Interpeace
Interpeace is an international organization for peacebuilding, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its aim is to strengthen the capacities of societies to manage conflict in non-violent, non-coercive ways by assisting national actors in their efforts to develop social and political cohesion. Interpeace also strives to assist the international community (and in particular the UN) to play a more effective role in supporting peacebuilding efforts around the world through better understanding and response to the challenges of creating local capacities that enhance social and political cohesion. For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org
A. Background
The health and nutritional status of the populations in the Mandera Triangle, which is marked by chronic malnutrition as well as disease movement and morbidity, is influenced by a number of factors. These include limited access to healthcare, poor socio-economic and civil security, food insecurity, poor childcare practices, population, and limited water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. These factors are compounded by and influence persistent cycles of conflict and insecurity in the region. A number of efforts to address disease surveillance and control of pandemics have been made but with difficulties due to the scope and borderline nature of the communities.The tri-border area where Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia converge, also known as the Mandera Triangle, is almost entirely inhabited by Somali communities with close cross-border social, economic and development connections. The significant portion of the population is considered cross-border mobile populations (CBMPs) which are composed of: mobile pastoralist looking for pasture; refugees; seasonal cross-border laborers, persons engaged in cross-border economic activity; undocumented migrants; internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities hosting refugees and IDPs. CBMPs face major barriers to access of basic healthcare needs due to the complex socio-political dynamics of the public health system in the context of migration and cross-border mobility. While it is easy for clinical and public health workers to provide healthcare needs to a static population, the health outcomes for CBMPs are often difficult to monitor and implement.
Addressing these challenges requires thorough understanding of the unique needs of CBMPs as well as the interconnections between the health challenges and conflict drivers; effective cross-border coordination between key health and political actors in the three countries and developing and implementing policies and approaches that expand access to and provision of health care services while contributing to building sustainable peace in the region.
Interpeace, in partnership with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) thus seek a consultant/research team to undertake a study on the health dynamics, systems and actors as well as their linkages to conflict dynamics in the Mandera Triangle, specifically in Mandera County of Kenya, Dolo and Mubarak zones of Ethiopia and Belet Hawa and Elwak Districts of Somalia. The aim of the study is to better understand the specific health and peace needs of the populations of the Triangle and to inform future interventions to boost household and community health security and resilience while contributing to overall peacebuilding efforts in the region.
B. Service or Assignment Description and Objective(s)
The study will involve:The main objective of the study is to identify, validate and prioritize the major health gaps, needs and their linkages to peace needs and priorities in the identified areas of each of the three countries. The study will be of interest to the ministry of health in the regions, IGAD, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Interpeace, the peacebuilding actors in the region as well as to international donors and policy makers engaged in the region.
- County consultative/ inception meeting to introduce the programme and bring on board all relevant stakeholders to ensure the buy-in of the programme.
- Joint cross-border Inception meeting with health staff in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia with Interpeace and IGAD to discuss on the research process and nominate a cross-border coordination forum that will support the consultant undertaking the study. The forum will also lead on engaging the stakeholders on how the identified cross-border issues can be coordinated.
- A comprehensive study of health care delivery/ issues through a consultative research process across the specified areas in the three countries
- Joint technical validation workshop at regional level
- Joint stakeholder’s validation workshop by cross-border communities
C. Scope of work
The anticipated duration of the evaluation is 25 days with a minimum of 10 days to be spent in the Mandera Triangle (Mandera County of Kenya, Dolo and Mubarak zone of Ethiopia and Belet Hawa and Elwak Districts of Somalia). The anticipated start date is 25th January 2021 with submission of the final draft by end of February 2021.
D. Activities, Deliverables and Timeframe
1: Development of the protocol for the assignment: the consultant will develop a checklist tool for the collection of relevant documents and information. This protocol will be reviewed by Interpeace and the cross-border health technical team prior to the implementation of activities.The consultant will carry out the following duties:
2: Documents review and field visits:
The consultant will carry out the following activities:
- Desk review: The consultant will collect and review the relevant documents for the assignment through the developed tool
- Country visits: –The consultant with the support of staff seconded from the ministry of health of the three respective countries and through our partner IGAD to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the health sector and communities at the cross-border. These visits will serve collection of relevant country document and interview with the relevant government institutions
3: Development of draft study report:
Based on findings of the study and desk review, the consultant will draft a report which will be discussed and enriched through regional validation workshop.
4: Validation workshop: The consultant will facilitate a three-day workshop that bring together member states ministries and partners to present the findings/outcome of the study and to refine the recommendations developed by the consultant.
5: Preparation of final report: The consultant will incorporate comments and contributions from participants and develop the final report including proposed recommendations.
E. Methodology
The consultant is expected to use participatory methodologies which may include but are not limited to, contribution mapping/contribution analysis, interviews, focus group discussions etc. The methodology used should also be gender, youth and conflict sensitive. The consultant is expected to present, agree upon and apply a conceptual framework of analysis consistent with Interpeace’s peacebuilding and participatory approach. The study will be both an objective and a consultative/participatory exercise, and is expected to involve the following elements:
Initial planning process: in conjunction with IGAD, Ministry of health from the three countries, Interpeace and partners, finalize the methodology, guiding questions, indicators, and workplan.
Documentary review: a review of relevant documentation, including the review of existing literature and relevant official reports, data and information, including past national, regional and global health reports, national overarching policies, strategies and medium-term plans.
Stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions: including with employees of IGAD health department, ministry of health, NCIC; stakeholders and beneficiaries in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia border; and external experts from academia, civil society, etc.
The consultant is encouraged to suggest a comprehensive methodology that includes these elements and others that the deem fit for meeting the study objectives. The methodology for data collection should be described in the inception report.
F. Reporting and feedback
The consultant will provide:
- A brief inception report (no more than 5 pages) at the end of the initial planning phase, setting out a timetable for the study, an overview of the final agreed upon methodology, the names of people and groups to be interviewed, a detailed workplan and a list of documents to be reviewed. Data collection tools are expected to be reviewed by and finalized together with IGAD, Ministry of health and Interpeace.
- The consultant will provide a brief progress report and presentation at the end of the fieldwork phase (no more than 10 pages) summarising the progress of the study, highlighting any changes to the study schedule, and providing tentative findings.
- The consultant will submit a draft report within 15 days after completing the fieldwork.
- They will provide a final report taking into account comments on the draft report within 5 days of receiving such comments.
The study report will include a main text of no more than 30 pages with findings and recommendations.
The consultant will hold a feedback meeting (or meetings) for the IGAD, ministry of health and the Interpeace East and Central Africa office and invited stakeholders. This will be an opportunity to debrief on the study, and to exchange views on preliminary findings and recommendations.
G. Qualifications
General professional experienceThe consultant will be expected to have the following skills and experience at a minimum:
- Solid knowledge and understanding of key Health challenges in the Mandera Triangle region
- Strong knowledge in peacebuilding
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience in health research/ assessments (or collaboration with a person or group with extensive evaluation experience)
- Graduate degree in public health, international and global health and any other similar health related degree.
- Experience working in the conflict or post-conflict environments, with preference given to Mandera Triangle specific experience
- A willingness to travel to the Mandera triangle region
- An ability to work within tight deadlines
- Good analytical and report writing skills
- Good communication and facilitation skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good computer literacy
Specific professional experience
- The consultant should be a highly knowledgeable person on health research and analysis
Interpeace and its partners will be responsible for:
- Providing a focal point for the study, who may or may not travel with the consultants (time and funds permitting)
- Providing logistical support within the Mandera Triangle region
- Providing standard Interpeace security support for the Consultants (responsibility rests with the consultants)
- Arranging meetings with stakeholders
How to apply
For consideration for this opportunity, please submit an expression of interest (no longer than 5 pages and inclusive of the proposed budget and CVs for the proposed consultant to [email protected] no later than 18 January 2021 (midnight Nairobi time).
“Health Gaps and Needs Study – Mandera Kenya” MUST BE included in the subject line of the application email to be considered.
Applicants, if shortlisted, will be required to subsequently submit work samples, in English.
Interpeace values diversity among its staff and aims at achieving greater gender parity in all levels of its work. We welcome applications from women and men, including those with disabilities
More Information
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