Career Opportunities at Trócaire - 2 Positions

Trócaire, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes Netherlands have decided to undertake a joint rapid markets assessment in Turkana as they are all currently responding to the food insecurity situation in Turkana County through cash transfer modalities.

Markets are the principal means through which people derive income and purchase commodities that they need. Sudden shocks and slow onsets of droughts, famine and conflicts can severely limit the functioning of market systems, market places and consequently can have a strong negative impact on people’s capacity to access commodities that are essential for their survival.

1. Purpose and Scope of the Assignment

This market assessment is part of the emergency needs assessments following the current food insecurity situation in Turkana County. The main objective of the study will ascertain the markets functionality in for an emergency response. The design of the rapid market assessment will provide a basic understanding of the capacity of selected markets to provide people with key commodities in the immediate and during the aftermath of the drought.

Specific Objectives of the Assignment:

1. To determine the extent to which the shock has affected people’s access to and ability to pay for essential commodities.

2. To identity market aligned ways to assist the drought affected population in accessing these commodities when they are necessary.

The Rapid Markets Assessment will strengthen response analysis by providing market data essential for informed decision making on appropriate transfer mechanisms (i.e in kind/cash based/voucher based).

The consultant(s) will be expected to:

• Participate in briefing and consultation meetings to discuss the assignment; and development of the baseline design and implementation plan.

• Develop, in collaboration with Trócaire and partners, a detailed research and analysis plan, including plans for: pretesting of tools; recruitment and training of research assistants; meaningful participation of partners and community; sampling methodology; implementation of data collection in the field; qualitative and quantitative data analysis and reporting.

• Develop, in collaboration with Trócaire and partners, rigorous and robust data collection tools that can gather reliable and replicable data on each of the project indicators (Sample tools to be developed, shared and approved by Trócaire prior to data collection).

• Develop detailed protocols describing the data collection methodology for each data point.

• Lead data collection in the field including: designing and leading key informant interviews and focus group discussions; designing and leading surveys; identifying and training research assistants/enumerators; monitoring and ensuring data quality and research ethics of research assistants.

• Analyse data in a rigorous, robust manner using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques

• Draft a high-quality rapid assessment report. The report must be written in good quality English and must include robust and detailed analysis of the data findings.

• Methodology

  The study should use a mixed methodology approach, combining analysis of secondary data with primary data collection. The market assessment will include the following:

  Analysis of secondary documentation: The consultant(s) will collect and analyse all secondary data that is relevant to the implementation of the humanitarian response project.

  Primary Data Collection: The consultant(s) will be required to collect qualitative data and quantitative data on a range of indicators. In particular they will be required to administer data collection tools to gather information to the identified target groups. The consultant(s) should use both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather data on such indicators, including but not restricted to household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs). Triangulation of information gathered during the research will be a crucial aspect of this study. The analysis must provide a clear explanation of how the different data sets relate to one another and how they relate to the findings in the secondary documentation and provide a clear explanation for the results of the research.

• Tasks, outputs and suggested timeframe

Task / Output

1. Inception meeting with project staff; review of key background documents and existing data collection tools

2. Production of a detailed inception report including: detailed work plan, detailed research methodology and sampling approach for quantitative data collection, quantitative and qualitative tools finalised in agreement with the Project team

3. Recruitment and training of enumerators, ensuring all enumerators sign and abide by Trócaire’s Safeguarding Children Policy

● Train partner staff and enumerators on how to use the assessment tools effectively

1. Lead implementation of data collection,

● To oversee the whole rapid assessment exercise, ensuring research quality and that all required information/data is being captured.

● Compilation of primary data collected to inform the market functionality and appropriateness of (cash, voucher or in –kind) as modalities of assistance.

1. Data entry and analysis

· Compilation of primary data collected to inform the market functionality and appropriateness of (cash, voucher or in –kind) as modalities of assistance.

1. A concise report on a rapid market assessment for Turkana County, including Recommendations on likely scenarios and appropriateness of cash based interventions during (relief and emergencies) based on the current context and market functionality.

2. Design and provide a monitoring tool that the partners can use to track the evolution of the assessed markets and marketplaces

3. Oral presentation / meeting and de-brief with project staff

The rapid assessment study is expected to be completed by the end of June 2017. The exact period of the consultancy will be finalised with the consultant prior to the finalisation of the contract.

1. Consultant Profile

   Trócaire Kenya seeks to engage the services of qualified and experienced consultant(s)/consultancy firm to implement this baseline study. The consultant(s)/consultancy firm must have the following qualifications and experience:

2. The lead consultant(s) must be qualified to at least a Master’s degree level, preferably in the field of rural livelihoods development, rural economics and/or food and livelihoods security

3. The lead consultant(s) must have demonstrated technical expertise and experience in the design and implementation of rapid market assessments in the context of humanitarian emergency (e.g. EMMA) and in the design and management of cash/market based humanitarian interventions, preferably in ASAL areas of Kenya

4. The lead consultant(s) must have demonstrated experience and expertise in designing and managing similar studies and in delivering agreed outputs on time and within budget

5. Other team members should have a minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and must have detailed knowledge and understanding of rural markets and economics

6. Other team members must have demonstrated experience and expertise in implementing rigorous research on rural markets, preferably in ASAL areas of Kenya

7. The team must have demonstrated understanding of the ethical issues related to implementing such research

8. Excellent, demonstrated skills in researching rural markets in Africa; demonstrated experience in using relevant statistical analysis software (e.g. SPSS or similar)

9. Demonstrated ability to write high quality, clear, concise reports in English

10. Experience in designing, managing, monitoring and evaluating projects or programmes with international NGOs or government Ministries in ASALs an advantage.

11. Submission of Proposals

    Trócaire invites interested individuals and companies to submit the following application documents:

12. A Brief Expression of interest outlining how the consultant(s) meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the ToR and methodology.

13. Names and CVs of individuals or team members proposed and their roles in the achievement of the assignment

14. 3 professional referees (previous clients) and sample reports of similar assignments taken in the recent past

15. A proposed activities schedule/work plan with time frame

16. Financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and administrative costs

17. 3 examples of similar pieces of work completed within the past two years

18. The proposal shall be sent, in soft copy, to hrkenya@trocaire.org with “Joint Rapid Market Assessment ” as the email subject

19. The deadline for applying is 14^th June 2017. We are aiming to select the consultant by 16^th June 2017 and start the contract immediately thereafter.

20. Ethical Standards and Intellectual Property

    The consultant should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the evaluation is designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved and to ensure that the evaluation is technically accurate and reliable, is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, and contributes to organizational learning and accountability. The team will also commit to adhering to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Programme Participant Policy and Code of Conduct. All products arising from this evaluation will be owned by the contracting partners. The Consultant will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the analytical results as his or her own or to make use of the evaluation results for private publication purposes.

^[1] Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources State Department of Environment Kenya Meteorological Department (2017) The Outlook for the 2017 “Long Rains” (March-April-May) 2017 Season http://www.meteo.go.ke/pdf/seasonal.pdf

^[2] UNICEF Kenya – Humanitarian Situation report, April 2017.

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Main Purpose of Role

The position, working as part of the Humanitarian Programme team, will provide financial management support to Trocaire’s on-going Humanitarian intervention managed by the Resilience Programme Manager (RPM). In particular, the position will:

Partake in all planning activities for the intervention including supporting the development of detailed partner/Trocaire consolidated budgets, work plans, cash flow projections.

Work with all partners to support their Supply Chain Processes in effectively delivering the planned and procured Humanitarian Response materials

Extend full grant management support to the intervention including developing and partaking in detailed project financial monitoring, oversee quality project reporting, systems review, auditing and extending partner capacity building support

This position is expected to provide technical financial advice and support to the Humanitarian project team and its partners. 70% of the time will be spent with partners in its field locations.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Support development of detailed financial plans for the intervention

• Partake in all planning activities for the intervention including supporting the development of detailed partner/Trocaire consolidated budgets, work plans, cash flow projections.
• Support the Humanitarian team in preparing detailed plans and budgets for the intervention, including any pipeline information
• Support partners in preparation and review of their budget revision requests, costed-work plans and cash flow projections
• Prepare the project’s budget amendment/revision requests for PM/FAM review and approval
• Prepare project funds requests for review and approval

• Facilitate timely grant processing to partners through Agresso and subsequent disbursements, regularly updating the project on disbursement status. Support all partners on delivering on a robust Supply Chain Management Process

• Work with all partners to support their Supply Chain Processes in effectively delivering the planned and procured Humanitarian Response materials. Using Trocaire SCM Framework and Best International practise:

• Work with all partners to ensure that procurement frameworks in place are sufficient to deliver VfM and flexible enough to support the Humanitarian interventions in a timely manner

• Support all partners and the intervention to develop robust procurement plans

• Enhance partners capacities to undertake these processes
• Work with partners to set up and ensure strong warehousing and goods transportation systems are in place and working as they should, with strong emphasis on store management process and transport of goods logistics and control
• Establish strong fleet management procedures in the delivery of Humanitarian materials
• Help partners set up strong goods distribution systems; issuing goods and monitoring/accountability of distributions should be robust

Supporting the Projects Grants Management Processes – 25%

• Extend full grant management support to the intervention including developing and partaking in detailed project financial monitoring, oversee quality project reporting, systems review, auditing and extending partner capacity building support
• Undertake project compliance trainings for project staff and partners on any Humanitarian regulations, Trocaire requirements/tools/processes as well as other grant expectations, including generally accepted international financial management practices.
• Support partners in preparation of financial reports that are in compliance to the grant terms and generally accepted reporting requirements
• Maintain a robust partner financial reporting schedule and ensure that partners submit timely financial reports to Trocaire
• Analyse and monitor partner financial reports within their premises, on a monthly ensuring their spends are on track at all times, are in line with agreed work plans and that all variances are identified early on and acted upon appropriately
• Review all partner financial reports submitted ensuring their accuracy and completeness, including securing the validity of expenses reported
• Sign off on all partner monthly fund reconciliation statements.
• Prepare any consolidated donor financial reports for review by the PM and FAM ensuring that it is accurate and costs therein are valid and are in compliance to all applicable guidelines.
• Review, audit and verify sub awardees’ financial reports on-site by examining all underlying expenditures on-site and ensure accurate financial records are maintained.
• Undertake partner financial, compliance and/or operational audits as requested and share such results/recommendations
• Share results of these expenditure verification and site visit exercises with the Trocaire project staff, senior management as well as the partners, ensuring that all agreed recommendations are addressed in a timely manner.
• Support any on-going project audit exercises and coordinate all participating partners to respond to audit requirements.
• Follow up on resolving all arising audit issues and ensure that there is full implementation of all agree audit recommendations
• Regularly update the project on partner reporting status, expenditure patterns and areas of financial risk
• Administer Trocaire’s 18 minimum requirements to all project partners ensuring that they are all in compliance by addressing any identified gaps
• Undertake partners’ systems reviews, support design of accounting and reporting systems, provide on-job training, provide other on-going financial guidance and any required technical support to partners
• Support project close our exercise

Provide Technical Financial Management Advice and Support to Programmes – 5%

• Track and undertake the overall grant status/fund reconciliation in in the Agresso financial system
• Track the grant Budget Vs Actual through Agresso and appropriately advise project management on arising variances
• Participate in regular programme team meetings providing invaluable technical financial inputs and advice
• Analyse, alert and advice the project management on any financial and other risks that would impact on the delivery of project
• As called upon by the project, undertake fraud & irregularity investigations within identified partners

Any Other Duties: Any other duties as may be assigned

Expected Outputs

• Timely funds transfers to partners.
• Strong partner SCM Framework and processes. Programme deliveries for the intervention offer VfM but are also delivered in a timely fashion to meet the immediate needs of the beneficiaries
• Grant compliance trainings delivered to project staff and partners. There is subsequent compliance to all financial sub-award terms and requirements
• Accurate and compliant financial reports received from all partners
• Partners expenditures reported are valid and compliant to sub award requirements
• Partner financial management capacities are enhanced to effectively deliver the grant
• Partner financial risk is minimised across all implementing partners

Essential Qualifications and Experiences:

• Professional accountancy qualification (CPA or ACCA)
• Candidates with work experience in large humanitarian response interventions are highly encouraged to apply
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the administration of financial, accounting, Supply Chain and sub-grant management processes within a large, multi-faceted donor funded Humanitarian Intervention.
• Experience with donor project accounting requirements including demonstration of a deep familiarity and application of those terms. This is a must requirement for the job.
• Experience in budget monitoring and managing financial reporting requirements.
• Balance of strong analytical, delivery of strong results with very minimal supervision or direction. Must be committed to a rigorous work ethic
• The position is Nairobi based but requires up to 70% travel to field sites. Applicant must therefore be willing to travel and be out of station for long periods of time
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills.

CORE VALUES AND CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

• Effective at achieving desired results, striving always at excellence
• Mature, honest, diplomatic and a positive attitude
• Proactive and reliable with the ability to command respect and grace among peers and at all levels of organizations.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to organize and coordinate schedules
• Work effectively and cooperatively with others towards shared goals, establishing and maintaining principle-centred working relationships and possess excellent planning and organization skills
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods
• Demonstrate ability to use innovative approaches and personal initiative.