INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Vacancy Notice No.: ETH/AA/IC/VN/004/2021

General Background of Project or Assignment:

Currently Ethiopia is home to refugees from Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Eritrea as well as from Great Lakes Countries. The first group of refugees from Somalia and Sudan arrived in Ethiopia in the 1980s fleeing from conflict in their home countries while those from Eritrea arrived in the country following the 1998 -2000 Ethio- Eritrean war. Ethiopia continues to receive refugees from the neighboring countries and the total number currently stands at 801,349 as of 31st January 2021 residing in 26 refugee camps. The main reasons for this unprecedented increase were a combination of conflict and drought-induced famine in South Central Somalia in 2011; eruption of fighting in South Sudan in 2013 and a significant increase in the rate of new arrivals of Eritrean refugees in the last couple of years. In 2020, conflict has erupted in the midst of Covid in Tigray region where Eritrean refugees were in 4 camps.

 The ultimate goal of the JAM partnership between UNHCR, ARRA and WFP are to provide strategic directions for joint programming to enhance refugees’ capacities to adequately meet their food and other basic needs, improve their livelihoods opportunities and increase their self-reliance while ensuring that age gender and diversity principles and the Economic inclusion approach are considered in the current Covid 19 pandemic context.

 The JAM assessment will establish the current situation since the last JAM in 2016 (refugee needs, risks, capacities and vulnerabilities with regards to their food and nutrition security), review ongoing food and other assistance, potential for targeted assistance and opportunities towards improved livelihood opportunities, economic inclusion and self-reliance.

Overall purpose and Scope of Assignment:

(Concise and detailed description of activities, including measurable outputs and delivery dates, impact indicators (what qualitative and quantitative results would be achieved upon completion of consultancy), performance indicators (timelines, value of the service rendered in relation to the cost, timeliness) and work plan.):    

UNHCR and WFP are seeking the services of an experienced National Consultant to conduct the JAM assessment which comprises two phases; This assessment will consist of two phases: The first phase will be a secondary data review to identify, consolidate and review relevant secondary data on the food security, socio-economic, livelihood, nutrition and protection situation in the camps. The relevance of food and other basic assistance will be reviewed from secondary data and key information gaps identified.

The second phase will consist of a qualitative assessment in the selected camps involving relevant staff from the three agencies as well as local government authorities and donor community.  This phase will include the collection of qualitative data during spots checks, field observations, key informant interviews and age-and gender disaggregated focus group discussions to verify the findings from the secondary data review and fill any information gaps identified as far as possible using the JAM methodology.

The findings of above processes will be summarized in a JAM report and consequently inform the WFP, ARRA and UNHCR joint plan of action (JPA) for 2022-2023.  

Level of responsibilities required: 

 Specific objectives:

Identify, consolidate and review secondary data on the following areas;

• Food security and socio-economic status of camp-based refugees (including overview of food access, coping strategies, livelihoods and other food sources).
• Access to basic services and other non-food needs such as health, WASH, energy/firewood, education.   
• Nutrition status and underlying causes, including access to food, hygiene/care practices and health.
• Market systems covering both food and other essential needs.
• Effectiveness of food, nutrition and other basic services (including overview of transfer modalities and supply chain management) in meeting overall household needs.
• Impact of refugee presence on host communities, social cohesion and CRR opportunities.
• Key protection issues related to meeting food and other basic needs 

Review strategic and operational areas of joint interest including but not limited to;

• Current initiatives and opportunities for further livelihood strengthening and self-reliance.
• Use of cash assistance to meet basic needs and enhance economic inclusion.
• Accountability mechanisms to affected populations related to provision of assistance and services.
• Data and system inter-operability and areas for improvement.
• Existing coordination mechanisms and opportunities for enhanced partnerships and collaboration.

Duties and responsibilities of the consultant

Under the supervision, and with support from the UNHCR ,WFP and ARRA focal points in Ethiopia, the consultant will lead the JAM. Technical support will be provided to the JAM Consultant by both field staff from relevant UNHCR and WFP sub-office units and Regional/HQ offices. Logistical and support will be provided by UNHCR in Ethiopia.  

The main tasks will include:

Preparatory work

• Conduct secondary data review and analysis.
• Summarize the actions taken following the recommendations of previous JAMs noting the differences between recommendation and implementation.
• Identify information requirements and design methodology and tools for data collection.
• Train other JAM team members on methodology and information / data to be collected.
• Finalize the mission schedule plan and logistics arrangements (with the support of the WFP and UNHCR country teams).

Field mission phase:

• Co-lead and conduct data collection on the field; and
• Lead and conduct daily debriefing and data analysis sessions with team members.

Analysis and Reporting

• Lead and conduct analysis of major findings, draft a report with major findings and recommendations for next planning phase 2020-2021. 
• Facilitate a debriefing workshop with presentation of major findings and recommendations,
• Elaborate a UNHCR/WFP Joint Plan of Action (JPA).
• Circulate, receive and incorporate feedback from ARRA, WFP, UNHCR and other stakeholders and finalize the report; and
• Facilitate the JPA workshop and finalise the JPA for senior management approval.

Expected working days and locations are as follows:

 2.5 months working in Addis Ababa; secondary data review, analysis, report writing, developing a joint plan of action, pre and post JAM workshop

1.5 months in the field conducting primary data collection

Competencies required:

Skills in problem solving; good written and oral communication skills; effective organizational and coordination skills; high drive for results; high commitment; teamwork and strong interpersonal and intercultural skills.

Monitoring and Progress Controls (report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines):

• The final product (e.g., survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research documents produced specify):
• Report summarizing key findings from the secondary data review
• Report summarizing key findings from the secondary review and qualitative analysis with recommendations
• Joint plan of action including roles, responsibilities and timelines that will be reviewed on a regular basis between the three agencies

Delivery Periodicity, as applicable:

• Report summarizing key findings from the secondary data review ( timeline TBD)
• Report summarizing key findings from the secondary review and qualitative analysis with recommendations ( timeline TBD)
• Joint plan of action including roles, responsibilities and timelines that will be reviewed on a regular basis between the three agencies ( 31st September 2021)

Work on the basis of time employed Yes No

If it is to result in a written product specify:

• Number of pages: N.A
• Language(s): English
• Number of copies: Electronic Copy

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Grade - NOC

Type of Contract - National Consultancy

Location - UNHCR Offices and Field Operations in Gambella/Shire Jijiga/ Mekelle/ Assosa Melkadida and Addis Ababa

No of Positions - One (1)

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Public health, Health sciences, Social sciences, Development studies, Statistics, International affairs or a field relevant to international development assistance.
• Work experience requirement of 6 – 10 years with a post graduate university degree.
• Experience: At least five years post-graduate experience in quantitative and qualitative assessment methods, Familiarity with JAM guidelines and experience in leading JAM or large qualitative assessment, experience in managing food assistance for refugees or host community
• knowledge of Ethiopia context and the communities hosting the refugees is desirable.
•  Technical skills and knowledge: Extensive experience in food security assessment, needs assessments or response analysis and reporting & writing skills
• Strong data collection and analysis skills
• Excellent coordination skills
• Language: Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Desirable Knowledge and Skills: Experience in both refugee and host community assessments is an asset. 

Functional Skills

•  *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
• *LE-International Refugee Law
• *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
• PR-Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Coordination
• MG-Projects management
• PR-PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
• PR-International Humanitarian Law
• PR-Protection and mixed-movements
• PR-Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Operations & IDPs Status/Rights/Obligation
• PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement
• PR-Community-based Protection
• MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies:

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

• Judgement and Decision Making
• Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Political Awareness

How to Apply

IMPORTANT

Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send their application packages to email: ETHADHR@UNHCR.ORG.

NB: Candidates may be required to sit for a test. Due to the volume of applications only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only.

Refugees – who cares?  We Do.