International consultant - Analyzing the evolution of vulnerability, P-3, SSA, Goma

Reporting manager:  Emergency Specialist/RRMP Coordinator
Location: Goma, DRC, with travel to the field
Duration:  13 weeks
Start Date:  As soon as possible 

 

Background:
The Emergency/Transition Section in the UNICEF Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Office is seeking an individual consultant to produce an updated analysis and sequencing of vulnerability levels and humanitarian needs of internally displaced households sheltered with host families over a timeline not surpassing three months.

At the time of writing the DRC is reporting unprecedented levels of internally displaced people (IDP) in country. Of the estimated 4.5 million IDPs, over 85% are residing with host families, as opposed to sheltered in spontaneous or established IDP camps. The provision of efficient, appropriate and cost effective humanitarian assistance to this population requires deeper understanding of the specific needs of the population, capacities of the hosting relationship and the evolution of vulnerability, from the onset of displacement through the return (or not surpassing a period of three months). Such analysis must be framed within a context of extreme institutional fragility and cyclical crises. Considerable attention must also be paid to better understanding the support provided by host families and communities, as well as the positive and negative impact the hosting relationship can have on these systems over time.

 

Justification: 
UNICEF is commissioning this exercise as a means to update prior research to reflect the ever-evolving context in the DRC and as a means to inform emergency program revisions, design, and implementation. UNICEF’s Rapid Response aux Mouvements de Population (RRMP) is the largest on-going humanitarian assistance program in the DRC. The RRMP program makes use of multisector teams deployed throughout the country to conduct initial multi-sector assessments (MSA) in areas of new displacement, and, in coordination with UNOCHA, leads the “go” “no-go” decision making process to implement a response. As the coordinator of the program, UNICEF remains committed to continually reviewing and refining the RRMP program approach and implementation modalities as a means to ensure relevant and effective programming, return on investment and adherence to the principals of “do no harm”.  The evolution of the context in the DRC plays a significant role, and with recent volatilities noted throughout the country, UNICEF finds it an opportune time to better understand the context and revisit some key program assumptions as related to the provision of assistance in hosting situations.

In consideration of the above, the objective of the analysis is to provide specific recommendations to the type and timing of resource transfers and assistance packages to address specific vulnerabilities of IDPs in a hosting relationship, with careful consideration not to disrupt natural, community based coping mechanisms already in place. Specific attention should be paid to vulnerabilities affecting the wellbeing of children, as well as the capacity of their care takers to ensure that every child:
• Survives and thrives;
• Is protected from violence and exploitation;
• Lives in a safe and clean environment;
• Learns;
• Has an equitable chance in life.
 
Scope of work:
The specific objectives of these terms of reference are to:

1.) Provide an overview and summary of findings, lessons learned and recommendations from DRC and global research on the assistance to IDPs in hosting situations, highlighting those most appropriate to the current context in the DRC;

2.) Plot the primary sources and types of assistance provided by the host family and community to IDPs, from the onset of displacement through the return, or a period not surpassing three months. The impact of this provision, both positive and negative, should be explored and presented at the household, community and institutional levels;

3.) Provide a summary and then sequencing of vulnerability intensification and diversification of IDP households from the onset of displacement through the return, or a period not surpassing 3 three months. 

 

The expected output is a final report that includes the plotting of a complete cycle of a humanitarian intervention on a linear representation of displacement, considering the evolution of vulnerabilities of both IDPs and host families, as well as their perception of needs, capacities and gaps. The cycle should reflect sector specific interventions as well as opportunities for cross sectoral interventions. It should additionally be clear which interventions are required as a response, and which are considered critical aspects of a wider commitment to preparedness and prevention measures. Finally, the exercise should be conducted with a child-focused lens, prioritizing information in a manner that promotes the wellbeing of children.

Methodology

The assessment is expected to be framed within the RRMP’s multi-sectoral approach, to use mixed-methodology, and, where necessary, provide context specific recommendations and/or considerations. A basic outline, to be developed by the consultant, is provided below:

 

1.) Desk research and review of relevant literature, including UNICEF and RRMP’s MSAs, evaluations, reviews, brief notes, regional strategy and emergency preparedness documentation.

2.) Construction of a displacement timeline to plot the sequencing of vulnerability development and diversification as well as external and community based assistance/interventions.

3.) Triangulation of information and testing of key assumptions through qualitative data collection, collected primarily through focus group discussions in the field as well as structured and semi-structured interviews with key informants, including service providers, political-administrative authorities, ministries and humanitarian actors.

4.) Production of three case studies, each in a different context, but all of which will:
a. Describe the context of a household’s displacement and hosting mechanism; 
b. Describe the risks and vulnerabilities of the participants in the hosting relationship at various stages of the displacement;
c. Describe the humanitarian intervention and/or community assistance received;
d. Present the perceptions of the IDP and host family on the above mentioned assistance, identifying what worked and what could have been done differently or better;

5.) Produce a final report with the following components:
a. Executive summary with key findings and recommendations, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations to the type and various timing of specific resource transfers and assistance packages that address specific vulnerabilities of IDPs in a hosting relationship, with demonstrated consideration to not disrupt natural, community based coping and response mechanisms already in place.
b. Overview of methodology employed
c. Summary of the desk research and findings, with bibliography
d. Presentation of vulnerability progressions, community assistance mechanisms and gaps requiring outside interventions along a linear representation of displacement in a hosting arrangement.
e. Summary of findings collected from the field, supported by analysis of point, and tested against key program assumptions, principally related to the timing and type of assistance required.
f. Recommendations
g. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the report should be submitted to UNICEF to use for information, communication and advocacy purposes

 

Deliverables and timetable
The duration of the consultancy is expected to last 2 months. The time line below does not take into account time associated with travel to the DRC, or time spent organizing logistics traveling to the DRC.

The consultant with work with and be supervised by the RRMP Coordinator/Emergency Specialist in the DRC. In addition, for harmonization and quality assurance purposes, the consultant with interact with the Social Policy and Evaluation department who will provide technical guidance and support the validation of the approach, methodology, tools and final report.

All data and information that will be produced in the context of this analysis belongs to UNICEF and cannot be published or used without formal authorization from UNICEF.
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
• Master’s Degree in social studies, international development or in one of the UNICEF focused sectors, or more than 5 years’ experience.
• Experience working in the DRC, or similar contexts with complex crises and large scale, multisector emergency response.
• Expertise in gender sensitive, child centered programming. 
• Professional level French and proficient in English.
• Qualitative research experience, with demonstrated capacity to analyses quantitative and qualitative data.
• Strong knowledge of UNICEF programming and UN led emergency response and coordination mechanisms.
• Highly developed written communication skills. 

The position will be based in UNICEF’s Goma office. The consultant is expected to work on his or her own computer and with their own phone. Communication costs associated with the consultancy should be presented in the financial offer.

 

Travel to the DRC will be covered by the consultant. Air and/or road travel to Goma should be presented in the financial offer.

Travel within the DRC for work related missions will be facilitated by UNICEF, including transportation and the provision of a daily subsistence allowance (DSA), in accordance with established UN rates.

 

The consultant is responsible for any additional assistance, including note takers in the field, interpreters, etc.  The cost of these assistants should be presented in the financial offer.

 

UNICEF will endeavor to provide the consultant with all available reports and information. However, the consultant should not limit the desk review to what UNICEF provides.

 

Conditions
Payment is made against deliverables, as follows:
 30% upon validation of Deliverable 2
 30% upon validation of Deliverable 4
 40% upon validation of Deliverable 5

 

No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantees subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. Payment will otherwise be made upon receipt of duly reviewed (against timeliness, achievement of goals and quality of work) and validated deliverables.

 

The candidate selected with be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

 

To apply
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter with indication of daily fees for the consultancy. Please ensure to provide a list of published works and consultancies with references.