Consultancy – Scoping Study for Food Security & Livelihoods Options in Syria At Trócaire

Terms of Reference

Scoping Study for Food Security & Livelihoods Options

1. Background

Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Trócaire was

established to express the concern of the Irish Catholic Church for any form of human need, but

particularly for the needs and problems of communities in the Global South. With our partners we

work with some of the world’s poorest people, supporting women, men and communities for

long-term change. In Ireland, we raise awareness about the causes of poverty through our outreach

programmes in the education sector, through parish networks, and through our public campaigns

and advocacy work. More information about Trócaire is available at w ww.trocaire.org

1. Context of Work

Trócaire launched a response to the Syria crisis in 2013. Trócaire works with partner organisations

working in a range of humanitarian response including protection services, resilience building and

basic needs assistance, with an emphasis on women and girls. As well as providing programme

funding, Trócaire provides technical advice and capacity strengthening support, and are committed

to supporting our local partners’ security needs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Trócaire has recently launched a new Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 and Programme Strategy with a

commitment to st rengthen our work on nexus programming toward protecting coping mechanisms

and restoring the productive capacities of communities as much as possible. Trócaire promotes an

agroecological approach to agriculture and food security and sees wider than farm approaches to

environmental sustainability as essential in building community resilience.

1. Objectives of the study

2.1 Overall Objective

With reference to the components of the DFID Sustainable livelihoods, the objective of this study is

to inform a clear vision and roadmap for a Food Security and sustainable livelihoods programme.

2.2 Specific Objectives

Production of a short recommendations report on the strategic direction of the FSL programme in

line with Trócaire’s new strategic plan, with direct reference to the components of DFID’s Sustainable

Livelihoods Framework :

Considering:

● The vulnerability context in terms of climate and environmental risks; drivers of worsening

these risks and opportunities for addressing and mitigating these risks.

● The existing livelihoods assets as well as challenges and opportunities (including mitigation

measures) for communities in terms of sustainable futures.

● The key stakeholders / Structures and Processes – current and potential – with consideration

for potential consortia, now and in future, for our work.

Make recommendations on Food Security and Livelihood Strategies and partners bearing in mind:

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● Geographic area(s) with key consideration including but not limited to; underserved areas,

local partners with expertise in Food security, climatic zones, suitability of land for growing

and grazing, condition of the wild vegetation and wild animals and fish and bees, possibilities

for enterprises based on natural resources, availability of and possible access to land, water,

infrastructure as well as current programmes availability of seed and propagation materials,

availability of tools and equipment, levels of agricultural and horticultural skills amongst the

population, household dynamics regarding food and agriculture work, availability of energy

for domestic and processing/preservation needs, household capacity for saving and storing

food, and gaps in broader development / humanitarian response in South-Central Syria.

● Sectoral focus for development of niche area based on identified opportunities (and gaps in

the current response) and Trócaire’s expertise e.g. technical expertise on agroecology and

community natural resources management, emergency food security and livelihoods,

integrated women’s empowerment and protection strategies, in addition to the current

humanitarian response.

● Potential Partnership(s) with consideration for current capacity, technical expertise, staffing,

and location, type.

● Likelihood for institutional funding growth and management

1. Methodology

4.1 Desktop Review

Desk-based review of key Trócaire documentation including

● Trócaire Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods (EFSL) Guidance Note,

● Trócaire Agroecology approach

● Country Programme Strategy for Syria

and a review of relevant external documentation including but not limited to

● UN HRP/HNO for Syria

● Latest UN Cluster documentation linked to Food Security and Livelihoods

● Reports published, ongoing agriculture and food security programmes on Syria by FAO,

UNDP and other relevant actors

● Best practices and innovative approaches in Food Security and Livelihoods practice in

South-Central Syria

4.2 Data Collection & Field Visit

The consultant will begin with a document review before collecting information from key staff in

Trócaire HQ and Country Team, and partners (current and potential), Government officials – national,

sub-regional and district, and key Humanitarian actors including UNDP, FAO, INGO humanitarian

working group, and Caritas agencies., and local NGOs/CSOs. The information can be collected

through structured interviews, key informant interviews, group discussions and through attendance

at key events/meetings. Online interviews will be required with HQ and regional Humanitarian staff.

Where possible secondary data should be verified by visits to suggested target areas for direct

observation.

4.3 Analysis and Reporting

The consultant should analyse and present the findings of the scoping study to Trócaire’s Country

Team. The analysis phase needs to include a clear analysis of the niche area(s) that Trócaire could

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work on. This should be based on a sound analysis of needs and of the Trócaire global and country

priorities and partnership approach.

The draft report will incorporate the comments from Trócaire and key stakeholders to develop a final

report.

1. Deliverable

4.1 Inception Report

The consultant will prepare a short inception report (not more than 5 pages) to be submitted within

4 days of the start of the consultancy. The report will describe the findings of the document review, a

list of key persons that will be interviewed in the field visit stage and any key findings s/he may have

already made. The inception report is also an opportunity for the consultant to discuss any concerns

and/or challenges that s/he may be having and engage with Trócaire to resolve these.

4.2 Reports

● A draft report in English, including if possible, photos or videos, showing the land, vegetation

and water sources, to accompany the report. This will be reviewed by the Trócaire’s Country

office and HQ technical advisor, and if it is deemed of sufficient quality it may be shared with

a broader group of stakeholders for comments.

● A final report in English based on the required format which has incorporated the feedback

provided by Trócaire and our stakeholders.

1. Timeframe

It is expected a scoping strategy will take 15-20 working days, based in Damascus, Syria.

1. Budget

The consultant should share an indicative budget as part of the EoI and a value for money analysis on

the bids will be done as part of the selection process.

1. Supervision and oversight

The consultant will be remotely managed by Trócaire’s Head of Programmes, based in Beirut,

Lebanon. Additional support will also be provided by the Trócaire Sustainable Agriculture Advisor

based in Ireland and Trócaire’s Humanitarian Unit based in Ireland.

1. Profile and Qualification of the Consultant

The consultant will have the following competencies and skills:

● At least 5 years of relevant experience in sustainable livelihoods programming.

● At least 3 years of relevant experience in EFSL.

● Demonstrated experience of conducting scoping studies and/or of designing development /

humanitarian response programmes.

● Extensive knowledge and experience of the target areas

● Good track record to deliver high quality outputs within agreed timeframe

● Good communication skills

● Excellent Arabic and English language skills, both written and spoken.

Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy

Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse and has

specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the

expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants, and other organisational

representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire expect to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding

Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to

conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.