Consultancy to Map Maize Millers in Malawi

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy to map maize millers in Malawi under the FOCUS Project (Fortifying Our Communities’ Undernutrition Status through Strengthened Civil Society Organisation Capacity)

1. Background and Rationale

Malawi faces persistent food and nutrition security challenges, with maize as the dominant staple crop. Consumed daily by over 80% of the population—primarily in the form of nsima—maize flour plays a central role in the national diet and is a key vehicle for micronutrient intake. Yet, deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals remain alarmingly common, especially among children and women of reproductive age.

Data from the 2022 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) highlights the severity of the issue:

  • 37% of children under five are stunted,
  • 4% are wasted, and 12% are underweight,
  • Over 30% of women of reproductive age experience iron-deficiency anemia,
  • Vitamin A and Zinc deficiencies also persist as major public health challenges.

In response, the Government of Malawi introduced the Food (Fortification) Regulations of 2015, requiring selected staple foods—including maize flour—to be fortified with essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, and B vitamins. However, compliance remains inconsistent. While large-scale producers are subject to the regulations, most maize flour is produced by small and medium-scale millers, where fortification practices are either minimal or absent. A major barrier to effective enforcement and support is the lack of reliable, updated data on the maize milling sector—covering aspects such as the number, distribution, capacity, and compliance of millers.

To help close this gap, Self Help Africa and its partners (GAIN, CSONA, CADECOM), with funding from the European Union, are implementing the Fortifying Our Communities’ Undernutrition Status through Strengthened Civil Society Organisation Capacity (FOCUS) Action. The initiative aims to empower local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to play a more effective role in improving nutrition—particularly for children under five—by working closely with value chain actors including smallholder farmers, seed suppliers, premix distributors, millers, and the private sector.

The FOCUS Action supports the development of commercially sustainable, nutrition-sensitive food systems, underpinned by a stronger policy environment that advances food fortification and biofortified crop approaches. A core component of this initiative is the mapping of maize millers in four key districts of Malawi. This consultancy will generate critical data to guide efforts in improving fortification coverage, enhancing food safety, and ultimately reducing malnutrition nationwide

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

To conduct a detailed mapping of maize millers in four selected districts of Malawi, culminating in a comprehensive report and a dissemination meeting with key stakeholders.

2.1 Specific Objectives:

  • To identify and map maize millers across four key districts of Malawi, capturing data on location, production capacity, ownership structure, and operational scale (small, medium, or large).
  • To assess the extent of maize flour fortification practices, including the availability and use of premix inputs, knowledge of fortification standards, and compliance with national regulations.
  • To examine the challenges and opportunities faced by millers in adopting and sustaining fortification, particularly among small and medium-scale operators.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations to support CSOs, government, and private-sector stakeholders in strengthening fortification efforts and improving the enabling environment for fortified and biofortified food systems.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant (or consulting firm) will be responsible for the following:

3.1 Develop an inception report outlining the approach, work plan, tools, and ethical considerations for the assignment.

3.2 Data Collection

Conduct a nationwide mapping exercise focusing on four districts by:

  • Identify and Categorize Millers: Compile a comprehensive list of maize millers, categorizing them into small, medium, and large-scale operations.
  • Geographical Coverage: Focus on four districts: Thyolo, Mulanje, Baraka and Dedza
  • Data Points: For each miller, gather information on:
    • Name and location ( With GIS coordinates)
    • Scale of operation
    • Milling Capacity and output
    • Technology and equipment used
    • Source of maize supply
    • Market reach and distribution channels
    • Business registration status
    • Knowledge on fortification
    • Awareness and compliance with fortification standards
    • Barriers to and enablers of fortification
    • Fortification practices and premix availability
    • Readiness to do fortification
    • Proximity to markets, schools and Hospital

3.3 Stakeholder Engagement

  • Interviews and Surveys: Conduct interviews with millers, suppliers, traders, and relevant government agencies.
  • Focus Groups: Organize focus group discussions with smallholder farmers and local traders to understand their perspectives.
  • Key Informants Interview (KII): Engage with experts from institutions like;
    • Officials from the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Agriculture
    • Representatives from the MBS or CHSU (Nutrition lab)
    • Leaders of maize millers’ associations
    • Premix suppliers or distributors
    • CSOs involved in nutrition and food systems
    • Local government officers overseeing fortification compliance

3.3 Data Analysis and Reporting

  • Data Analysis: Analyze collected data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within the maize milling sector.
  • Report Preparation: Prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Dissemination Plan: Develop a strategy for disseminating findings to stakeholders, including a presentation for the dissemination meeting.

4. Deliverables

The consultant/firm will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

  1. Comprehensive Mapping Report: A detailed report covering all aspects of the maize milling sector in the four districts
  2. Dissemination Meeting: A well-organized meeting with stakeholders to present findings and discuss recommendations

5. Timeline

  • Inception Phase: 2 weeks
  • Data Collection: 4 weeks
  • Data Analysis: 2 weeks
  • Report Writing: 2 weeks
  • Dissemination Meeting: 1 week

Total Duration: Approximately 11 weeks

6. Required Qualifications

The selected consultant or consulting firm should demonstrate the following:

  • Expertise: Proven experience conducting value chain assessments, sector mapping, or similar research assignments in agriculture, nutrition, or food systems.
  • Skills: Strong capacity in data collection and analysis, including GIS/mapping and mobile-based survey tools.
  • Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of food fortification, maize milling, and the broader nutrition landscape in Malawi or similar contexts.
  • Experience working with civil society organisations, government bodies, and private sector actors.
  • Ability to produce high-quality reports and data outputs in a timely manner.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Education: A degree in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, or a related field.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to Edwin Josiah, Fortification P     roject M     anager, GAIN. Regular updates and drafts will be submitted for feedback throughout the consultancy period.

8. Budget and Payment Terms

The applicants are required to provide GAIN with a detailed fee proposal, including the number of days of work projected and the daily rates. Payment will be made upon completion of agreed-upon milestones.

9. Safeguarding, Ethical Considerations and Compliance

The consultant is expected to uphold and act in accordance with all safeguarding and protection guidelines including informed consent, confidentiality, respect for people and do no harm. The team will undergo an orientation in SHA Safeguarding policies      and will sign code of conduct before commencement of field operations.

10. Application Process

All eligible Consultants who have valid business license with traceable offices and fulfils the requirements should submit:

  • Technical Proposal: Outlining methodology, work plan, and timeline.
  • Financial Proposal: Detailed budget.
  • CVs: Of the consultant(s) highlighting relevant experience.
  • References: From previous similar assignments.

The proposal should be in English and submitted in electronic copy to rfp@gainhealth.org, cc ejosiah@gainhealth.org

Complete proposals should be submitted to GAIN by 27th June 2025

Post expires at 11:59pm on Wednesday June 25th, 2025