Consultancy Services required for Needs Assessment in Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia Counties (Kenyan Nationals)

Context

The unprecedented drought in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) counties of Kenya—marked by five consecutive below-average rainy seasons since the end of 2020—drove a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs. By the end of the year, the situation was critical in 22 out of 23 ASALs counties due to poor performance of the October-December 2022 short rains, according to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA). Food insecurity and acute malnutrition rose significantly over the course of the year, as communities’ ability to cope was eroded by back-to-back droughts. High acute food insecurity increased by 80 per cent in 2022, from an estimated 2.4 million people in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse in January to nearly 4.4 million people in crisis or worse, including 1.2 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), by December. At least 2.5 million livestock had died due to the drought by December 2022. By October 2022, nearly 885,000 children under the age of five and over 115,700 pregnant or lactating women were likely to be acutely malnourished and in need of treatment, with some areas seeing acute malnutrition rates more than double the emergency threshold. Inflation has been driven by increased demand following four consecutive below average seasons, high demand associated with post-COVID-19 economic recovery globally, high production and marketing costs driven by the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on global food prices, including high fuel and fertilizer prices.

Background

FHK has continued to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs affecting populations in ASAL counties through a multi-sectoral approach that employs unconditional cash transfers to reduce food insecurity and cater for basic needs, provision of livestock feeds to mitigate against total loss of livestock, community and institutional WASH and school feeding during the emergency phase. In the long term and to address recovery from drought, the program has continued to build community resilience through capacity building in NRM, disaster risk reduction, livestock and agricultural production and marketing initiatives as well as focusing on livelihood diversification through empowerment of women, men and the youth through IGA and SHG. The program works closely with National Disaster Management Authority NDMA as well as the county government relevant ministries.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to build a comprehensive picture of the social, health, environmental, governance, economic vulnerability of selected communities as well as the effects of the ongoing drought, in Marsabit Isiolo, Laikipia and Samburu the assessment will identify opportunities for future development in the selected areas. The result of this identification will be compiled into a needs assessment report.

Objectives of the Assessment

1. Assess the status of selected communities in social, health, environmental, governance, economic issues as well as the effects of the drought, in selected sub counties of Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia, and Samburu.
2. Conduct systems mapping to understand complex social problems by visualizing the relationships, dynamics of the system, and identify leverage points, gaps, and opportunities for change.
3. Identify current level of implementation by different stakeholders and the gaps that exist in fulfilling the needs of the vulnerable communities.
4. identify key opportunities and strategies for future programming in each of the sectors in the assessed area

Scope of the Assignment

The data collection will be carried out in the 4 counties in selected Sub counties and Wards through secondary data review, Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), survey with community members, and assessment of various facilities. The development of the study design and tools for data collection will be done jointly with Food for the Hungry Kenya with the support of Food for the Hungry regional and global office and the selected consultant, the consultant will take lead in analyzing the data and development of an actionable comprehensive report. All field logistical support will be provided by Food for the Hungry Kenya.

Methodology

• Desk review: to conduct a desk review of the available thematic information on the areas under assessment.
• Key Informant Interviews: to assess perceived satisfaction, problems, and barriers social and economic issues as well as leadership and governance issues .
• Focus Group Discussions: to conduct focus group discussions with community members (with emphasis on inclusion of vulnerable groups).
• Survey with community members: to conduct a questionnaire with community members to assess social and economic needs.
• Assessment of economic and social infrastructure: to assess the capacities, strengths, weaknesses of economic and social systems to provide quality economic and basic social services.

Proposed Timeline and Deliverables

Week 1

• Desk Review: review of intervention documentation, and related primary/secondary resources for the needs assessment
• Development of the data collection plan and schedule
• Е-numerator training
• Data collection/analysis plan and schedule
• Draft methodology, including samples design for KII, FGD, community survey

Week 2-3

• Data collection according to the data collection schedule
• Data collection completed according to the data collection plan

Week 4-5

• Debriefing with the initial findings
• Analysis of findings (jointly with FHK team)
• Preparation of draft needs assessment report
• Address feedback with revisions in the needs assessment report where appropriate
• Revise and submit the needs assessment report
• Debriefing meeting
• Final version of the needs assessment report, including a base line and targets proposal

Total duration: 5 weeks

Qualifications

• The consultant should possess a master’s or PhD Level of education preferably in Development studies/Social sciences or Economics.
• Good understanding of development issues and in particular relating to the ASAL areas.
• Over 10 years experience in conducting needs assessment and research related assignments.
• Relevant work, knowledge of the area is a plus

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects any person associated with the delivery of FH work to maintain high ethical standards, and observe safeguarding and associated policies