Showing posts with label Assessment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Assessment. Show all posts
Nov 21, 2014
Oct 29, 2014
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Assessment of Implementation of the SNC “Guidelines for Risk Management & Accountability for NGOs operating in Somalia/Somaliland” (October 2014)
BACKGROUND:
NGO Consortium members have provided humanitarian and development assistance to communities in all regions of Somalia and Somaliland for decades. The operating environment in Somalia is highly challenging and complex, due to continuing conflict, lack of, weak or contested governance, high levels of criminality, and restricted humanitarian access to populations in need. For a long time, NGOs have encountered both security and operational challenges to their engagement in Somalia and yet have maintained their role of addressing the persistent needs of the communities they work with. In many areas, International NGOs have and continue to deliver assistance through their national partners or have resorted to remote management or third party monitoring of interventions.
NGO interventions have however been met with evidence of fraud, aid diversion and insufficient levels of accountability. This has put in question the levels of accountability that NGOs have to the vulnerable communities that they target in interventions and to their donors in terms of application of effective and efficient risk mitigation mechanisms. With the incremental improvements in access in parts of South Central Somalia over the last year as well as relative improvements in structures and systems for NGO engagement, focus on effective and accountable aid delivery in Somalia is increasing further. Many NGOs have invested significant resources including capacity into strengthening their internal risk management and accountability practices. This has not always been effectively communicated externally. Nor have many NGOs shared information with one another in an effort to approach the issue collectively.
In June 2014 the SNC commissioned a study on NGO approaches to risk management and accountability best practice in Somalia. As a result, members of the Consortium developed and endorsed the “Guidelines (Code of Conduct) for RMA practises for NGOs operating in Somalia / Somaliland”. They also committed to undertaking an assessment of the implementation of the risk management guidelines, with an objective to build momentum towards strengthening risk management approaches and fully implementing and striving towards best practice.
Definition of ‘risk’:
Programme implementation / project activities by necessity take place in ‘high-risk’ contexts; Somalia is a particularly acute example as it is affected by protracted armed conflict, recurring natural disasters and poor local governance. Risk can be understood as the possibility of ‘future harm’.Risk is broader than the possibility of aid being diverted before it reaches the designated beneficiaries, though this is evidently a central concern in South and Central Somalia. Risk is commonly categorised into three inter-connected types:
Contextual:factors which are external and often outside of humanitarians’ control;Programmatic:the risk of not meeting programme objectives, not meeting needs and potentially doing harm;Organisational:consequences for the security and safety of staff and for organisations’ reputations.DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Objective:
The objective of this assessment is to map out and conduct an evidence based analysis of current NGO implementation of the aforementioned “Guidelines” at all levels of program implementation in Somalia. The goal of this initiative is to identify the effectiveness of the risk systems put in place by agencies and to build momentum to strengthen risk management approaches. This will allow Consortium members to not only promote accountability and transparency but also report on steps taken towards mitigating risk. Ultimately the aim is to improve the quality and effectiveness of risk management practice by agencies through increased accountability.
The commissioned assessment will assess evidence for:
1) implementation of the guidelines,
It will provide recommendations on:
2) good practices identified and / or instituted following lessons learnt through positive and negative implementation of practical risk mitigation;
3) a review and possible revision of the risk management guidelines.
The scope of the assessment will extend to agencies’ risk assessment steps / procedures, tools used and structures put in place to guide risk mitigation before programme interventions, as well as checks during programming and actions taken (if any) to manage incidents.
The overall assignment will be consultative and will make use of a mixture of qualitative methods of data collection, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and workshops.
Activities to be carried out:
1) Preparatory work and desk review - 2 days
Initial desk review of process and documents leading up to the formulation and endorsement of the “Guidelines on risk mitigation for NGOs working in Somalia/Somaliland” and “Code of conduct and risk management”.Outline of planned report format, based on challenges and best practices as experienced by the agencies.Review of assessment methodology.Review of external approaches to risk mitigation monitoring.2) Interviews and study of internal agency documents - 10 days
Interviews with signed up NGOs to identify specific examples where the “implementation of the risk guidelines” are being met (a core target group of the 27 NGOs that have endorsed the guidelines) and tools usedInterview with CHF to see how this aligns with the CHF specific RMA approaches3) Report / Tool consolidation and write up - 3 days.
4) Develop/design and implement training on RMA structures and revision of Consortium risk management guidelines – 5 days.
Deliverables / Output:
A report on risk mitigation good practices as experienced by agencies operating in Somalia (what is viable -v- what is not). This report will detail progress against each of the 6 Code of Conduct areas without detailing individual agencies’ responses. Gaps will be identified and recommendations of where agencies should focus their effortsRevised draft risk management guidelines.Capacity Assessment Guide / Tool that can be used as a point of reference and check list by agencies operating in Somalia.Proposed benchmarks on implementation of the guidelines (where agencies are now and where they would ideally like to be in the future)Training plan on implementation and use of the capacity assessment guide / tool and at least one training executed with key stakeholders (SNC will support organisation of the event).REQUIREMENTS
Good understanding of Somalia (including power dynamics) and the operating conditions for NGOs providing assistance in SomaliaFamiliarity with Somalia NGO ConsortiumProven experience undertaking strategic evaluationsGood written and spoken English. Knowledge of Somali would be of added benefit.Please send to the Consortium director: director@somaliangoconsortium.org and in copy info@somaliangoconsortum.org by COB 4th November 2014
Cover letter on personal interest in evaluation and understanding of the ConsortiumMethodology and timetable for undertaking consultancyResumeStrategy paper/evaluation completed1 referenceThis post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.
Mar 18, 2013
Background:
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an international conservation organization working in nine Heartlands across the African continent. Through AWF’s Conservation Enterprise program, the organization has been supporting the development and management of conservation enterprises across its area of operation through various capacity building programs. AWF’s Conservation Enterprise strategy demonstrates that local communities can undertake business ventures that support both their livelihoods and wildlife conservation.
AWF is currently implementing the Integrated Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Use for Human and Economic Benefit program, in Kenya. One of the objectives under this program is to “Assess, (re-)direct and support selected socio-economic and financial drivers, tools and mechanisms for development of sustainable livelihoods and landscapes”. This will enhance and support AWF work on sustainable livelihoods and conservation enterprises in Kenya. A consultant is needed to assess land/water use and distribution, and sustainability of intensive crop agriculture in selected sites with analysis to feed back into improved management.
Project Description:
AWF intends to increase its involvement in agriculture through selected partnerships in order to both reduce encroachment of crop production into important wildlife areas and create incentives for sustainable practices and conservation. Agriculture, and especially crop production, is one of the major threats facing conservation today through land conversion.
In Kenya, AWF works predominantly in dry areas, where access to water has the potential to engender immense conflict between people, and between wildlife and humans. Currently AWF is finalising an ‘Agriculture Strategy’ to guide its intervention in the agricultural sector in general and use it to promote an integrated approach towards overall economic and environmental sustainability. The aim is to intensify sustainable agriculture in appropriate locations, improve food security, and reduce human wildlife conflict and habitat conversion in Heartlands. The main approach will be to work through land use planning and establish zones where agriculture is a feasible activity and not in conflict with important conservation areas, to get these plans formalized, and work with communities to increase productivity per unit area in order to reduce conversion of marginal lands to crop production.
This consultancy will provide a foundation analysis on land and water use in selected areas, and the potential sustainability of intensive crop agriculture, with appropriate recommendations that will feed back into improved management.
Objective:
Focusing on key geographic areas of the program (identified in close consultation with AWF field staff), the consultant will perform an in-depth analysis of land and water use in the areas. Subsequent to the land and water use analysis, the consultant will review the impacts of intensive crop agriculture in selected areas (or forecast the potential impacts) and assess viability and sustainability of such agriculture methods in terms of environmental and financial metrics. A final report will include feedback based on the previous analysis that can be used to further improve the management of the interface between community agriculture needs and protected areas. Potential implementation models will be developed.
Scope of Work:
The consultant will work closely with AWF staff to:
1. Assess sources of and availability of water, its distribution, use, economic returns and sources of conflicts if any in its use.
2. Review land sizes, tenure systems and use, economic returns and sources of conflicts if any in the use of land.
3. Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of land and water use and how this can be enhanced for improved livelihoods, agriculture and conservation.
4. Review past and present initiatives on sustainable intensive crop agriculture in Kenya and assess its major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
5. Determine whether intensive crop agriculture is the most appropriate model for achieving the desired, long term conservation outcomes and farmer financial returns
6. Identify potential value chains for sustainable intensive crop agriculture that, when supported, can lead to significant gains for livelihoods and conservation.
7. Outline and analyse major stakeholders and their role including potential partnerships that can be pursued.
8. Provide an implementation framework for land and water use and sustainable intensive crop agriculture.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables:
The Consultant will produce the following:
1. An assessment of land and water use in the identified areas
2. An assessment of intensive crop agriculture in the identified areas (if currently implemented) including the potential impacts of any intensive agriculture, and an analysis of the viability and sustainability of the methodology
3. An implementation framework for land and water use and key partners to be involved with clear links to conservation.
4. Recommended approaches and an implementation framework for sustainable intensive crop agriculture with projected budgets for implementation with clear links to conservation.
5. Other recommendations and action plans derived from the assessment.
Required Qualifications and Experiences:
i. A Masters level degree qualification in agriculture, agribusiness, agronomy or related and relevant field with at least 5 years’ working experience in the agribusiness and conservation sectors.
ii. Considerable consultancy experience in agricultural research and development in the targeted conservation areas, including previous experience with intensive crop cultivation
iii. Knowledge and understanding of conservation and its relation to agriculture.
iv. Excellent interpersonal skills
v. Excellent communication skills, including business writing skills in English
Requirements to the Proposal:
The proposal, to be submitted in English, shall include:
- A technical section including
0 A short description of deliverables (what, how and when),
0 A clear work plan with timeline and the proposed methodology, which shall incorporate a full justification for procedures to be adopted, and
0 CVs/Profile or details of the firm or individuals including experience relevant to this assignment;
0 At least three referees for similar or related work done
- A financial section including
0 all fees for this assignment (this should indicate man-days and VAT)
0 all support costs for the assignment
- VAT Certificate and PIN Certificate(s) as appropriate.
AWF’s Responsibility:
AWF is viewing this consultancy as a “fee for deliverable” consultancy, in which AWF shall pay a fixed fee for the outputs identified above. The consultancy fee indicated in the proposal should cover all costs related to the completion of this consultancy, including all travel costs and supplies. AWF assumes that any consultant or firm submitting a proposal has the requisite approvals to work in country. AWF shall provide access to relevant project materials necessary for purposes of the assignment.Proposals should be submitted electronically to: Carlo Chege Program Manager, Conservation Enterprise African Wildlife Foundation Email: cchege@awfke.org
Mar 11, 2013
Expression of Interest (EOI)
3. The application of skills acquired by short course trainees
The University of Nairobi (UoN) in collaboration with the University of Washington (UW) has been supporting the Kenyan National HIV response by strengthening program capacity through a fellowship training program. The UoN in collaboration with UW through the Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) established the UNITID FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM in 2008 funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The training focuses in three tracks:
1) HIV Science, Epidemiology and Program Management
3) Health Economics
and second year fellows receive classroom training on specific tracks in small groups of 3-5 fellows specializing in the same track. The training involves group discussions, site visits to selected implementation sites and assignments. This provides basic theoretical grounding of all fellows in the 3 track areas and advanced theoretical knowledge for fellows in their track of specialization.
3. The application of skills acquired by short course trainees
a) What are the areas of weakness and strength in the program?
b) What are the priority strategic next steps in development of the program?
c) What should our “metrics” of success be?
d) In what ways can the program address the capacity building needs for HIV Programs?
e) What sustainability measures can be put in place?
The University of Nairobi in collaboration with the University of Washington has been supporting the Kenyan National HIV response through the UNITID FELLOWSHIP training program; the program is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The University of Nairobi wishes to invite expression of interest for consultants to conduct external term review of the UNITID fellowship program and give recommendations on the following:1. Appropriateness of trainees being selected for the fellowship and short course trainings
3. The application of skills acquired by short course trainees
The consultants should
Be independent with no prior involvement in the program,Have proven experience in conducting evaluations of public Health programs,Be familiar with capacity building needs in public health especially in HIV/AIDS,Have experience in conducting and evaluating adult training programsHave good communication, analytical and report writing skillsThe eligible firms should satisfy the following minimum conditions:Certification of IncorporationTrading licenseCompany Profile and qualification of key managers, consultants and directors.Previous Consultancy work with comparable institutions.Audited accounts for the last 3 years.Three major Clients in the last 3 years.VAT complianceCompany brochures.The Expression of Interest (EOI) documents in plain sealed envelopes marked “Expression of Interest for External Outcome Evaluation of the UNITID Fellowship Program’ should be hand delivered to:The Principal Investigator – Prof. James Kiarie
UNITID Fellowship Program
c/o University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases
KNH grounds
P O Box 30197-00100
The expression of interest (EOI) Documents Must be hand delivered on or before March 22nd 2013.
The UNITID Fellowship Program reserves the right to reject EOI in whole or in part.
Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification--------------------------------------------
Term External Review for UNITID Fellowship Training ProgramTerms of Reference
The University of Nairobi (UoN) in collaboration with the University of Washington (UW) has been supporting the Kenyan National HIV response by strengthening program capacity through a fellowship training program. The UoN in collaboration with UW through the Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) established the UNITID FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM in 2008 funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The training focuses in three tracks:
1) HIV Science, Epidemiology and Program Management
3) Health Economics
There are 2 main forms of the training offered by the program
a. Short courses: Health care providers of various cadres are trained in courses which run for five to ten days. The courses provide trainees with specific skills that they can apply in day to day management of HIV care and prevention programs.
b. Fellowship training: This is a two year full time skills based training that equips trainees with broad skills required to manage large HIV programs. The training has several components
a. Didactic in class training: For 2 months in the first year all fellows receive classroom training on core courses in the University of Nairobi Campus.
This training is by UNITID faculty and invited resource persons. For 4 months spread through the firstand second year fellows receive classroom training on specific tracks in small groups of 3-5 fellows specializing in the same track. The training involves group discussions, site visits to selected implementation sites and assignments. This provides basic theoretical grounding of all fellows in the 3 track areas and advanced theoretical knowledge for fellows in their track of specialization.
b. Didactic web cast training: For 2 hours every week for 30 weeks fellows receive webcast lectures from the University of Washington faculty. This training involves extensive pre class reading and assignments. This enhances the basic theoretical grounding of all fellows in the 3 track areas
c. Attachment in host institutions: Fellows are posted to selected host institutions where they participate in activities of the host institution. While at the Host institution they are given mentors who mentor to help them learn from the host institution and a University supervisor to ensure that the hosting facilitates learning.
d. Project: In the 2nd year of training fellows carry out a funded project to build capacity of the host institution, gain experience in project implementation and apply concepts that they have been trained in. The project is developed by the fellow in consultation with their supervisor in UNITID and their mentor at the host institution.
Purpose of the Review
Specifically the external review will evaluate whether:
1. Appropriateness of trainees being selected for the fellowship and short course trainings
3. The application of skills acquired by short course trainees
Key Questions to be answered
a) What are the areas of weakness and strength in the program?
b) What are the priority strategic next steps in development of the program?
c) What should our “metrics” of success be?
d) In what ways can the program address the capacity building needs for HIV Programs?
e) What sustainability measures can be put in place?
Methodology
(i) Executive Summary
Expression of Interest (EOI)
1) HIV Science, Epidemiology and Program Management
3) Health Economics
c) What should our “metrics” of success be?
d) In what ways can the program address the capacity building needs for HIV Programs?
e) What sustainability measures can be put in place?
The University of Nairobi in collaboration with the University of Washington has been supporting the Kenyan National HIV response through the UNITID FELLOWSHIP training program; the program is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The University of Nairobi wishes to invite expression of interest for consultants to conduct external review of the UNITID fellowship program and give recommendations on the following:1. The feasibility of Fellows projects and relevance to the needs of host institutions
The Consultants should
Be independent with no prior involvement in the program,Have proven experience in conducting evaluations of public Health programs,Be familiar with capacity building needs in public health especially in HIV/AIDS,Have experience in conducting and evaluating adult training programsHave good communication, analytical and report writing skillsThe eligible firms should satisfy the following minimum conditions:Certification of IncorporationTrading licenseCompany Profile and qualification of key managers, consultants and directors.Previous Consultancy work with comparable institutions.Audited accounts for the last 3 years.Three major Clients in the last 3 years.VAT complianceCompany brochures.The Expression of Interest (EOI) documents in plain sealed envelopes marked “Expression of Interest for External Outcome Evaluation of the UNITID Fellowship Program’ should be hand delivered to:The Principal Investigator – Prof. James Kiarie
UNITID Fellowship Program
c/o University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases
KNH grounds
P O Box 30197-00100
The expression of interest (EOI) Documents Must be hand delivered on or before March 22nd 2013
The UNITID Fellowship Program reserves the right to reject EOI in whole or in part.
Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualificationExternal Review for UNITID Fellowship Training ProgramTerms of Reference
Background
1) HIV Science, Epidemiology and Program Management
3) Health Economics
There are 2 main forms of the training offered by the program
a. Short courses: Health care providers of various cadres are trained in courses which run for five to ten days. The courses provide trainees with specific skills that they can apply in day to day management of HIV care and prevention programs.
b. Fellowship training: This is a two year full time skills based training that equips trainees with broad skills required to manage large HIV programs. The training has several components
a. Didactic in class training: For 2 months in the first year all fellows receive classroom training on core courses in the University of Nairobi Campus. This training is by
UNITID faculty and invited resource persons. For 4 months spread through the first and second year fellows receive classroom training on specific tracks in small groups of 3-5 fellows specializing in the same track. The training involves group discussions, site visits to selected implementation sites and assignments. This provides basic theoretical grounding of all fellows in the 3 track areas and advanced theoretical knowledge for fellows in their track of specialization.
b. Didactic web cast training: For 2 hours every week for 30 weeks fellows receive webcast lectures from the University of Washington faculty. This training involves extensive pre class reading and assignments. This enhances the basic theoretical rounding of all fellows in the 3 track areas
c. Attachment in host institutions: Fellows are posted to selected host institutions where they participate in activities of the host institution. While at the Host institution they are given mentors who mentor to help them learn from the host institution and a University supervisor to ensure that the hosting facilitates learning.
d. Project: In the 2nd year of training fellows carry out a funded project to build capacity of the host institution, gain experience in project implementation and apply concepts that they have been trained in. The project is developed by the fellow in consultation with their supervisor in UNITID and their mentor at the host institution.
Purpose of the Review
Specifically the external review will evaluate whether:
1. Fellows projects feasible and relevant to needs of host institution
Key Questions to be answered
a) What are the areas of weakness and strength in the program?
c) What should our “metrics” of success be?
d) In what ways can the program address the capacity building needs for HIV Programs?
e) What sustainability measures can be put in place?
Methodology
(I) Executive Summary
