A: Background:
Decades of conflict, drought, seasonal flooding, and poor governance systems have severely disrupted economic development and progressively depleted livelihood assets of millions of people in Somalia consequently leading to displacements and recurrence of famines. In addition, precarious food security and very poor access to health care, safe water and sanitation facilities highly predispose communities to acute malnutrition and outbreak of diseases. Although the overall food insecurity, livelihoods and malnutrition situation has improved since the 2011 famine, large proportions of the population in different parts of the country still experience a humanitarian crisis manifested by severe food insecurity and increasing risk of moderate and acute malnutrition situations. This is further exuberated with limited resources, insecurity and unequal gender relations affecting access control as well as decision making power.
For instance, the findings of a comprehensive study undertaken by FSNAU from May to July 2014 (post GU) covering most livelihood zones of Somalia indicated an alarming situation of malnutrition. The results highlighted that the highest levels of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM1) (24.8 % or Critical) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) (6.3% or Very Critical) were recorded among Bakool Pastoral livelihood. The assessment result show that critical levels of acute malnutrition (GAM) were sustained among Bay Agro Pastorals, Bakool Pastorals, Beletweyne district and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kismayo, Dollow, Dobley, Dhusamareb, Garowe and Galkayo as well as Bari urban2.
Women and girls in Somalia make about 50% of the population and the gross inequalities and in human conditions they endure both as a result of the conflict and in general, is a key factor contributing to Somalia’s extremely poor human development index3. The situation of women in Somalia is particularly dire and presents real concerns for their fair treatment, access to justice and overall human rights and protection. Early marriages and teenage pregnancies are common; girls who get married or give birth at a young age have greater vulnerability to violence and health risks.
Oxfam Novib has been working in Somalia since 1960s, implementing both emergency lifesaving interventions supporting early recovery and development projects. Through decades of engagement, ON has established a very strong partnership with local communities, government authorities and wider humanitarian actors in Somalia. Oxfam would like to do an in-depth assessment to know the current needs on the grounds and set an hypothesis of what will happen in the course of 2015. The hypothesis should take into consideration the volatile and ever evolving environment we are working in, to keep pace with contextual changes to ensure they are relevant and inform our programming appropriately.
1 WHO classifies the prevalence of GAM rate 15% as an emergency level
2 FSNAU Nutrition situation: Post Gu 2014 Analysis Technical Series Report Number VII 55, October 28, 2014
3 Somalia NHDR 2011
B: Objectives of the Assessment:
The overall objective this assessment is to carry out a comprehensive multispectral needs assessment looking at:
- Governance system;
What government /administrative structures exist now? How are these structures functioning in light of food in security, are they linked with the regional and National structures? Are they linked to other actors?
Need for stakeholders analysis and on-going interventions and for which sectors including Oxfam programs, where is the gap?
- Disaster management and humanitarian response: -
What are the existing systems and structures for Disaster Risk Management? What are their roles and capacity to respond to Category 1 emergencies, Is there enough existing humanitarian capacities to respond to Category 1 emergencies?
- Advocacy and Campaigns:
Where do have the highest opportunities of advocacy? Are there new emerging issues that Oxfam can take up for campaigns?
What are the existing needs by prioritization? Risks of malnutrition, Food insecurity, WASH related problems, Market analysis?
C: The Scope of the assessment:
The target areas for the assessment are;
Beletwayne; Afgoye; Dhusamareb and Kismayo.
All the assessment should be done through a gender lens of Somalia. Oxfam works in these districts and would like to improve on our programming and expand their operations. The districts have also been mentioned in the above analysis as some of the most affected districts, which could be attributed to the fact that these districts were not accessible before and now with AMISOM liberating most of these districts it’s possible to access and conduct an assessment that will help with our programming. Oxfam is already running a few projects in these districts and would like to extend our activities further.
D: Sector Specific Objectives:
i. Food Security and Livelihoods
To gain a better understanding of the causes of the prevailing food insecurity and livelihood situations in the proposed areas of assessment and help to inform Oxfam’s future food security and livelihoods program design. Gather information on decision making at household level and what role women play are they involved in decisions to do with assets etc, the assessment helps to:
Identify sources of livelihood vulnerabilities /hazards and shocks for different gender at the household and community level.
Determine critical gender driving factors of food insecurity at the household and community level using the four dimensions of food security4.
Mapping primary and auxiliary food security and livelihood activities undertaken by women, men, boys and girls in households and factors affecting their outcomes.
Identify different coping strategies employed by women and men at households when faced with severe food shortages and hunger.
To understand how men, women, boys and girls spend their time on a daily basis taking into consideration participation in resource allocation and livelihood activities.
To identify the roles of institutions and stakeholders in shaping the food security and livelihoods outcomes in the area of study.
ii. Market Analysis: Cash Transfer:
To map available markets (major and satellite) in the area, volume of commodities (historical and current stock level), functionality, competitiveness and essential trading routes.
4 The four dimentions include avaiabality, accessiblity, utilization and stability.
To identify key actors in the local market system, including importers, whole sellers, retailers, consumers, brokers, distributors, local credit systems (formal and informal), transport system, policy environment, etc.
To map local money transfer service providers and define the most appropriate, safe and effective cash/vouchers delivery mechanisms to the beneficiaries.
To understand the market dynamics and establish the price trends of important food sources and services (historical and current).
iii. Nutrition and Health:
To identify the availability and barriers to access healthcare services by different gender groups
To identify risk factors those are playing a role in the prevalence of moderate and acute malnutrition using a UNICEF framework of malnutrition.
To map health care services available, access and coverage and distances to the population.
iv. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene:
How are the current WASH structures managed, by whom, how, meeting frequency, is there a holistic partnership in the design and management?
To identify the main challenges which prevent women, men boys and girls access to adequate quantity and quality of water supply.
To map sources of water at the household and community level.
Assess community devices for hand washing- looking at appropriateness and locations and paying attention to institutions (schools, madrasas and health centres).
Assess the community excreta (human waste) disposal practices especially the faeces of young children.
The assessment should in overall cross cutting issues: Gender analysis, Protection, Environment, access and security analysis etc in all the sectors.
E: Assessment Methodology
In order to understand the complex of issues and interlocking vulnerability factors causing food insecurity, malnutrition, health, governance and other risks in the study area, the consultant needs to adopt a qualitative research approach preferably using some PRA methods. In order to compliment the qualitative methods, the consultant should undertake an extensive review of grey literature, policy documents and analysis of existing data from ON and partner organizations. Further, in order to bring the “human face” to the research, the consultant should undertake a limited number of in depth household case studies (life stories) across all the sampled villages.
F: Deliverables:
The consultant is expected to deliver the following key deliverables on dates, time, and format as agreed during the contract signature.
Complete draft report and submit to the key Oxfam technical and program personnel for a review and feedback after the completion of the fieldwork with an excerpt of not more than 5 pages.
All materials used for data collection and management e.g. field instruments/ questionnaires, and audio recorded data.
The final version of the assessment report will follow the following format and be no more than 30 pages in length, excluding annexes;
i. Title page
ii. Table of contents
iii. List of acronyms and abbreviations
iv. Acknowledgments
v. Executive Summary
vi. Background
vii. Purpose of the Assessment
viii. Scope
ix. Methodology
x. Results/findings
xi. Conclusion,
xii. Recommendations.
Annexes including assessment tools, TOR for the study, pictures, map, places visited, life stories and other relevant documents, bibliography
G: Desired competencies
Education (Knowledge): Advanced degree in developmental studies, social sciences, food security, Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology or related discipline.
Experience: proof of extensive experience in Food security, Nutrition and public health needs assessment.
Willingness and ability to access the proposed districts in South Central Somalia given security is a key consideration.
Skills and abilities: proven ability to organize and supervise a field team in a cross-cultural setting. Excellent report writing and communication skills, Good training/facilitation skills.
Experience in undertaking assessment in the proposed villages. Proof of capacity to access the proposed districts is necessary.
Knowledge in gender and fluency in Somali language is a plus
HOW TO APPLY:
Deadline:
All applications should be submitted to somaliajobs@oxfam.org.uk by COB 12th February 2015. When submitting please include your organisation profile, CVs of the trainer/s and a support document justifying why you are the best candidate for this job.
