Switzerland: Policy & Programme Analyst Consultancy

Organization: International Council of Voluntary Agencies
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 29 Sep 2014

Summary and Rationale

On behalf of its members and its role on the IASC, ICVA is keen to explore the implications of L3 declarations for national and international NGOs. The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a report that documents and analyses how NGOs have understood and responded to the five L3s declared to date. It will focus on how NGOs see added value, challenges and opportunities in the five L3 designations (for the CAR, Iraq, the Philippines, South Sudan, and Syria) and how these designations have impacted (positively and/or negatively) on NGO operations.

The Transformative Agenda (TA) is an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) initiative launched in December 2010 to make improvements to a humanitarian reform process that began in 2005 by introducing the cluster system, establishing new financing mechanisms and working to strengthen humanitarian leadership. The TA was designed to result in more effective, coordinated responses that meet the needs of, and are accountable to, affected populations. It is important to note that much of the focus of the TA has related to large-scale (“Level 3” or L3) emergencies.

The work of this consultancy builds on ICVA’s earlier work on NGOs and the Humanitarian Reform Project (NHRP I and II), an initial survey on NGO understanding of the Transformative Agenda conducted by ICVA and InterAction in early 2014, a follow-on mid-2014 survey conducted by ICVA, ICVA members’ studies and recent reviews and documents developed by various IASC bodies.

Objectives of the research

The main objectives of this research are to:

· Examine how national and international NGOs have reacted to L3 declared emergencies, investigate how actors within the humanitarian system have facilitated or inhibited the involvement of NGOs in the responses, and identify potential trends and issues;

· Inquire into how L3 designations may be affecting NGO operations in non-L3 emergencies;

· Contribute to an evidence base that informs policy positions related to NGO leadership, coordination, accountability and financing;

· Inform ICVA guidance documents for NGOs responding to L3s;

· Informs ICVA Secretariat’s input to the World Humanitarian Summit and its preparatory consultations.

Outputs

• Outline and findings of the desk and literature review, including a complete bibliography.

• Final report of not more than 5,000 words (20 pages), including: an executive summary; a comparison chart showing the five L3s and NGO perspectives; and analysis and findings from the research, identifying potential trends, and providing an evidence base for advocacy and policy development as well as advocacy points related to NGO concerns.

Methodology

• Desk and literature reviews

• Structured interviews with a minimum of 20-25 key NGO stakeholders

• Structured interviews with other IASC stakeholders

• Field visit to one or two L3 locations

Costs

Compensation will be competitive and in accordance with the experience of the consultant. It would cover up to 30 consultancy days, including missions to one or two L3 emergencies, and any communications costs incurred.

Management and Reporting

· The work of the consultant will be supervised by the ICVA Executive Director in consultation with ICVA’s IASC Working Group

· The consultant will submit their report ten days from the date of the completion of the consultancy

· The consultant’s report will be reviewed by the ICVA Secretariat and its IASC Working Group. ICVA’s Executive Director and Director of Partnership & Policy will conduct the final editorial review of the report and the consultant will then complete the final report

· The consultant will brief ICVA’s IASC Working Group and other interested parties following completion of his/her work.

Qualifications and experience

· Demonstrated background in social science research methods and experience in humanitarian policy and research

· Excellent writing skills and experience in writing reports for publication

· Experience in working with NGOs on research intended to support advocacy

· Practical experience and first-hand knowledge of sudden onset emergency response

· This consultancy will be contracted by ICVA and managed by Nan Buzard, Executive Director.

How to apply:

Application process

Please send CV, motivation letter and brief proposal (no longer than 4 pages) outlining the process for conducting this work and the fees associated.

These documents should be submitted to recruitment2@icvanetwork.org by Monday, cob Geneva, 29 September. Successful candidates will be notified the week of the 29 September.