Mid-level actors and their operating environments for implementing nutrition-sensitive programming in Ethiopia

• Published in: Global food security Vol. 13; pp. 66 - 73
• Main Authors: Warren, Andrea M., Frongillo, Edward A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Ethiopia; food security; households; Implementation; nutrition; Nutrition-sensitive; public policy; Ethiopia; Nutrition-sensitive; Ethiopia; Implementation
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2017.01.010

This paper provides an analysis of mid-level actors and their operating environments in relation to implementing nutrition-sensitive programming in Ethiopia. We used an innovative, multi-sited qualitative method encompassing the group of implementing actors in health, agriculture, and social protection below regional level and a sample of households from a community receiving these government services. Systemic constraints and day-to-day operational challenges within sectoral programming characterized the mid-level operating environment. Communities experienced nutrition-related improvements over time, but were constrained in their ability to engage with government programming by their physical environment. Mid-level actors are subject to complex constraints originating from both systemic factors and day-to-day resource constraints. Further development of existing service provision platforms and attention to community constraints is recommended to align national nutrition agendas with implementation capacities and community needs. •Existing service delivery platforms are insufficient to host nutrition-sensitive programs.•Mid-level actors are constrained by systemic factors and resource limitations.•Implementation will fail without understanding overarching systemic factors.