PROGRAM ADVISOR (CONSULTANT) SCOPE OF WORK

PROGRAM ADVISOR (CONSULTANT) SCOPE OF WORK

Background

Equal Access International (EAI) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO), working in the area of communication for development (www.equalaccess.org) and headquartered in Washington DC, with country offices and programs in different countries of Asia and Africa. EAI creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions to support communities around the world to drive sustainable and transformative change in critical areas including governance, peace building, preventing extremism, youth, and gender. EAI is seeking a consultant to support our work in Somalia, focused on the normative change components of our security and justice work in the country.

Consultant’s Responsibility:

1.       Work with Team Leader, Technical Lead and local partners to develop a cohesive approach to the ABP Action Phase that integrates capacity building, social mobilization and activism across the ABP stakeholders (both formal and informal S&J actors and traditionally marginalized groups). Potential activities could include:

▪          Supporting development of ABP action planning approach.

▪         Advising partners on development of tools, platforms, and capacity building support to the Action Phase.

▪         Ensuring blending of ABP actions with IP1’s structures and platforms (including Town Halls etc).

▪         Reviewing what is working / not working and providing advice and strategic direction as required.

2.       Work with the MERL Focal Point and local partners to develop approach to context analysis for IP2 to ensure ongoing understanding of the changing context.

▪          Review existing plans for context analysis.

▪         Support development of final approach, ensuring it blends as appropriate with IP1’s atmospherics approach.

3.       Advise IP2 on developing conflict sensitive strategies and guidelines for project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

▪         Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities within the organization's programs that could lead to conflict escalation. Assess the impact of these programs on different stakeholders, especially marginalized or vulnerable groups.

▪         Develop conflict-sensitive strategies and guidelines for project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

▪         Provide training and capacity-building support to staff and partners on conflict sensitivity concepts, tools, and methodologies. Ensure that the organization's staff understands the importance of conflict sensitivity in their work.

▪         Support development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of the organization's programs on conflict dynamics. Use feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements.

4.       Support the development and implementation of a robust KMC approach for the EAI/IP2 in line with the overall program’s KMC strategy.

▪         Identify, collect, and document knowledge generated within the program. This includes lessons learned, best practices, research findings, and innovative solutions.

▪         Organize knowledge resources in a systematic manner, making it easily accessible to program staff. This could involve creating databases, knowledge repositories, or intranet portals.

▪          Attend KMC working group meetings and respond to requests as appropriate.

▪         Provide training and capacity-building sessions for program and partner staff to enhance their communication skills, knowledge management techniques, and the use of relevant tools and technologies.

EAI Responsibility:

1.       Assign the Project Director / Technical Lead as the key contact for proactively communicating with the consultant on work and expectations.

2.       Provide access to meeting links and any data or documents required pertaining to different activities.

3.       Connect consultant to relevant personnel in country and home office as required.

4.       The relevant in country contacts will be responsible for providing any additional information and data that will enhance the quality of the Consultant’s deliverables, but which the

Consultant will not be able to access and/or extract independently.

Key Deliverables and Timeline

The consultancy will be undertaken over a maximum of 48 days between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024.

Required Profile

▪         A relevant master's degree in fields such as international development, international relations, peacebuilding, community security, or a related field.

▪         At least 10 years’ experience in program management and/or advisory roles, preferably with international NGOs or development agencies.

▪         Previous experience working in conflict or post-conflict environments, with an understanding of the specific challenges and dynamics in Somalia.

▪         Familiarity with the socio-political and economic context of Somalia, including knowledge of the local culture, customs, and historical background.

▪          Knowledge of conflict sensitivity approaches in peacebuilding.

▪          Knowledge of KMC approaches in NGOs and development of KMC strategies and products.

▪          Proficiency in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

▪          Excellent communication and coordination skills.

▪         Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to address complex issues and find innovative solutions.

▪         Strong networking and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with local partners, government officials, and other stakeholders.

▪          Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse team.

▪          Fluency in written and spoken English essential and knowledge of Somali language desirable.

▪          Ability and willingness to travel to and work in Somalia.

▪          Experience working in Somalia, will be considered an asset.

▪         Understanding of security considerations and the ability to work in high-risk environments. This includes knowledge of security protocols and risk management.

The consultant that fits the requirements should submit an application in English and should include the following: 

1.       A cover letter not more than 2 pages that including a detailed response on how the consultant meets the Required Profile.

2.       The cover letter should also detail the consultant’s daily rate. When selected, the consultant will be required to provide evidence of the daily rate from assignments undertaken in the past 1 year.

3.       A Curriculum Vitae (CV).

4.       A List of at least 2 client references for similar work undertaken by the consultant.

The deadline for the application is 5 pm EAT on 7th January 2023. Applications should be sent via email to [email protected] with the subject line being Application for Consultant - Program Advisor – NS (the subject line must be included in the application)