IFE Core Group Mid-Term Review Summary Report

MTR Background

In 2023, Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) commissioned a mid-term review (MTR) to take stock and critically examine what the IFE Core Group (IFE-CG) is doing and how it is doing it, what has worked and what has not, and whether the needs and challenges that were present when the strategy was developed remain relevant or whether new needs, challenges and, indeed, opportunities have emerged.

MTR Process

The MTR process included an online survey, internal and external key informant interviews (IKIIs and EKIIs), and focus group discussions (FGD). Thirty-four IFE-CG members participated in the online survey, 14 IFE-CG members participated in the IKIIs, 11 EKIIs were conducted, and seven IFE-CG members participated in three FGDs.

The aim was to gather information about the participants’ understanding of how the IFE-CG works, how it is governed, and how relevant it is. The findings were presented at the IFE-CG annual meeting in November 2023, and the members provided feedback on the suggested top priorities to be focused on in the next steps. The interviews, consultations, and report preparation were undertaken from August to December 2023.

MTR Key Findings – Summary

• IFE-CG is a safe, neutral space to express, respectfully discuss, raise red flags, hold each other accountable, and reach consensus.
• IFE-CG is relevant and fit for purpose to deliver on infant feeding in emergencies (IFE) but there is room for improvement.
• IFE-CG strategy is still relevant and fit for purpose but activities undertaken are not always linked to the strategy and workplan.
• There is a lack of understanding of the role of the IFE-CG – who the group is, who it serves, what it should or should not do.
• There are three critical functions that would be compromised or neglected without the IFE-CG’s existence: guidance, knowledge, and advocacy.

MTR Key Findings – Priorities

Based on the results of the survey, KIIs, and FGDs, the consultant prioritised several recommendations to address the issues identified by the MTR. The top five priorities include:

1. Articulate a clear vision, purpose and mission statement based on what the IFE-CG does and does not do, in addition to reviewing and updating the detailed roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee, and all member organisations and individuals as it relates to their responsibility for IFE.
2. Clarify the IFE-CG and Global Nutrition Cluster working relationship. This needs to be clearly formulated (who does what) and understood by both groups.
3. Promote, encourage, and support regional UN/NGO entities to engage with day-to-day IFE work at the regional or country level to ensure better links to work on IFE at the global level and to ensure that global level work is informed by those working in the contexts that the IFE-CG supports.
4. Map the membership to better understand geographic, technical, and emergency representation and assess who else should be considered to join the IFE-CG or if the IFE-CG needs to join those that are also addressing different aspects of IFE in their work.
5. Strengthen advocacy and communication, review and finalise the communication strategy, and include advocacy and communication specialists in the IFE-CG.