CONSULTANCY FOR SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT ON THE PLIGHT OF LGBTIQ+ REFUGEES IN KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP, TURKANA. At HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

TITLE: SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT ON THE PLIGHT OF LGBTIQ+ REFUGEES IN KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP, TURKANA.

TYPE: CONSULTANCY

DEPARTMENT: PROGRAMS

DIVISION: STRATEGY AND MEASUREMENT

HIRING MANAGER: HR COORDINATOR

SUPERVISOR: M&E OFFICER

LOCATION: KAKUMA

START DATE: 1st January 2023

END DATE: 31st January 2023

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS is a global Jewish not-for-profit organization that stands for a for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity. HIAS began its Africa operations in 2002, launching the HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK). HRTK (also referred to HIAS Kenya) has its head office in Mimosa court, and operates in three sites Kayole, Kawangware and Eastleigh in Nairobi. These are refugee densely populated neighborhoods where most of refugee populations reside in Nairobi. HIAS serves the most at-risk urban refugees including those who identify as LGBTIQ+, persons with disability, victims of torture, single heads of households, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, youth, unaccompanied and separated children, and women most at risk. HIAS implements 4 major programs that include (i) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS; (ii)Legal Protection; (iii) Economic Inclusion program and (iv) The Gender/GBV Prevention and Response program.

HIAS has received several requests through our helpline and social media handles to offer support to refugees in Kakuma refugee camp. Additional concerns have also been raised by local and international partners highlighting the plight of the LGBTIQ+ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp. The latest surveys conducted in Kakuma also suggest the environment at the camp is not conducive for LGBTIQ+ refugees. This has prompted a deliberate effort to conduct a situational assessment to understand the plight and conditions of the LGBTIQ+ refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp.

The assessment aims to:

1. To identify legal protection, mental health and psychosocial support and gender-based violence achievements, challenges, and gaps in reference to LGBTIQ+ refugees as well as livelihood situation and security concerns.
2. Identify existing mechanisms to respond to LGBTIQ+ refugees’ protection needs and risks and highlight gaps in the interventions targeting LGBTIQ+ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp.

OBJECTIVES & DELIVERABLES:

The main purpose of the assessment is to provide data and information that will inform current programming plan and to effectively tailor upcoming capacity development programs, determine HIAS’ added value in establishing new programs and services, and ensure that program design is relevant to the needs and experiences of LGBTIQ+. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Programs, Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL) team, and HIAS partners on the ground, with support from the technical team. The following are the specific objectives of the assessment.:

• Identify LGBTIQ+ refugee needs and recognize trends in their protection issues, including access to services and rights.
• Develop a report that includes relevant recommendations based on needs and HIAS’ areas of programming.
• Identify and map the current services available and local responses (including strengths and gaps of existing networks and services).
• Identify other legal protection, mental health, and GBV gaps facing LGBTIQ+ refugees.
• Determine immediate programming priorities and generate recommendations for legal protection, mental health, and GBV areas for LGBTIQ+ refugees.
• Determine HIAS’ value add responding to the crisis, complementing current services.

SCOPE OF THE ENDLINE EVALUATION

The geographical scope of the study will be within the Kakuma refugee camp and Nairobi. The design and implementation of the needs assessment will align with the ethical and quality standards for Protection, MHPSS and GBV assessments, and put the voices of affected populations in and implementation of the needs assessment.

METHODOLOGY OF THE EVALUATION

The needs assessment methodologies will include:

1. Secondary documentation: Desk review of other studies-related studies targeting similar groups.
2. Quantitative approaches to collecting data, including survey data collection as required to provide information on the baseline status of selected indicators.
3. Qualitative approaches, such as focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, observation as needed.

The consultant will make sure to identify key informants and local representatives of LGBTIQ+ community, making sure that their inputs are taken into consideration for the identification of gaps in service delivery, emerging needs, as well as proposals to address the lack of access to services and rights for LGBTIQ+ refugees.

The needs assessment is to be consistent with SPHERE standards through its emphasis on a rights-based and participatory approach in conducting the assessment.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The expected key outputs and deliverables are:

1. Inception Report: This report will present the detailed methodology, literature review, data collection tools/instruments, and a data analysis plan. The inception report will be discussed with the HIAS baseline study team for any input.
2. Draft report for stakeholder review—clearly identifying information relevant to the five objectives of the project framework; as well as data gaps and areas that may require further assessment.
3. Raw and cleaned final dataset(s) containing all data collected for the baseline, including survey responses and KII/FGD transcriptions. The data should speak to each spectrum of the LGBTIQ+ population (disaggregation).
4. Final Report (incorporating inputs from the review), including main findings and proposals for direct assistance to LGBTIQ+ refugees to improve access to service and relevant rights.
5. The main body of the report should be a maximum of 40 pages in length, excluding the Table of Content, tables, and annexes).
6. PowerPoint presentation describing the assessment process, results, and recommendations. The findings will be presented in a validation meeting with key HIAS staff and stakeholders.
7. Summary Report (3-5 pages)

TIME-FRAME

Probable date for the situational assessment to commence will be December 2022 and is expected to take a maximum of 28 working days, which includes desk-review, preparation, and implementation, report-writing.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

HIAS MEAL team will be responsible for the overall coordination of all the assessment tasks with the consultant to ensure timely and quality outputs. In addition, the Program Managers, Program Director, Country Director and Regional technical advisor and technical director will provide all the necessary technical and operational support required throughout the assessment process.

HIAS will provide:

• Relevant documentation and background information.
• Contacts of relevant stakeholders and set up meetings.
• Consolidated feedback/guidance on draft reports.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• The team leader should possess a postgraduate degree in research-oriented social science or a related discipline.
• Have at least 5 years of relevant humanitarian and protection experience, including demonstrable expertise and a good understanding of refugee operations especially in Kenya, refugee protection risks, and relevant international /regional refugee frameworks
• Relevant experience in project assessment and/or evaluation, including analysis and report writing assignments.
• Commitment to HIAS values and the rights of LGBTIQ+.
• Experience conducting LGBTIQ+ assignments or projects
• Experience in qualitative & quantitative research methods including participatory approaches data analysis, and reporting with a focus on social research and evaluation, preferably in the region.
• Excellent and demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in research
• Experience in developing data collection tools using KOBO, ODK
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Kiswahili is required.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for consultancies:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 3: Offer, consultancy agreement and background check.

Step 4: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנסתאורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רוח (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

• Letter of interest in submission of a proposal
• A detailed technical proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including but not limited to the following.
  • • Consultant/Company Profile – Proposed methodology including areas of piloting, Sample Size Determination, and a proposed consultancy work plan. – Demonstrated previous experience in similar assignments and qualifications outlined in this ToR (with submission of the most recent report of a similar assignment) – Proposed data management plan (collection, processing, and analysis).
• Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member (include CVs of each team member).
• A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study quoted in Kenya Shillings.