PROJECT BACKGROUND
Increasing Food Security in Northern Syria” – 2020
Bahar is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian organization who works towards the relief and development of communities across Syria, Iraq and Turkey with the purpose of empowering IDPs, refugees and residents to restore their dignity, hope and ability while improving their resilience. Bahar operates since 2012 in Syria and obtained legal registration in 2014 in Turkey and in 2017 in Iraq. 8 programmes are at the core of its mission: health and nutrition, education, livelihoods, FSL, NFI/shelter, WASH, protection and peacebuilding. The organization provides support in both relief and stabilization sectors.
The aim of the project is to overcome food insecurity stemmed from mass displacement and destruction of livelihood opportunities in Northern/Syria by guaranteeing access to commodities with minimum nutritional value and increasing income generating activity availability for households with limited options for self-sufficiency; Outcome: Access to food and income generating activities is increased and strengthened for 69,000 vulnerable people
The project comprises three main components:
- Monthly food security assistance to the most vulnerable HHs; 2,000 HHs (1,500 kCal per person per day) will be targeted with 8 months regular assistance provided
- Rapid Response Mechanisms to provide emergency food assistance; 8,000 HHs (2,100 kCal per person per day) will receive RTERs (in emergency situations)
- Restoring livelihoods and agricultural production to improve economic access to household food security; 600 HHs will benefit of livelihood opportunities for enhancing their own consumption (agricultural kits
The project will be implemented mainly in district of Afrin with the possibility of expanding to other districts.
SCOPE OF WORK
In order to track and report on progress and promote accountability and learning for the project titled “Increasing Food Security in Northern Syria”, the consultant will develop/refresh a monitoring, evaluation, Accountability and learning (MEAL) framework and practical tools and processes for data collection and analysis at the project level and that are adapted by FFP policies and guidance. This will enable Bahar Organization to track and report on progress and provide constant information in terms of the progress of the project while fully committing with FFP monitoring procedures.
CONSULTANT ROLE
The main purpose of this role is to lead on enhancing the quality and accountability of Bahar’s food security intervention mainly in Afrin-Syria, the MEAL consultant will bring a significant experience and effective propositions to - Orientate the MEAL department from data management role to an active role of using and presenting data for decision-making in collaboration with operational teams - Improve the organization of the MEAL department to achieve this - Strengthen the existing MEAL strategy and protocols, ensuring they are adapted to FFP monitoring standards.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Review Baseline/Endline surveys, which include the tools, analysis plan, data collection plan and carry out all the needed modifications that are necessary for FFP’s current food security project.
- Conduct a comprehensive diagnosis on current MEAL systems with more focus on this current project level, with methodological analysis taking particularly into consideration the specific FFP monitoring guidelines and how the current MEAL system specifically food security monitoring related policy can be developed in order to adapt FFP food security monitoring standards within the current MEAL system.
- Identify innovations and improvements to enhance effectiveness of Bahar’s MEAL framework and systems within FFP monitoring and evaluation guidelines.
- Conduct the revision of the MEAL Strategy, SoPs, roles and responsibilities of programs and MEAL teams specifically for the current food security project.
- Review existing systems for database management, data cleaning processes, data security management and provide recommendations for improvement according to FFP required data system mainly in terms of data reliability, timeliness and accuracy. This could potentially include recommendations for changes in data management software used by Bahar’s MEAL team.
- Develop an action plan in order to improve the management of databases and the implementation of aforementioned FFP related data management recommendations.
- Development/update of the project’s log frame after conducting the Baseline survey that includes changes in target values, modifications on outcome level and activities level.
- According to the methodologies and tools designed in collaboration with the Program teams, work closely with the MEAL department to review project monitoring system and MEAL plans, including overall design, methodologies for data collection and sampling, timelines, instrumentation, data collection/aggregation and analysis, and provide all the needed adjustments of the current MEAL system with more focus on the current food security project in order to be equivalent for FFP requirements.
- Provide dedicated and on the job technical training and support on products requiring analysis conducted by the MEAL teams – Post Distribution Monitoring surveys for example.
- Coordinate and technically support (ToRs, tools, staff training and data analysis) the implementation of a project specific MEAL surveys – in close collaboration with the MEAL Manager, the theme of the surveys and tools will be decided at the onset of the consultant’s mission and will be based on FFP food security monitoring and evaluation standards.
- In collaboration with the MEAL Manager, coordinate the internal consultation for the review of the AAP (Accountability for affected population) Mechanism and make all the needed modifications in order to equivalate to FFP food security feedback mechanism requirements within the mission, and produce a finalized document, along with an action plan.
REQUIRED PROFILE
Required Knowledge and skills
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree desirably in a field related to Project Management, international development and/or social sciences
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience as MEAL Expert, manager and at least 1 previous experience as MEAL Consultant. Expertise on monitoring and evaluation principles approaches in relief programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Strong experience in donor requirements and expectations, particularly USAID/FFP. Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training and mentoring
- Excellent command in writing and editing documents in English, working knowledge in Arabic is a plus.
- Strong computer skills essential, including ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and database management software, statistical packages
Required Personal Characteristics (fitting into the team, suitability for the job and assignment)
- Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation design, applied survey and research
- Proven capacity for analyzing and synthetizing comprehensive information and technical data
- Ability to write and edit reports under deadline pressure
- Ability to guarantee effective and timely outputs
- Good communications skill for presentations
- Self-motivated, flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization
- Proven management ability and inter-personal skills
- Problem solving and leadership skills.
How to apply:
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your profile (CV) which emphasizing on all the requirements along with a financial offer by email, to Jobs.tr@baharorganization.org , before the date of 7 July 2020.
The initial required time period of the consultancy contract is 13 days (with a possibility of exceeding the contract) covering the whole project period starting from July **
The consultant is not required to physically be in Bahar Gaziantep office in case the candidate is living outside Turkey or has movement constraints inside Turkey, remote attendance is acceptable.
