In-Country Consultancy: Supporting Locally Led Humanitarian Action At International Council of Voluntary Agencies

Organisation: ICVA

Duration: To Be Determined During Contract – Tentatively 6 months

Starting date: October 2021

Location(s): Yemen

Applications deadline: September 25^th, 2021

Scope of Advertisement: Locally (preferred) or globally

This consultancy is open to all but will prioritize national consultants residing in Yemen.

Background

About ICVA

Founded in 1962, ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies) is a global network of 130 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels, whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. Based on its 2019-2021 Strategy, ICVA promotes and facilitates NGO engagement in the development of humanitarian sector, with a focus on Forced Migration, Humanitarian Coordination, Humanitarian Financing, and cross cutting issues.

About ICVA’s NGO Fora Support Programme

In many humanitarian contexts, NGOs come together to establish networks to coordinate NGO efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance. Networks are active in a range of areas: facilitating NGO engagement in the humanitarian response system; supporting an effective, inclusive and contextualized response; promoting collective NGO advocacy etc. In-country humanitarian NGO networks frequently contribute to the effective and principled delivery of humanitarian assistance. In a context of rising humanitarian needs and increasing complex humanitarian crises, effective NGO coordination is more critical than ever. At ICVA, we believe that well-resourced and effectively supported coordination bodies are crucial to improving humanitarian operations.

About the project for supporting locally led humanitarian action in priority countries **

Through a project funded by the Hilton Foundation, ICVA joined with the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) and is working to further strengthen progress on localisation at the country level through supporting NGO networks and partners identify areas for collective action. The overall purpose of the project is to support locally led humanitarian action at the country level through the production of contextualized evidence. The core of this project will be working in collaboration with local, national and international partners to develop and roll out a Localisation Baselining and Measurement Framework in Uganda, Yemen, and Nigeria. This approach is based on the proven work of the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) which has been piloted in recent years in the Pacific and Asia regions.

Consultancy Objectives

This consultancy will focus on rolling out at country level a research and analysis process, leading to the development of locally relevant indicators to benchmark and measure progress on localisation in the country context informed by the “Localisation Measurement Framework and Tools developed by HAG and PIANGO. This process is expected to result in clear road map which NGOs and partners can use in collective advocacy to move forward the localisation process and discussion in their context.

The specific objective of this consultancy is to have a lead-focal point who works closely with local NGOs fora ‘in selected country’ and other national actors, to provide required support in carrying out the baselining process. They will also be required to work closely with HAG and ICVA teams in delivering this work. The consultant will lead the research, including methodology development, contextualizing the tools, data collection, and facilitating coordination between the partners.

Methodology

In each country, the consultancy team will work with a wide range of local partners to collectively design how the baselining and measurement approach will be contextualized and applied. This will include facilitating a range of consultations, workshops and dialogues with NGOs, UN, other humanitarian partners and importantly, the government at national and local levels. The HAG-PIANGO framework and tools will be the base for contextualization. This inclusive and iterative process is intended to result in a tailored baselining and measurement approach which may look quite different in each country, although it will be underpinned by the same logic and use comparable data points to ensure cross-cutting themes can be drawn out.

The consultant(s) will be working with and supporting the in-country NGO Fora, partners and coordinating closely with ICVA and the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG).

HAG will provide initial technical support for in-country consultants on how to approach localisation baselining process (as outline in the Localisation Measurement Framework) and approaches to identify key priorities for collective action by national and international stakeholders in each country. This workshop will help inform the in-country methodology development process that will need to be undertaken by the NGO fora and in-country consultants.

Peer review support for the final outputs of the in-country partners work will be provided to the consultants to ensure the outputs will maximize their reach, use, and relevance.

Deliverables

The Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

· Development of initial overview of the context of the country (including previous and ongoing work on localisation, and existing research to support the planning process)

· Manage all in-country research activities including organizing workshops, meetings with partners, facilitation, etc.

· Socializing the research project and seek member engagement and input (with support from NGO fora)

· Develop methodology/approaches most relevant to deliver the outputs

· Obtaining input from HAG and ICVA where appropriate and relevant

· Providing input to HAG, ICVA, and NGO Fora where appropriate and relevant

· Manage data collection, analysis and writing processes

· Work with NGO Fora and ICVA on dissemination and uptake of project outputs.

· Translating research tools and products.

· Support in the donor reporting process (narrative and finances)

· Ensure adherence to research ethics as well as alignment with (any relevant) local requirements on conducting research

Consultant requirements

• At least 8 years of progressive experience in the humanitarian and/or development sectors, including in senior management roles related to humanitarian coordination.

• Excellent understanding of localisation

• Knowledge of the international humanitarian sector including the major current humanitarian policy issues including localisation.

• Experience working with and supporting NGO Networks – national, joint and/or international.

• Proven research experience including conducting interviews, convening meetings, coordinating amongst various stakeholders, and development of tools

• Experience and expertise in Yemen.

• Excellent writing and communication skills and data analysis

• Proven experience in developing tools and resources to support NGO Networks.

• Language Fluency in Arabic and English.

• Understanding of ICVA’s mission and NGO contribution to the humanitarian sector.

• Proven ability to work autonomously

• Proven ability to work under pressure and be flexible, including ability to cope with deadline, multiple tasks, and competing and changing demands.

Note: Throughout the work, the consultant must be registered in accordance with legal requirements in their country of residence and must be able to submit documentation that proves that she/ he is meeting all legal obligations for the consultancy, including full compliance with ICVA regulations including the safeguarding policy.