Job Description

Terms of Reference

Final External Evaluation

Comprehensive Emergency Response to Communities Affected by

Displacement, Food Security and Environmental Shocks in Somalia.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE OF THE PROJECT

In 2022, Somalia confronted a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by four consecutive failed rainy seasons, leading to a prolonged drought, widespread hunger, ongoing conflict, and the compounded impact of escalating global food prices influenced by the war in Ukraine. This crisis has disproportionately

impacted marginalized and vulnerable groups. The extended and severe drought, unprecedented in recent history, has resulted in critical water shortages, exposing approximately eight million people to a lack of access to safe water and sanitation, thereby placing vulnerable populations at heightened risk.

According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) for 2023, displacement caused by drought has increased fivefold since the beginning of 2022, with more than 1.3 million people displaced by the end of 2022. Additionally, over 8.3 million Somalis, constituting 49% of the population, are projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2023 (HNO, 2023). Amidst the ongoing drought and widespread hunger, an intensification of the military offensive against armed groups has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, including heightened displacement. It is anticipated that up to 450,000 additional civilians will be displaced due to conflict in 2023.

Protection concerns encompass forced family separation, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, restrictions on freedom of movement, forced recruitment, abductions, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. These events give rise to a spectrum of needs in food security, access to water, shelter, health, nutrition, and various other sectors. The multi-sectoral needs of newly displaced individuals were underscored in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), which notably identified Shelter among the three primary needs reported by 83% of the respondents.

In December 2022, Acted conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment in various districts, including Elwak, Badhadhe, Deynile, Barawe, Wajid, and Elberde, revealing the diverse range of household (HH) needs. The assessment identified Food (83%), Water (56%), and Shelter (44%) as the three primary needs reported. In response to a significant displacement incident in North Kismayo earlier in the year, Acted assessed 1,600 households arriving between May and September 2022. Critical gaps in Food Security and WASH were evident, with 77% of households exhibiting poor Food Consumption Scores and 52% reporting challenges in meeting daily water requirements.

Widespread food scarcity was reported across all districts, particularly in Dhobley, where 93% of assessed sites were categorized as experiencing "extreme" Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) severity. REACH's Humanitarian Situation Monitoring highlighted deteriorating Food Security conditions in Badhadhe, with 84% of respondents describing the situation as the worst, leading to numerous deaths. In Jamaame, 100% of respondents reported not receiving any humanitarian assistance since August 2022, despite the critical food security situation. Elberde and Marka reported a high prevalence of marginalized groups among internally displaced populations, coupled with severe food security gaps.

A subsequent Rapid Needs Assessment in targeted districts and hard-to-reach areas revealed that 89% of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) reported recent price increases, predominantly attributed to the volatile political and climatic conditions. In Elwak, Badhadhe, and Elberde, KIIs estimated that less than 35% of households could meet their food needs.

Throughout the country, 41% of individuals surveyed report difficulties accessing water, a crucial factor contributing to displacement. Water scarcity is exacerbated by below-average Deyr rains in targeted locations. Challenging weather conditions and market disruptions, particularly in areas besieged by non-state armed groups, have led to significantly elevated water prices. For instance, in Bakool, a 200L water drum surged to 80,000 Somali shillings (3.5 USD) in September 2022, compared to the usual 30,000 SSH

(1.30 USD). In Xudur, the price even reached 120,000 SSH (5.2 USD). According to the 2022 REACH MSNA, 25% of respondents in Barawe, 68% in Diinsoor, and 31% in Xudur report inadequate access to water for drinking, citing distance to water points or high costs as the primary reasons.

In December 2022, Acted conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment in new targeted districts, highlighting Water Supply as the second most mentioned need. Forty-three percent of respondents indicated that existing water points did not provide sufficient water for basic drinking needs in surrounding communities. A Gedo-wide assessment by SADO in December 2022 revealed that 31% of respondents relied on rivers as their main water source, with 22% having to travel over 1km to reach the closest water point. Elbarde, in a regional assessment, underscored critical gaps in water supply due to dysfunctional infrastructure, insufficient yield, or the provision of unclean water. In Luuq, 26% of respondents in new IDP sites and 34% in old IDP sites reported using untreated water sources for drinking.

Acted, recognizing the multifaceted needs of vulnerable households, aimed to maximize its intervention impact. Leveraging its expertise, Acted focused on Food Security, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) to address the most urgent needs. Acted also integrated a robust referral system and partnered with experts to address the Health and Nutrition needs of the communities. Additionally, in North Kismayo, water trucking activities were conducted to address the critical water supply needs resulting from a high influx of new arrivals. Exploring exit strategies, Acted identified three shallow wells to utilize the Juba River's potential for providing safe drinking water to the communities.

Acted has provided support to both internally displaced persons (IDP) and host communities, addressing heightened acute food insecurity, disease, environmental shocks, and disrupted access to basic services and humanitarian assistance. The intervention spans Humanitarian Coordination, Information Management, and Assessments (HCIMA), Multipurpose Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). By delivering this assistance, Acted aimed to enhance the resilience of communities, better equipping them to cope with future shocks.

This initiative aligns with the grand bargain and localization agenda established in 2016, facilitating funding access for local first-line responders. Leveraging established partnerships with local non-governmental organizations such as GREDO, MCAN, and SADO, Acted collaborates with SADO in Kismayo, Dhobley, Jamaame, Badhadhe, Luuq, Elwak, Bardheere, and GREDO in Burhakaba, Elberde, and Wajid. Additionally, ACTED partners with MCAN in Marka, ensuring minority inclusion in beneficiary selection. These partnerships enable the integration of localized knowledge and strong relationships with key stakeholders in target communities held by the local NGOs. Acted provides robust technical support to these activities, translating local expertise into tangible outcomes on the ground for crisis-affected populations in the designated locations. Moreover, the engagement of local non-governmental organizations (LNGOs) within the intervention contributes to empowering local agents in response, offering informal mentoring opportunities by Acted technical staff for LNGO personnel, and enhancing LNGO access to funding streams and inclusion within the broader humanitarian architecture.

In the course of the project implementation, Acted received a cost-modification award, extending the agreement period by 12 months until April 30, 2024. This extension, prompted by the prolonged drought and increasing displacement, allowed Acted and partners to prioritize emergency assistance, particularly

in food and water supply. The award enhanced the flexibility and dynamism of interventions, incorporating a mobile Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) approach and water trucking activities. It facilitated the extension of activities to hard-to-reach locations, aligning with Acted's commitment to reaching the most remote areas.

Experiences and Qualifications

The consultant should have the following background:

• Post- graduate qualifications in development/humanitarian studies or relevant area.
• Experience in project Monitoring and Evaluation, in particular WASH, Food Assistance and CCCM projects.
• Strong knowledge and/or demonstrated experience in designing and conducting similar monitoring and evaluation activities in insecure contexts is required.
• Excellent knowledge of the Somalia context, especially in terms of security, and culture is required.
• Strong knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings.
• Excellent written and oral English essential
• Capacity to arrange field logistics by its own.

The consultant shall identify a focal point for communication and reporting purposes, with appropriate skills and experience. At the briefing session, the focal point should submit a full contact list of all those involved in the evaluation.

Skills Required

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