Baseline Assessment Consultancy

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.1 million people are internally displaced and 13.1 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with three million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 5.4 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual regional portfolio of $90 million within a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 3000 staff and workers in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan.  Inside Syria, the IRC is specifically focused on health, cash assistance, education, child protection, women’s protection and empowerment, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination.

2.Purpose

The Baseline Assessment Consultant (BAC) is responsible for supporting key components of a USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)-funded program that includes health and nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and shelter activities to support conflict-affected populations. Entitled Amal (“hope” in Arabic), the consortium will include international and Syrian partners with humanitarian response capacity.

The BAC will work within IRC Syria’s Team while reporting to the Senior MEAL Manager and collaborating with the Amal Chief of Party (COP), Deputy COP and the Regional Office MEAL department. During the duration of the assignment, the BAC will support the development of a comprehensive baseline report in regard to specific Health, WASH, Shelter and Protection output and outcome level indicators specifically related to the activities planned by the Amal consortium.

3.Specific Objectives

Methodology

• Provide feedback on the existing baseline assessment methodology and highlight areas of improvement.
• Support the development of a comprehensive methodology; including details in regard to the use of secondary data, techniques of sampling, and data collection.

Data Analys

• Identify historical primary and secondary data that may be utilized to support the baseline assessment of the relevant output and outcome level indicators.

• Assess the quality, completeness, and accuracy of primary and secondary data shared by the MEAL team and Amal partners.

• Support the analysis of historical data that had been identified as relevant for this exercise.

Reporting (Report Drafting)

• Prepare initial baseline assessment report and submit for comments and feedback by the Amal COP, Senior MEAL Manager, and Regional MEAL Unit.

• Prepare and submit a comprehensive, well-structured baseline assessment report upon receiving comments and feedback.

2.Eligibility Requirements

• At least five years of proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research.

• Demonstrated experience in Health and Nutrition, WASH, Shelter, and Protection programming is highly desirable.

• Prior experience and knowledge of humanitarian response in the Syria crisis context is essential.

• Fluency in English, both spoken and written is essential; strong knowledge of Arabic language is as asset.

• Excellent facilitation and report writing skills.

• Experience working with databases and Microsoft products (MS Word and Excel).

• Experience working with qualitative data analysis.