Oxfam Pastoralism in the Dry Lands in HECA Consultancy Opportunity

Terms of Reference for a light study on Pastoralism in the Drylands in HECA Region
 

Introduction
 

Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering, and works in ten (10) countries
in the Horn, East and Central Africa (HECA) out of which OGB focuses on eight (8). 

In a recent review of the country campaign and policy priorities; six out of eight countries that OGB works in highlighted pastoralism as a key priority. 

Pastoralism is mainly practised throughout areas of rural Somalia, that is, in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of northern and central Somalia, northern and north eastern Kenya, northern Tanzania, Karamoja area in Uganda as well as in South Sudan. 

Oxfam currently supports pastoralists’ communities along Somalia-Ethiopia border through a cross border disaster risk reduction initiative as well as pastoralists’ communities in the Karamoja area in Uganda and Ngorongoro area in northern Tanzania. 

Oxfam also provides support to communities in Kenya and South Sudan where pastoralism is part of the livelihood system of these communities.
 

Concerns have been raised about the future and viability of Pastoralism as a livelihood system. 

Some people see it as unproductive and associate the pastoral system with backwardness, conflicts, insecurity and poverty, others see it as a livelihood option for more able community members while others see is as an option for all communities in the drylands.

There is therefore a need to review what Oxfam has done on pastoralism so far especially drawing experiences from lesson learning from countries in the region. 

This therefore would call for a holistic review of what exists internally and externally as well as the current trends in an effort to find the best or most viable areas of intervention for pastoralism by Oxfam and best options to support Pastoralists’ Drylands communities.
 

At HECA, Oxfam is at a point where it is looking to strengthen the one programme approach where there are clear linkages and concrete approaches that support community initiatives that link response to emergencies to longer term programming and campaigning thereby improving on their adaptive capacity. 

Oxfam is also looking at developing a common position on pastoralism including what the role of Oxfam would look like.
 

Oxfam GB will use the study findings to come up with policies and strategies that provide a long-term vision in realizing lasting change of female and male members of pastoralists’ communities in the Drylands and other similar areas where Oxfam is present in the region. 

Similarly, Oxfam GB will use this study as an opportunity to ensure that a strong gender perspective is included in our pastoralists livelihood related work and those women in Drylands areas have their voices, priorities, capacities, ideas and aspirations driving advocacy and programming in building resilience.

The objectives of this consultancy are:

1. To review and document what Oxfam has done on pastoralism so far drawing experiences from lesson learning and best practice information from countries in the region.
2. Identify and document conditions and processes that help female and male members of pastoralist communities maintain their adaptive capacity in building resilience in their livelihood systems.
3. Analyse and document viable livelihood options that pastoralists and other inhabitants (ensuring focus is on the poorest community members) have adopted in meeting their food security and other essential services needs in the Drylands of the Horn of Africa.
4. Identify and provide recommendations on how to address economic and justice issues in the Somalia regional livestock trade that block women from fair market access.
5. Examine the current existing pastoralism related policy in the region and identifying those that have worked well for them from those that are blockers in building resilience in their livelihood system.
6. It’s expected the study findings will help Oxfam dialogue internally, build consensus and identify practical strategic priorities for support to pastoralism in the Drylands in the HECA region.

To achieve the above, it is important to undertake:

1. A light touch trends analysis will be undertaken as well as mapping of current and potential stakeholders in the region looking at pastoralism in the Drylands with a focus on the poorest community members.
2. Mapping and literature review of what research, initiatives and learning exists on pastoralism in the Drylands and women’s economic empowerment in HECA
3. Desktop studies, interviews and focused groups discussions (FGD) to get all the information on pastoralism in the Drylands including looking at ensuring women are an integral part of the study.

To do this, Oxfam is looking to engage a consultant(s) to undertake some light research/survey for a period of one month to achieve the following;

1. Collect and collate the existing information on pastoralism in the drylands at regional level including Oxfam GB’s work on the Regional Pastoral programme and the thinking that went into it as well as looking at evaluations and pastoral programmes designs from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda, and Tanzania.
2. Undertake a focussed group discussions (FGD) with representatives of pastoral communities in Somalia/Somaliland, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, and document information on their priorities, knowledge, capabilities, challenges and recommendations (disaggregated into women and men) in the Drylands.
3. Look at the Regional Livelihoods Framework and assess how pastoralists’ livelihoods opportunities are addressed within the framework in building resilience in the Horn of Africa.
4. Analyse and document all viable livelihood options that pastoralists as drylands communities (especially poorest members of communities) have adopted or could adopt in meeting their food security and other essential services needs in the Drylands in the region.
5. Undertake a light assessment on challenges facing pastoralists and how they would want to resolve any risks and inequality they are facing in order to improve their livelihoods.
6. Examine the current existing pastoralism related policy in the region and identifying those that have worked well and those that block resilience building in their livelihood system.
7. Indicate best possible livelihoods options for Oxfam consideration in their support to pastoralists’ drylands communities especially those that would benefit women and the poorest members of the communities while taking into account equality and social justice in the next five years.

Duration: 1 month consultancy
 

The assignment is for 30 person-days, from commencement to completion. 

The following will be provided to Oxfam GB in the consultancy proposal:

1. A proposal and Work plan (with clear time lines) and budget
2. Summary of methodology, approach and tools to be used for information gathering, analysis, and documentation including how the needs of women will be addressed in the entire process.
3. A clear proposal on the approach that will be taken to ensure that the consultant is able to identify and draw on marginalised voices, prioritise gender-sensitive community processes and how these information will be used to inform recommendations.

Person(s) Specification:

• A thorough understanding of the HECA region and political landscape 
• A strong understanding of dry lands issues especially pastoralist communities, resilience, emergencies response and policy arena of the region 
• Strong experience in programme and policy development in organisations in this region 
• Strong background in research and data analysis and synthesis 
• Sound understanding of the major economic, social development and poverty issues in the region 
• A strong understanding of Gender issues and gender mainstreaming, and ability to apply this within policy and advocacy work in the consultancy assignment. 
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills 
• Excellent information gathering and analytical skills. 
• Excellent written skills 
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and dependable

Key Outputs Expected
 

Among others the following will be key deliverables expected by end of contract term

1. 2 reports, that is, draft and final report (PDF, word) both in soft and hard copies
2. Power point presentations for both the regional validation workshop and final report
3. Putting together a regional report of not more than 15 - 25 pages and a 2 – 4 pager management summary and using agreed upon format between Oxfam and consultant before commencement of work

Proposed Timelines:

Dates and Activities
 

June 13 - 14: Meeting with Oxfam: Briefing & handing over all documents necessary for background information and agree on the work plan for the assignment.
 

June 15 -18: Travel to Uganda, Meet Karamoja team, Key informant interviews & FGD with representatives of pastoralists communities, Debriefing and travel back to Nairobi
 

June 18 – 22: Travel to Wajir, Meet Wajir Team (Somalia Field Office & Kenya Team), Key informant interviews & FGD with representatives of pastoralists’ communities, De-briefing & travel back to Nairobi.
 

June 23 – 29: Travel to Hargeisa, Meet Hargeisa and Jigjiga team, Key informant interviews & FGD with representatives of pastoralists’ communities, De-briefing & travel back to Nairobi.
 

July 5: Submission of Draft Report
 

July 09: Validation Workshop & Feedback
 

July 12: Handing over of the report
 

Documents to consult for the assignment

1. Regional Pastoral Programme Strategy
2. Evaluation Report of the Regional Pastoral Programme
3. GROW Strategy & Work Plan 2013 - 2015
4. JCASes Kenya, Uganda and Somalia And country strategies
5. Cross-Border Pastoralists Programme (Somaliland/Ethiopia)
6. AU Policy Framework on Pastoralism
7. IGAD Regional Programming Paper (RPP) and Country Programming Papers (CPPs)
8. IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRI)
9. East Africa Community Protocols on Livestock

Some staff, stakeholders, Consortium & partners to meet

1. Meet Oxfam leadership at the regional level, that is, RD, DRDs & Regional advisors.
2. Meet Oxfam leadership at country level, that is, CDs and relevant program and policy people amongst others.
3. IGAD Liaison Office, Nairobi – ICPALD, ICPAC & CEWARN
4. Oxfam GB staff in the region and countries
5. Oxfam affiliates in the three countries
6. Somali NGO Consortium
7. SOMREP Consortium
8. REGLAP Consortium

Expected start date: June 13, 2013
 

Expected end date: July 12, 203
 

How to Apply:
 

Interested consultants/teams are invited to submit their applications to the: Email: hecajob@oxfam.org.uk 

Deadline for Submission June 8th 2013