Consultancy to Conduct Vulnerability Capacity Assessment & Design Forecast Based Approaches for Early Warning Activities/Actions at Malteser International

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main objective of the consultancy is to conduct a vulnerability capacity assessment and design forecast based approaches for early warning activitiesto inform the implementation of the project. The specific objectives include:

• Identifying and analysing the vulnerabilities of communities and critical infrastructure to various natural and man-made hazards.
• Assessing the existing capacities and resources within the county and target communities, including human, financial, and technological assets, to forecasts, respond to and recover from disasters.
• Engaging with local communities, government authorities, and relevant stakeholders to gather qualitative and quantitative data for a comprehensive assessment.
• Developing a report by outlining key findings, recommendations, and an action plan for enhancing Early warning activities within the target communities.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the overall supervision of the Malteser International Partner Coordinator, and the direct supervision of MI’s Program Officer, the consultant will perform the following activities:

Desk Review:

• Review existing MI Global Anticipatory Action Feasibility Study, literature, reports, and relevant documents on Marsabit County's & Dirre Woreda geography, climate, demographics, and past disaster events.
• Analyze existing disaster management plans, anticipatory action frameworks or forecast based finance approaches by other stakeholders, and policies at the county, regional, and national levels.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct consultations with local communities, government agencies, NGOs, DRR (disaster risk reduction) & One Health networks, and other relevant stakeholders to understand their perspectives on vulnerabilities and capacities.
• Organize workshops and focus group discussions to gather qualitative insights on community-specific risks and resilience factors.

Field Assessments

• Conduct field visits to different communities within target sites in Marsabit and Dirre Woreda to assess the physical vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and communities.
• Use standardized tools to quantify and qualify vulnerabilities, including household surveys and infrastructure assessments.

Capacity Assessment

• Identify and assess the capacity of local institutions, emergency responders, DRR & One Health networks, and community organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing early warning structures, systems, and communication channels.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyze collected data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Develop a comprehensive report highlighting key vulnerabilities, capacities, and recommendations for Malteser International.

TIME FRAME AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant should describe the assessment’s overall schedule that should end on or before the 29th March 2024. The assessment deliverable to be met include:

• Inception Report detailing the methodology, work plan, and data collection tools.
• Preliminary Findings Report for review and feedback.
• Final VCA Report including detailed vulnerability and capacity assessments, recommendations, an action plan for disaster resilience reviewed project results framework including the Project Performance Monitoring Plan and project monitoring tools/instruments.
• Presentation slides of findings to MI, PACIDA and County teams.

/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES

• At-least a master’s degree in public health, Nutrition or other social sciences or relevant field; Statistics, M&E, Agribusiness, Food economics etc.
• At least 10 years’ experience undertaking assessment for Climate Change projects, Food security, livelihoods and DRR.
• Expertise in food security, livelihoods, climate change and resilience programming
• Must have led at least two to three similar/assignments in the past 4 years and especially in the ASAL regions of Kenya.
• Strong analytical skills with proven experience in collecting and analyzing qualitative, quantitative methodologies.
• Excellent conflict sensitive approaches and able to work in highly sensitive environments.