Consultant at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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Consultant at International Rescue Committee (IRC)
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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At as today, IRC is in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant – Promoting Rights and Supporting Protection Needs in North-East Nigeria (ProSPINE+) Stat

Requisition ID: req22231
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Evaluation & Learning
Employment Category: Consultant
Employment Type: Part-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Background
The IRC has had a humanitarian presence in Nigeria since 2012 when it responded to a flood emergency in Kogi State. In January 2014, the IRC began programming in Adamawa State due to the growing humanitarian crisis because of armed opposition groups in North-East Nigeria. Subsequently, IRC expanded its intervention to Borno and Yobe state in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In most of its emergency programming, the IRC has adopted a multi-sectoral approach addressing food security, health, nutrition and hygiene/sanitation and protection needs of conflict affected populations.

Five International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) constitute the Protection Consortium that is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The Protection Consortium is led by the IRC and is comprised of 4 other partners: Plan International, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Danish Refugee Council/ Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) and Translators without Borders (TWB) who have an already established presence in Nigeria and have ongoing operations in north-east Nigeria, including in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States.  Partners worked closely to promote rights of the internally displaced persons and the affected population supporting their protection needs through a diverse set of interventions to enhancing their access to critical protection assistance in the BAY states.

Project Description

  • The ProSPINE+ is a continuation, and expansion, of the former FCDO-funded ProSPINE consortium project which commenced in May 2016 with IRC as the lead and NRC, DRC, and SCI as partners. The consortium partners worked on delivering unique protection services since 2016, it has provided significant understanding of the protection context in North-East Nigeria.
  • ProSPINE+ builds on previous and ongoing protection programming in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The intervention targeted both Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees through both joint, integrated as well as targeted specialized services to prevent and respond to violence against displaced communities. Specifically, the program aims to achieve the following Impact and outcomes.
  • Impact: Crisis-affected community members are protected from and treated for the consequences of violence
  • Expected result: 86% Of community member expressed an improved feeling of safety.
  • Outcome 1: Women, girls, boys, and men are free from violence in their communities (prevention)
  • Expected result: 50% Of community members can identify and respond to protection concerns

Priority Outputs for Outcome 1:

  • Community members have information about laws, their rights and availability of services.
  • Community members take individual and collective action.
  • Services and structures are safe and reduce opportunities for harm.
  • Relevant stakeholders follow rules and laws to protect civilians.
  • Conflict-affected communities are better informed about the dangers posed by Explosive Remnants of War.
  • Women, girls, boys, and men are protected from negative coping mechanisms through increased access to livelihood opportunities.
  • Consortium partners and other actors including community members have access to multilingual two-way communication, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) training, and language support, enhancing communication with the affected population.
  • Outcome 2: Women, girls, boys, and men are protected from the consequences of violence (response)
  • Expected result: 80% Of assessed community members have received emergency relief and protection.

Priority Outputs for Outcome 2:

  • Women, girls, boys, and men have their urgent protection needs met.
  • Increased awareness of rights among government protection actors and beneficiaries.
  • Women and girls are protected from and treated for consequences of gender-based violence.
  • Diverse people have responsive information, capacity and support needed to realize their rights.
  • Outcome 3: Women, girls, boys, and men access rapid and equitable emergency relief services (emergency response).
  • Expected result: 100% Of community members assessed to be in need have received relief and protection services

Priority Outputs for Outcome 3:

  • Rapid humanitarian response capacity strengthened and expanded
  • Partners provide emergency relief and protection services in line with their expertise.
  • Study of conflict sensitivity in Northeast Nigeria humanitarian response commissioned and launched with clear recommendations for improvement.
  • Outcome 4: Protection risks and needs of women, girls, boys, and men are better addressed and understood by decision-makers, community systems and local governance structures influencing change in the protection of vulnerable individuals and communities.
  • Expected result: 20% Of decisionsactions made at state or federal government level resulting from activities supported or contributed to by consortium partners.

Priority Outputs for Outcome 4:

  • Duty bearers understand the protection risks and barriers facing the affected population and fulfil their responsibilities to provide accessible services that meet the needs and rights of the people.
  • Local authorities, government, community leaders and quasi-government structures are supported in driving change in policy and legislations impacting on women, girl, boys, and men.

Objectives of the Evaluation

  • Assess the ProSPINE+ partners’ performance and delivery of the project results, including planned impact. The end line evaluation report will help the IRC and consortium partners to improve its future projects through lessons learned and best practices generated from the project.
  • The end line evaluation report will be used as a measurement to monitor the project progress against set of indicators over the course of the project. The report will establish an end line data for the indicators below:
    • % Of community member expressing an improved feeling of safety.
    • % Of community members that are able to identify and respond to protection concerns.
    • % Of assessed community members that access emergency relief and protection
    • % Of community members assessed to be in need that access relief and protection services
    • % Of people who report that information received through the protection helpdesks/clinics was relevant to their needs?
    • % Of community members/CBCPC members who demonstrate knowledge in protecting children within the community
    • % Of children and adolescents who are participating in Safe, Healing and Learning Space (SHLS) and Support Adolescent and their Family in Emergency (SAFE) activities who report improved sense of wellbeing from beginning of the intervention (IRC).
    • % Of women and adolescent girls participating in safe space activities reporting knowing where to go for services and support if they or someone they know experience violence

Purpose and Scope of the Evaluation

  • The purpose of the evaluation is to gather information that assesses the extent to which project objectives were met, impact achieved, and identify circumstances that led to both high and/or low level of successes.
  • Also to gather information that will enable IRC and consortium partners to improve future project design and programmatic strategy. The evaluation will cover the period of 1st April 2019 to 30th November 2021 covering all project locations across the BAY states.

Key Questions
Key questions that the evaluation is intended to answer are based on OECD DAC criteria as follows:

Relevance: The extent to which ProSPINE+ is suited to the priorities and policies of the donors as well as the clients:

  • Did the project address the highest priority needs of the affected population?
  • Did the project effectively reach the most vulnerable individuals?
  • Was the Logical Framework of the project suitably designed to meet its purpose?
  • How relevant was the project to targeted groups, need and priorities?
  • Are activities and output of the intervention consistent with the overall goal and the attainment of its objectives?

Effectiveness – A measure of the extent to which activities of the project attained the set objective:

  • Was the project effective in delivering desired/planned results??
  • Were the monitoring mechanisms effective in providing timely data to inform management decisions?
  • What were the major factors influencing achievement or non-achievement of the stated objectives?

Efficiency:

  • Did the actual or expected result justifies the cost incurred?
  • Were adequate human and financial resources applied to delivering project outcome?
  • Were outputs delivered in a timely fashion?
  • Was technology deployed to improve efficiency?
  • How did the project financial management processes and procedures affect project implementation?

Impact: The positive and negative changes produced by the intervention, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended:

  • What real difference has the project made to the lives of targeted beneficiaries?
  • What is the performance against stated indicators?
  • Is there any unintended outcome as a result of this project?
  • To what extent did COVID-19 impact positively and negatively to the project implementation?

Sustainability: Measurement of whether the benefits of the activities implemented are likely to continue after project closure:

  • To what extent are the benefits of the project likely to be sustained after the completion of this project?
  • What is the likelihood of continuation and sustainability of project outcomes and benefits after completion of the project?
  • How effective were the exit strategies, and approaches to phase out assistance provided by the project including contributing factors and constraints?
  • What risks are there to the sustained impact of the project?
  • What are the key factors that will require attention in order to improve prospects of sustainability of Project outcomes and the potential for replication of the approach?
  • How were capacities strengthened at the individual and organizational level (including contributing factors and constraints)?

Methodologies

  • The consortium recommends a mixed methods approach that can quantify and qualify project results and achievements of overtime. Consultants are advised to recommend the most appropriate approach for the assignment.
  • Nevertheless, the final methodology will be agreed with the country M&E team and will be contingent upon the listed tasks.
  • The end line evaluation process will be carried out in accordance with OECD DAC evaluation principles and guidelines.

The evaluation team should propose their own methodology, which may include:

  • Document review of all relevant documentation. This would include a review of project proposal; theory of change and Logframe; programme and project quality assurance reports; annual workplans; distribution list, consolidated quarterly and annual reports; results-oriented monitoring report; highlights of project Senior Management Board (SMB) meetings; and technical/financial monitoring reports.
  • Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. This would include a representative sample of project beneficiaries (Men, women, boys, girls and PWD), key government stakeholders, community-based protection committee members, and implementing partners:
    • Development of evaluation questions tailored to the different needs and participation of various stakeholders.
  • All interviews should be undertaken in full confidence and anonymity.
  • Field visits and on-site validation of key tangible outputs and interventions. The evaluation team is expected to follow a participatory and inclusive consultative approach that ensures close engagement with implementing partners and direct beneficiaries.
  • Survey with sample and sampling frame. This could include the sample size and characteristics; the sample selection criteria; the process for selecting the sample (e.g., purposive); if applicable, how comparison and treatment groups were assigned; and the extent to which the sample is representative of the entire target population, gender representation, including discussion of the limitations of the sample for generalizing results

Data Collection and Management:

  • The IRC expects a balanced use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand the program performance in addressing community needs. Quantitative data should be rigorously analysed and representative of project locations within reasonable limits.
  • Qualitative data should also be carefully analysed and should focus on developing deeper understanding of the relevance of the project results and providing recommendations for improving and /or strengthening effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the results.
  • Both direct and indirect beneficiary perspectives should be considered, examining any positive or negative spillover effects.

Expected Deliverables
This consultancy takes place after end of the grant, starting from December 1, 2021. The final report is expected to be submitted not later than January 31, 2021. The following deliverables are expected:

  • Inception Report: To ensure the evaluator understands the Term of Reference, the evaluator will prepare an inception report detailing his/her understanding of the evaluation and how the evaluation questions will be addressed.
  • The inception report will include a simple evaluation matrix summarizing the evaluation design, evaluation questions, data sources and collection analysis tool for each data source and the measure by which each question will be evaluated.
  • The inception report should also include scope of work, work plan, and responsibilities for each task should be clearly outlined. The inception report will be discussed and agreed upon with all stakeholders (IRC, Consortium partners and FCDO).
  • Workshop with IRC and Consortium partners: The evaluator will conduct a one-day workshop with IRC and consortium partners to present and validate preliminary findings. And:
    • Highlights of field findings, lesson learnt and best practices that can guide future program design.
    • Recommendation to inform and/or improve IRC and consortium partners’ programing in Nigeria with clear action points.
  • Inception Evaluation Report: The evaluator will prepare and share an inception evaluation report upon prior to receiving 30% of the allocation which will be shared with ProSPINE+ consortium partners and M&E unit for reviews and comment.
  • The final report (Max 50 pages): Final report is expected to be shared on the 3rd week of assessment period. The content and the structure of the final analytical report with finding, recommendations and lessons learnt covering the scope of the evaluation should meet the requirements of the IRC M&E Policy and should include the following:
    • Executive summary
    • Introduction (Project background information)
    • Description of the evaluation methodology
    • Analysis of opportunities to provide guidance for future programming
    • Key findings, including best practices and lessons learned
    • Conclusion and recommendations
    • Appendices: charts, terms of reference, field visits, people interviewed, documents reviewed

Ethics and Consideration

Informed Consent:

  • IRC is committed to complying with privacy and data protection laws including the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The IRC’s Data Protection Policy sets out the principles that IRC applies when handling individual’s personal information. Any consultants offered a contract with the IRC is expected to be GDPR compliant when handling individuals’ personal information.
  • Consent is gathered for the purpose of gaining permission to capture someone’s story or image, and document how the image and story can and cannot be used. The IRC has Consent Guidelines and documentation which must be used when gathering any content which may later be used.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

  • In addition, The IRC has a Safeguarding Framework that includes Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and to clarify the responsibilities of The IRC staff, visitors to the programme and partner organizations, and the standards of behavior expected of them.
  • We have the responsibility to ensure that any persons hired or consulted during the process are made familiar with the policies and commit to abide by them during the execution of this work.
  • Any consultants offered a contract with The IRC will be expected to sign Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy as an appendix to their contract. By doing so, consultants acknowledge that they have understood the contents of policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

Duty Station and General Conditions:

  • The duty station of the work will be in Maiduguri, Borno state. However, the evaluator will be required to travel to project sites in Adamawa and Yobe states (where security conditions allow).
  • While in the field, the consultant will be required to abide by IRC security protocols and guidelines.
  • While in the field, the consultant will be provided with security briefings by field security focal person.
  • The consultant will conduct his/her work using his/her own computer equipment.
  • Terms of payment will be negotiated upon acceptance of the consultancy.
  • The total budget for the consultancy will include VAT as/if required by national regulations.
  • Final payment of consultant will be remitted upon satisfactory submission of agreed deliverables.

Qualifications

  • To the greatest extent possible, the evaluation team should consist of diverse backgrounds and experience in multi-sectoral programs.
  • The consultants must have extensive experience on protection programming in active conflict and/or post conflict settings. Preferably, the consultants also have a substantial knowledge of the context dynamic of the Northeast Nigeria.
  • The IRC welcomes expressions of interest from seasoned consultants, individuals or firms in academia, social research, or humanitarian evaluation with a background in humanitarian aid, research methods, development economics, development studies, or other related fields.

The lead consultants should possess:

  • Master’s Degree or higher in Development, International Relations or Humanitarian Work.
  • Extensive experience in conducting evaluations along OECD evaluation criteria, ideally leading an evaluation team and experience of designing evaluation methodology / tools and data analysis.
  • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in research and or evaluations of humanitarian assistance programmes, preferably those with protection programming elements.
  • Experience of working or evaluating projects in insecure humanitarian environment.
  • In-depth knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Excellent analytical, presentation and writing skills in English.

Timeframe

  • This consultancy assignment is anticipated to start Dec 1st, 2021. The entire exercise will last between 30-60 days including final report submission. The deadline for submission of the inception and financial proposals and accompanying documents is Dec 6th, 2021. Expression of interest applications should include:
  • Inception report with clear understanding and interpretation of the ToR, including detailed tasks, recommended methodology summary and proposed schedule, relevant experience, how you meet the profile required and details of time required (maximum 5 pages)
  • Financial proposal, including daily professional fee and any other associated costs for the assignment. The consultant should itemize all costs for the duration of assignment, lumped up costs will not be accepted in the financial proposal. IRC will only cover field-related costs while in-country. All costs need to be clearly stated in the bid submission.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates / consultants should send their CV to: NGHR.ConsultantsApplications@rescue.org using the Title as the subject of the email.

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