World Vision Somalia

Transcription

1 World Vision Somalia Terms of Reference For A Research Study Assessment of Area Rehabilitation Program (ARP) model in strengthening household and community resilience for sustained improvements in the wellbeing of children within their families in the Somalia. Jan 2018

2 Background International organizations including World Vision and its program (SomRep), resilience research institutions have increased their ability and capacity to engage in a number of studies over the past two decades to support resilience programming, beneficiary engagement, learning and knowledge management, SomRep strategic Plan (2014) 1. It has been noted that many of the resilience programmes in Somalia and across Africa regions are now increasingly receiving interest from policy and practice intuitions Kaplan HB (1999) 2 in relation to its potential to influence livelihood programming, health and nutrition, water and sanitation and as well responding to the occurring Shock FSNU humanitarian needs overview (2017) 3 However, the Research carried out after the drought by CARE international in Kenya and Somalia found that decision making in the face of uncertainty is a critical challenge for humanitarian actors that requires enough evidence (research) to back up the resilience programming and learning. It is, therefore, paramount that World Vision having engaged in resilience programming across Somalia since 2013, improves on its knowledge management, learning and decision making system by engaging in documenting, and disseminating best practices and lessons learned during the course of program implementation. The first key element of the programme s research agenda will be primary focus on documenting the functional village savings & loan associations (VSLA) groups in enhancing resilience, the participation of community disaster preparedness and committees in the face of shock, effective and efficient access to productive livelihoods assets by the supported beneficiaries, supported and sustained good agricultural practice and livelihoods and assets protected during shocks. The documentation study and analysis of the resilience programming will be conducted in collaboration with resilience / academia institutions (George Washington University) who will assign the research fellow to participate in the study together with World Vision Somalia program staff. Research Linkages to the Current resilience Program World Vision is committed to learning, documenting, and disseminating the best practices and lessons learned during the course of programme implementation of these two defined programs ARP 5 and SomRep 6.The learning and documentation derived from this research will be triangulated with existing organization and agency area project documentation and secondary information sources. In addition, the results of this research and the analysis will cover key parts of the existing and supported livelihood systems, social systems and the natural resource base and the coping strength as a result of the program intervention. This documentation and learning ensures the programme strengthens communities' existing capacities in order to achieve positive coping mechanisms in addressing vulnerabilities. In addition, with the support of the unit (QA), World Vision will collaborate and work with the key resilience research institutions including George Washington Universty to expand the body of knowledge on resilience in conflict and drought contexts. The research work funded under the action will build on existing ongoing learning and knowledge management occurring at the organization level, community, agency, and consortium level under the ARP and SomReP Learning System (includes annual learning events, quarterly learning bulletins to key insights across the project locations, etc.). 1 SomReP Consortium (March 2014) Enhancing Resilience in Somalia Kaplan HB. In: Resilience and development: Positive life adaptations. Glantz MD, Johnson JR, editor. New York: Plenum; Toward an understanding of resilience: A critical review of definitions and models; pp FSNU (2017) Somalia Humanitarian Needs Overview 4 New Economics Foundation/CARE International Counting on Uncertainty: The economic case for community based adaptation in north-east Kenya, Area Rehabilitation Approach. Since 2011, WVS has piloted three ARPs: Baki ARP, Somaliland, Odweyne ARP, Somaliland, Dan Gorayo ARP, Puntland. 6 Somalia Resilience Program. SomReP is a consortium made up of World Vision (Consortium Lead), CARE, ADRA, ACF, COOPI, DRC and OXFAM. It is a livelihood resilience programming. Funding from EU, USAID, DFAT-Australia, SIDA- Sweden, SIDA- SwissFood for Peace (previously), DANIDA.

3 Overall Purpose: Drawing lessons from the Famine of 2011, World Vision Somalia (WVS) has piloted two resilienceenhancing approaches: the ARP 7 and SomRep 8 programming models. Both approaches over time build: (i) in-depth, trusting relationships with communities through a series of community engagement processes; (ii) community-driven development plans; (iii) a stable programming base to leverage complementary resources to address community-identified priorities. Over the past five years, WVS evaluations show that both mechanisms have shown signs of: (i) enhancing social cohesion; (ii) improving the ability of communities to self-organize to plan and respond to shocks; (iii) developing the productive capacity at household and community level; (iv) promote adaptive capacity of households; Therefore the overall purpose is to generate knowledge on how the ARP model, SomRep programming approaches and their respective activities can be effective (and if so how) in transitioning communities from relief to development in the Somalia context. In addition, it is assumed that there are lessons to be learned from these two approaches that can help development facilitators respond to protracted humanitarian crises, such as drought, conflict in Somalia from a development perspective. Goal and Specific Objectives Goal: To develop our understanding of the ARP and advance WVS resilience approach / Theory of Change (ToC) around social cohesion, including linking with state actors. To achieve this goal, the study will be conducted in 3 ARP locations where SomRep programming has been implemented. Thus an exploration of the ARP community and other partners including government engagement approaches and how this paves way for programming will be sought. Specific objectives: The study seeks to explore how the ARP model is effective; it will focus specifically on the following objectives: 1) To determine the effectiveness of resilience program in improving community access to productive livelihoods, food security access and diversity. This primarily will answer these key aspects; a) Sustained good agricultural production practices b) Improved animal health services and related husbandry practices c) Capacity of farmers and other stakeholders to withstand the shock during the occurrence. 2) To assess the capacity of communities livelihoods and assets in withstanding shocks and stressors through the lifecycle of project implementation and after. This will include exploring; a) Availability of community risk reduction processes b) Communities contingency resources and capacity in managing early warning c) Community engagement in productive engagement like village savings & loans schemes 3) To document the capacity of available institutions including government and other partners in managing natural resources to increase the community resilience to shock. a) Accessibility of natural resources to the vulnerable during dry & drought periods Research questions This study seeks to answer four (4) basic questions summarized in the table below: Question Data collection methods Topics for each method Research Question #1: Household survey VSLAs, FMNR, WASH, DRR, FSR Area Rehabilitation Approach. Since 2011, WVS has piloted three ARPs: Baki ARP, Somaliland, Odweyne ARP, Somaliland, Dan Gorayo ARP, Puntland. 8 Somalia Resilience Program. SomReP is a consortium made up of World Vision (Consortium Lead), CARE, ADRA, ACF, COOPI, DRC and OXFAM. It is a livelihood resilience programming. Funding from EU, USAID, DFAT-Australia, SIDA- Sweden, SIDA- SwissFood for Peace (previously), DANIDA.

4 Question Data collection methods Topics for each method Focus group discussions with Changes observed in the community VSLAs, FMNR, WASH, DRR, Barriers to change; access; equity FSR ccommittees, ARP starter Feedback on the projects groups What contribution do WV ARPs and SomRep make to the short term, intermediate and long-term changes in the perceived well-being of targeted beneficiaries, their families and communities? Research Question #2: How does WV s ARP (community based approach) support communities to enhance social cohesion; improve the ability of communities to self-organize to plan and respond to shocks; Research Question #3: How effective are ARP and Resilience programming approaches in developing the productive and adaptive capacities at household and community levels? household members / beneficiaries of ARP & resilience projects government officials, mayors, informal leaders, faith leaders, Programme Staff Secondary data from assessment reports, baseline and end line evaluations, other studies conducted by SomRep, Project annual progress reports Household survey Focus group discussions with VSLAs, FMNR, WASH, DRR, FSR committees, ARP starter groups household members government officials, mayors, informal leaders, faith leaders and sectoral staff Programme Staff Workshop for Programme Staff Household survey household members, village mayors, faith leaders and government officials Focus group discussions with VSLA groups, DDR groups, WASH committees, Focus group discussions with young people who are project beneficiaries Workshop for ARP and SomReP staff Changes observed at household level and in the community. Barriers to change; access; equity Feedback on the projects Changes observed in the community Feedback on ARP and resilience projects Changes observed in the community Barriers to change; access; equity Feedback on the projects Document trend data for participant groups, villages, districts, regions, and national level from available data Satisfaction with functionality of VSLAs, DRR, WASH committees Organizational profile and history of the groups Functionality/capacity of the groups Working with other organizations and local government Perception of the functioning of the community social safety nets and support systems, Activities conducted by the communities, VSLAs, DRR, WASH committees and the perception of the functioning of these committees Staff perceptions of local partner capacity and functioning Team review of programme effectiveness standards Perceived adaptive and productive capacities at household and community levels Perceptions on productive and adaptive capacities of households and communities Functionality and capacity; community engagement, perceived changes (positive and negative) Perceptions of benefits derived from the projects and structures established to deliver the projects Review of ARP standards & Resilience project models and theory of change. Identification of pathways of change perceived to have had great change (positive or negative) and the underlying reasons. Research Question #4: Household survey Coping with disasters; poverty; community capacity (social cohesion, collective efficacy,

5 Question Data collection methods Topics for each method How do ARP and resilience participation/self-efficacy, conflict programmes enable management, and leadership); understanding of communities to sustain child well-being and child rights improvements in their wellbeing? Focus group discussions with Sustainability of the groups and the ability to Water User Committees, sustain activities VSLAs Village Development Committees, and DRR Committees In-depth interviews with government officials, village mayors, faith leaders and sectoral staff Secondary data from project annual reports, monitoring & evaluation reports, learning and reflection meeting reports Sustainability of the groups and the ability to sustain activities Evidence on the drivers of sustainability( local ownership, partnering, local advocacy, transformed relationships and household & community resilience The study methodology The proposed approach to the study comprises a retrospective, mixed-method exploring the contribution of ARP model and resilience programming in enhancing observed changes in wellbeing of children, their families and communities over the duration of the ARP to date. Programme outcomes will be assessed as reported by children, their families, community members, local organizations and government while eliciting the factors associated with the sustainability of outcomes. Specifically, this study examines the following: 1) the short term, intermediate and long-term changes in the perceived well-being of targeted beneficiaries, their families and communities from their participation in ARP and resilience programme activities, - 2) the experiences of adapting to shocks and stress for beneficiaries, families and communities who participated in ARPs and resilience activities 3) flexibility / local adaptation into WV's programming approaches based on the local context, 4) how the ARP promotes integration of sectors and strengthening systems, structures and collaboration for transitioning from relief to development, 5) how the ARP model can be useful in generating evidence for engaging and acquiring public donor resources. Two overarching research approaches are proposed: Beneficiary Assessment (BA) This is a qualitative research approach used to improve development operations by gaining the views of intended beneficiaries regarding a planned or ongoing intervention. The objective of BA is to assess the value of an activity as perceived by project beneficiaries and to integrate findings into project activities. It is a systematic way of listening to the poor and other stakeholders by giving voice to their priorities and concerns. Collaborative Outcome Reporting (COR). This is a participatory approach to evaluation based around qualitative and quantitative data that presents evidence of how a project has contributed to outcomes. The evidence is then reviewed by technical experts, programme stakeholders, and community members. This approach is proposed because it bridges the information gap caused by inadequate information on the programme and absence of a comparison group not exposed to the programme. Methods Document Review The study will commence with a review of secondary data sources including ARP (especially the critical path steps reports) and SomRep design documents, annual reports, baseline and evaluation reports, indicator-tracking tables, annual detailed implementation plans, government statistical reports, resource

6 profiles of the targeted area, and National Office strategy documents and operational guidelines. The information gleaned from these sources will be incorporated into an analytical framework exploring the five study objectives above and changes relevant to the ARP. GIS mapping The study will include a mapping exercise to geolocate interventions, activities, community assets created by the project(s), households and institutions participating in study. This will help demonstrate project intervention reach to communities and beneficiaries, the integration and layering of different interventions and a spatial analysis of association and or correlation project outcomes to the interventions. Household survey. Using a structured questionnaire, quantitative survey will be conducted at the home of eligible respondents who consent to participation. The eligibility criteria will include among others beneficiaries aged 18 and over, both male and female, who reside in the 3 target ARP locations. To estimate a population proportion and be 95 per cent certain that the survey estimate lies within five percentage points of the true population proportion, which is unknown, in the 3 target ARPs, a random sample 9 of households will be drawn using a two-stage technique. First, will be a simple random selection of villages in each ARP, then a systematic random sampling technique will be employed at the household level to select households per village, in order to achieve the full sample required. In-depth interviews. Using a semi-structured interview guide, in-depth interviews will be conducted with a range of stakeholders. Purposive sampling will be used to select individuals for interviews the target will include household beneficiaries of the resilience interventions such as VSLAs, FMNR, local community leaders and faith leaders, government officials and sector staff Focus Group Discussions. Focus group discussions will be conducted with groups including VSLAs, community disaster risk reduction committees, ARP starter groups, Water User Committee members; to site a few. Plan The table below provides a summary of the planned activities from which a detailed implementation plan will be developed and operationalized. Table 1: Prioritized activities: Jan May 2018 No Activities Jan May 2018 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Phase I 1 Develop the research TOR and seek ethical approval 2 Constitute a collaborative team to undertake the study 3 Research design and inception report Phase II 4 Comprehensive desk review and synthesis of secondary information Phase III 5 Primary Data collection, analyses and report compilation 6 Disseminate the research report including publication Assumptions This study is designed bearing in mind that the following assumptions will remain stable: (i) Both WV and SomRep partners provide information to researchers; (ii) The prevailing security situation in proposed sites remains stable. (iii) The current drought situation does not worsen to cause more displacement of communities 9 This will be computed during the actual study phase after review of the relevant study area documents and population data.

7 Time frame The exercise will be conducted from May 2018 The role of the consultant In line with the design of the research (collaborative), World Vision Somalia now seeks to work with a co researcher (consultant), who will work with the Quality Assurance & Strategy Manager (Research Manager) to achieve the following key deliverables: Key specific tasks for the consultant 1) Research design translate the research framework into an actionable study design 2) Desk review of secondary data to generate information to address the study objectives and research questions 3) Develop research tools including pre-testing the tools 4) Participate in data collection both qualitative and quantitative (training data collectors, KII, ) 5) Analysis of data 6) Report writing and final report production 7) Support the publishing of the research report Required expertise Potentially a PhD candidate Over 2 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in applied social science research with a focus on livelihoods, resilience, humanitarian and/or international assistance. Experience is designing and modeling research studies with multivariate variables Excellent writing, conceptual and analytical skills including the ability to present complex processes and issues clearly to a heterogeneous audience and in an actionable manner. Demonstrated professional research and writing experience, including through publications. Other requirements The Researcher should be willing to travel to WV Somalia and spend at least 3 months during design and data collection Adapt to a multi-cultural context and working with a diverse team Any gender is acceptable Reporting line The consultant will report to the Quality Assurance & strategy Manager for the day to management of the research activities. In addition the consultant with interface with the research advisory committee, especially when giving updates on key outputs of the project. Location The research will be undertaken in Somaliland and Puntland. This will include travel to designated study sites in Odwayne, Baki in Somaliland and Dangorayo in Puntland. 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 Description of the Methodology and Sample Size Determination Demonstrated previous experience in similar assignments and qualifications outlined in this ToR (with submission of at least two most recent reports) Proposed data management plan (collection, processing and analysis). Proposed timeframe detailing activities and a work plan.

8 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 United States dollars. Note: As part of the Consultant selection process, the best five candidates will be requested to prepare draft inception report and make a presentation of the same to the Tender Committee Technical Team to inform the final decision on award of the Contract. Applications should be submitted electronically to mailto:somo_supplychain@wvi.org on or before Monday the 12 th at 16:00 Hours East African Time, with attachments in pdf and a subject line: Assessment of Area Rehabilitation Program (ARP) model in strengthening household and community resilience for sustained improvements in the wellbeing of children within their families in Somalia, Odweyne ARP, Dangorayo ARP, BAKI ARP