Background
UNDP Drylands Development Centre (DDC) is currently implementing the Building Drought Resilient Dryland Communities in the Horn of Africa (HoA) Project (hereafter the project) with the financial support from the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department of the European Commission (ECHO) under the framework of ECHO’s 2012 Drought Risk Reduction Action Plan (DRRAP). The overall objective of the project is to reduce drought disaster risks and improve human livelihoods in the drought-prone communities in the HoA by establishing an integrated enabling DRR planning and programming framework at national and regional levels in the region, effectively promoting local resilience building and vulnerability reduction. In particular it focuses on quantifying the results of development and humanitarian interventions for drought in the HoA region, inter alia Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
The project is designed around three interlinked components:
Development of a Quantitative Impact Assessment Methodology: This component focuses on developing a rigorous conceptual framework and standardized methodology, i.e. Community Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA), through which to identify and measure resilience characteristics at community level and examine the impact of community-based DRR and other interventions on local resilience building. To date, based on the extensive literature review, rounds of key resource persons' interviews, group discussions and the first pilot CoBRA field testing in Marsabit, Kenya, and Karamoja, Uganda, a draft CoBRA Conceptual Framework and Methodology has been developed (available for download at http://www.disasterriskreduction.net/drought-online/documents/detail/en/...). The methodology is required to be further trailed and rolled-out at scale both in the same areas for continuous monitoring (i.e., Marsabit for Kenya) and in the new locations (i.e., Turkana and Kajiado for Kenya) for further validation, verification and refining.
Capacity development to implement the CoBRA Methodology: This component aims at improving the capacity of local /national /regional disaster management institutions to plan, implement and monitor drought interventions against their contributions to long-term community resilience building, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. To date draft Implementation Guidelines for the CoBRA Methodology have been developed based on the results and lessons from the first pilot field testing in Kenya and Uganda. This guideline is expected to serve as the important reference document for practitioners and scholars who will participate in the future CoBRA field testing, by providing detailed procedures and instructions for the CoBRA application. Training sessions will be provided in the respective intervention countries prior to the field testing, which combine desktop exercise and field exercise.
Policy advocacy: This component intends to develop a policy brief based on the outputs and findings from the Result Areas 1 and 2 in support of the evidence-based advocacy efforts of the DRRAP partners in order to increase awareness of, and stimulate discussions among, a broad spectrum of DRR stakeholders on the roles and potentials of resilience-driven community DRR towards the achievement of the Governments' short-/long-term vulnerability reduction objectives as well as of broader sustainable development goals. The brief will address the issue of how to improve the policy, institutional and planning frameworks in the HoA to spur innovative and entrepreneurial capacities of drought-affected dryland communities so that they are better able to deliver higher and more sustainable results.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific Tasks of the Consultant
The Terms of Reference at hand is for a National Technical Specialist in Kenya, who will provide the facilitative and technical backstopping support in the pilot communities to ensure the effective and participatory implementation of the CoBRA methodology in the pilot communities. More specifically, under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and in close collaboration with the contracting Technical Experts (International Consultant), who have been developing the CoBRA methodology and associated implementation guidelines, and other DRRAP partners, the National Technical Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:
Gaining a full and comprehensive understanding of the CoBRA Conceptual Framework, Methodology and Implementation Guidelines so as to be able to explain, support and train local partners and organisations potentially or actually involved in undertaking a CoBRA assessment.
Work with the Technical Experts to organise and co-facilitate a CoBRA training workshop for technical staff of partner organisations identified to undertake CoBRA assessments as part of the expanded trialling stage of the methodology.
As part of the training workshop support the development of standard training of trainers tools and modules.
Provide full technical support to partner organisations identified to undertake a CoBRA implementation in each agreed location. Work with partners at every step of the CoBRA implementation process to ensure high quality assessments are completed that support the development and finalisation of the methodology and guidelines. Specific tasks will include supporting the partners to do the following: • Identify target areas / livelihood zones for assessment and the specific data sets to be used to establish baseline resilience • Prepare a detailed fieldwork plan and develop the sampling framework, resources required and available etc. • Identify high quality local facilitators to undertake data collection and train these teams. • Support the appropriate selection of individuals to participate in key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). • Supervise and (where necessary) co-facilitate data collection processes (KIIs and FGDs) to ensure a high quality of data collection and recording is attained. • In close consultation with the Technical Experts, suggest (and where agreed) modify data collection, recording or other processes to improve assessment findings and/ or overall methodology. • Ensure field data reporting tools are entered into the appropriate excel and word reporting templates correctly and to a high standard of accuracy. • Support initial analysis of field data using the implementation guidance. Work with partners and International Consultants to develop an assessment report following the standard format and summary score card document.
• Support partners to disseminate findings locally and inform and support wider resilience building strategies or efforts.
• Provide follow up assistance in the target locations after the field testing in support of continuous monitoring.
Use field work experience and findings to recommend further improvement / modification of the CoBRA methodology, implementation guidelines and data collection, analysis and training tools.
Support UNDP in the dissemination and advocacy of the expanded field testing process and findings as required.
Deliverables/Outputs
The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables and outputs:
Satisfactory submission of the CoBRA technical training workshop report;
Completion of 3 full CoBRA field assessments as evidenced by submission, in each location, of: • Detailed field plan and budget • Field team training brief • Full field data set as per sampling framework
Submission of follow up mission reports to the pilot CoBRA implementation communities; and
Completion of consolidated recommendations outlining any suggested modifications/ improvements to the CoBRA methodology and associated implementation tools.
Formats of the reports must comply with the UNDP requirements. The detailed outline of these documents shall be agreed upon the commencement of the assignment. All the draft documents shall be submitted in English by the Consultant to the UNDP-DDC for review and feedback.
Duration and Implementation Modalities of the Assignment
This consultancy is envisioned to be completed in 75 (seventy five) working days, spread over the period of 6 (six) months, starting on 20th May 2012. The position is Nairobi based however it is expected that the majority of assignment days will be in field based locations in Marsabit, Turkana and Kajiado. In each location, he/she is expected to lead/facilitate: 1) organization of technical training workshop and the full CoBRA implementation in early Q2-3 of 2013, and 2) presentation of the CoBRA assessment results and provision of necessary follow up support in late Q3-4 of 2013. It is proposed that the days are allocated as follows:
• Preparation and implementation of technical training workshop – 12 days • Supporting full CoBRA implementation, data reporting/analysis and follow up support in Marsabit, Turkana and Kajiado – 58 days (about 19-20 days per assessment & presentation/follow up support) • Recommendations report – 5 days
The proposed dates of the field testing exercises are as follows:
Locations CoBRA Field Testing Schedule Marsabit June 3 – 21 Turkana June 24 – July 12 Kajiado July 22 – August 10
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Project Manager housed by UNDP-DDC. The consultant will work closely with the Technical Experts contracted to lead the development of the CoBRA Conceptual Framework, Methodology and Implementation Guideline. All consultants will be bound by the terms and conditions of UNDP Procurement rules and guidelines. S/He will be briefed at the beginning of the assignment.
Competencies
• Prior experience conducting participatory research and analysis in the area of quantitative as well as qualitative impact assessment. • In depth knowledge and good understanding of resilience and DRR concepts and drought issues in general and on the HoA region, specifically. • Excellent quantitative research and analytical skills and interpersonal skills with strong cultural sensitivity and adaptability. • Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills. • Experience of developing and delivering training to teams to undertake field based impact assessment and research projects. • Experience of community mobilisation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods and livelihood analysis. • Ability to compile information in coherent and succinct formats. • High attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines. • IT competencies at least in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet.
Required Skills and Experience
The Consultant should have the following qualifications, skills and knowledge:
Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in rural or social development or similar with strong emphasis on monitoring, evaluation and research skills.
Experience: Minimum 5 (five) to 7 (seven) years of relevant post Master’s working experience. A substantial track record of carrying out high quality community based research using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including statistical analysis of data. Previous experience with the United Nations and/or other multilateral, bilateral organizations and international civil society development partners is considered an asset as is previous work in the area of resilience or disaster risk reduction.
Language: Excellent written, oral, presentation and communications skills in English with the ability to explain complex analysis and data in a clear and simple manner to non-native English speakers.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents/information to UNDP DDC by email at yuko.kurauchi@undp.org to demonstrate their qualifications:
Personal CV and at least 3 referencesCompleted Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor Assignment
