Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years, with approximately 4.35 million people severely affected by food insecurity. In pastoral livelihood zones, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes persist, with Serious (Generalized Additive model (GAM) 10 – 14.9 percent) to Extremely Critical (GAM = 30 percent) prevalence of acute malnutrition. More than4 million people are at risk of starvation, and many of them are children. The most affected counties are Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Lamu, Turkana, and Wajir.

In Lamu County, the recurrent drought has caused food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the June NDMA report, Lamu is in the normal drought phase, food is scarce due to poor production last season, and market prices have increased. These combined factors are likely to lead to increased cases in need of protection including, but not limited to GBV and Mental Health and Psychosocial support. If these challenges are not addressed, the resulting effect is severe malnutrition which will lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality. The poverty index levels are high, with over 80% considered to be below the poverty level.

OBJECTIVES & DELIVERABLES:

This assessment will inform HIAS’ protection-focused drought response plan in Lamu county. The Consultant will work in close coordination with the HIAS Kenya monitoring & evaluation and technical teams (MHPSS, EI, LP, and GBV), with support and guidance from the HIAS HQ Emergency Department. The specific objectives of the assessment are:

• Conduct a context analysis of drought affected Lamu, including food security, livelihood, nutrition, and existing feedback/response mechanisms.
• Identify existing protection services and gaps; evaluate challenges to access rights and services.
  • Map partner organizations’ contingency capacity and partner logistical capacity
• Identify protection needs and risks of vulnerable populations, particularly girls, boys, youth, women, GBV survivors, older persons, persons and with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ specific to the drought situation.
• Determine immediate/priority needs for the local community.
• Recommend immediate programming priorities for legal protection, MHPSS, economic inclusion (including cash & voucher assistance), and GBV for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities.
• To conduct an assessment on early warning system for drought.

SCOPE OF THE NEEDS ASSESMENT

The geographical scope of the study will be within Lamu county. The design and implementation of the needs assessment will align with the ethical and quality standards for protection, MHPSS, and GBV and foreground the voices of affected populations.

METHODOLOGY OF THE NEEDS ASSESMENT

The needs assessment methodologies will include:

• Secondary Documentation: A desk review of the available literature, contextual information, service provider mapping, relevant documentation from existing programming, and related studies targeting similar groups.
• Quantitative Approaches: Including survey data collection as required to provide information on the needs, access, and gaps of the target population. We are targeting two hundred respondents.
• Qualitative Approaches: Including focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs), observation as needed. We are targeting thirty-two respondents for focus group discussions and twenty respondents for the key informant interviews.

The Consultant will identify key informants and local representatives of Lamu community, ensuring that their inputs are considered during the identification of gaps in service delivery, emerging needs, as well as proposals to address the lack of access to protection services and rights for the affected population. The needs assessment is to be consistent with SPHERE standards through its emphasis on a rights-based and participatory.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The expected key outputs and deliverables are:

1. Inception report: Presenting the detailed methodology, literature review, data collection tools/instruments, and a data analysis plan. The inception report will be discussed with HIAS prior to data collection.
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 the protection needs of the affected population.
4. Final report: Including main findings and proposals for direct assistance to LGBTIQ+ refugees to improve access to service and relevant rights. The main body of the report should be a maximum of forty pages, excluding annexes.
5. PowerPoint presentation: Describing the assessment process, results, and recommendations. The findings will be presented in a validation meeting with key HIAS staff and stakeholders.
6. Summary Report (3-5 pages).

TIMEFRAME

Tentatively starting date to be determined, the situational assessment is expected to take a maximum of 28 working days, which includes desk review, preparation, implementation, and report writing.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

HIAS will set up a steering committee that 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 Advisors (programmatic and MEAL) and Technical Director will provide all the necessary technical and operational support required throughout the assessment process. HIAS will provide logistical support and funding.

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 at least a master’s degree in research-oriented social science or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant humanitarian and protection experience, including demonstrable expertise and a good understanding of in the humanitarian space in Kenya, protection risks, and relevant international/regional frameworks for displaced persons.
• Relevant experience in needs assessment and/or evaluation, including analysis and report writing.
• Experience in qualitative & quantitative research methods including participatory approaches, data analysis, and reporting focusing on social research and evaluation, preferably in the region.
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, and communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in research.
• Experience in developing data collection tools using KOBO, ODK, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Kiswahili is required.
• Familiar with participatory methodology. Experience with desk reviews, as well as rapid assessments, qualitative and quantitative data collection and/or evaluation.
• Experience in conducting similar assessments/research.
• Ability to comply strictly with deadlines and work in a timely manner.

Preferred

• Background in one of the specific sectors targeted by the assessment (e.g., MHPSS, GBV).
• Understanding of the Lamu or coastal context, and previous experience in similar assignments is an asset.
• Ability to communicate in the key local languages spoken in Lamu.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

• Letter of interest
• 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).
• Provided examples of any past applicable Needs Assessments for which the candidate led or substantially contributed.
• 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 in Kenya Shillings.

Apply