Purpose:
To review the recently developed regional Accountability to Beneficiaries (AtB) minimum standards and actions, toolkit and training curriculum, with the aim of understanding how easily these have been implemented by the pilot National Societies (NS), the challenges faced and how they can be improved and what additional measures could be added to support better AtB in Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations, programmes and emergency operations.
- Commissioners: This consultancy has been commissioned by the IFRC East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands Regional Representation.
- Duration of consultancy: This consultancy has two phases. Each phase will have to be validated by the Beneficiary Accountability Working Group before the consultant proceeds to the next phase. The whole consultancy is expected to take approximately 40 working days.
- Estimated dates of consultancy: 01 September – 15 November 2015
- Geographic scope:Kenya, Burundi, Sudan and Madagascar
- Deliverables: A project plan and timeline at the beginning of phase one. A findings and recommendations report at the end of phase one. From phase 2, edited and improved AtB minimum standards and actions, toolkits and training curriculum based on the findings and recommendations from phase one.
- Methodology:Field visits to the four pilot NS (Sudan, Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar), including review of implementation of AtB work plans and documentation collected; case studies highlighting areas of best practice; consultative meetings with HQ and project staff and volunteers to understand challenges faced and how to make the AtB materials easier to use; and field visits to communities supported through pilot projects to assess the impact of AtB activities implemented as part of the plans of actions. Consultative meetings with AtB working groups and IFRC and PNS staff and those who took part in the regional AtB training course. Practical application of findings through review and editing on the AtB materials (standards and actions, toolkit and training curriculum)
- Audience: Programme, PMER and senior management staff of the NS, PNS and IFRC, including focal points for the project in Geneva to support roll out to new regions.
- Location of consultancy: Part of the consultancy can be carried out from the consultant’s home and the rest in Kenya, Sudan, Madagascar and Burundi (security situation allowing).
- Background
The IFRC Regional Representation for Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands (EAIOI), as part of the IFRC Africa Zone, supports National Societies (NS) to respond to emergencies and to make communities more resilient to risks. The Regional Representation serves the National Societies of Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Madagascar, Seychelles, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Comoros Island and Uganda and acts as a hub for technical support and operations coordination for the wider Eastern Africa Region.
Over the last 20 years, the importance of demonstrating high levels of accountability to beneficiaries (AtB) in programming has grown for both donors and humanitarian organisations. AtB is a core part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Code of Conduct in Disaster Relief in 1994[1] and the Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance.
Based on this and following requests for support from NS in the region, the IFRC EAIOI Regional Office launched a pilot AtB project in 2014 to provide practical support and guidance to IFRC, NS and PNS on how they can incorporate better beneficiary accountability into their programmes, emergency operations and organisations. Four NS (Burundi, Kenya, Madagascar, and Sudan) agreed to act as pilot countries to support the development and testing of minimum standards and practical actions (linked to the programme cycle) for AtB and a supporting toolkit and training curriculum. Each NS identified up to two on-going projects to use to test to the AtB standards and materials and developed an AtB action plan. These action plans identified a number of AtB activities and measures which would be incorporated into their programmes with the aim of improving transparency, participation, collection of complaints and responses and monitoring and evaluation. These plans have been being implemented since February 2015 and are now due for review, with the aim of using the findings of the review to improve the AtB standards and actions, toolkit and training curriculum ready for roll out to the rest of the EAIOI region and for sharing with the wider IFRC.
- Objectives
The objectives of this consultancy are:
- To review the progress and challenges faced by pilot NS working to implement the AtB minimum standards, including collection of best practice case studies and lessons learned. This should include evaluating the effectiveness and practicality of the standards, actions, tools and training in helping NS to improve levels of AtB in their programmes and what other actions the NS have taken to drive AtB
- Assess the impact improved AtB has had on project effectiveness and beneficiary satisfaction, for example do communities feel more informed, have complaints been dealt with, do communities feel they have had more of a role in decision-making
- Based on the feedback and lessons learned from NS and communities, make recommendations on improvements to the AtB standards, actions, tools and training to ensure they are effective and manageable for NS to implement
- Use the findings from the review to edit and improve the AtB minimum standards, actions, tools and training
- Deliverables and methodology
Phase one – Review of the AtB pilot project (field work)
The consultant will be expected to prepare a project plan and timeline which will set out the schedule and methodology for the evaluation. This plan should specify the requirements and methodology for each field visit to the pilot NS, including number of days needed, plans for community assessments and required personnel to meet with. The project plan should also explain how data will be collected, analysed and used to make recommendations for improvements to the AtB standards, tools and training.
During the first phase the consultant will be required to visit each of the four pilot countries (Sudan, Madagascar, Kenya and Burundi [dependent on security situation]). During these field visits it is expected the consultant will review progress against AtB work plans, discussing challenges faced and lessons learned. This will also be an opportunity to collect best practice case studies and lessons learned. The consultant should also discuss potential improvements to the AtB materials with NS staff. The consultant will be expected to meet with project staff, volunteers and senior management. Field visits should also include a visit to the project site and an assessment with the community to identify the impact improved AtB measures have had on project efficiency, beneficiary satisfaction and the relationship between the NS and the community. This would also provide an opportunity to seek community opinion on future potential improvements to AtB and current gaps.
During phase 1 the consultant will also meet with the AtB Working Group and IFRC senior leadership in EAIOI to gauge their opinion of the AtB pilot project and potential improvements which could be made. This will include speaking to those who took part in the regional AtB training in June.
The final stage of phase one will be the production of an evaluation report with key findings, lessons learned, examples of best practice and recommendations for improvements to the AtB materials and the project overall.
Phase two – Editing the AtB Minimum Standards, tools and training curriculum (from home)
The consultant will take the recommendations and improvements identified in phase one and use these to edit and improve the existing AtB standards, actions, tools and training. The outcome will be a final set of AtB minimum standards with practical actions, toolkit and training curriculum ready for publishing and roll-out to the rest of the EAIOI region and to share with the IFRC globally.
Important note:
- It is critical the final standards, tools and training curriculum are manageable for NS to implement and roll out within their National Societies with minimal support from IFRC
- A key focus should be making clear links from the minimum standards to the practical actions to meet these, to the tools that support implementation and the supporting training course. Thought should be given to how these should be presented so that the links between each level are clear, for example the use of graphics or colour coding
- The standards should be clear, concise and written in accessible English in order for it to be translated into shorter versions for dissemination to various stakeholders and for capacity building.
All products arising from this consultancy will be owned by the Federation. The evaluators will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the analytical results as their own work or to make use of this consultancy results for private publication purposes.
- Key reference documents & background reading
- The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Code of Conduct in Disaster Relief and the Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance
- The EAIOI AtB concept note, minimum standards, toolkit and training curriculum
- The NS pilot project AtB action plans and reports on progress, including baseline results where available
- Evaluation report of the AtB regional training course
- Minutes from the regional AtB working group meetings
- Quality & Ethical Standards for reports and case studies
The consultant (s) should take all reasonable steps to ensure:
- That the final products are designed and conducted to respect and protect the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved,
- that the information is technically accurate and reliable,
- the analysis is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, and contributes to organizational learning and accountability.
It is also expected that the consultant will respect the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: 1) humanity, 2) impartiality, 3) neutrality, 4) independence, 5) voluntary service, 6) unity, and 7) universality. Further information can be obtained about these Principles at:www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp
The IFRC report standards are:
- Utility: Report must be useful and used.
- Feasibility: Recommendations must be realistic, diplomatic, and managed in a sensible, cost effective manner.
- Ethics & Legality: Consultancy must be conducted in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the evaluation.
- Impartiality & Independence; Report content should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.
- Transparency: Content of the report and case studies should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
- Accuracy: Content of the report and case studies should be technical accurate, providing sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.
- Participation: Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the process when feasible and appropriate.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between key operating partners in the process to ensure the legitimacy and utility of the report and case studies.
- Competencies
- In depth knowledge and good understanding of the context of East Africa region preferable.
- Practical field experience in programme planning, M&E and learning desirable
- Up-to-date knowledge of good practices in accountability to beneficiaries, beneficiary communication, PMER and learning
- Excellent research, analytical and policy skills and interpersonal skills with strong cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a timely manner;
- Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills.
- Experiences in presentation at local, national, regional, global or international meetings on results of assessment findings or studies and in managing feedback sessions involving a diverse audience.
- Ability to compile information in coherent and succinct formats.
- High attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines.
- IT competencies at least in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet.
- Required skills and experience
The Consultant (s) should have the following qualifications, skills and knowledge:
Experience
- Minimum qualification of a university degree in relevant field of study, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience.
- Practical field experience of developing and evaluating beneficiary accountability systems, including participation, complaints handling, transparency and beneficiary communications.
- Knowledge and experience working with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement an advantage; including previous work on Accountability to Beneficiaries, PMER or beneficiary communication.
Language
- Excellent written oral, presentation and communications skills in English with the ability to explain complex analysis and data in a clear and simple manner to non-native English speakers.
- Knowledge of French preferable
Management and timeframe
The contracting agency and focal point for the assignment will be the IFRC EAIOI regional representation, although the deliverable will be reviewed by the Regional AtB Working Group, made up of representatives from the IFRC regional office, Partner National Societies and National Societies in order to ensure coherence and reach a consensus.
The applications must be composed of:
- CV (with emphasizes on previous related work and 3 referees),
- Example of previous similar works,
- A one-page description of the proposed activities to reach the purpose of the consultancy and the methodology which will be used
