Solidarites Marsabit Livelihood Survey Job in Kenya

Terms of Reference

Comprehensive study of Pastoral livelihoods, WASH and natural resource management in Northern Marsabit

Country: Kenya

Location: North Horr (Marsabit)

Title of evaluation: Comprehensive study of Pastoral livelihoods, WASH and natural resource management in Northern Marsabit

Starting date: 15th May 2011

Duration of the field mission:The task is expected approximately from 10 to 12 weeks with a minimum of 8 to 9 weeks taken for field research

Under responsibility of: Deputy Country Director for Kenya

Funding Sources for the evaluation: DFID

Presentation of Solidarités 

Solidarités International is an international humanitarian organization which provides assistance to populations affected by natural disaster or man-made crisis. For over 30 years, Solidarités International has concentrated its actions on meeting three vital needs: Water, Food and Shelter.

In the Horn of Africa, Solidarites International is currently implementing Food Security, Water and Sanitation projects in Somalia and Kenya. Solidarites International has 2 areas of intervention in Kenya (Northern Marsabit and Nairobi informal settlements) and 3 areas of intervention in Somalia (Gedo, Lover Juba and Adaado).

This consultancy focuses exclusively on North Horr program.

Purposes of the evaluation

Solidarites International is currently implementing its third year of intervention in North Horr, covering WASH and food security sectors. Solidarités International wants to improve its understanding of the pastoral livelihoods and the various traditional resource management systems existing in the area in order to assist in the development of a comprehensive DRR program in for the area.

To conduct an in-depth study to increase Solidarités International’s knowledge (within a DRR perspective) of pastoral livelihoods in Northern Marsabit area through a better understanding of the pastoral systems, pastoral livelihoods coping mechanisms, traditional and customary institutions in the area, water access and current natural resources management (water and pasture resources).

The expert will gather, analyze and report all necessary information to respond, in a comprehensive way, the aim of the study.

Scope and focus

Assignment title: Comprehensive study of Pastoral livelihoods, WASH and natural resource management in Northern Marsabit

The study will specifically cover seven (7) components, which all need to be assessed in detail. These 7 components should be covered in seven independent chapters in the final report.

These seven components are as follows:

1. understanding the pastoral systems specific to North Horr including specific coping mechanisms and traditional EWS;
2. mapping the traditional institutions and customary structures;
3. detailing and analyzing the social services regarding WASH available in North Horr,
4. the development of a analysis framework for mapping of water and sanitation structures and grazing resources in North Horr,
5. understanding and presenting ownership of water and sanitation structures,
6. understanding and mapping grazing resources management systems and structures,
7. analyzing the changes which are currently happening over ownership and management of natural resources.

More specifically, on each of these aspects, the following questions and points of interest need to be answered:

On the pastoral system(s) specific to North Horr:

• In the specific context of North Horr, describe the basic physical, natural, financial, social and human characteristics that define the livelihood options available to people living in the assessed zone in general, and to pastoral groups in particular;
• In the specific context of North Horr, describe the livelihood patterns of the various groups living in the assessed zone with a specific focus on pastoral groups;
• In the specific context of North Horr, present what is a “normal” year, what are the different ways that people feed their families and earn a living throughout the assessed zone in these ‘normal’ years;
• Document the traditional EWS used by the community and the various coping strategies undertaken in period of droughts;
• Develop and validate a ‘livelihoods coping mechanisms curve’ adapted to North Horr including the different coping strategies employed to anticipate or deal a food crisis, that can be used in SI’s EWS;
• Map key natural pastoral resources and pastoral movement during the year.

On traditional institutions and customary structures 

Traditional institutions and customary structures are particularly important in managing pastoral resources and in implementing a DRR approach. It is particularly important that we understand them.

The consultant shall:

• Map these traditional institutions and customary structures,
• Describe their role in community resources management,
• Describe how they function and operate, and
• Describe the entry points for engaging them if need be.

On the social services regarding WASH available in North Horr

In a country like Kenya where there is a functional Government, it is expected that social services are in fact available and accessible, at least at some levels, to communities. It is important to understand the services available on water and sanitation for both communities and institutions.

With a specific focus on piped water, safe water sources, sanitation facilities , public health services, health education, identify:

• What services exist,
• Where they exist,
• How they are organized,
• Elaborate also on linkage and collaboration mechanisms.

Income, management structures and cultural aspects are three aspects that can either promote or hinder access to water and sanitation facilities.

It is therefore important to understand community access to water and sanitation facilities/services in line with these cultural aspects, availability of water and sanitation structures , cost of buying water, cost of transporting water from source to point of use, cost of establishing sanitation structures (latrines, hand washing points, cattle troughs) availability and cost of construction materials, availability and cost of soap and distances to water and water and sanitation structures for both the community and school institutions.

On mapping of water and sanitation structures and mapping of grazing resources 

Develop the framework and guidelines that should guide SI in building a sound baseline on access to water and grazing land and for mapping of these resources. The framework and guidelines shall suit the specificities of the local context and focus on:

• Outline what is to be included in the mapping of water sources and grazing land;
• Provide a clear and efficient methodology on how the mapping should be executed;
• Describe how this methodology will ensure adequate the linkage between the mapping and community access to the water and grazing sources;
• Describe how the mapping process shall be conducted;
• Develop the tools to be used for mapping of the water sources and grazing land The movement of pastoralist communities throughout the year in relation to water resources
• The relation between different ethnic groups towards the management of natural resources (water, grazing land, etc…)

On ownership of water and sanitation structures

For sustainability aspects, it is important to understand community understanding of ownership, existing gaps on ownership and how ownership can be enhanced in specific community context.

Also, each community has traditional management systems – it is important to understand what structures or systems exist, how they are organized across gender, how they operate and avenues for collaboration in improving management of water and sanitation structures.

On grazing resources management systems and structures

What are the current grazing resources management systems, how do they work, what are the gaps and hindrances.

On changes happening over ownership and management of natural resources

The assignment shall include a chapter on ownership over natural resources and explain and describe how this ownership is (or is not) threatened, and explain any changes which has taken place and the effects of these changes on the sustainable management of the resources.

Evaluation process and methods

• Part of this assignment, the consultant will be responsible to develop the detailed methodology. The methodology must be approved by Solidarites International’s technical team prior proceeding with data collection. Pastoral groups and societies having their own specificities, the consultant is expected to put a special attention to ensure that the methodology developed remains the most suitable for collecting information amongst pastoral groups and societies.
• The methodology shall be based on a multi-scale approach which will provide in-depth analysis of the livelihoods at a macro level (District), meso level (livelihood zones) and micro level (household level).
• At a macro level, the analysis will highlight the past and current factors and trends shaping the livelihoods of the population. The main vulnerability drivers, shocks and copping strategies that have been or still used by the population will be described.
• At a meso level, the analysis will describe the vulnerability and the hazards affecting each livelihood zone as well as the existing livelihood strategies and assets.
• At the micro level, the analysis will help understand how resources are accessed and utilised at household level.
• It is expected that the analysis be able to inform the development of strategic short-, mid- and long-term interventions which aim at enhancing the existing livelihoods strategies of the population living in the assessed zone.

The consultant will develop his/her framework of analysis, identify the data which need to be collected, design the methodology and data collection tools in a way that they are most appropriate to the specific context (pastoral); this method will be discussed with and agreed upon by Solidarités International’s technical team.

The livelihood expert will collect and analyze all the necessary information to answer these ToRs. The consultant will analyze all data, answer all expected results of the study as defined in section 3, and present the conclusions, and recommendations for action, in a detailed report.

It is expected that the consultant will also build on key findings and key concepts elaborated from the previous study, mainly the Solidarités International Turkana study which was conducted in 2010, and particularly continue building on the concepts of ‘true’ vs ‘roadside’ pastoralists (documents to be made available).

Procedures and logistics

• The evaluation team must comply, at all time, with Solidarités International rules and procedures related to security and relations with the media.
• The evaluation team must respect the ethics and the deontology related to evaluation practice.
• While working in Nairobi and in North Horr town, the evaluation team may access office space in the offices of Solidarités International.
• Accommodation, office space and transport while in the field will be provided and organised by Solidarites International team.

Deliverables

1. A study report (50-70 pages maximum, excluding the executive summary and annexes) (each 7 chapter cannot exceed 10 pages)
2. An executive summary (strict maximum of 2 pages).
3. Maps (+ supporting data) of natural resources
4. Maps (+ supporting data) of pastoralist movements
5. Separate recommendations on all the section in regard to SI short-, mid- and long-term interventions, in line with overall strategy of the organization.

Note that the quality of the data collection methodology, analysis and reporting is paramount and substandard reporting will not be accepted.

Qualification of the Lead consultant

• Expertise on emergency response, DRR and development approaches in the ASAL context, in the sectors of WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security.
• Expertise on developing methodologies to measure and evaluate project impacts.
• Proven record of similar assignments.
• Proven experience in similar evaluation context (ASAL).
• Strong methodological and writing capacities.

How to apply

Please send your proposal, highlighting the following:

• A brief introduction of bidding firm or person attaching relevant CVs
• Your understanding of the Terms of Reference
• Proposed methodology and approach
• Proposed work plan and budget
• Your availability

All relevant information (CV, cover letter, copies of testimonials, certificate of works and 3 contact references) should be sent to info@solidarites-kenya-som.org before COB 24th April 2011.

Please indicate the consultancy you are applying for in the title of your email.

Only short-listed applications will be contacted.

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