PROGRAM: Somalia Transition Initiatives for Stabilization Plus (TIS+) Program
POSITION STATUS: Short-Term Technical Assistance
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya, with travel to field locations in Somalia
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: o/a October 20 – December 31 2018
LEVEL OF EFFORT: Up to 90 days
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
AECOM International Development implements the Transition Initiatives for Stabilization Plus (TIS+) Program for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), promoting good governance and community cohesion. The four objectives of this TIS+ Program are to:
Increase confidence in governance based on equitable participation in decision making and management of community assets
Empower community and government representatives to engage with private sector and development actors in a collaborative process for community growth
Increase Somali engagement in creating a more stable future
Support inclusive, sustainable development by reducing gender gaps in stabilization and development.
TIS+ has identified an overall strategic approach to deepen the gender and social inclusion dimensions of infrastructure projects being implemented with Program funding. At present, the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy consists of four pillars: Pillar 1: Unskilled and semi-skilled laborers – with a focus on identifying and recruiting the most vulnerable members of a local community where the infrastructure project is being implemented, involving these recruits in savings and loan groups and providing targeted capacity building; Pillar 2: Skilled professionals – with a focus on expanding the pool and use of female and youth engineers and architects; Pillar 3: Women- or Minority-Owned construction companies – with a focus on identifying and expanding the pool and ultimately the selection of these construction companies; Pillar 4: Women-Only Construction Crews with a focus on female site supervisors to semi-skilled to unskilled laborers. In this document, “minority” should be understood to mean “marginalized” or “excluded” groups. This Strategy is currently a concept and needs to be documented and accompanied by an implementation plan.
TIS+ has also identified an overall strategic approach to deepen the approach to the preparation of Infrastructure Facility Oversight Committee members. A firm is being contracted to provide the IFOC workshops and the firm has a draft Facilitator Manual; however, this manual needs to be quality checked and the content and layout improved. The manual will be used as a standard tool across all workshops. In addition, although each infrastructure facility has an Operations and Maintenance Plan, which the IFOC is incorporated into the workshop, there is a need for a broader IFOC Handbook that clearly lays out the roles and responsibilities of the IFOC and that includes some standard templates. Finally, TIS+ needs a brief “cheat sheet” for personnel in charge of the IFOC activities in their respective location. This sheet needs to simply and clearly provide a set of steps and guidance for how the IFOC activities need to be implemented.
OBJECTIVE:
The Consultant will provide the implementation detail for the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy pillars and guide Program staff in implementing the Strategy. The Consultant will provide guidance to and quality oversight of CSOs/NGOs selected to carry out the specific component of the Strategy.
The Consultant will provide guidance to the Lead Facilitator for the IFOC Capacity Building Workshops in the improvement and finalization of the Facilitator Manual and the IFOC Handbook. The Consultant will draft the IFOC Processes “Cheat Sheet” for TIS+ programmatic personnel.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
In consultation with the Director of Engineering, Deputy Chief of Party, TIS+ Program staff and other approved contacts, the GESI in Infrastructure Consultant will:
Undertake a rapid literature review and provide a short paper (3-5 pages) on women in construction, women-only construction crews, women-owned construction companies, cash-for-work, and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The paper should include lessons learned and success stories from within Somalia and the region for replication, as well as a bibliography that highlights possible resources for future use on the program
Undertake a literature review and provide a short paper (3-5 pages) on savings and loan groups, particularly in Somalia. The paper should include lessons learned and success stories from within Somalia and the region for replication, as well as a bibliography that highlights possible resources for future use on the program
Conduct interviews with staff from other implementing organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Somalia that have created savings and loan groups, facilitated cash-for-work programs, conducted capacity-building training at the grassroots level and developed small-businesses. Where applicable, highlight how these organizations addressed GESI
Based on the above research and interviews, fully develop the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy for TIS+.
Provide strategic and operational guidance and oversight for the roll-out of the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy
Develop monitoring and evaluation tools and ensure they are integrated into and used to measure the success of the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy
Produce SOWs for CSOs/NGOs working with TIS+ to undertake key elements of the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy
Provide assistance to field offices in Somalia in the selection, preparation, briefing, guidance and quality oversight of CSOs/NGOs implementing key elements of the GESI in Infrastructure Strategy. Field office locations include the: Mogadishu Field Office (MFO), Baidoa Field Office (BFO), Kismayo Field Office (KFO), Garowe Field Office (GFO) and Hargeisa Field Office (HFO)
Brief USAID on GESI initiatives and progress, on an as-needed basis
Conduct visits to field offices and construction sites, on an as-needed and pre-approved basis. Field offices include: Mogadishu Field Office (MFO), Baidoa Field Office (BFO), Garowe Field Office (GFO), Hargeisa Field Office (HFO), Kismayo Field Office (KFO), and the Nairobi Office
Collaborate with the IFOC Workshops Lead Facilitator and provide guidance to the quality improvement of the Facilitator Manual and the IFOC Handbook
Attend one IFOC Workshop cycle (Intensive Preparation Workshop; IFOC Workshop) in order to understand fully the IFOC capacity building process
Other reasonable duties, as assigned and agreed between the TIS+ COP, DCOP, and HO Senior Engagement/Program Managers.
DELIVERABLES:
2 briefing papers (3-5 pages each) on the topics referenced above
GESI in Infrastructure Strategy Implementation Handbook
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the GESI in Infrastructure initiative
Develop materials for and deliver a workshop on GESI in Infrastructure Strategy and Implementation Handbook for all program staff
Identify 3-5 human interest or significant change stories
1-2 briefings/presentations on GESI initiatives completed to date
IFOC Process Cheat Sheet.
REPORTING:
The Consultant will report directly to the TIS+ Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP). The Consultant will also work closely with the Director of Engineering. The Consultant will engage with the Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning Manager and the Strategic Communications Consultant.
SCHEDULE:
Input 1: Up to 90 days
Subsequent inputs to be determined in consultation with TIS+ DCOP and Program Staff and with agreement of COP.
QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
Master’s Degree in gender studies, community development, international development or similar field
10+ years of experience in developing country contexts, particularly those affected by conflict and crisis and in contexts with Muslim majorities
Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and monitoring and evaluating GESI initiatives within infrastructure projects
Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: cash-for-work, women in construction, savings and loan vehicles, SYOB (Start Your Own Business/International Labor Organization), grassroots capacity building
Demonstrated ability to work with local CSOs/NGOs to enhance quality of implementation and monitoring and evaluation
Demonstrated understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, especially related to GESI initiatives
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, especially Word and Excel and other computer applications, especially data visualization
Experience in Somalia
Oral and written proficiency in English
Oral and written proficiency in Somali is desirable.
