Drought Information Management Consultant

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

DRC has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009. DRC supports refugees, IDPs, migrants and crisis- affected host communities in Addis Ababa, Somali region (Jiijga, Dollo Ado and Dire Dawa), Gambella region (Gambella and Dimma) and Tigray region (Shire, Sheraro and Mai Tsebri). DRC responds to the needs of people of concern by providing multi-sector programming in affected areas tailored to local contexts. DRC implements integrated responses that include Protection programming, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities, Livelihoods and Resilience interventions, and distribution of Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items. Moreover, DRC houses the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) and hosts the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariate (ReDSS) which are key sources of data and research to inform programming. DRC also supports access to justice and durable solutions in partnership with regional government authorities.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The Danish Refugee Council based in Ethiopia on behalf of the Humanitarian International Non-Government Organizations (HINGO) forum are looking to recruit a consultant who will: 1) lead the identification and collection of relevant data related to the drought in Ethiopia, 2) collate and analyze these data in a way that is useful for advocacy and fundraising for the HINGOs, 3) draft a strategy for information management related to the drought in Ethiopia to guide the continued use of such data, 4) coordinate with relevant stakeholders on the validation of such a strategy. Moreover, where possible, the consultant will be invited to contribute to similar discussions in Kenya and Somalia, to ensure coordination. This initiative shall inform donors and high-level policy actors who can advocate using their networks while providing Government bodies with evidence to guide their decision making.

1. Background

There are multiple crises happening in Ethiopia with conflict in the North, sporadic conflict flaring up in other regions, floods as well as an ongoing drought in the arid regions of Ethiopia. The drought is because of four successive seasons of failed rains and the situation is extremely serious as the start of the dry season is beginning in certain parts of the country. The International community and donors find themselves overstretched and most attention has been focused on the conflict and a fledgling peace process.

The International NGOs in Ethiopia have established a Humanitarian International NGO forum (HINGO) which is hosted by DRC who is also part of the Steering Committee. The HINGO community are extremely concerned about the lack of coordination, data, the efficacy of any data being used, and the assessment of the true picture concerning the drought situation. This affects their ability to coordinate and inform programming based on the latest evidence, to coordinate and implement evidence-based advocacy, to raise funds and hinders donors in making strategic decisions about where to channel their scarce resources.

1. Objective of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is: 1) to aggregate and consolidate data and information from a wide range of sources, INGOs, local level government, UN agencies etc.; 2) to analyze such data to provide a comprehensive overview of needs, capacities, trends and other key dynamics impacting beneficiaries; and 3) to present the information in different relevant and digestible formats, including dashboards and infographics, to inform programming, advocacy and engagement.

The consultant will be required to develop appropriate data sets, validate and standardize data where relevant, analyze data to identify key priorities and develop different contextual and programming scenarios, and generate informational and data-driven products as well as advocacy messages and programming recommendations for defined audiences.

1. Scope of work and Methodology

The Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how

the objectives of the project will be achieved, and the support required from DRC, and to implement said workplan.

The consultant should be well versed in coordinating with a variety of stakeholders, in particular the Information Managers, Advocacy focal points, MEAL managers and other relevant staff within partner organizations.

The consultant should have advanced knowledge of data management, analysis and visualization.

1. Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:

1. Initial workplan and brief inception report
2. Datasets in all the major sectors agreed by HINGO forum from areas affected by the drought (to be identified),
3. Compiled, cleaned/validated, and standardized information, where possible and relevant, from all relevant clusters and local governments
4. Analysis and key priorities for each sector/region, including identification of key blockages for delivery of key priorities
5. Scenario planning related to context and capacity.
6. Visualization of key findings and messages in infographics, dashboards and other formats relevant to programming
7. Advocacy messages for specified target audiences documented in presentation format based on the above analysis

The Consultant will provide the documentation in word and PowerPoint format (as agreed).

7. Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 60 working days

The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 31 December 2022

Payment will be at a daily rate agreed as part of the bidding process and on a monthly basis subject to approval of working days and submission of invoice and timesheet by the consultant to DRC.

8. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Essential:

• 10 years field experience, 5 of those at a senior level with proven expertise in environment and climate change as well as humanitarian response data and planning
• The consultant should have advanced knowledge of data management, analysis and visualization.

Desirable:

• Knowledge or previous work in experience in Ethiopia

Qualification: At least Degree in international development, social sciences or any other relevant field

• Skills and knowledge:
  • Ability to collect and analyse drought related data
  • Ability to develop strong advocacy messaging
  • A solid understanding of Ethiopiacontext
• Language requirements:
  • Written and spoken fluency in English
  • Working knowledge of Amharic/Somali is an advantage

1. Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

DRC Country Director, Sue Clarke, [email protected]

1. Location and support

The consultant will be working whilst in-country at the DRC Ethiopia head office in Addis Ababa, with travel to the field, the rest of the assignment will be home based.

The Consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone

1. Travel

Some field level travel to drought affected areas such as Somali region and/or Afar maybe required. This will be arranged and facilitated by DRC (or another INGO) and DRC safety rules will need to be followed – briefings will be provided

The consultant will need to ensure travel, accommodation, insurance, food is covered in the Financial Proposal

Evaluation of bids

6. Refer to the RFP.

Only those shortlisted consultants will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.