Consultant

Programme & Policy

Overview

Develop a five-year strategic plan for Eswatini Vulnerability Committee

You have:

• Master's Degree in Development Studies, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Economics, Disaster Risk Management, Risk Management, Risk Financing and Transfer Emergency Management, Strategic Management, Legislative Drafting.
• Proficiency in Risk Management and Assessment Design of Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Frameworks, Plans & Programs, Climate Change Adaptation, Project Management, Risk Financing and Transfer.
• Knowledge of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Disaster Risk Management value chains.
• Demonstrated expertise in design of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation frameworks, programs, plans, and project management for results.
• Ability to produce quality outputs in a timely manner.
• Exceptional presentation, reporting and facilitation skills to effect consensus building among stakeholders at various levels.

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Eswatini Vulnerability Assessment Committee, through the Disaster Management Department (DMD) with support from the SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Programme (RVAA) is embarking on a strategic planning which will articulate the medium term action plans as well as guide the operations of the VAC. Since establishment in 2003, the Eswatini VAC has undertaken multi-sectoral livelihoods and vulnerability assessments that inform government policies and programmes, as well as feed into UN, donor and NGO planning for development and humanitarian needs. The primary objective of Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (VAA) in Eswatini has been creating a deepened understanding of livelihoods in the country. For the slightly over a decade the Eswatini VAC has been in existence, regular livelihoods and vulnerability assessment reports have been produced. The Eswatini vulnerability assessment committee is composed of representatives from different sectors that include but are not limited to water and sanitation, health, agriculture, nutrition and disaster reduction.

As the VAA process has evolved over the years, the scope of coverage has extended beyond the food insecurity analysis as more evidence-based recommendations required to inform policy and decision making have become embedded in the country’s information systems. Poverty, gender, climate change, markets performance and resilience are other cross-cutting issues that have been incorporated into the VAA processes. The development of a strategic plan is essential to define the direction in which the VAC must travel, and in establishing realistic objectives and goals that are in line with the vision and mission charted out for it by way of a written document. This strategy will serve as a communications vehicle for what must be done to create long-term sustainability of the VAC.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The purpose of the consultancy is to develop a five-year strategic plan for the Eswatini Vulnerability Committee (Eswatini VAC). This will serve as a comprehensive roadmap which would set the direction and pace of the work of the Eswatini VAC as mandated by legislation for the net five years. The plan must be able to address the growing needs with respect to vulnerability assessment and analysis in the country given evolving increased shocks incidents. The plan should address upcoming and cross cutting issues with respect to household's vulnerability in the country, linking with national and regional initiatives. Within this plan, a list of viable strategies and cost effective initiatives will be identified that fits within the strategic plan and will assist in meeting its short, medium and long term goals for the for the VAC. The strategic plan must confirm with the national legislation and will need to be consistent with the guidelines provided by local and international laws.

SCOPE OF THE WORK

Under the overall supervision of the WFP Head of Office and direct supervision of the Disaster Manager (Disaster Management Department - DMD); the WFP Head of Programme and the RVAA Project Manager, the consultant will be required to develop a five-year strategic plan for Eswatini VAC building from work done by Government, the Regional RVAA and partners. The strategic plan must address inter alia issues related to evidence generation taking into consideration of new methods and technologies in the space of early warning and disaster risk management. This will ultimately influence the final deliverable, both internal and external capacities that will affect the delivery of the results under the said plan, since this understanding will enable the VAC to leverage its strenghts and this will be used for operational and decision making. The consultancy is expected to draw from any best practices within this area locally and regionally.

DELIVERABLES

Based on the above, the consultant will prepare and complete the five-year strategic plan. This will entail, among other things the following:

Identification of Stakeholders/SWOT Analysis

• The Consultant must, at the onset of the planning process, identify all stakeholders having a direct and indirect interest in the Strategic plan. They may be from a formal, non formal, or private sectors. This will involve listing of people, groups and institutions that influence work of the VAC. All stakeholders must be provided with the opportunity to make inputs into the Strategic Plan. The pivotal point of the planning will be measured by the successes and comparative manner in which the partners can work together, share ideas openly and contriute to the work of the VAC.
• Refine the list and structure of the VAC core team with more focus on the participating stakeholders and expand the list to ensure all interests are taken on board and clear ToRs for the Committee
• Facilitae participation of all the stakeholders in the planning process at different stages through various meetings/workshops. The consultant is expected to plan and facilitate the workshop and meetings as part of the consultation and finalisation process for the five-year strategic plan. This is part of the development and finalisation of the strategic plan.
• The identification of the Stakeholders must also include a SWOT analysis which will be essential in assisting the VAC to execute its work.
• This partnership building will enable the stakeholders to have ownership of the strategic plan.

Report on Environmental Scan: This will include but not limited to:

• Development of an understanding of the current situation on vulnerability ssessments and analysis including current issues, concerns, problem areas, cross-cutting issues, key areas of improvement (this can be drawn from avilable reports; VAC plans and reports; needs assessment reports)
• Current relavant policy frameworks, laws, approaches and national implementation plans.
• Review of the VAC structure and institutional arrangements.

Strategic plan:

The final product of the proces will be a five-year Strategic plan with a detailed roll-out plan and activities.

• The strategic plan will guide implementation of the programmes with broad activities for achieving the desired outputs and outcomes.
• The strategic plan will include the identification of principal partners for the succesful implementation of the VAC's programme and detailed priorities for the programme
• Log frame for the implementation of the Strategic Plan
• Cost estimation for the implementation of the Strategic Plan
• Time-frame for the delivery of strategic objectives
• Resource mobilization strategy for the funding of the Strategic Plan targeting national partners.

PROPOSED BREAKDOWN OF TASKS WITH TIMELINES:

The consultancy shall be for a period of twenty eight (28) working days, using a five (5) day work week.

Task 1: Develop work plan/plan of operations.

- Deliverable: Inception Report -Work plan including detailed outline of methodology - 5 days

Task 2: Desk Review and Research and Key informant interviews / Ffeld visits / Strategic Planning Development Workshop/Working Group Sessions

- Deliverable: Report of Desk Review and report of Workshop Thermatic Working Group Sessions - 10 days

Task 3: Draft Strategic Plan

- Deliverable: Draft Strategic Plan - 7 days

Task 4: Final Strategic Plan

- Deliverable: Submission of Final Plan (incorporate feedback into drafts) - 5 days

Task 5: Delivery of Presentation / Main findings and valuation from stakeholders.

- Deliverable: Minutes / record of discussion from these workshops including Agreement on way forward - 1 day

QUALIFICATIONS

• ​​​​​​Master's Degree in Development Studies/ Sustainable Development/ Climate change Adaptation/ Environmental Economics/ Disaster Risk Management/ Risk Management/ Risk Financing and Transfer Emergency Management/ Strategic Management/ Legislative Drafting
• A PHD is an added advantage

Membership/Registration

• Registration with accredited risk management and emegerncy management organizations presents an added advantage.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Proficiency in Risk Mangement and Assessment Design of Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Frameworks/Plans & Programs/ Climate Change Adaptation/Project Management/ Risk Financing and Transfer
• Knowledge of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Diaster Risk Management Value Chains.
• Stakeholder engagement/ group facilitation and ability to communicate effectively, complex and technical information to audiences at different levels.
• Demonstrated expertis in design of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation frameworks/programs/plans and project mnagement for results.
• Ability to produce qulity outputs in a timely manner.
• Negotiation, organiztion, coordination skills to influence achievement of results.
• Exceptional presenttion, reporting and facilitation skills to effect consensus building among stakeholders at various levels.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is a local position for Swazi nationals only.
• Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• WFP does not charge any fees from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.
• WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline for submitting applications, 19 October 2020

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org