ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED POPULATIONS, FRAMEWORK AND OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

Background/Problem Statement

ChildFund International has developed a basic framework for accountability towards affected populations (AAP), along with a draft guidance document. Country Offices piloting the guidance have given feedback recommending a somewhat more detailed, prescriptive but user-friendly document including checklists, practical examples, flowcharts and other visual elements. In addition, the current framework may not fully address major humanitarian donors’ minimum requirements or expectations in terms of accountability towards affected populations.

ChildFund’s AAP framework and guidance must enable people affected by disasters and crises to meet their different needs, address their vulnerabilities, build on pre-existing capacities, and drive program adaptation through the following key aspects:

• Systematically sharing timely, relevant, and actionable information with communities.
• Supporting the meaningful participation and leadership in decision making by affected people, regardless of their gender, age, socio-economic status, ability, ethnicity, or other diversity factors.
• Ensuring local feedback and complaints handling systems are in place to enable affected people to assess and comment on the performance of humanitarian action, on matters ranging from program design, timeliness of aid, and participant selection to sensitive issues such as sexual exploitation, fraud, corruption, discrimination, and other abuses of power.

While the bulk of ChildFund’s current programming, staff and resources are focused on long-term development programs, the organization is increasing its emphasis on humanitarian assistance as a strategic initiative. Some of ChildFund’s current accountability practices – including mapping of Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms, Program Quality Framework and Program Quality Reviews – are better suited for development programming due to their timing and complexity but could possibly be adapted to humanitarian contexts and should be considered as elements of the organization’s overall accountability framework. The resources developed under this consultancy SOW will meet immediate needs for humanitarian programming, while also offering the possibility of adaptation for ChildFund’s development programs.

As a child-focused organization, ChildFund’s accountability tools and processes must be accessible to children and youth as well as adults. The framework and guidance should also reflect that ChildFund delivers most of its assistance through local implementing partners, and that most country offices have quite small staffing structures compared to other humanitarian organizations.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant will support in the following activities:

1. Review background documents (listed at end of SOW).
2. Virtual consultations with selected ChildFund staff; may include individual and group discussions.
3. Prepare draft version of AAP framework, in line with IASC Commitments.
4. Revise AAP framework based on review feedback.
5. Prepare draft version of augmented AAP guidance.
6. Revise AAP guidance based on review feedback.
7. Dissemination of the final document to ChildFund team

Objectives of the Agreement/Deliverables

• AAP Framework approved by EMU Director
• AAP Guidance approved by EMU Director. This guidance should provide clear direction to Country Offices on how to implement the AAP framework through different response stages including needs assessment, program design, implementation, monitoring, and phase-out/transition, including practical elements such as flow charts and sample activities. It must be adaptable to different country/regional contexts, types of crises (rapid-onset, slow-onset, protracted), and types of response interventions.
• Webinar presentation to introduce AAP Framework and Guidance to ChildFund staff

Administration

The Consultant will report to ChildFund’s Director-Emergency Management Unit. The EMU Director will facilitate contacts with other key staff members for consultations. The Consultant will have periodic check-in calls with EMU Director, scheduled as needed.

Payments/Timeline

Candidates for this consultancy should present their proposed fee as part of application. Payment schedule will be based on deliverables, as follows:

• 45% upon delivery of final AAP framework
• 45% upon delivery of final AAP guidance
• 10% upon delivery of webinar

Consultancy candidates should also submit the proposed implementation timeline as part of their applications, with the understanding that the full SOW should take no longer than three months to complete – including periods when the consultant is waiting for review of draft submissions.

Required qualifications.

• Thorough understanding of internationally-accepted standards for accountability to affected populations, including the IASC Commitments, Core Humanitarian Standards, and SPHERE.
• Good writing and design skills.
• Evidence of similar, successful work undertaken for other organizations preferably international NGOs.
• Sound understanding of humanitarian standards and guidelines including SPHERE, IASC AAP Commitments, Core Humanitarian Standard, and Child Protection Minimum Standards.
• Postgraduate degree qualification in Social Sciences or other relevant field.
• Proficient/excellent writing skills in English
• Ability to deliver within strict deadlines and with minimal supervision.

Background documents

• ChildFund’s current draft accountability guidance.
• Field reports from country offices piloting the draft guidance.
• ChildFund’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
• ChildFund’s Child Safeguarding Policy & Procedures.
• ChildFund’s annual reports to Accountable Now.
• Programmatic guidance including that for Program Quality Reviews and Community-Based Child Protection Mapping.
• Selected-sample implementation reports from ChildFund emergency and humanitarian responses.
• Accountability tools and documents used by peer organizations working in humanitarian assistance.