Consultancy – Programme Evaluation and Technical support for MdM Germany – Ethiopia Country Programme – Ärzte der Welt e. V., Ethiopia

Location: Ethiopia

Deadline: 30 Oct 2022

Job Description

We are looking for a 3 months Consultancy in Programme Evaluation and Technical support for MdM Germany Ethiopia Country Programme.

1. INTRODUCTION

The humanitarian aid organization Ärzte der Welt e. V. is the German division of the international network Médecins du Monde/Doctors of the World (MdM). The 17 members of the network implement domestic and international health care projects, currently almost 417 projects in 74 countries around the world.

MdM provides emergency medical aid in disaster and crisis situations, supports access to health care and, if possible, assists with reconstruction measures as well as long-term development co-operations in neglected regions around the world. MdM ensures that its health services are provided equally to the most vulnerable citizens, internally displaced people and host communities, regardless of their ethnic, social, religious or political background.

MdM documents and publishes eye-witness reports, human rights violations and leads campaigns to raise awareness of important topics such as poverty, migration or the costs of specific drugs. It tries to hold decision makers accountable and to convince them to support positive changes through a variety of advocacy activities. MdM considers access to general health care to be a universal human right for everyone.

MdM has been working in Ethiopia since 1986, implementing different types of health projects from long-term interventions to emergency response. MdM Germany became operational in the country independently in 2021, pursuing two programmatic approaches: firstly, support for local partner in development-oriented projects and secondly, implementing larger scale emergency humanitarian intervention in Somali Region for the drought and conflict affected communities. The Guest House and Office are located in Jijiga, capital of Somali Region. The Programme Teams includes 2 Coordinators, medical staff (nurse, midwives) social worker and technical staff, in total the MdM GE team counts over 50 persons.

1. CONTEXT

The humanitarian multi-sectoral intervention of MdM Germany in Somali Region is aiming to improve the access to and the quality of health care services (with a focus on SRH-R, MCH, GBV), prevention of epidemics (incl. Covid-19) and MHPSS for conflict and crisis affected communities, with particular attention to the needs of women and girls. Nutrition and WASH components are integrated in the approach and implemented by the local partner organisation OWDA (Organisation for Welfare and Development in Action). Jointly we are supporting existing health centers and health posts in 3 different areas of the Somali Region with high needs: 1) rural remote area, currently Gerbo, Nogob Zone (phasing out), 2) Camp setting: Qoloji IDP Camp, Fafaan Zone and 3) as part of a Consortium with MdM France and COOPI in Tuliguled Woreda in border conflict setting. The direct support to existing health staff and structures is completed by mobile units, who reach out to the surrounding communities. Strategic scaling up of activities, also in terms of thematic focus and geographically is being developed. Donors include German FFO, ECHO as humanitarian fundings and German BMZ for the development part, a further diversification is envisaged. Furthermore, on the development side, the follow-up project proposal is being drafted with the second local partner in Ethiopia (CVDA).

The key issues exacerbating vulnerability and humanitarian needs in the Somali Region are man-made crises such as conflicts and ethnical tensions, leading to conflict induced displacements and secondly, climate-related stocks, such as floods and droughts. It fuels and causes food insecurity, high malnutrition, spread of epidemics, forced displacement and further relocation. With cyclical climate-related crises, the capacity of affected people to build up resilience before the next shocks strike is insufficient. Health indicators for Somali Region are disastrous in comparison with the rest of the country. The threat of malnourishment hits an already vulnerable population, with a high unserved demand and needs in life saving and basic health services. In Somali region alone, over 900,000 people have been displaced. According to OCHA more than 6.4 million people are estimated to require food assistance in 2022 across all drought-affected areas of the country, including 3 million people in Somali Region.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

After one year of independent implementation in the Ethiopia and in order to facilitate strategic scaling up and development of activities, MdM GE sees the need for an overall review and assessment of its intervention, specifically of the humanitarian setting. Furthermore, the Ethiopia Country Team is experiencing a gap in current Medical Coordinator position, which affects the Somali Region project in a crucial moment, not only in terms of technical guidance, hands-on support but also strategic input.

The general objectives of this Consultancy therefore are:

• Overall assessment of the MdM GE humanitarian programme in Somali Region
• Concrete recommendations for improvement and strategic development of different programme parts in line with MdM GE country strategy
• Practical, hands-on technical support and guidance to programme team in all relevant programme related matters
• Guidance of MdM GE support for development oriented local partner NGO

The Consultancy should provide:

• Conduct an overall assessment of the Somali Region programme to identify weaknesses and strengths in the overall programme implementation in Somali Region
• Provide concrete recommendations for adaption and strategic development of different programme parts and locations (primary healthcare, preparedness, emergency response capacities, One Health ….) in Somali Region and Ethiopia overall
• Identify training and capacity building needs and opportunities with the Programme team for relevant topics
• Support to the Programme team in all relevant aspects of Programme implementation, in particular with finalizing Exit and handover of project in Gerbo and support with in depth-assessment of new intervention areas
• Support Programme team in finalizing the programme design for new locations, with a focus on integrating lessons-learned and innovative / environmentally friendly components.
• Support Programme team in reporting and revising GFFO narrative, activity plan and logframe
• Lead any upcoming proposal writings for GAC and other donors if upcoming / selected

1. METHODOLOGY
2. Preliminary work (can be done on site) a) Literature/secondary data review: literature review and analysis of existing data from relevant stakeholders (MdM and others) b) Briefing with MdM HQ and Ethiopia Country team (Online/physical)
3. Fieldwork a) Working with Programme Team in all intervention areas and in Jijiga b) Visit to all current and future project sites c) Workshops/ working sessions with overall MdM GE team
4. Reporting a) Assessment report b) Recommendations linked to overall strategy, including intervention packages and mission log frame c) Debriefing with MdM HQ and Ethiopia Country team (Online/Physical)

The Consultant will be responsible for developing and presenting a sound methodology. The methodology will be submitted as part of the application process and will be discussed later on with MdM Germany if the application is successful.

1. DELIVERABLES

• A concept note describing the finally agreed methodological approach as well as workplan and timetable (to be provided before the field work starts)
• Assessment report
• A strategy document with recommendations for MdM Germany program in Ethiopia, including a mission log frame
• A country programme report, including recommendation on team capacity development and proposition of follow up.

All documentation will remain the property of MdM and will be disseminated as appropriate.

1. LOCATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The Consultancy – assessment and support – will be carried out in Jijiga, Somali Region where MdM Germany team is currently based, with visits to all intervention sites (Qoloji, Gerbo, Tuli Guled, Degahmado and Sagag) in Somali Region. Visits to Addis Abeba upon need.

1. TIMEFRAME

The consultancy is expected to take place from November 2022 – January 2023. The following preliminary timeframe is foreseen while a final timetable is expected from the consultant and can be adapted according to the needs.

• Preparation and desk study, including briefing with MdM: 3 days
• Travel: 2 days
• Work in the field, including support, assessment and proposal writing: 65 days
• Debriefing with MdM and Report writing: 5 days

–> TOTAL: 75 days

Transport and accommodation to and within Ethiopia and other administrative support will be provided by MdM GE.

1. REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND PROFILE

MdM GE is looking for a dynamic and motivated consultant with medical technical background, Humanitarian experience, ideally in the context of Horn of Africa. Ideally additional development / Nexus background but not necessarily. S/he should be an excellent team player, able to motivate staff and guide teams, support them in improving and capacity building. S/he should be very organized and able to prioritize in a volatile and complex crisis, able to adapt and fill gaps and support in building structures where needed. We are looking for someone who wants to contribute to the medical / health strategic and programmatic development of MdM GE in Ethiopia. We welcome approaches that include localisation, innovative, out-of the box, “green” aspects and are guided by principles such as Participation and Accountability, beyond being buzzwords. The candidate will hit the ground running and needs to be stress-resistent, open to travel frequently to remote locations and Addis Abeba and managing different priorities.

• Advanced university degree in health-related field, humanitarian aid, international development or other related fields
• At least 5 years of proven experience in programme or project design, management and monitoring
• Experience managing multi-sectoral and/or health interventions.
• Experience in programme design for humanitarian as well as development settings
• Deep proposal development and writing experience with a variety of donors
• Experience in humanitarian sector and /or field-based roles in fragile or development contexts
• Experience with designing and Implementing PHC and or humanitarian needs assessments
• Experience developing and refining quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure humanitarian needs
• Horn of Africa experience including complex and challenging security environments are seen as an asset
• Regional experience is seen as an asset
• Fluency in English (spoken/written),
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and demonstrable team leadership and capacity building experience including strong external engagement and coordination skills

1. TENDERS AND EVALUATION MANAGEMENT

Bids must include:

• An application describing the methodology that will be used, including a work plan and a timetable.
• A CV and details of previous work experience
• A Financial proposition
• An indication of the date from which the consultant will be available

Timeline guide for the assessment: November 2022 – January 2023

Tenders should be submitted electronically in English to MdM by the closing date of 30th October 2022.