Terms of Reference Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster in Ukraine

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster in Ukraine I. Background Since the political crisis escalated into unrest between the Ukrainian Government and nonstate armed groups in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk) in April 2014, the population of this region in particular have become increasingly vulnerable. The numbers of refugees and IDPs from these areas have increased steadily - reaching over 900,000 in January 2015 (according to State Emergency Service), and nearly 600,000 refugees in countries neighbouring to Ukraine. The population remaining in Donbass region, even those not directly affected by security incidents and fighting, are facing reduced services, particularly in health, water, sewage and energy supply as well as financial/banking sector, limited access to social benefits due to security reasons as well as rapidly growing unemployment. Moreover, population residing in the areas not under the government control have faced the retreat of all public institutions from these territories, as well as all bank accounts operations were suspended. Transportation now is being channeled through 7 corridors, and a system of permits was introduced. This led to further deterioration of social, economic and humanitarian situation in the region making people dependent on state care even more vulnerable to the crisis outcomes. Military confrontation despite Minsk agreements signed on 9 September 2014 is still on-going, and works on the delimitation of military activities has not been started. According to OHCHR report 4,808 people died and 10,468 wounded during the conflict (including MH-17 flight victims). Military activities resulted in serious damages to public, private and economic infrastructure. Some preliminary assessments made (among others by the Ministry of the Regional Development of Ukraine) indicate that total damages exceed USD 1bn, while losses might be much higher due to decline of industrial production, closure of small business in the region and deterioration of the investment climate. People in areas affected by violence and fighting are facing increasing limitations in accessing the full range of essential services. Electricity, gas and water supplies are sporadically cut in areas affected by fighting, with emergency services so far still managing to restore supplies in most cases. Intensified fighting in the area of Donetsk and Luhansk is likely to result in further serious increase in the ravages of armed conflict. This is also likely to lead to increases in casualties among civilians, continued displacement (both cross-border and internal) and economic losses. Unexploded ordnance and mines also remain a security risk. Continuation of military action could further exacerbate tensions between groups, particularly between pro- Russian groups in eastern Ukraine, some of whom support the insurgents, and the rest of the population. These tensions and the continued outflow of population could spill over into neighbouring regions. II. Affected Population There are 5.2 million people living in the conflict-affected areas, and around 1.4 million are considered to be highly vulnerable, affected by displacement, loss of income/pensions, eroded purchasing power, reduced access to markets, a breakdown of essential services, and harsh winter conditions, and consequently in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. IDP movements are placing pressure on neighboring oblasts and otherwise less-affected areas of central and western Ukraine. Ukrainian regions were affected differently by the conflict. Four types of territories could be identified: 1) the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions not controlled by the government ( ATO zone ), - most affected with significant security risks, serious disruptions to public 1

2 services and increased vulnerability of the population; 2) areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts controlled by the government both affected and not affected by the conflict, - with existing security risks, some disruptions to public services, damaged infrastructure, and vulnerability of the population; 3) neighbouring regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzya, and Kyiv the massive influx of IDPs quality of social services worsened, and notable problems of integration of IDPs into host communities exist, 4) the rest of Ukraine some challenges appeared caused by a need to integrate relatively small numbers of IDPs. The most affected areas Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Zaporizhia are largely urbanised, with 85 per cent of the combined 14.4 million inhabitants living in urban areas. This ratio is even larger 89 per cent in the Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk) which has been directly affected by violence. The Donbas region has a large Russianspeaking majority, comprising 73 per cent of the population, with Ukrainian speakers comprising 26 per cent; some 39 per cent of population in Donbas region is ethnically Russian. In Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhia the numbers of Russian speakers are smaller: 44 per cent, 32 per cent and 48 per cent, respectively. Some 22 per cent of population of the three oblasts is ethnically Russian. Previous operation of the Livelihoods and Early Recovery Sector The Livelihoods and Early Recovery Sector was established in Ukraine since May Since that time regular weekly and biweekly meetings were organized by the UNDP. Results of the Sector operation include the developed the Preliminary Response Plan in August 2014, as well as the Strategic Response Plan in December Different coordination issues, including the participation in the Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment process, as well as collection of data on current projects operating in the area of early recovery were performed in 2014 and the beginning of The current membership of the Cluster includes representatives of international organizations, international NGOs, Ukrainian NGOs and expert groups, representatives of the private business. Government officials has participated in several Sector/Cluster group metings. Scope of the Cluster Early recovery is a multidimensional process of recovery that begins in a humanitarian setting. It is guided by development principles that seek to build on humanitarian programmes and catalyze sustainable development opportunities. It aims to generate selfsustaining, nationally owned, resilient processes for post crisis recovery. It encompasses the restoration of basic services, livelihoods, shelter, governance, security and rule of law, environment and social dimensions, including the reintegration of displaced populations. Early recovery is an integrated approach to make the gains of humanitarian action gradually sustainable, through using humanitarian mechanisms that align with long-term development objectives. In other words, early recovery brings development principles into the relief stage. The Early Recovery activities presuppose the stabilization of the humanitarian situation ensuring that all institutions, partners and beneficiaries are prepared for the transition to nationally-owned systems of care over the affected population. It supports the national institutions in developing the conflict sensitive approaches to recovery and further development, as well lays ground for the enduring reconciliation between different groups in Ukraine. It has to be strongly emphasized that early recovery activities aim to prevent and contribute to peace-building and social cohesion, as well as mitigate environmental impact of the conflict in Ukraine on people s lives. Resilience building, as one of primary goals of the Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster assumes focusing on poverty, environmental, rule of law, security issues to ensure transformational change of institutions and systems to enlarge people choices and enhance their capability and freedoms. Recovery processes reinforce social cohesion and trust and enable rapid return to sustainable development. 2

3 The Early Recovery and Livelihoods cluster operation is guided by the following approaches: Reducing dependency on humanitarian aid of beneficiaries and recipients and support the transition from humanitarian response to more sustainable development Common strategic approach and joint programming where possible Addressing people s needs and rights beyond life-saving, and building resilience at both individual and community levels Conflict sensitivity Empowering communities and using participatory practices to identify priorities Gender equality and human rights approach Integrated response, to enhance complementarity of programming Adherence to development principles Resilience building Respect for local ownership and promotion of local and national capacities Accountability to affected population Respond to immediate needs whilst looking at longer term impact Do no harm principle (both in terms of the conflict sensitivity, preventing tensions between IDPs and host populations, as well as ensuring that operations do not bring harm to environment etc.) The Recovery in Ukraine should adopt the build back better approach, which responds to dynamic changes in society on the affected territories (in terms of enhanced optimization of services, economic, environmental infrastructure to current needs as well as better protection of human rights) and prevents future conflicts. The Cluster Operation will be aligned with such documents as the Strategic Response Plan to ensure the efficiency of support provided for the people. In addition, the recovery activities planned by the Cluster will aim to align with the strategic objectives and approaches set forth in the Recovery and Peace-building Assessment (RPA), developed jointly by United Nations, World Bank and the European Union in December The RPA develops the framework for the restoring of infrastructure and social services, economic fabric of the region, as well as reconciliation, strengthening social resilience, peace-building and community security. III. Cluster Objectives and Activities The overall aim of the Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster is to improve effectiveness of interventions and ensure timely and adequate response to a crisis in Ukraine in the area of Livelihoods and Early Recovery and respective sub-areas by the establishment of a proper partnership of the UN agencies, other international organizations, Government, NGOs, employers and workers organizations, and local communities. The Cluster Objectives will be achieved through coordination with other clusters established in Ukraine, as early recovery and livelihoods are cross-cutting and contribute to sustainability of activities in the area of education, health, food and nutrition, and others. Linkages with other clusters are multiple. For example, in the area of agriculture, the Food Cluster will be focusing on emergency response to food needs, while Early Recovery and Livelihoods Cluster will be focusing on leveraging agriculture as a sustainable income generation tool. The Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster objectives are the following: 1. Support Ukraine s recovery in terms of the Livelihoods and Early Recovery. The support provided to population, as well as government, local government, business and other partners will cover, but not limited to, the following areas: early economic revitalization (around three pillars: stabilization and creation of employment and livelihoods, local economic revitalization and inclusive economic growth) 3

4 job creation and other environmentally sustainable livelihoods opportunities for crisis affected men and women, including special income generation programmes, employment, including emergency employment (targeting amongst others the rehabilitation of socio-economic community infrastructure, reforestation debris and waste collection) and support to SMEs IDPs and host community support, aimed at reducing competition over limited access to services and livelihoods opportunities. Where possible and relevant, identifying opportunities and support development solutions to displacement/ durable solutions Promotion of social cohesion through livelihoods recovery projects (i.e. participatory planning exercises for projects, dual targeting of IDPs and host community members, promotion of dialogue and sensitization using ER livelihoods projects as an entry point etc) Youth employment and empowerment initiatives through positive engagement of youth in peacebuilding and reconstruction activities Women s economic empowerment and gender based violence reduction Debris removal and management, where possible with a focus on job creation (i.e. cash for work, recycling, SME development in waste derived products etc) Support to the restoration of governance functions and access to public services; Access to social services and social protection; Infrastructure rehabilitation including housing, transport and communications; Reconciliation and trust building, including between host community and displaced population groups Socio-economic reintegration of high risk displaced population groups and security. This includes ex-combatants and youth with conflict carrying capacities, including psycho-social support Capacity building of national and local authorities /institutions which should be enabled to lead the community engagement, planning, coordination, delivery and monitoring of early recovery efforts 2. Establishment and maintenance of effective coordination mechanisms on Early Recovery and Livelihoods - Ensuring appropriate coordination with national authorities to the extent the political situation allows. This will involve liaising and working with relevant government counterparts to support or complement existing coordination mechanisms, where they exist. The Cluster Coordinator will either represent the cluster at sectoral meetings led by national authorities or co-chair cluster meetings with national authorities as appropriate. - Identifying and establishing contact with all other relevant cluster stakeholders including national and international organizations, and representatives of affected populations. Invite these stakeholders to participate as partners in the work of the cluster as appropriate. - Convening meetings of the cluster (and/or joint meetings with another cluster). Cluster meetings need to be well-managed and action and results-oriented, with decisions clearly communicated to relevant cluster partners and stakeholders. Meetings are managed in line with the principle of partnership. - Facilitating agreement on an efficient division of labour and the assignment of responsibilities amongst cluster partners which takes account of their comparative advantages and complementarities. - Designating focal points or working groups for specific issues where necessary. 4

5 - Support OCHA to establish and maintain appropriate inter-cluster coordination mechanisms. Represent the cluster in inter-cluster coordination fora as appropriate. 3. Preparedness and capacity-development in the area of Livelihoods and Early Recovery - Leading early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts; ensuring adequate cluster participation in inter-cluster early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities. - Undertaking capacity mapping and gap identification exercises to develop a capacitydevelopment strategy for the cluster, together with cluster partners. - Identifying the training needs of cluster partners. 4. Needs assessment, analysis, prioritization and planning in Livelihoods and Early Recovery - Ensuring that the cluster covers all the identified and evolving cluster needs of the affected population, and not only those that relate to the specific mandate of individual cluster members, including that of the Cluster Lead Agency/s. - Organising joint field missions, needs assessments and analysis among cluster partners and participate in joint inter-cluster needs assessment exercises as appropriate to ensure that identified needs, gaps and priorities are as evidence-based as possible in any given emergency context. - Facilitating the development of an overall strategy and response plan for the cluster with linkages between peace building/ social cohesion, relief, recovery and development. To the extent possible, ensure the strategy complements government policies and plans. - Ensuring that the response plan of the cluster is updated regularly according to evolving needs and that it establishes indicators by which performance of the cluster can be measured. - Ensuring that cluster strategies are adequately reflected in overall country strategies such as the Strategic Response Plan as well as in Flash and Consolidated Appeals. - In terms of inter-cluster coordination, identifying issues of mutual interest and identify information which (i) should be proactively shared with other clusters, and (ii) should be acquired from other clusters to ensure a more effective overall response. Identify potential areas of duplication between clusters so that they can be avoided, and identify potential gaps which may fall between clusters so that they can be addressed through the clear assignment of responsibilities. - Identifying any critical gaps in the response that cannot be covered by any cluster partners and that require the Cluster Lead Agency to intervene as Provider of Last Resort; advocate for the Cluster Lead Agency to take the necessary action in its capacity as Provider of Last Resort. - Advocate for the use of participatory and community-based approaches in the planning and implementation of projects. Promote measures which increase accountability to affected populations and promote the identification of durable solutions. 5. Transition planning This objective will be achieved through the implementation of the following activity: - Leading on the design of appropriate transition strategies for the cluster to ensure continuity between the humanitarian response, recovery and development phases and 5

6 peace building initiatives. Working closely with national counterparts and development actors to ensure a resumption of national ownership of cluster activities. 6. Integration of cross-cutting issues - Raising awareness of and promote the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues (e.g. age, environment, gender, HIV/AIDS and human rights) in cluster/inter-cluster needs assessments, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring. Working with cross-cutting issue focal points (if they have been designated) or, if necessary, call upon global cross-cutting issue focal points to support the effective mainstreaming of these issues within the response. 7. Application of standards, guidelines and good practice - The Cluster will discuss and agree on the use of common standards and tools among cluster partners. Cluster members will promote awareness of and adherence to relevant policy guidelines, codes of conduct and examples of good practice by all partners. - Ensuring to the extent possible that cluster partners use common standards and tools for information collection/sharing and data management, including in needs assessments and monitoring (while respecting principles of confidentiality and protection concerns). - Ensuring that cluster partners are aware of relevant commitments that the Government has made under international human rights and humanitarian law and promote a response which is in line with these commitments. 8. Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting - Facilitating adequate reporting and information sharing, both within the cluster and with other clusters through inter-cluster coordination mechanisms. This will involve contact list management and collecting 3 or 4W information (Who/What/When/Where) from partners and ensuring it is shared with the inter-agency coordination body so that it can be processed and redistributed at the cluster level and to other stakeholders. - Ensuring that updated and relevant cluster-specific information is included in general inter-cluster reporting including common web platforms, Situation Reports and other reporting mechanisms. - Facilitating cluster agreement on what monitoring activities will be undertaken to review the impact of the cluster s humanitarian response and ensure they are implemented. Make adjustments to the overall strategy and programming as appropriate. Regularly review the functioning of the cluster and encourage an atmosphere conducive to raising and addressing concerns. - Help facilitate real time evaluations. 9. Advocacy - Identifying core advocacy concerns for the cluster and contribute key messages to the broader advocacy initiatives. Where appropriate, develop a joint cluster/ inter-cluster advocacy initiative to raise the profile and needs of the cluster among in-country humanitarian donors. Encourage all cluster partners to include common/cluster-wide issues, concerns and messages in their own communication activities. 10. Resource Mobilisation 6

7 - Following thorough and transparent consultation within the cluster, provide leadership and strategic direction in the assessment and prioritisation of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals, Flash Appeals, CERF and ERF requests and other inter-agency funding appeals; ensure that agreed cluster strategies and priorities are adequately reflected in appeal documents. Ensure the implementation of the gender marker in appeals. - In line with any agreed guidance for inter-agency funding appeals, establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster. Where possible work at the inter-cluster level to promote coherence amongst clusters. IV. Cluster coordinator United Nations Development Programme is performing the role of the Livelihoods and Early Recovery Cluster Lead Agency in Ukraine. The Lead Agency will undertake steps to nominate the Cluster Coordinator to ensure effective operation of the Cluster. The Cluster Coordinator provides leadership and works on behalf of the cluster as a whole, facilitating all cluster activities and developing and maintaining a strategic vision and operational response plan. He/she also ensures coordination with other clusters in relation to inter-cluster activities and cross-cutting issues. The Cluster Coordinator reports directly to the Country Director/Representative of UNDP as the Cluster Lead Agency. The Cluster Coordinator acts as a representative of the cluster as a whole rather than solely as a representative of his/her particular agency. The Cluster Coordinator is responsible for facilitating a process at the cluster (sectoral) level aimed at ensuring the following: Identify and establish contact with all other relevant cluster stakeholders including national and international organizations, and representatives of affected populations. Invite these stakeholders to participate as partners in the work of the cluster as appropriate. Convene and facilitate meetings of the cluster (and/or joint meetings with another cluster), increasing or reducing their frequency as needed but being careful to avoid meeting overload. Ensure that cluster meetings are well-managed and action and results-oriented, with decisions clearly communicated to relevant cluster partners and stakeholders. Ensure that meetings are managed in line with the Principles of Partnership. Facilitate agreement on an efficient division of labour and the assignment of responsibilities amongst cluster partners which takes account of their comparative advantages and complementarities. Designate focal points or working groups for specific issues where necessary. Support OCHA to establish and maintain appropriate inter-cluster coordination mechanisms. Represent the cluster in inter-cluster coordination fora as appropriate. Work with the Country Director/Representative of the Cluster Lead Agency/s to ensure that arrangements are made to allow for a proper hand-over of Cluster Coordinator responsibilities at the end of a Coordinator s assignment, to ensure there is continuity and that institutional memory is maintained for the cluster as a whole. Preparedness and capacity-development (including, where possible, in the preemergency and post emergency phase) If the situation allows, lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the cluster; ensure adequate cluster participation in intercluster early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities. 7

8 Together with cluster partners, undertake capacity mapping and gap identification exercises to develop a capacity-development strategy for the Cluster. Identify the training needs of cluster partners and communicate them to the Country Director/Representative of the Cluster Lead Agency/s. Expected Results and Outputs Coordination capacities enhanced; Preliminary Response Plan, Response Plan for Emergency Planning, Response plan for the Consolidated Appeals Process and Contingency Plan; Terms of References for joint assessment missions and participation in assessment monitoring and evaluation missions; Assessment Reports with recommendations and relevant Action Plans developed and disseminated to partners ; Advocacy Strategy for Livelihoods/Early Recovery related issues in place and operational. Development of a L&ER Cluster Response Plan. Membership The Livelihoods/Early Recovery Cluster will be comprised of the following members: (a) Relevant UN organizations including UNDP, UNHCR, WHO, UNICEF, ILO, UNFPA and IOM; (b) Relevant IFI including WB, IFC, EBRD, EIB; (c) Relevant international NGOs with a LER profile; (d) National workers and employers organizations, NGOs; (e) Government and local government institutions; (f) Other agencies as necessary and agreed upon by the cluster leadership for the distinct purpose of protection co-ordination. Livelihoods/Early Recovery Cluster will be led by UNDP Cluster Lead: Ms. Inita Paulovica, Deputy Resident Representative, Inita.Paulovica@undp.org, Technical focal point: Kurtmolla Abdulganiyev, Kurtmolla.Abdulganiyev@undp.org, The Livelihoods/Early Recovery Cluster will act in close cooperation with Ukrainian central and local authorities, including central Government and President Office, Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast Administrations (Governors offices), elected officials (local councils and mayors). Cluster ensures that voice of the local communities will be taken into account if decision effects the community. 8