CONSULTANT – ASSESSMENT ON PROJECT DESIGN AND VIABILITY ‘COMMUNITY DRIVEN RECOVERY AND SAFETY’ PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT

DRC DDG South Sudan is looking for a Consultant to undertake the following consultancy from 8th January 2018 to 28th February 2018.

1.CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT 

The CDRS project is based on the shared experience of DRC/DDG implementing community-driven recovery, development, safety and conflict management programming in different parts of the world which have or are recovering from conflict. CDRS employs different DRC programming sectors in the following areas:

• Protection
• Food Security and Livelihoods
• Shelter (specifically infrastructure construction)
• Armed Violence Reduction
• Mine action (in contaminated areas)

Given the potential for needs to be identified outside of DRC South Sudan’s remit within the context of CDRS programming, referrals to other agencies (eg. for Education, Health and WASH services) may also be required.

The overall aim of CDRS in South Sudan is to encourage bottom-up resilience by strengthening social justice, through improved community level governance mechanisms and enhanced, more equitable  access to employment opportunities, social services and security for conflict affected populations. In order to achieve this intended impact, five project outcomes are identified as contributing factors:  

• Community empowerment: Communities in appointed locations are better equipped to take control over and freely exercise their right to decide on the design, implementation and evaluation of their own development and safety plans 

  Conflict prevention and management: Traditional systems with additional community involvement are able to identify and address underlying causes of conflict and to manage potential conflicts in a peaceful manner. 

• Access to socio-economic services: Improved, more equitable access to social and economic infrastructures, basic services, and livelihoods opportunities for communities in appointed locations.

• Access to security and justice services: Improved, more equitable access to security and justice provision, including from traditional and state providers as appropriate, in a manner that adequately reflects both local and international standards regarding Rule of Law.

• Personal safety: Improved community safety through promotion of safe personal behaviours and removal of hazards such as mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), where relevant.

CDRS Theory of Change 

A CDRS project is built on the premise that it is critical to support the informal and formal systems of governance and strengthen citizen engagement to enhance community safety, strengthen the provision of services, and enhance livelihood opportunities in order to improve the quality of life in conflict affected areas. Given the protracted and volatile nature of crises within the South Sudan context, in the medium-term this working logic will be applied to strengthen resilience, as opposed to achieving fully-fledged development. Special emphasis will be placed on enabling communities to manage and respond to new crises as they arise, working towards a long-term reduction in dependence on provision of services and goods by humanitarian agencies.

The Theory of Change for the CDRS project postulates that IF:

• Members of each community are empowered to decide on the design, implementation and evaluation of their own recovery and safety projects. 
• Members of each community benefit from a safe environment. 
• Members of each community have equitable access to social and economic infrastructure and services, as well as access to justice and security. 
• Members of each community and their representatives are better able to manage conflict and tensions peacefully.  
• Members of each community have access to jobs and employment opportunities. 
• Local governance structures are strengthened to become more responsive to recovery and safety needs of all members of all communities, then each community will experience stability.
• Then more stable communities in South Sudan will contribute to overall reductions in instability across the country.  

DRC/DDG’s strategy for CDRS is guided by the assumption that it is critical to support the informal and formal systems of governance within this programming model. This is in keeping with a context where the relationship between communities and the government has been jeopardized by several factors, and where the government has often been unable to provide services to its citizens. In such cases, given this situation, delivery of services requires greater community participation than usual, whilst working to strengthen community interactions with local government institutions, both formal and informal.

CDRS APPROACH 

The CDRS approach encompasses the following key elements:  

Community Safety and Recovery Plans 

Through the community planning process, communities

• Articulate their self-perception and future vision,
• Prioritize their needs and develop an action plan (called Community Safety and Recovery Plans - CSRPs) to work towards their vision,
• Organise into a decision-making body (or refine an existing one, to ensure it represents all segments of the community),
• Analyse their own resources and mobilise external resources,
• Manage resources to carry out their projects and ensure quality and accountability. 

The implementation of the CSRPs usually takes place through four different processes:  

• Community safety related activities (delivered by DDG)
• Conflict prevention and management activities; 
• Livelihood interventions 
• Community micro-granting schemes

In Maban and Ajuong Thok, access to justice remains an important programming component to be included for these locations, given their importance in promoting equitable access to services and peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT  

This assessment has three main objectives:  

• To determine the viability of effective CDRS in Maban / Ajuong Thok, and appropriate theory(ies) of change for the local context
• To examine modalities and resources required for efficient cross-sectoral cooperation within DRC  and propose a suitable project management structure.
• To unpack the concepts and assumptions underlying community engagement  for the CDRS methodology, and advise on how to best mobilise community engagement

3. METHODOLOGY  

The assessment should use qualitative methodologies to examine the viability of the CDRS activities in the appointed locations.   To be developed by the consultant/consultancy firm, the methodology applied should seek to understand in more detail what elements come together to make project activities successful and what elements may hinder project’s success.

The Consultant/Consultancy firm is expected to provide a detailed description of the methodology that meets the requirements outlined above. 

In addition, the assessment methodology proposed should include a two-way interaction with beneficiaries that will entail a more systematic review of feedback received to identify and spot light on key lessons

 4.  ASSESSMENT THEMES   

Overall, the assessment seeks to identify an appropriate and sustainably viable CDRS project through informed qualitative data analysis and a final report presenting findings and recommendations. The following considerations will form the basis for this work:

i. Relevance/Appropriateness 

• Is the Theory of Change and its underlying assumptions appropriate, or does it need amending?
• What activities and sectors should DRC directly implement under CDRS? Should referrals to other agencies be considered?
• What could be priority needs for the CSRPs (as perceived by community members and authorities)? 

ii. Effectiveness  

• What should be the intended outcomes and impact for CDRS in the two locations?
• What additional human or material resources are required for an effective CDRS programme, including for cross-sectoral / integrated programming? What will be the added advantages, if any, are there with DRC and DDG collaboration/joint programming for the planned CDRS project?
• What are the foreseeable challenges of CDRS’s wide scope, including DRC cross-sector collaboration that could hinder the progress of the project? 

iv. Impact  

• What indicators can be used to measure the impact of a CDRS project?
• Based on assessment of the programmes and contexts in each location, what are foreseeable factors that may increase and/or decrease the project’s intended impact?

v. Sustainability 

• Can a CDRS model feasibly achieve community-level resilience in the South Sudanese context?
• What programming elements can ensure improved community-level ability to manage development priorities and initiatives?
• What foreseeable factors may lessen the community’s ability to take charge of their own development?

vi. Cross-Cutting Themes: Participation and Gender/Social Inclusion 

• How can DRC ensure communities are effectively and representatively mobilised for active participation in CDRS within the South Sudan context?
• What role can women, youth and minorities among others play in the CDRS project?

5. ASSESSMENT DELIVERABLES  

• Inception Report
• Response to ToR  
• Fortnightly situational reports
• Draft Report 
• Final Report  
• DRC Lessons Learned Note  
• Dissemination meeting with key stakeholders including a PowerPoint presentation 

6.  INTENDED USE OF THE ASSESSMENT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

The South Sudan country team in collaboration with the DRC HQ management team will review and use the findings of the assessment to design a future CDRS program(s).  

 7.  RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTATION  

As a minimum the Consultant should be made aware of and have access to the following documentation: 

• CDRS documentation from current and past programmes across DRC globally
• Country Strategic Programme Document (SPD) 
• Global and Country Accountability Framework  
• DRC’s Operational Principles  
• DRC’s Programme Handbook chapter 2.3 (Mandate) and 5 (Assistance Framework) 

8.  PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASSESSMENT 

Consultant’s Roles and Responsibilities 

• Establish working contacts with all relevant stakeholders in the targeted study areas 
• Prepare and submit the review proposal with clear illustration of the understanding of methodology (including suggested counterfactuals) to be used, including work plan and schedule for data collection supporting the assessment, for review and feedback by DRC South Sudan. 
• Design or advise on tracing tools that could relevantly be adopted for measuring knowledge, attitude and/or perceptions and behavioural change  
• Interview selected respondents during the assessment. 
• Prepare and submit all assessment deliverables as required in 7) 

DRC Responsibilities 

• Provide the consultant with all necessary documents and reports  
• Pay the required consultancy fee as indicated in the signed contract. 

• Where necessary, facilitate the making of appointments with all relevant stakeholders (government, partners, communities etc.) 
• Provide necessary support in admin and logistical requirements

The terms and conditions of service will follow DRC/DDG terms of consultancies. Payment will be done according to the finance procedures of DRC/DDG. 

11. REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS 

For day-to-day operations the consultant will report to DRC South Sudan Deputy Country Director Programmes and DDG South Sudan Operations Manager or their appointed delegate.  The consultant will be required to provide updates fortnightly on progress and challenges encountered or when requested by the aforementioned. 

12. EXPECTED PROFILE OF CONSULTANT 

•  Advanced degree in development studies, social sciences or other relevant field. 
• Significant experience in leading reviews of humanitarian programmes especially in the areas of community-driven development (CDD), local governance, safety and security among others. 
• Knowledge of strategic and operational management of humanitarian programmes, and proven ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders.  
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and prepare well-written reports in a timely manner. 
• Demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques, especially in community-driven development (CDD). 
• Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of South Sudan’s humanitarian context; 
• Good interpersonal skills and understanding of cultural sensitivities. 
• Readiness to travel to South Sudan and conduct direct standard assessment activities. 
• Documented experience in participatory project assessments /review.  
• Knowledge and previous experience in South Sudan will be highly considered.

13. TERMS & CONDITIONS 

The consultant should be willing to work in the target areas of South Sudan where security allows. The consultant will be required to be in-country all throughout the consultancy period. The consultant may have his/her own team to work with and then they will entirely be under the jurisdiction of the consultant and at no time will DRC/DDG be held responsible for them.  

14. GENERAL

DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). 

15. APPLICATION PROCESS 

Interested applicants who meet the required profile and methodology are invited to submit an expression of interest including: 

• A suitability statement including CV of participating consultants with details of qualifications and experience. 
• Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be used. 
• Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule. 
• Financial proposal providing cost estimates and consultancy fees. 
• Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted you to carry out similar assignment.  

Interested parties should forward the expression of interest, in English on this link: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationForm/SinglePageApplicationForm.aspx?cid=1036&departmentId=19064&ProjectId=149803 no later than 28^th November 2017. 

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk or Ben McCabe (pso-ddgssudan@drc.dk)