ACAPS, a project hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is looking for a Senior Analysis Expert Consultant - Gender Specialists/Sociologists, to join its Ehiopia Analysis Hub! Home-based in any location.
ABOUT THE ETHIOPIA ANALYSIS HUB
ACAPS has been providing analytical support to the crisis in northern Ethiopia since January 2021. Since October 2021, the scope of the project has been broadened to cover the entire country of Ethiopia. Currently, the project is funded through March 2023.
ACAPS continues its provision of analytical support to the humanitarian community responding to the crisis in northern Ethiopia and increase its Ethiopia-wide focus. Products will be designed to inform response programming, awareness raising, advocacy, and decision making, with an emphasis on uncovering barriers to response, and identifying gaps and priority areas (both sectoral and geographic). Extending the mode of operation utilised so far, ACAPS will be in continuous contact with operational partners (expanding this network where possible) to supply on-demand analytical products that directly support the needs of humanitarian community.
ANALYSIS BACKGROUND
In this analysis, we aim to explore and investigate coping strategies among drought-affected pastoral and agro-pastoral societies of the Ethiopian Somali region and how it relates to humanitarian aid, and long-term strategic needs (Education, Livelihood opportunities, and Early recovery). Understanding what households see as their main challenges and how they are strengthening resilience, re-building or strengthening their capacity, and contributing to solving rather than exacerbating long-standing problems which have contributed to exhausting short-term coping means; and what capacities can be used to design specific programmatic actions to help people to move from dependence on humanitarian relief towards development.
This analysis is designed to follow a two-stage mixed methods approach. As a first stage, relevant secondary qualitative and quantitative data will be analysed to understand relevant information gaps and identify areas for further research. This will facilitate a scoping exercise to understand the potential of conducting primary data collection. Quantitative data complementing this will come from publicly available datasets and other existing research on Micro, Meso, Macro levels and will assess and the interconnections of these levels. Additional qualitative data will come from key informant interviews within the humanitarian response and development sector.
As a second stage, and dependent on the findings of the secondary data review, existing information gaps and the scoping exercise, additional qualitative primary data collection is envisioned.
The majority of the Ethiopia Hubs’ reports are not published but shared via a distribution list. The distribution method for the Secondary Data Review, and any reports developed based on the primary data will be assessed dependent on the information included in said reports.
The research will contribute to a better understanding of existing coping strategies, community resilience, and gender relations, improving the information landscape within Ethiopia. This will ultimately allow humanitarian organisations operating in Ethiopia to make evidence-based decisions and better contribute to the Durable Solutions Strategy 2022-2025 in Somali region
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The expert will review and analyse existing secondary data and support analysis on household-level coping strategies among pastoral and agro-pastoral societies of the Ethiopian Somali region to better understand what negative and positive coping strategies and resilience practices mitigate the devastating impact of the drought and conflict in the Somali Region. In addition, the consultant will engage with key actors in the humanitarian response, and establish buy-in with existing humanitarian and development actors.
Role and responsibilities
The consultants will support ACAPS by doing the following:
• Review and contribute to the Secondary Data Review, including identifying information gaps.
• With thematic and conceptual expertise, support the design process and the delivery of the analysis product
• Establish key contacts in the humanitarian and development sector in Somali region
• Engage in Key Informant Interviews and determine a list of questions for key informants, adapting them to the profile
• Contribute to buy-in with humanitarian and development actors on said research
• Explore the possibility for additional primary data collection
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables will be submitted electronically in English to ACAPS on mutually agreed timing and will include the following:
1. Contribute to the Secondary Data Review
2. Conduct a content review of the Secondary Data Review and analysis framework
3. Develop a list of contacts in the humanitarian and development sector in Somali region, including establishing strong links with said contacts.
4. Establish, coordinate, and set up key informant interviews
5. Participate in key informant interviews
6. Develop questionnaires for key informant interviews
7. Scoping exercise to understand the possibility of primary data collection based on the findings of the Secondary Data Review, i.e. a document which includes:
a. Type of methodology that should be used
b. Resources needed
c. Organisations we could engage with
d. Logistical challenges
e. Buy-in to carry out primary data collection
Critical interfaces
• ACAPS staff and other technical experts
• Local leaders, and development and humanitarian actors in the Somali region
• Women groups in the Somali region
Inputs
ACAPS will provide the following inputs:
• Work orders outlining specific deliverables with the timeline.
• Technical support and guidance on ACAPS style guide and analysis framework
• Design and editorial support
Competencies
Professional Competencies:
Generic professional competencies:
• At least 9 years of demonstrated experience in crisis and post-conflict recovery, gender, and social reform.
• Previous experience in similar activities with the UN or other international organizations will be an added advantage
• Strong background, in areas including on assessment data collection and analysis, monitoring and evaluation
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience understanding of the Ethiopian context especially on pastoral and agro-pastoral communities
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail and working efficiently in a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage own use of time, and be self-motivated.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, and results-oriented approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Language Requirements:
• Proficient in written and oral English is a must, Somali language is an asset
Context related skills, knowledge, and experience (shall be adapted to the specific position):
• Familiarity with ACAPS analysis methodologies is desirable,
• Written clarity, including the ability to analyze complex concepts and synthesize information.
• Solid understanding of the principles of emergency preparedness, response, and early recovery.
• Demonstrated understanding of needs assessments in humanitarian crises desirable.
• Flexible, including willingness to work overtime.
• Ability to monitor and assess the performance of self to make improvements or take corrective action
ABOUT ACAPS
ACAPS is dedicated to helping humanitarians make better decisions. We want to put evidence at the heart of decision-making. To achieve this, we collaborate with various partners across the humanitarian sector and beyond. We strive to be an evolving platform providing:
• Independent analysis to support evidence-based decision-making for humanitarian operations
• Deployment of experts to support assessments and analysis in crisis
• Innovative approaches to collect more reliable and timely data and conduct rigorous analysis.