Job Description

INVITATION TO BID FOR CONSULTANCY

Title of Consultancy

TOR for mapping and assessing gaps in existing formal and informal early warning systems

SCI Contracting Office

Save the Children Somalia Country Office

Period of Consultancy

The assignment will be done in one month inclusive of travel.

Consultant type required

Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability Consultant/Consultancy Firm 

Responsibility for Logistics arrangements and Costs

The consultant will be responsible for organizing logistical issues with no facilitation from SCI as per the consultancy agreement.

Taxation Provisions

Consultancy firm/individual shall be responsible for all Taxes arising from the consultancy in line with the local Tax regulations applicable at the SCI contracting office named above.

Travel requirements

The consultancy firm/individual will cover their travel costs (tickets) and arrange local travel to field sites.

Security requirements

The Consultancy Firm/Individual will comply with standards of Save the Children Security procedures, including the completion of SCI online security training prior to travel to Somalia.

INTRODUCTION:

Save the Children has worked in Somalia for over 70 years and is a national and international leader in humanitarian and development programming. Our long operational history and broad geographical coverage, has afforded us positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including the federal government, state and local authorities, donors, international and local NGOs, as well as the trust and acceptance of the communities themselves. Save the Children has operational presence in 17 regions in the country, with over 640 national and international staff across 14 field offices.

Save the Children implements a wide range of multi-sectoral humanitarian and development projects in Somalia. Our programming is guided by our Country Strategic Plan 2022-24 which follows a child life cycle model to make sure our programs consider a child and their needs holistically and respond with thematically integrated and age-appropriate interventions. Our active portfolio in 2023 covers programs in Food Security and Livelihoods, Social Protection, Youth Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance and Advocacy while mainstreaming climate change adaptation across our portfolio. In addition, gender equality and disability inclusion are mainstreamed in all our programs.

BACKGROUND:

Somalia is at the frontline of the climate crisis. Lives and livelihoods in the country are already being disrupted by climatic shocks and stressors. Over the past two decades, climate-related disasters have impacted more than 5 million people across the country. Droughts have affected more people in recent years, while floods are proving more deadly - nearly 50% of the people in Somalia rely on the land to grow their food and generate an income. These climatic shocks have significantly eroded the community resilience systems and exposed them to climate-controlled economic variabilities.

In the last quarter of 2023, many households across Somalia were displaced by the widespread El-nino, leading to disruption of livelihood and in some cases destruction of household-level assets. Sporadic and repeated climatic shocks impact heavily on the local vulnerable community because of limited adaptable knowledge on weather change via climate early warning systems to enhance anticipatory actions. While majority of local communities suffer mostly due to the impact of unpredictable weather dynamics on the household assets and/or livelihood activities, women, children, and people living with disabilities are particularly affected through exposure to cyclic vulnerability pattern; and in most cases rely on information and/or warning from the agencies like Save the Children and government institutions before responding appropriately. Governmental institutional weakness and limited capacities and resources have also eroded community knowledge-based response capacities.

There are number of the vulnerable groups such as women, children, youths people living with disabilities and the marginalized who are at a greater risk of experiencing negative impacts and face greater barriers to adapting to climate change by accessing timely information and using EWEA system. The risk of exclusion is particularly different for different genders in the local context. This project seeks to map these vulnerable groups and understand specific vulnerability context within the EWEA under the DRR framework for AA.

It is considered that without timely EWEA information, the marginalized and highly vulnerable groups in Bander bayla, Burao and Beledweyne who cannot access timely EW information to make lifesaving decisions, are at-risk. Evidence has suggested that community-based early warning structures, whether formal and informal, have provided necessary tools and information for DRR and Climate Changes Early warning (CCEW) systems, protection community assets, building socio-economic resilience and providing effective community coping mechanism to climate change.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

1. GFFO Project Brief

3.1.        Project Description

This project focuses on both enhancing existing Anticipatory Action (AA) systems and structures in Somalia and further building and developing from Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It will test, strengthen, build, innovate and thereby providing a solid and tested platform from which to seek additional funds to implement Anticipatory Actions. Save the Children International has an internal Global Humanitarian Fund, 15% of which is dedicated to Anticipatory Action, which will be accessed at appropriate times. Furthermore, we will seek Anticipatory Action funding from both OCHA and the Start Network as we already work closely with them and the evidence and learning from the project will be feeding into both of their networks.

3.2.        Project Objective

Existing Anticipatory Action systems and structures in Somalia are improved and further developed building on existing lessons learned in disaster risk reduction. They are being tested and strengthened, providing a robust and proven platform from which to request additional funding for the implementation of Anticipatory Actions. This will contribute to mitigating the projected drought and flood-related impacts on the nutritional status of children in target communities. 

3.2 Purpose of the mapping and assessing gaps in existing formal and informal early warning systems

There are many informal EWEA systems either through the elders and other agency-led community-based disaster management committees. The project will assess and profile the Eary Warning Early Action systems used at the local level with the aim of creating linkages with formal systems. This will eventually lead to the formalization of informal systems. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, youth, elderly, people with disabilities and minorities are at a relatively greater risk of experiencing negative impacts of, and face greater barriers to adapt to, climate change, access information and utilize EWEA systems.

3.3.        Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives of the terms of reference are to:

• Conduct a comprehensive mapping and assessment of existing formal and informal early warning systems within the target area.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in current early warning mechanisms, including issues related to accessibility, effectiveness, and inclusivity.
• Analyze the coverage, accuracy, and timeliness of early warning information dissemination.
• Assess the capacity of local institutions and communities to effectively respond to early warning alerts and mobilize resources.
• Develop recommendations for enhancing and strengthening early warning systems to improve preparedness and resilience.

3.3 SCOPE OF WORK:

The assignment shall:

• Review existing literature, policies, and reports related to early warning systems, disaster risk management, and community resilience.
• Identify key stakeholders involved in the design, implementation, and operation of formal and informal early warning systems.
• Conduct interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders to gather primary data on existing early warning mechanisms.
• Utilize relevant tools to map the spatial distribution of early warning infrastructure and coverage.
• Analyze data on the frequency and severity of hazards to assess the appropriateness of existing early warning thresholds and triggers.
• Assess community awareness, perception, and response to early warning messages, including factors influencing their ability to act.
• Identify gaps and barriers in early warning systems, including technical, financial, institutional, and cultural factors.
• Develop a comprehensive database of existing early warning systems, including contact information, responsibilities, and protocols.
• Develop analytical reports summarizing the findings and recommendations.

4. Locations

The villages will be selected from target districts, Bandar beyla, Burao and Beledweyne districts.

5. METHODOLOGY:

While the consultant is free to propose the best method that suit and brings out the best outcome for the assignment, SCI will expect the process to integrate mixed method research design, making use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Adaptative methodologies for primary engagement of the Eary Warning Early Action actors and development of a practical action plans will form part of the assignment. The consultant will be expected to work closely with the Eary Warning Early Action actors, local community, the local authority as well as other stakeholders within the targeted areas.

Specifically, individual consultant/firm will undertake the following key tasks:

• Employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to gather comprehensive data.
• Utilize participatory techniques to engage communities and ensure their perspectives are incorporated into the assessment.
• Apply standardized assessment frameworks and indicators, adapting them to the local context as necessary.
• Collaborate closely with relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders throughout the assessment process.
• Ensure ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality, in all data collection activities.
• Ensure ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality, in all data collection activities.

6. DELIVERABLES:

• Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Interim Progress Reports providing updates on data collection, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Mapping and Assessment Report presenting findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Presentation of findings to stakeholders and communities, including opportunities for feedback and discussion.
• Final report with appropriate recommendations.

7. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The following attributes are requirements for the selection of the consultant/consultancy firm:

• Proven experience in writing necessary tools and information for inclusive  DRR, Vulnerability Assessments and Climate Information and Early warning (CIEW) systems (submit at least three work samples from previous similar work)
• Copy of registration certificate from the government
• Submit a Technical Proposal that clearly explains the proposed methodology/ approach, and timeframe for this assignment.
• Submit a financial proposal with cost break down.
• All lead applicants should have degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, DRR, Development Studies or related field and should have at least 5 years working experience with similar assignments.
• Submit CVs of the lead applicants developing the write up including relevant qualifications.
• Initial work plan based on the methodology outlined, and indication of availability.

8. CODE OF CONDUCT:

Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

PROPERTY RIGHTS:

All data that will be collected should be considered as SCI properties and may not be used for other purposes.

Experiences and Qualifications

Qualification and Experience

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The following attributes are requirements for selecting the consultancy firm/individual.

• Proven experience in writing necessary tools and information for DRR and Climate Information and Early warning (CIEW) systems.

• The consultancy firm/individual should have a proven record/prior work of vulnerability assessments/mappings in similar contexts.
• The lead consultant proposed for the evaluation must have master’s level of education in either of the following fields Development Studies, Natural Resources Management Agro-economics, Disaster Risk Reduction/Management and/or related fields.
• The lead consultant and associated Key Personnel proposed for this assessment must have at least 5 years of working experience in conducting assessments, evaluations, and monitoring projects in a fragile environment.

• East Africa experience, preferably in Somalia                       
• Experience in building climate rationale for AF assessments (including applying historical data and climate models to drive programming decisions)

• The consultant/firm must have legal valid registration proving its existence and presence in Somalia/Somaliland

Review Criteria

• Submit a Technical Proposal that clearly explains the proposed methodology/ approach, and timeframe to conduct the vulnerability assessment as relevant for this TOR
• Submit at least three copies of previous similar assignments conducted (work samples)
• Cleary outline the qualifications of the Key Technical Personnel proposed for this work
• Detailed financial proposal with budget breakdown. .
• Demonstrate related practical experience during the Interview

Skills Required

Attachment

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