ToR: Consultancy services for the formulation on an emergency project in Northern Ethiopia (Deadline: 9 Nov 2022)

Location: home-based, Ethiopia

Deadline: 9 Nov 2022

Job Description

Background information

About SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages International is an independent, non-governmental international organisation that has been working since 1949 to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it. The federation members currently operate in 136 countries and territories, both in development and emergency contexts. SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde Luxembourg (SOS LU) is a member of the worldwide federation and is regularly accompanying the development of emergency projects in the fields of nutrition, education and protection through funding from the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The association works in close partnership with SOS Children’s Villages national member associations who are in charge of implementing projects in the countries of intervention.

About the situation in Northern Ethiopia

In November 2020, fighting erupted between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the region of Tigray, north of Ethiopia. The following six months were marked by regular clashes between government forces and the TPLF causing the displacement of the population into the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara. In June 2021, when a unilateral ceasefire was declared and the government forces left the Tigray region, TPLF retook the regional capital. Later, in December 2021, the Ethiopian National defence forces regained control over most parts of Amhara and Afar followed by an announcement of the Tigrayan forces on their retreat from the regions. Resumption of the conflict since the end of August 2022 followed by return to a calmer situation mid-October was observed. End of October 2022, first formal peace talks between the warring sides are taking place in South Africa.

The conflict has exacerbated an already challenging context and situation for children and women across the country with the widespread destruction of health facilities, occupation of schools by displaced persons, and lack of communication services, electricity, water, fuel and cash. The major challenges at this time include lack of access to food and nutrition, health and education services and protection.

About SOS Children’s Villages operations in North Ethiopia

Since the start of the Tigray crisis, SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia (SOS ET), as a member of SOS Children’s Villages federation, has operated several emergency responses in the neighbouring Amhara region, addressing in priority pressing food and nutrition needs of under 5 children, pregnant and lactating women and vulnerable families. SOS LU and SOS ET have therefore entered into partnership for the implementation of a six-month project in Ataye and Shewa Robit towns under the funding of Luxembourg MFA and SOS LU that has ended in July 2022. The recent resumption of the conflict since August 2022 has once more exacerbated the needs, in particular in the North of the region. SOS ET is currently leading a needs assessment in three districts of North Wollo zone, namely Wadla, Gazo and Qobo town and aims at starting a new small-scale emergency response in the area, under funding from Luxembourg MFA and SOS LU.

The project operation budget will be around 210.000€ (precise amount to be confirmed) and its duration should not exceed 6 to 9 months, starting from January 15, 2023.

The consultancy

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of consultancy is to assist SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia staff in formulating a new emergency project in North Amhara, based on the findings of the latest needs assessment. Specific duties include:

1. Remote briefing with SOS ET and SOS LU to review the expectations of the consultancy, the deliverables and timeline;
2. Reading of the needs assessment report (available on November 20)
3. Participation to a 3-day formulation workshop in Addis Ababa (November 28-November 30) to assist SOS ET team (programme and finance) in the detailed formulation of the project in compliance with MFA guidelines and based on the findings of the needs assessment. More precisely:
   1. Analysis with the team of the results of the needs assessment;
   2. Choice of an intervention responding to specific and precise needs and knowledge of existing stakeholders (sectors of intervention are likely to be nutrition and protection); clear definition of target groups and number of persons targeted disaggregated by gender and age;
   3. Choice of precise location(s) for the intervention (with GPS coordinates)
   4. Definition of the intervention logic and development of the project logical framework;
   5. Development of the detailed budget in line with the total budget available and latest prices of goods available on the market;
   6. Coordination with other humanitarian actors;
   7. Risk analysis and mitigation measures;
   8. Description of staff involved, their roles and organization chart of the project;
   9. Action plan with timetable;
   10. Monitoring and evaluation strategy;
   11. Consideration of transversal thematic namely gender, environment and governance/human rights
   12. Exit strategy.
4. 2 to 3 remote debriefing with SOS LU while on the mission;
5. Writing of the detailed project proposal in English and under MFA template and submission to SOS LU by no later than December 5, 2022 COB.
6. Remote support to SOS LU to answer questions/requests for clarification until December 9, 2022

Duration of the consultancy

Period: November 14, 2022 to December 9, 2022

Approximate duration:

• 2 days for remote briefing/debriefing/requests for clarifications;
• 3 days for formulation workshop;
• Estimated 2 days for proposal writing and submission;
• 3 days for travel (if relevant).

The number of days of assignment will not exceed 12 days within this period.

Place of work and travel involved

The consultancy will be mainly home-based. The consultant will travel to Addis Ababa to participate to the 3-day formulation workshop.

Qualification and knowledge/experience required

Qualification

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, international human rights, humanitarian law or other related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience and knowledge

• At least 5 years progressively responsible humanitarian response work experience with UN and/or NGO;
• Proven experience in the following areas: project design and project management under public funding;
• Experience in playing an advisory role;
• Knowledge of principles and approaches to child protection and child nutrition programming in humanitarian situations and working experience in child protection and child nutrition programme management are a strong asset;
• Previous working experience in Ethiopia is a strong asset.
• Previous working experience with Luxembourg MFA funding is an asset.

Language skills

• Fluent in English.