Vulnerability Based Targeting (VBT) Consultancy

Job Description

A Harmonized National Vulnerability Based Targeting Guideline Development Scope of Work

Kaizen, A Tetra Tech Company (Kaizen) is an international development consulting firm and an incubator for innovative, scalable solutions that address emerging market challenges and opportunities. Our proven solutions catalyze locally driven organizational and institutional performance improvements and establish communities of practice that facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the achievement of shared goals. We aspire to transform the nature and impact of development assistance and work to strengthen organizations and institutions through innovative approaches to organizational development, reform, and change.

Kaizen is the prime implementer in Ethiopia and Djibouti of the $48 million USAID Learning Analytics Activity. We are seeking a consultant or consultancy service provider with diverse backgrounds to develop Harmonized National Vulnerability-Based Targeting (VBT) guidelines in Ethiopia based on the following background and scope of work.

Background

The  2023 Ethiopian Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) mid-year review estimates that some 22.6 million people  require emergency food assistance this year. It has become evident over the years that the delivery of the in-kind assistance has been facing a fundamental problem in identifying the neediest to maximize the potential impact of the aid. 

Owing to this fact, there is a need to develop a harmonized national level targeting guidelines, which includes tools, based on vulnerability criteria, drawn from experience of existing operators in the country and globally as well as accepted by all operators and the food cluster. 

The Government of Ethiopia and the humanitarian community have thus identified the need for an intersectoral targeting approach to streamline efforts from all clusters and improve humanitarian outcomes for the affected populations.

Key to this is the National Guidelines on Targeting Relief Food Assistance from 2011 that requires updating, to incorporate the changes in the humanitarian context. This is an important opportunity to expand the existing guidelines from food assistance to include an intersectoral approach to support an evidenced-based approach to targeting of the most vulnerable population groups, for an effective delivery of humanitarian supplies. To do this, a consultant will be required to revise and deliver the national guideline on intersectoral targeting for humanitarian assistance, based on the humanitarian principles and vulnerability analysis, under the technical guidance of a taskforce that that is jointly led by the Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT);  technically supported by the  Government led sectors, humanitarian community through the clusters and relevant working groups (e.g., Food, Nutrition, Education, Health, Agriculture, WASH, Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items, Protection, Cash Working Group) that are representing the inter-cluster coordination group (ICCG). 

Do No Harm

There is a need to updating, to incorporate the “Do No Harm” principles into humanitarian context. It delineates that relief and development interventions must not put those living in relief contexts at greater risk than they would otherwise face without the intervention. Relief partners will pay intimate attention to the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report, which is the basis for the Common Rule of which USAID is a signatory. The Government of Ethiopia and the humanitarian community will be obligated to adhere to the three key ethical principles contained within the Belmont Report that reflect “Do No Harm.”  

Respect for persons, or the moral requirement to acknowledge autonomy and self-determination, while also protecting those with diminished autonomy. For example, additional safeguards may be needed to protect vulnerable populations: beneficence or the obligation to maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms. Without exception, protecting the individual takes precedence over the pursuit of knowledge.   Justice or the requirement to distribute the burdens and benefits of an investigation to subjects in an equitable manner and to extend to subjects any benefits of the study. This concept also applies to reports or publications of investigative results and mandates that investigators are ethically obligated to present the findings accurately and fully in order to protect the confidentiality of those who are vulnerable.

 The Government of Ethiopia and the humanitarian community will take all necessary precautions to ensure that “Do No Harm” principles apply as they interact with the people in the humanitarian context.

The Case for an Intersectoral Approach

An intersectoral targeting approach combines efforts across different sectors to improve humanitarian response and address challenges more comprehensively. Such an approach recognizes that vulnerabilities often span multiple sectors, requiring integrated approaches and solutions. By coordinating actions and sharing resources, the approach aims to be more efficient and minimize overlaps and support joint approaches for further efficiency.

A key element of this approach is the integration of evidence from various sectors, including but not limited to food security assessments, nutrition analysis, education, environment, and social aspects.

Another key element is to ensure a people-centered approach by incorporating the insights and feedback from affected communities, building on existing Accountability to Affected People (AAP) mechanisms and networks, throughout the process to increase the relevance and effectiveness of interventions.

The goal is not just immediate relief but to have a lasting positive impact; by informing plans for resilience and safety-net interventions. Through enhanced collaboration and understanding of interlinked issues, this approach seeks to provide comprehensive and sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations in Ethiopia.

Objectives

The objective of the consultancy is to develop a Harmonized National Vulnerability Based Targeting (VBT) guidelines that aims to improve targeting processes in identifying the most vulnerable households with greater precision thereby limiting inclusion and exclusion errors that is based on the principles of transparency and accountability, respect and sensitivity towards gender, and culture and rights.

This includes developing a national guideline on intersectoral targeting that brings together the various sectoral approaches; and building on existing targeting approaches that are being utilized by partners and clusters.

The tasks include the following:

• To assess existing Vulnerability Based Targeting (VBT) Guidelines being employed by various agencies involved in food and cash transfers to target beneficiaries to deliver humanitarian aid especially those involving transfers.
• Develop a harmonized, intersectoral and practical Vulnerability Based Targeting (VBT) Guidelines and tools that is based on a simplified VBT methodology that is acceptable by all stakeholders.

• Identify practical ways, including the development of a training guide to train key stakeholders on newly developed guidelines and provide training as appropriate.

Deployment & Supervision:

The selected consultant or consultant service provider will be deployed to the taskforce will be jointly led by the EDRMC and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), with technical support from the Government led sectors, Humanitarian Clusters and Working Groups (WGs) that are representing the inter-cluster coordination group (ICCG).

Scope of Work:

The consultant will:

• Review Existing Guidelines:
  • Conduct a mapping of existing targeting guidelines that are being implemented in the country to complement the current National Targeting Guidelines. 
  • Examine current relevance, use, practice and effectiveness of existing clusters’ targeting guidelines and Working groups (WGs) and of the national guidelines that were developed by EDRMC in 2011.
• Stakeholder Consultation:

Engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• • A representative sample of communities affected by various hazards, who are in need of assistance, including through the Humanitarian Assistance and Productive Safety-Net Programme.
  • Government of Ethiopia (GoE), including EDRMC and key line ministries such as Agriculture, Water, Health/ Nutrition and Social Welfare
  • Regional Governments, Humanitarian Community (Donors and Partners), Regional Area Inter-Cluster Coordination Groups (ICCGs), and Subnational Clusters.
  • ICCG, all Clusters.
  • A representative sample of the implementing partners (e.g. national and international NGOs, UN Agencies and government entities).
  • Key sources of evidence that informs humanitarian response planning in Ethiopia: Household Economy Analysis (HEA), Displacement Tracking Matrix team in IOM (DTM), WFP Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM); EDRMC Early Warning and Response; Joint Emergency Operations (JEOP) Early Warning; FEWS NET etc.
• Development of Work Plan:
  • Formulate a comprehensive work plan for developing the Intersectoral targeting approach, including tools and guidance. This should outline the key activities of the consultancy and associated timelines, milestones and deliverables that will lead to development of the intersectoral targeting guidelines.
  • Set realistic timelines for each phase of the development of tools and the guidelines, including dissemination at regional and national level.  The dissemination strategy should include training of partners and the Government at federal and regional levels.
• Drafting of Intersectoral Targeting Tools and Guidelines:
  • Based on reviews, evidence from available assessment findings, and stakeholders’ consultations, draft the initial versions of the tools and guidelines.
  • Ensure the tools and guidelines are developed with a strong emphasis on addressing the identified needs of affected populations.
• Validation Workshop:
  • Organize and facilitate a workshop with relevant stakeholders to gather feedback and validate the developed draft documents (tools and guidelines).
• Finalization:
  • Based on feedback from the validation workshop, refine and finalize the detailed intersectoral targeting guidelines.
  • Prepare a summarized version of the targeting guidelines to be translated in the key languages in Ethiopia, which will be shared with decision makers and circulated to communities.
  • Arrange printing of adequate copies details and summarized inter-sectoral targeting guidelines for circulation to relevant stakeholders, including to the Government Ministries at federal and regional level.
  • Arrange a workshop to share the final targeting guideline and share recommendations on implementation steps.
  • Translate the detailed and summary targeting guidelines to local languages.
  • Conduct workshops and training sessions at region and national levels, to ensure that the inter-sector targeting guidelines are understood by relevant stakeholders including humanitarian partners and the Government departments.

Reporting: The consultant will report directly to the taskforce that is jointly led by the EDRMC and the HCT; and with technical support from the Government led sectors, Humanitarian Clusters and Working Groups (WGs) that are representing the inter-cluster coordination group (ICCG).  The taskforce will follow-up on the implementation of the work plan and deliverables and provide advice and feedback as required.

Timing and Schedule

Timeline–This task is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023, and the contractor should submit a detailed timeline ahead of time.

Job Requirement

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will, or consultancy service provider should be led by professionals who:

• Hold a master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Humanitarian Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences).
• At least 5 years of responsible experience in humanitarian response and programs with knowledge and skills pertaining to people-centered, and evidence-based approach to targeting or prioritizing assistance.
• Have proven experience in developing humanitarian assessment tools and guidelines in complex emergencies.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Display an in-depth knowledge of the Ethiopian humanitarian context.
• Demonstrate excellent stakeholders’ engagement experience and workshop facilitation skills.
• Possess robust analytical and report writing capabilities.
• Strong research experience.