CONSULTANCY

INTRODUCTION

The severe conditions of insecurity and access problems in Somalia render direct delivery of assistance by external humanitarian actors a risky and often an impossible undertaking. Thus the increased need to continuously engage in local and national NGO’s to respond to emergencies in Somalia that are in line with internationally agreed quality standards.
In 2007/2008 Oxfam Novib Piloted a humanitarian capacity building project named Emergency Preparednesss and Respons/ Action (EPARA) which built the humaniatarian capacity of 28 local Somalia NGOs in South and central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland. Prior to the capacity building of the NGOs, 15 resources persons were trainied and given field practicals on emergency preparedeness and response modules. The resource persons were then attached to local NGOs for 6-8 months to train the NGO staff, partners and target beneficiary communities on community managed disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response interventions.
To inform the next steps, and design a more comprehensive capacity Building pragramme, Oxfam Novib conducted a review meeting for EPARA trained partners especially those who have had the chance to apply the CMDRR module in november 2009. The resource persons who were involved in training the partners’ organizations were also invited to take part in the review. The two days meeting was very fruitfull and the particpants came up with clear recommendations on how the new humanitrian capacity building should be designed.

2.0 Brief description of the Humanitarian capacity Building project

The humanitarian capacity building project aims to enhance the resilience of communities to shocks as well as to increase community participation, awareness and involvement in preparedness, mitigation and response interventions. It focuses on the following areas;-.
1.Community managed Disaster risk Reduction,
2.Security risk analysis and sensitive programming.
3.Humanitarian monitoring, accountability and financial management.
4.Sphere minimum standards.

This multiple approach will ensure that the capacity building naturally builds into ongoing programmes rather than have a stand alone humanitarian capacity building programmes. For the same reason, the number of local NGOs selected to participate will be those with whom Oxfam has ongoing interventions with, this will reduce the possibility of memory loss and will ensure that Oxfam and the partners build a knowledge base on capacity building that is informed by both practice and theory. It also ensures there is in place a mechanism for follow up of the training action plan.
The Humanitarian capacity building is meant to create structured framework, holistic and active involvement of partners and communities. At the second stage of the training for the partners, Oxfam Novib is planning to Conduct 5 day refresher trainings for fifteen selected partners on Sphere and HAP standards with a special focus on key project interventions i.e. Water and Sanitation, Nutrition, emergency livelihoods and Gender. This focuses on the technical capacity aspects to deliver quality response interventions including Sphere and HAP standards.
3.0Objective of the Sphere minimum standard training

The objective of this training is to provide the partners with the skills, knowledge and ability to design, implement, monitor and report on quality of humanitarian programs and which meet international and Oxfam standards..

4.0Task

- Ascertain/carry out a “quick dirty” assessment on the level of partner knowledge and awareness of the sphere minimum standards.
- Familiarise Oxfam humanitarian quality standards in relation the sphere minimum standards.
- In consultation with Oxfam Novib, design a detailed training plan that is also tailored to the reality and needs of Somalia.
- Conduct training on application of the Sphere training modules and technical chapters of the Sphere Handbook and HAP standards , tailoring the needs to the specific project that are implemented by Oxfam Novib and partners i.e. Livelihood, WASH, Nutrition and Gender/protection programs.
- The facilitator should be able to determine creative ways the organizations can use the sphere handbook to increase community based monitoring and evaluation of emergency programmes.
- Conduct session’s gender mainstreaming in emergency response. The sessions on mainstreaming will address such issues as: the necessary elements and effective strategies to adapt in the priority sectors in this case, Water and sanitation, emergency livelihoods, nutrition and food security, gender components etc.
- Develop training manual for the participants
- Prepare a training report including a follow up plan.

4.0Methodology
The consultant will be required to come up with proposal on how she/he intends to conduct the training. This proposal will include summary of contents of the trainings and proposed methodologies. The methodologies must be friendly to adult learning, participatory and should simulate further inquiry on the part of the participants i.e. should seek to draw from the experiences of the participants rather than just imparting information.

5.0Key deliverables

- At the end of the training, the participants should be able to understand better and apply the technical concept of responding to emergencies using the sphere and HAP standards to the context of Somalia.
- The participants should be able to facilitate a simulation exercise in the event of an emergency
- Develop a clear post-training action plan and follow up.
- A detailed report of the training, based on actual training contents as well as clearly capturing discussions from the participants with recommendations.
- Any other as may be agreed with Oxfam Novib provided it is consistent with the objectives of the training.

Reporting Requirements

The Oxfam Novib Representative for Humanitarian Planning will provide broad oversight to the assignment while the Emergency monitoring and the capacity building officer will manage the contract and coordinate the assignment. In this case, she is the immediate contact point for the consultant.

6.0Work plan and time Frame
The time frame for this consultancy will be eleven days beginning on 18th November and ending not later than 28th November 2010, distributed as per the table below:

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Workshop preparation, document review
NO. OF DAYS 2
Actual workshop
NO. OF DAYS 5
Report preparation and dispatch to Nairobi
NO. OF DAYS 2
Travel to and from workshop venue
NO. OF DAYS 2
Total number of days 11

7.0OXFAM NOVIB’S Responsibility
- Oxfam Novib agrees to pay a consultancy fee, as specified in a consultancy contract to be drawn up shortly.
- Oxfam Novib will cater for the consultancy firm’s transport cost to and from Somaliland in relation to the assignment and terms and conditions set out in the detailed contract that forms part of the TOR
- Oxfam Novib programme Officer responsible for capacity Building will Coo facilitate the training
- Oxfam Novib will ensure all selected partners attend the training

8.0Consultancy firm
- Facilitate the training
- Conduct a quick organizational assessment of the organizations trained
- Tailor the sphere and HAP standard to the needs of Somalia and ensure the participants understanding of the technical aspect and how they will apply in responding to emergency.
- The consultancy firm will provide Oxfam Novib with a comprehensive plan for reporting
- The consultancy firm will carry out the tasks and specific activities outlined in this TOR to deliver the specific expected output professionally, responsibly and sensitively. The consultancy firm will be responsible for the final production and submission of training report.
- Develop the training manual/plan and share with Oxfam Novib for comments
- Develop the agenda and the programme of the training

9.0Requirements
Consultant/ consultancy firm should be:
- Able and willing to travel to Somaliland where the training will be conducted;
- in field operations in response to disasters or in humanitarian assistance
- Proven track record in application of humanitarian standards (SPHERE, HAP, Do no Harm and others) in emergencies and especially in WASH, Nutrition, livelihoods, gender etc.
- Has extensive knowledge of Somalia/land (politics, culture, religion, preferably language);
- Has specific and tangible track record and knowledge and experience in humanitarian capacity building preferably in Somalia or similar context.;
- Is familiar with Oxfam Novib’s partner approach and has a good feel for working with local partner organizations
- Strength and experience in PCM including design and evaluation of humanitarian programs.

CONDITIONS
The work has to be completed within the set time frame. Oxfam Novib will make the payment to the consultant firm according to the following modalities: 40% upon signing of contract, 60% upon receipt and approval of a satisfactory report. The consultant is requested to give an indication of the daily consultancy fee for one consultant on the basis of which a negotiation and contract shall be drawn.

If sent by post or delivered by hand, the top Right-hand side of the envelope must be clearly marked "HUMANITARIAN 041110”
Oxfam Novib is an equal-opportunity employer. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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