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

Warren, Andrea M.; and Frongillo, Edward A. 2017. Mid-level actors and their operating environments for implementing nutrition-sensitive programming in Ethiopia. Global Food Security 13(June 2017): 66-73. https://doi.org/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.