Request for Application (RFA): Post Drought Disaster Assessment for the (2021-2023) Episode at Strathmore University

• Transformational Resilience Programming (TRP) is one of the components under the USAID SPP and it seeks to transform the resilience programming landscape of Kenya by supporting both levels of Government in development as well as implementation of Policies and strategies towards a more Competitive, Inclusive and Resilient Economy. It also seeks to promote transformative private sector-led investments that expand economic opportunities in vulnerable communities.

Objectives Transformational Resilience Programming Component;

• Increased resilience investments: It will facilitate and operationalize strategic and transformational investments in an integrated resilience framework.
• Creation of local ownership and commitment to building regional resilience that enables sustainable and inclusive growth moving forward: It will support an inclusive, coherent, and locally owned resilience programming for multiple shocks and disasters, ensuring that stakeholders develop and own it at all levels, from national to sub-national and community levels.
• Institutionalized knowledge management and coordination platforms: It will support the development of a system for data collection, analysis, modeling, prediction, and feedback loops to inform locally-led decisions in building and strengthening resilience.
• Capacity building of institutions at national, sub-national, and community levels: It will support the necessary technical capacity and human and financial resources allocated to implement the new resilience programming framework.
• Finance mobilization: It will support the development and implementation of a strategy for mobilizing public and private sector financing.

Funding Opportunity

• The purpose of the Sub-grant is to support the Government of Kenya (GoK) in conducting a post drought impact assessment for the 2021 -2023 drought episode. National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) will lead collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to undertake the impact assessment.

Rationale

• Kenya has experienced an increase in frequency and intensity of drought episodes since independence. In 2021-2023, the country experienced the worst drought episode in four decades, with five consecutive failed rain seasons. At the peak of the drought, eight of the twenty-three counties where NDMA has established offices were in the drought ALARM phase and another thirteen were in ALERT phase. Moreover, 4.4 million people in the ASALs and a further 0.5 million people in the traditionally non-ASAL counties faced acute food insecurity and required immediate humanitarian assistance. Malnutrition rate among children aged below 5 years was about 970,000 while 142,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women required urgent life-saving treatment for malnutrition (SRA Report, 2023)
• In response to the ravaging drought, the Government of Kenya (National and Counties) and Non-State Agencies invested a huge amount of resources to save lives and livelihoods. As of March 2023, the Government had invested over KSh. 32 billion, and projections showed that another KSh. Forty-nine billion was required to cover the period March – October 2023. The long rains season (March-April-May) set in as projected by the Kenya Meteorological Department across most parts of the country marking the end of the prolonged 2021-2023 drought episode, triggering the need for a study to assess the impact of the drought episode as well as an estimation of resources required for drought recovery and resilience building in readiness for future drought episodes.
• Building on the foundations of the Kenya 2012 Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) this study will use a similar approach and methodology that combines two methodologies: the Damage, Loss and Needs Assessment (DaLa) methodology developed by the United Nations Economic Commission and the World Bank, and the Human Recovery Needs Assessment (HRNA) methodology developed by developed by the United Nations.
• The Government through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is commissioning this assessment. The Authority is the government agency mandated by law to coordinate all matters relating to drought risk management in Kenya. The execution of the study will be a collaborative activity involving the Government, development partners and other non- state actors.

Specific scopes of work include but not limited to:

• Desk study on various approaches to Post Drought Disaster Assessment.
• Conduct thorough economic valuation of various losses and damages associated with the 2021-2023 drought episode.
• Review reference documents and undertake initial analysis to understand the context of drought disasters in Kenya and highlighting the indicators of interest.
• Prepare stakeholder consultations tools (semi-structured interviews, discussion guides).
• Conduct stakeholder consultations guided by the approved consultation plan to collect reliable data/information and solicit stakeholder perspectives on Drought Disasters and climate change.
• Analyze the data/information collected.
• Prepare the draft Post Drought Disaster Assessment report.
• Organize and facilitate Stakeholders validation forums of the Post Drought Disaster Assessment report by stakeholders at various levels (National and County).
• Prepare the final Post Drought Disaster Assessment report incorporating comments from the validation forums for approval.
• Prepare a policy brief for submission to the Ministry of East African Community (EAC), the ASALs and Regional Development and the Council of Governors (CoG).
• Prepare a dissemination framework to various stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

This assignment will contribute to:

• Comprehensive Post Drought Disaster Assessment report for the 2021-2023 episode.
• Policy Brief.
• An institutional strengthening plan for NDMA

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A GRANT?

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Should be officially licensed to do such business (Certificate of Incorporation/ Business Registration, Tax Compliance Certificate, Business permit, CR 12 Form, KRA PIN).
• USAID SPP anticipates that each of the awards will be carried out by an organization, a firm or consortium of firms. Ideally, the entity demonstrates the following experience and expertise.
• In-depth understanding of dryland areas in Kenya and the regional context, including economic, social, and climate-related aspects.
• In-depth understanding of the intergovernmental mode of government and public sector policy and planning in Kenya, specifically the policy and institutional set-up relating to ASALs development.
• Experience in conducting economic valuation of loss and damage associated with disasters/drought
• Human-centered design, design thinking, systems thinking or other innovative approaches
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, including demonstrated understanding of the causal-effect methodology of research.
• Excellent analytical and people skills, including ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and to reconcile differing institutional perspectives and priorities.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating collaborative and inclusive review of complex multi-stakeholder consultation and planning mechanisms.
• Communication and editing skills to support preparation of papers, policy briefs and presentations using multimedia tools, posters, charts, web pages, etc.
• Relevant cross-cutting areas, including specifically gender, youth and social inclusion, Climate mitigation/adaptation,
• Experience in Private sector engagement in economic development, Financial and economic analysis.