Mali, Somalia and South Sudan: Consultants for Rapid Assessments on the Hunger-Climate-Conflict Nexus

Feb 20, 2022 | Action Against Hunger
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Action Against Hunger is implementing the GFFO-funded regional project “Multisectoral humanitarian response to the deteriorating nutrition situation, focusing on severely affected crisis contexts in sub-Saharan Africa” in six countries. A key component of the projectis the development of a series of rapid assessments on climate-induced hunger and mitigation response in conflict settings.

Scope of the Assessments

The assessments will investigate the following subject areas:

1. Assessment 1 on climate-related impacts on livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Mali, Somalia and South Sudan (Q3 2022) 

This first rapid assessment will highlight how communities affected by climate change in fragile contexts experience their food, nutrition and livelihoods situation. In a gender-sensitive manner, it will investigate communities’ coping mechanisms and their perspective on what is needed to close the food and nutrition gap in their lives. At the same time, the assessment will review existing interventions to prevent and reduce hunger, malnutrition and loss of livelihoods and identify good practices and gaps. This part of the investigation will span climate change adaptation, resilience and disaster risk reduction activities, as well as early warning and anticipatory action initiatives. It will present concrete recommendations on how affected populations can besupported to avoid food crises and famine and strengthen anticipation, adaptation and response to climate shocks, i.e. enhance their climate resilience in fragile contexts.

2. Assessment 2 on anticipating the impact of climate-related disasters in the context of violent conflict (Q3 2023)

A second rapid assessment, to be conducted in 2023 in three project countries, will look more closely at conflict as a driver of hunger and malnutrition in areas that are vulnerable to climate change. It will explore how the underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition in these conflict settings are being addressed and identify good practice and recommendations on how such approaches can be expanded and made climate-smart. The assessment will also examine whether some impacts of  conflict could have been anticipated and prevented. The research will investigate multi-layered vulnerabilities to conflict and climate change. The report will also make recommendations on how to link effective interventions on hunger in conflict zones to existing humanitarian reform processes, among them the Grand Bargain (includingtheTriple Nexus).

Definitions of key terms and concepts will be provided by AAH.

Deliverables

The consultants will deliver the following outputs:

1. An inception report not exceeding 20 pages for the first assessment, to be presented to AAH before the start of the research (April2022). This report should include:

• the team’sunderstanding of the context
• the team’s understanding of the assessment
• the detailed itinerary for fieldwork
• the team’s data-collection plan
• the planned methodology
• any planned deviations from the terms of reference
• the team’s planned interview guide(s), annexed.

2. A first assessment report, to be completed by September 2022

3. An executive summary to the first assessment report, also to be completed by September 2022

4. Country-specific fact sheets for the first assessment, with key trends and recommendations (technical and policy/funding level) by September 2022

5. A second research plan and methodology for the second assessment, to be presented to AAH in early 2023

6. A second assessment report, to be completed before September 2023

7. An executive summary to the second assessment report, also to be completed before September 2023

8. Country-specific fact sheets for the second assessment, with key trends and recommendations (technical and policy/funding level) by September 2023

9. Short synthesis report combining perspectives from both assessments highlighting the link between climate change and conflict as key drivers of hunger, by September 2023

Consultants with the expertise to complete only one of the assessments may submit a proposal for only one assessment.

Proposed Work Plan and Timeline

Assessment 1

Deliverables to be completed by:

• Contracting and introduction to the project: March 2022
• Submission of draft inception report: April 2022
• Submission of final inception report: April/May 2022
• Data collection and analysis for rapid assessment 1(4-6 weeks, non-consecutive): May - July 2022
• Submission of draft assessment report 1: August 2022
• Feedback and revision process: August 2022
• Submission of final assessment report 1, executive summary and country fact sheets: September 2022

Assessment 2

Deliverables to be completed by:

• Submission of draft inception report: February 2023
• Submission of final inception report: March 2023
• Data collection for rapid assessment 2: March - June 2023
• Submission of draft assessment report 2: June - July 2023
• Feedback and revision process: July - August 2023
• Submission of final assessment report 2, executive summary and country fact sheets: September 2023
• Submission of final short synthesis report (assessments 1-2): September - October 2023 

Consultants with an interest in the assignment but competing commitments are asked to contact Action Against Hunger Germany with an alternative timeline.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants/consultancy firms are requested to submit the following information as part of the technical and financial proposal.

Technical proposal:

• Profile or/and Curriculum Vitae of the consultant / consultancy firm.
• Brief letter of motivation summarising relevant experiences and qualifications for the consultancy.
• A schedule for how the consultant / consultancy firm proposes to complete all tasks.
• An example of relevant previous research projects.
• Three references (at least two of whom must be from previous clients).

Financial proposal:

• The financial proposal should be inclusive of all taxes.
• The financial proposal should include indicative costs for logistics and field visits, including accommodation.

Proposals should be sent to Lisa Jörke, Project Officer Advocacy (ljoerke@aktiongegendenhunger.de) no later than Monday, 14th March 2022. Action Against Hunger Germany reserves the right to close the tender before if suitable consultants have been identified.

See the full Terms of Reference here.