will seek to ascertain the following:

  • Visit every prison in Malawi and undertake a study of their food provision process to include
    1. on average the amount of food/money provided to buy food per month
    2. interview detainees with regards to how much food they say they receive
    3. interview prison wardens and gain qualitative data with regards to the issue of food provision in the prisons
    4. interview health workers as to any effects they may notice of malnutrition and diseases associated with underfeeding and undernourishment;
  • Interview prison headquarters about the food distribution process;
  • Determine how inadequate food provision in prison contravenes international, regional and local laws, particularly with respect to respect for dignity, freedom from torture and ill-treatment as well as the right to health1;
  • Assess the nutritional value of the food given to detainees, particularly the long-term effect of the same on health;
  • Assess the food preparation and storing process, including provision times;
  • Assess periods of non-availability of food (including for example days transported to court);
  • Provide a specific assessment on the food provision to breast-feeding mothers, pregnant women, children, terminally ill and elderly persons in prisons;
  • Assess the diversification of the food provided in relation to a balanced diet;
  • Assess what capacity each prison has with regards to self-sustaining farming activities;
  • Provide a costs analysis on any financial savings of fully functional sustainable prison farms2 ;
  • Include recommendations on how the draft Correctional Services Bill would positively contribute to issues  identified during the review;
  • Provide practical and sustainable3 recommendations applicable to Government about how to improve the provision, amount and nutritional value of food in prisons.

3. METHODOLOGY

The study will combine qualitative and quantitative data collection and evaluation techniques using the following methods:

  • Desk-based research: The study will examine relevant documents and content produced by Malawi Prison Service, the Ministry of Homeland Security and other organisations including previous evaluations, programme proposals, and reports; the consultant will also research, analyse, and compare examples of other legal organisations with a focus on prisons, sustainable nutrition and health;
  • Key Informant Interviews (KIls): A set of KIls will also be conducted with selected relevant key informants and institutions countrywide, including each Malawi Prison, Prison Headquarters and relevant stakeholders identified;
  • Report writing: Analysing and assessing data collected and compiling a comprehensive report including sustainable recommendations and areas of best practice.

4. DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

The investigation will start in August 2024 and will take no longer than 5 months.

 

DeliverablesExpectationsTimeline
1. Inception ReportAn inception report will outline the key scope of the work and intended work plan of the analysis, and evaluation questions.The inception report should detail the investigators’ understanding of what is being investigated and why, showing how each of the key questions will be answered including proposed methods, proposed sources of data, and data collection procedures. The inception report should include a proposed schedule of tasks, activities, and deliverables.5 days
2. Data
Collection		Undertake desk research, carry out key informant interviews in each region visiting all prisons in Malawi.60 days
3. Data analysis and draft
organisational report		Presentation of initial findings to the team followed by submission of draft report for study and feedback.14 days
4. Final ReportThe final report should be submitted after incorporating the commentsreceived from the team. The report should follow a similar structure and lay out to the below (flexible):1) Executive Summary (outlining the key findings and recommendations);
2) Introduction (including summary of review methodology and limitations);
3) Interview excerpts, data collected and findings of the review;
4) Analysis of the data collected;
5) Areas of focus – specific findings;
6) Comparative Analysis;
7) Recommendations;
8) Conclusions.		4 days

 

5. MANAGEMENT
The consultant(s) will report to the Malawi Prison Inspectorate members.

6. REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Prison Inspectorate is expecting to contract a consultants) which will include some desk work and a significant amount of travel around Malawi. The consultant(s) shall have the following expertise and qualifications:

  • A postgraduate degree in nutrition or related field (or equivalent);
  • At least 10 years of experience in working with international organisations and donors, conducting reviews and/or evaluating programmes with complex implementation modalities;
  • Demonstrable capacity to deliver high quality outputs within the proposed timeframe, Strong analytical and report writing skills;
  • Good interpersonal skills and an understanding of cultural sensitivities;
  • Experience in working with Governmental departments, particularly with regards to conducting reviews and evaluations is strongly advantageous; and
  • Fluency in Chichewa, plus at least one other Malawian language.

7. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Along with their CV interested candidate(s) should submit:

  1. A technical proposal explaining their comprehension of the Terms of Reference and how they would approach this assignment within the given time (3-page maximum);
  2. Two samples of similar previous assignments; and
  3. A financial proposal outlining their expected fees and other expenses.

All documents need to be submitted by email to victormhango74@gmail.com before 5pm Friday 2nd August. (Central
African Time).

See also

1 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363569765_Hunger_and_torture_Assessing_the_adequacy_of_prison_food_under_international_law

2 E.g. https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2022-05-19-correctional-services-to-save-r163m-as-prisoners-produce-their-own-food-

3 E.g. https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/malawi-stoves/

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