Gender-Sensitive Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (G-CVCA) and Community Adaptation and Action Planning (CAAP) Development ELBARDE DFAT 7

 

Action Against Hunger tackles the causes and effects of hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of vulnerable children, women and men.

Established in France in 1979, Action Against Hunger is a nongovernmental, non-political, non-religious, non-profit organisation.

BACKGROUND

The Somali Resilience Programme (SomReP) is a consortium of seven international non-governmental organizations (INGO). SomReP works to enhance the resilience of chronically vulnerable households, communities and systems across Somalia/land. In 2011 and 2017 there were droughts which consequently led to famine in the region. In 2018 even though there was improved precipitation, flash floods and strong winds caused additional shocks which exposed the deficiencies in the government system toward the response of shocks which among others included: weak human and institutional capacity, lack of effective policies and regulations at the government level geared toward supporting Somalia’s vulnerable populations and the increasing fragmentation and instability in the country.

The Somali Resilience Program (SomReP) adopts an ambitious approach to tackle the challenges that come due to recurrent droughts and the chronic vulnerability among Somali pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and peri-urban households. The approach builds on previous experience in dealing with shocks and stresses and explicitly design programs that promote existing local adaptive capacity of households and communities. SomReP is implemented through a consortium of seven INGOs (ACF, ADRA, CARE, COOPI, DRC, Oxfam and WVI) with the Technical Unit housed under World Vision Somalia for the coordination and provision of technical support/direction to the program. These seven international organizations have deep experience in Somalia and jointly aim to build resilient households and communities across Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central Somalia using their own potential and abilities other than depending on hand-outshandouts. This ambitious approach was adopted to foster synergies on approaches and promote best practices by different members to better support the communities.

SomReP has secured funding from DFAT to promote resilience through strengthening the capacity of the targeted populations at the household and community level to respond to and deal with a myriad of shocks and stress factors. SomRep utilizes a G-CVCA approach [1]to conduct participatory and gender-based climate vulnerability needs assessment. G-CVCA is a detailed contextual analysis of climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity of people’s livelihoods through climate change lens that takes into account specific social and gender inequalities as well as governance issues of disaster risk reduction. G-CVCA is an extensive and participatory engagement process where community knowledge on climate is assessed and the same is complemented with desk-based research, the findings are then finally shared with the community for review and validation. The processes of information gathering and community engagement serve to build local knowledge on climate issues and design appropriate strategies to enable them adapt to the changing context.

Gender-sensitive Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (G-CVCA ) is a powerful tool that allow both communities and project staff to understand the gender based vulnerabilities that arise as a result of climate change and analyze communities’ own capacity to adapt to these changes and build resilience to disasters. By combining local knowledge with scientific data, the process builds people’s understanding of climate risks and adaptation strategies as well as provide a framework for dialogue between communities and other stakeholders. The overarching objective of G-CVCA is to provide a solid foundation for the identification of practical strategies to facilitate community-based adaptation to climate change.

G-CVCA Process and Framework

G-CVCA is a participatory process that provides a framework for analysis of gender-based climate vulnerabilities and communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters. The G-CVCA brings together local stakeholders in an empowering learning process that results in tangible but flexible action plans that addresses vulnerability to climate change. It is a process of building community ownership that enhances community dialogue and generates new knowledge. G-CVCA  focuses on 1) climate risk, capacity and livelihood analysis; 2) gender and diversity analysis; 3) community institutional analysis 4) analysis of relevant local policies, assessments, plans and other gender-climate strategies , all these will enable the community to understand climate related hazards, risks and existing response strategies for different groups identified by the community.

The objectives of the G-CVCA are:

• To analyze vulnerability to climate change and adaptive capacity at the community-level with a focus on social and in particular the gender dimensions. Thus G-CVCA is a methodology for gathering, organizing and analyzing information on the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of communities, households and individuals.
• To help assess community knowledge on climate as a complement to scientific data to achieve greater understanding of the local impacts of climate change on different groups in a community. The process of gathering and analyzing information with communities serves to build local knowledge on climate issues and appropriate strategies to adapt. The participatory exercises and associated discussions provide opportunities to link the knowledge of different groups in a community to available scientific information on climate change. This helps local stakeholders understand the implications of climate change for the livelihoods of women and men, girls and boys, so that they are better able to analyze risks and plan for community-based adaptation.

The G-CVCA  is seven-stage process that starts with 1) deciding on the questions one wants to answer in the G-CVCA , 2) deciding what data one needs to answer the questions, 3) checking if there are already data to help answer the questions and identifying the data gaps, 4) selecting or drafting appropriate tools to collect the needed data, 5) gathering and analyzing the data, 6) validating the data, and finally, 7) documenting and dissemination.

SomReP therefore seeks the services of the qualified and dynamic G-CVCA consultant(s) to facilitate all the seven stages and train project staff on G-CVCA processes and how they can implement it and sustain the gains.

 

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant is expected to provide technical guidance and operational leadership to conduct the GCVCA and CAAP. The processes includes development/selection of data collection tools, training of staffs, conducting assessment, data analysis, results validation, reporting writing and development of community action adaptation plans (CAAPs). It is expected that the consultant will conduct the assignment jointly with ACF trained staff and government officers will facilitate the implementation of G-CVCA in under the supervision of the consultant supported by the SomReP CBDRM Advisor.

 

The specific objectives of the Assignment are:

1. The consultant is expected to lead the assessment,

• Collaborate with ACF and key stakeholders to refine the study research questions and objectives, and review the scope of the analysis.
• Propose a methodology and work plan.
• Conduct a desk review of existing documents and secondary data.
• Select and adapt tools for conducting the G-CVCA at community level.
• Conduct an analysis of the findings (field data collection and desk review)

 

1. b) Provide hands-on ToT training DFAT 7 ACF and Government staff in Elbarde district on G-CVCA assessment approaches and the relevant participatory tools use.Provide the participants with technical guidance in the G-CVCA implementation process and application of the different risk, vulnerability and capacity assessment tools.
2. c) Integrate community level findings with desk review research.
3. d) Conduct review and validation sessions with the community, government and key stakeholders to share key findings.
4. e) Develop a comprehensive G-CVCA assessment Report
5. f) Facilitate CAAP process and Review CAAP Produced.
6. g) Drafting and circulation of context specific CAAP report.

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The G-CVCA and CAAPs will cover all villages DFAT 7 projects Elbarde districts under DFAT project. The Villages Elbarde town, Salkudhoble, Oondheere, Lawareg, Hiirey, Ayeyo, Dhabariibi, Qabsey, Danshood and Atto in Elbarde. The scope of work for the consultant(s) shall include: conducting hands-on training on G-CVCA, analyzing the communities’ and households’ vulnerability to climate change and their adaptive capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters, assessing community knowledge on climate as a complement to scientific data to achieve greater understanding of the local impacts of climate change on different groups in a community (men, women, boys and girls), developing CAAPs, and reviewing and validating G-CVCA  and CAAP findings with government.

• Hands-on training of project and government staff on G-CVCA

The hands-on training of ACF and district staff on implementation of the G-CVCA shall occur prior to commencement of the data collection exercise. The training will cover all the seven steps of G-CVCA including the development of CAAP.

• Assess gender sensitivity and analyse vulnerability to climate change and adaptive capacity at the community and household level

The consultant is also expected to lead the data collection and analysis phases, which will mainly focus on analyzing the communities and households’ vulnerability to climate change and their adaptive capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters. This process will be particularly important for the staff to acquire skills on how they can select and adapt the tools for conducting a G-CVCA. In addition, it will help the staff to acquire skills on how they collect, organize, and analyze data. For communities, this exercise will be important for them to articulate and understand their own vulnerabilities and capacities in the face of climate change and natural disasters, evaluate options that may help prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and increase the resilience of at risk population and systems by strengthening their capacity to adapt to change.

• Assess community knowledge on climate as a complement to scientific data

The consultant(s) and trained participants will jointly conduct assessment of community knowledge on climate as a complement to scientific data to achieve greater understanding of the local impacts of climate change on different groups (men, women, boys and girls) in the community. This exercise is very important for trained staff to acquire hands-on skills on how they can analyse knowledge, resources (capacities) and strategies available to communities to address or reduce these risks and support the community to develop adaptation plan. For communities and local stakeholders, this is particularly important as it helps them to understand the implications of climate change for the livelihoods of women and men, girls and boys, so that they are, better able to analyse risks and plan for community-based adaptation. Thus, the participatory exercises and associated discussions ensures that there is a linkage of the knowledge generated from different groups in a community to available scientific information on climate change.

• Development of Community Action and Adaptation Plans (CAAPs)

The ultimate result of the G-CVCA assessment is the development of the CAAP. The consultant(s) is expected to lead the process of developing a CAAP at community level. The consultant(s) will develop CAAPs per district and regions, which will feed into the institutional Disaster Management Framework. The exercise will be done jointly with trained staff and will be supported by the SomReP’s CBDRM Advisor who will co-facilitate in the CAAP development, analysis and prioritization process fine-tuned.

• Review and Validation of the G-CVCA and CAAP findings with Government.

The consultant with support of SomReP CBDRM Advisor will review and validate G-CVCA and CAAP findings with the government staff. This is particularly important for buy-in and ownership of the Disaster Management Frameworks. The consultant(s) will therefore present brief customized G-CVCA reports for district review in district level validation workshop.

 

AREAS OF FOCUS OF THE G-CVCA

• Contextual analysis (physical, social, political, economic, institutional, etc.)
• Common climate related risks in the specific community, their patterns, severity, impact, etc.
• Vulnerability and capacity dimensions – social, geographic, economic etc.
• Vulnerable elements –people, assets, environments etc., and their degrees/levels of vulnerability
• Characterization and mapping of the climate related disaster risks – causes, warning signals, duration, frequency, period of occurrence, forewarning etc.
• Capacity assessment – existing capacities to withstand the disaster risk and identification of gaps
• Impact of the disaster risk on women and girls
• Role of local authorities and government departments in averting the impacts of the disaster risks and where they need to be strengthened
• Stakeholder analysis in disaster preparedness and response
• Access and control of resources, such as land, livestock, water infrastructures, etc.
• Policy analysis – land tenure policy, livestock marketing policy, water policy, etc.
• Preparedness and action planning (solutions and activities to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance capacities in the face the identified risks and changes) at multiple levels
• Identification of advocacy issues and pinpointing entry points and possible allies
• Identify existing community development plans as a foundation of CAAP development

Management of the Consultancy and Reporting

The Consultant(s) will be under the recruitment of ACF Somalia. The consultant(s) will report to the ACF head of department of Food security and Livelihood and SomRep CBDRM technical advisor. The two shall be responsible for the overall management of the G-CVCA exercise in close consultation with ACF logistics and Finance department.

 

Authority and Responsibility.

• ACF

• Ensure that the consultant(s) and the participants adhere to child protection policy.
• Ensure quality assurance throughout the period of training and G-CVCA implementation.
• Provide the selected consultant(s) with necessary documents to enable a clear reporting and understanding of the DFAT 7 project.
• Create linkages with field staff, Implementing partners and other stakeholders to ensure effective accomplishment of set tasks
• Mobilize communities for implementation of the G-CVCA
• Liaise with local implementing partners on behalf of the consultant to plan data collection.
• Review and approve field approaches and data collection tools to be used by the consultant.
• Review the draft report and provide feedback to the consultant.
• Support validation workshop with government staff
• Approve/disapprove the final report upon the report meeting specified requirements
  • Consultant (s)
• Develop inception report before actual roll out of the training. The inception report shall detail the training approaches that will be used and proposed data collection tools that will be used.
• Work closely with SomReP CBDRM Advisor and ACF head of department of Food security and Livelihoods on the training design and approaches, data collection tools and reporting requirements
• Incorporate feedback into tools and reports which will be given from the team.
• Train project and government staff on the G-CVCA approach
• Guide and supervise the project and government staff during data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Do de-briefing on preliminary findings to the field team soon after data collection Report writing. The result is expected to be shared with the stakeholders and the consultant needs to give due attention for the quality of the report.
• Make approximately one hour PowerPoint presentation of results and discussions to be delivered at district level validation workshop.
• Conduct validation workshop with government staff to lobby for buy in the findings and ownership of the Disaster Management Frameworks at village level
• Submit draft and final assessments reports as per assessment schedule

 

Standards of Ethics and Child Protection

• The lead consultant will be responsible for ensuring that data collection and analysis approaches are designed to mitigate child protection risks and protect participants’ wellbeing by establishing and following credible ethical research principles:

• The lead consultant and SomReP CBDRM Advisor /ACF shall ensure that all participants are oriented on research ethics and child protection policy prior to commencement of data collection.
• The lead consultant shall ensure that every data collector adheres to research ethics and child protection policies.
• The lead consultant shall ensure that every piece of information collected is treated with all the confidentiality that it deserves and consent is sought before publishing the information.

Outputs/ Deliverables and work schedule:

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant:

• Inception Report. The consultant shall submit an inception report 3 days after signing of the agreement. The inception report shall explicitly provide details on the training methods/approaches, training materials to be used, proposed data collection tools to be used in the field and a work plan. The outline of the inception report shall be as follows:
  • Introduction (brief concept),
  • Assignment objectives,
  • Methodology
  • Work plan including schedule for field work
• Training Report for the G-CVCA which shall include pre- and post –test results – 5 days

 

• Data collection and analysis- Village level G-CVCA Reports and CAAPs produced;5days
• Initial draft report of G-CVCA and its findings for comments and review -1day
• Presentation of the key field findings during district level validation workshop – 1 day.
• Conduct validation workshop with government staff- 1 day.
• Final report of Gender-sensitive Climate Vulnerability Capacity Assessment Report of 10 villages of Elbarde district – 2days.
• Final Report of Community Action and Adaptation (CAAP) Plans of 10 villages in Elbarde district- 2 day.

All the reports are expected to be written in simple English language and must be comprehensive. The consultant shall provide all the data materials associated with the assessment including transcripts of the FGDs, KIIs, photographs and ethical approval etc. The final report should be well edited and should incorporate all comments and corrections if any. Completed checklists, case stories, quotes, photos have to be submitted to SomReP.

Logistics

ACF will facilitate any travel logistics including, access to operational area, flights and accommodation. The lead consultant is expected to be available to spend approximately 20 days in project impact area for data collection preparation, collection and debrief in the month of September 2020 (subject to refinement at contract stage).

The consultant will be responsible for his or her own insurances, vaccinations, health, and security preparedness. The Security situation in the project impact area has remained relatively calm even though occasionally some places have experienced pockets of attacks. There have not been any record of any major armed conflict incidents, over the past months though.

Limitation

• Somali-English translation, important information may be lost in the process.
• Time and security are considered to be one of the major limitations to assessment processes as the fragile and versatile context in Somalia makes it often challenging to keep up strictly with a set agenda.
• To address the issue, there is a plan to have extra overflow days for field data collection for each District. FSL team will work closely with the security department to ensure that the Baseline field processes are conducted in the most appropriate time and secure conditions.

 

Proposal Content

Proposals from Consultants should include the following information (at a minimum)

• Technical Proposal with clear training approach, data collection methods, and data analysis plan to be used.
• Up-to-date CV of key consultant(s) attached to the technical proposal
• Proposed budget
• Proposed assessment schedule
• A sample of report of similar work done recently attached as an annex

The desired profile of the G-CVCA consultant

A technical expert with sufficient knowledge and experience in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, livelihoods analysis and participatory assessments is recommended for this assignment. The technical expert should have competencies in facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops, developing and revising participatory data collection tools, coaching and mentoring community facilitators, ensuring gender sensitivity/inclusion and conducting thorough desk reviews, integrating literature with research findings and writing high quality and analytical reports. He/she should have:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of gender, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, resilience building, food security and livelihoods in arid and semi-arid areas.
• Familiarity with the Gender-sensitive Risk and Vulnerability assessment skills using quantitative and qualitative information with Climate Change being an added value for the systems mapping.
• Experience in humanitarian and development contexts using participatory assessment tools
• First-hand knowledge of socio-cultural, economic, political situation in Somalia or in a similar conflict-ridden country with high vulnerability to droughts is advantage.
• Advanced degree in disaster risk management, development studies or a related field.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to clearly present findings and drawing practical conclusions and recommendations.
• Prior work experience in a similar technical exercise.

 

Applications from qualified firms/individuals should be submitted by 10th August, 2020 to procurement@so-actionagainsthunger.org

[1] https://reliefweb.int/report/world/climate-vulnerability-and-capacity-analysis-handbook-informing-community-based