1. BACKGROUND
Mercy Corps is implementing a 3 year humanitarian capacity building project aimed at improving the capacity of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia in effectively preparing and responding to disasters through strengthening capacity, partnership, and coordination among the relevant implementing government agencies.
To this end, Mercy Corps-Ethiopia will be working closely with Humanitarian Coordination Unit (HCU) and Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) to develop disaster preparedness and response capacity assessment, which will enable HCU & DRMFSS to understand the current capacity against desired future in order to build human skills and societal infrastructures needed to reduce vulnerability and deliver response in a timely manner.
2. GENERAL OBJECTIVE
Mercy Corps intends to recruit a consultant to carry out capacity assessment of HCU and DRMFSS and related bureaus in order to strengthen humanitarian response aimed to deliver a more predictable and efficient response and recovery process.
2.1 Specific Objectives
The professional consultant will
- To develop a local humanitarian preparedness & response capacity assessments methodology and tools that fit the current Somali region of Ethiopia context and conduct training on using the methodology and tools.
- Assess the current organizational capacity and performance of the Somali region HCU, & DRMFSS, agriculture, education, water and health Bureaus in regards to leadership, strategy and planning, accountability and predictability in all aspect of humanitarian response.
- Assess the current level of coordination, partnership and internal resources of the Somali region HCU, agriculture, education, water and health Bureaus and DRMFSS in light of operationalizing their policy, strategy, and processes
- Recommend and where necessary prepare all forms, procedures, performance standards, checklists, guidelines, etc. (i.e., a tool kit) in a manner which assures ease of use by HUC, agriculture, education, water and health Bureaus and DRMFSS and which items are also understandable and accepted by other users.
- Provide contextual recommendation on better ways to improve humanitarian coordination and leadership placing emphasis on strategic leadership and coordination at inter-sectoral (within bureau), sectoral levels (between bureaus), and among civil societies. While clearly identifying the roles and responsibilities of beneficiary communities and CBOs, the assessment should be able to make it explicit the fundamental assumption that disaster affected people are central to humanitarian work.
- Recommend trainining for PCM & other humanitarian actors- the training methodology suggested can be broad-based, howvever, empahsise should be placed on participatory learning- 'learning by doing together' such as field reviews, exchange programmes etc.
3. Tasks
All work should be done in consultation / coordination with HCU and DRMFSS staff, recognizing that the over-riding objectives of the consultancy are to create ownership of the designed system by HCU & DRMFSS management and staff and to facilitate the smooth integration of the designed system into the work of the institution. The consultant will complete the following tasks:
- Develop an understanding of the current situation
- Review existing studies, project reports and other documents available in order to obtain a good understanding of the current situation of humanitarian response (preparedness, response) and inter bureau as well as interagency relations in Somali region of Ethiopia.
- Design capacity assessment methodology and tools encompassing organizational and individual levels. The method(s) and tools should be able to provide systematic analysis of what key capacities exist and what additional capacities may be required to reach the desired outcome.
- Develop an approach that provides a framework for the drafting of a checklist that will help implementers identify what capacity is in place, and identify key requirements for pilot implementation.
- Conduct on-site field assessments of the capacity of selected bureaus, & community structures to generate the required data.
- Assess material resources, existing capacities, operational plans and procedures as well as coordination and communication system at every level in order to identify gaps and capacity building needs and to plan accordingly.
- While consultant is tasked on finding ‘missing’ capacity, its paramount important for the assessment to recognize, safeguard and build on existing capacities.
- In consultation with HCU & DRMFSS agriculture, education, water and health Bureaus and NGOs include activities to analyze response to previous disasters and lessons learnt incorporated to future capacity building strategies.
- Meet with humanitarian stakeholders to have a thorough understanding of humanitarian response in order to come up with contextual, iterative and flexible for ‘good fit’ capacity assessment findings.
- Ownership is critical- the process should be consultative and reflect the realities of the context and capacity of the regional government.
Present the findings of the capacity assessment to HCU, DRMFSS, Mercy Corps and DFID Ethiopia and the Dutch.
- Assess the current capacity of the regional government in project cycle management and existing practices. More specifically the consultant is expected to focus on capacities and existing practices related to:
a) Project identification and proposal development
b) Project appraisal
c) Monitoring
d) Review
e) Evaluation and
- Prepare an implementation plan and schedule, assigning responsibilities to HCU, DRMFSS staff based on guidance from the Head of HCU & DRMFSS.
1. Develop an implementation plan and schedule to integrate the proposed capacity assessment gaps with other management systems and procedures. The plan will include a tool kit of recommended capacity gaps including trainings, forms ( for example, self assessment tools and use of IT) and procedures as well as a proposed approach and schedule for future capacity building & monitoring (including the frequency of monitoring based on identified priorities),
2. Present recommendation on ways to improved humanitarian coordination, timely response, accountability and strategic leadership.
3. Develop procedures and approach to embrace ‘all year’ disaster risk reduction programming works at different levels in reducing vulnerability to major threats, enhance the capacity of the government and other stakeholders to respond to crises, strengthens the capacity of the rural poor to respond to disasters, and promotes a broad range of livelihood security in disaster prone areas.
- Prepare detailed operating manuals for the capacity needs and gaps and turn these over to HCU and Mercy Corps.
4. DELIVERABLES
- An inception report with completed capacity assessment tools and methodologies for conducting the assessment
- An implementation plan and schedule for the roll out of the proposed capacity building of the regional government.
4. Other recommendations as may be useful, including guidance on how to integrate the proposed capacity building with the planned computerized data base management system.
5. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
The consultant should reflect both academic qualifications and actual experience.
Public sector experience, either in Ethiopia, Horn of Africa or on the African continent, is required. Clear evidence of successful past performance, supported by references and recommendation from prior clients, is expected. Among the skills sought are:
Þ Hands-on practical, proven international experience in local government capacity assessment in transition and developing countries, including development of related tools in Africa.
Þ Experience in humanitarian response and Disaster risk reduction
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced degree in public administration, disaster management, social/political studies, development studies or related field.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in institutional development, governance, public administration reform, intergovernmental relations, decentralization, human resource development, or related field.
- Previous working experience and knowledge of Somali Region of Ethiopia will be an strong asset
- Working experience in humanitarian sector and response will be highly advantageous
Language:
- Fluency in English and knowledge of Somali is desired
6. COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION OF PROJECT
The total duration of the assignment is expected to last a maximum of 40 calendar days starting from 6th June 2011.
7)MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
- The consultant will be guided, managed and technically advised HCU, DRMFSS, and Mercy Corps
- The consultant is technically and administratively fully accountable to HCU, DRMFSS, and Mercy Corps
8. Payment
Terms and payment schedules to be discussed with the selected consultants. Bidders should present a full profile of their previous work as well as a complete budget breakdown for the mentioned work upon submission of their proposal.
Submission Due Date
All submissions to be turned into below address by June 8st 2011
Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo....
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
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