Project Design Consultant – Turkey Earthquake Response

Terms of Reference for Project Design Consultant – Turkey Earthquake Response

Background & rationale

The earthquake that struck the Turkey-Syria border on February 6, 2023, resulted in an immense shelter crisis that required an effective and sustainable response to support the high number of affected vulnerable people.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Habitat for Humanity initiated consultations with partners operating in Turkey to look at opportunities for collaboration and support. Even though Habitat does not have an office in Turkey, it sought to actively engage through partnerships in response to the disaster. Multiple consultations took place which resulted in implementing the first phase of the project – expected to end in March 2024. Working in Elbistan and Gaziantep, with a focus on reducing community fear and uncertainty after disasters, the program sought to provide clear, on-the-ground technical advice on the habitability and safety of buildings, supplemented by a communication with community campaign. It prioritized immediate habitability and rapid repair of structures to maximize the number of displaced households returning to safe homes. The project aligns with the self-recovery shelter approach, emphasizing the importance of community-led strategies in post-disaster recovery. An adaptive management approach was used, involving close collaboration with local governments and incorporating real-time feedback to continually improve project implementation.

The rapid contextual changes that were reflected in adaptations and changes to coordination and regulations protocols highlighted the complexity of the shelter crisis and the necessity for an innovative, context-sensitive approach in the second phase of our response.

To this end, Habitat for Humanity seeks to engage a consultant who will play a pivotal role in the design and planning of the next project phase. Our focus is on creating an approach that is guided primarily by the latest data and insights, responsive to the current needs, and mitigates future challenges ensuring that our strategy is not constrained by the precedents of the initial response

Furthermore, following the review of the relevant and sector-specific secondary data, the consultant will be expected to advise on best practices, gaps, and opportunities for intervention from which an effective program design can be built.

The project phase, guided by the consultant’s study and recommendation, may consider supporting the self-recovery shelter approach, emphasizing community-led initiatives and sustainable solutions. The focus will be on ensuring that the mechanisms are adaptable, inclusive, and responsive to the changing needs of the affected populations.

Habitat for Humanity is committed to a participatory approach, therefore, feedback from stakeholders, including beneficiaries, partners, and local authorities, must be reflected in the project design process. The consultant will facilitate this engagement,( and initiate it where necessary) ensuring that the concerns and shelter needs of those most impacted by the earthquake are addressed.

The consultant’s expertise and insights are crucial in shaping a response that not only addresses immediate shelter needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable recovery and resilience in the face of future challenges.

Objectives of the Consultancy

• To lead in the design and planning of a new project focusing on shelter response in Turkey post-earthquake.
• To incorporate learnings from the previous project and current best practices in disaster response.
• To ensure the project design is contextually relevant and effective in meeting the needs of affected and vulnerable communities.

Scope of Work

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of available secondary data on shelter needs and responses, and examine challenges and reference lessons learned from the previous project.
• Engage with stakeholders, including local authorities and communities where shelter needs have been identified and partner/relevant organizations, to understand the current needs and gaps.
• Develop a comprehensive project design document, including objectives, expected outcomes, activities, and a preliminary implementation timeline.
• Ensure alignment of the project with donor requirements and expectations.
• Provide recommendations on project implementation strategies, considering the local context and resources.
• Collaborate with the Habitat team, including the project manager and MEAL specialist, to ensure a participatory and inclusive design process.

Duration

The consultancy will be conducted over a period of 5 weeks.

Start date: March 11, 2024

End date: April 12, 2024

Within this 5-week period, the consultant is expected to complete the following key tasks:

• Strategic Review and Analysis: Conduct a thorough review of available project documents, reports, and data related to the ongoing phase of the project. This includes analyzing the project’s approach, strategies used, and the overall impact to date, based on the information available remotely.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Arrange and conduct virtual and/or in-person meetings with relevant sector partners, local authorities, and other stakeholders involved in the earthquake response in Turkey. The focus of these discussions should be on understanding the broader context of the shelter response, identifying gaps and unmet needs, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and support.
• Sector Analysis: Research and compile information on other ongoing shelter responses and initiatives in Turkey, analyzing their strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned. This should include engagement with sector experts and authorities to understand the broader landscape of the earthquake response. To include stakeholder mapping, list of NGOs, etc.
• Reporting and Recommendations: Prepare a comprehensive report outlining the findings from the analysis and stakeholder engagements, along with recommendations for the next project phase. To ensure full alignment, the Habitat team will review the draft prior to the development of the proposed project. This report should include a proposed strategy, implementation plan, and any specific suggestions for adapting the project to the current context and needs.
• Project Design Development: Based on the insights gained, develop a draft project design for the next phase of the response. This design should consider the current challenges, opportunities for improvement, and best practices in disaster response while being aligned with Habitat’s overall strategy and goals.

A detailed activity plan will be co-created with the successful consultant.

Eligibility & Considerations

• Proficiency in Turkish and English
• Experience in program design and development
• Established connections within the shelter working group and familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms
• In-depth understanding of the post-earthquake context and government restrictions
• Familiar with both development and humanitarian sectors
• Awareness of the social and cultural dynamics
• Competence in MEAL processes and tools
• Knowledge of GESI principles
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive analysis (content, qualitative, quantitative)