Job Description

Posted on October 4, 2022

Introduction
Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), a humanitarian and developmental aid organization, has had a presence in the country going back to pre-independence days. After independence in 1964, the Zambia Red Cross Society was established following the passing of an Act of Parliament -Cap 307 of the Laws of Zambia which recognized the Zambia Red Cross Society as an independent voluntary aid organization and an auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field. ZRCS has 58 branches and to date, the National Society accounts for approximately 7,000 active volunteers whose role is recognized by the local population, authorities, and other local stakeholders.
The scope of ZRCS work is defined by its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. The vision of ZRCS is: Resilient and empowered communities throughout Zambia. The mission of ZRCS is: Save and improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities.
Considering the prevailing humanitarian needs in Zambia, Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) will be implementing a 1-year project (May 2022 to April 2023) the ECHO project in partnership with International Federation of Red cross and Crescent Movement (IFRC) and the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) in Mazabuka, Choma and Namwala districts.  ZRCS will target these districts in Southern Province of the country with focus on the rural communities based on frequency and intensity of drought and floods. ZRCS Enhance Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (EVCA) of 2022 conducted in Mazabuka, Choma and Namwala districts reviewed droughts and floods as two major hazards in the project areas.  In Mazabuka and Choma districts, the assessment identified drought as the main hazard while in Namwala district both drought and floods were identified as the hazards that primarily affect the district. According to the in-depth vulnerability assessment report of 2020, one of the targeted districts are hot spots for cholera outbreaks (Mazabuka) while Namwala district is prone to drought and floods.
These districts are located in Agro Ecological regional 1, which is characterized by rainfall range of below 600 – 800 ml. Semi-arid Region I includes areas of southern, eastern and western Zambia:  Zambia’s valleys at 300-800 m altitude mostly lie in Region 1. The growing season is relatively short (80-120 days) and risky for crop production, as poorly distributed rains result in crops enduring frequent dry spells.
Therefore, it is estimated that 297385 beneficiaries (most coming from disaster prone target communities) will be reached in Year 1 through the 3 pillars: (1) Disaster Risk Management, (2) Cash and Voucher Assistance, and (3) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
Overall project Objective

Communities and local organizations are at the forefront of action in humanitarian and health crises

Specific project Objectives

Communities and individuals at risk, and local actors, are taking action through innovative and integrated strategies, to anticipate, prepare for, withstand, respond to and recover from humanitarian and health crises
To ensure that the communities, national society and disaster risk management institutions are better prepared to anticipate, respond and recover from the impact of disasters.
To support the development and review of multi-risk reduction plans for epidemic control in coordination with the Ministry of Health
To support the government to conduct community mobilization and sensitization on epidemics and pandemic by the Red Cross volunteers in coordination with key stakeholders.
To ensure effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian interventions and strong integration into early action.
To strengthen the National Society’s cash readiness capacity in line with the ZRCS national strategy.
To strengthen the operational capacities of the targeted branches of the ZRCS through development of protocols and guidelines to allow a most effective deployment of cash transfer RC/RC humanitarian interventions on the ground to assist populations in need.
The capacities in cash Information Management systems (Cash IM) will be strengthened and supported by the global component of digital transformation.

Thematic areas of implementations.
a) Disaster Risk Management
b) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response
c) Cash and Voucher Assistance,
In addition to the thematic areas, Anticipatory Action;  and  Digital Transformation will cut across the  three thematic project areas.  While environmental sustainability will not be targeted as a cross-cutting theme in the first year, but in the consequent years of the programme
Project Outcomes
RESULT 1: DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
LONG TERM OUTCOME: Communities, national societies and disaster risk management institutions are better prepared to effectively anticipate, respond and recover from the impact of evolving and multiple shocks and hazards, based on a risk-informed approach
MID-TERM OUTCOME: Communities are (better) prepared for timely and effective mitigation, early action, response and recovery to disaster and crisis and disasters
RESULT 2: EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
long-term outcome: Communities, national societies and other key stakeholders are better prepared to prevent, detect and respond to epidemics
MID-TERM OUTCOME: Community-level capacity in effective prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease outbreaks is built and maintained.
RESULT 3: CASH AND VOUCHER ASSISTANCE
LONG TERM OUTCOME: People affected by crises and disasters have their basic needs met through multi-purpose cash assistance that is timely and adequate
MID-TERM OUTCOME: People affected by crises and disasters receive timely and appropriate cash and voucher assistance
Objective of the Baseline study.
The overall objective of the baseline study is to contribute to an increased accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the ECHO project. The immediate objective of the baseline survey is to generate data and information for guiding planning, implementation, M&E processes, and results tracking. Through the baseline survey processes, the project will be informed on the current status of the intervention areas in the communities and guide the project on best ways to deliver the planned activities for the project.
The specific objectives of the baseline study are:

To establish accurate current baseline data disaggregated per district for the purpose of programme monitoring and evaluation;
Based on the established baseline data, propose SMART performance indicators for the log frame, if the current indicators have shown to be not measurable or additional indicators are needed to fully cover all (thematic) areas and objectives of the project.
To provide a rationale for targets to be achieved in the course of the project planning and implementation.

Scope of work
The scope of work shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:
Prepare a comprehensive baseline study methodology on the ECHO project, demography and socioeconomic data among the target population of the project. The methodology will include but not limited to sampling strategy, sampling size determination, development of data collection tools, training of enumerators, field data collection to capture primary data, data analysis plan and report writing.
Collect and assess reliable qualitative and quantitative baseline data (primary and secondary) for all programme log frame indicators that can be employed in monitoring and evaluation.
Assess the indicators stated in the project logical framework matrix, and give recommendations where needed, so as to contextualize them in the project context for use to monitor and evaluate the project’s progress and effectiveness both from the perspective of immediate changes (outcomes) as well as long-term changes (impact).
3 pillars and their main indicators
Output
Main Indicators
Pillar 1: Disaster Risk Management
LONG TERM OUTCOME: Communities, national societies and disaster risk management institutions are better prepared to effectively anticipate, respond and recover from the impact of evolving and multiple shocks and hazards, based on a risk-informed approach
Number of people covered by a functional early warning system (KRI)
Number of people participating in interventions that enhance their capacity to face shocks and stresses (KRI)
Number of people covered by approved Early Action Protocols (EAPs) for the FbA by the DREF and by DREF allocations for imminent crises
Number of people whose livelihoods and assets are protected from shocks and stresses (KRI)
Number of National Societies with coordinated early action and contingency plans with DRM authorities
Pillar 2: Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
long-term outcome: Communities, national societies and other key stakeholders are better prepared to prevent, detect and respond to epidemics
Percent of community members who know key practices to prevent epidemic disease spread
Number of people reached with epidemic preparedness, and health literacy information at community level
Number and Percent of community-based surveillance (CBS) alerts responded to within 24 hours
Pillar 3: Cash and Voucher Assistance
LONG TERM OUTCOME: People affected by crises and disasters have their basic needs met through multi-purpose cash assistance that is timely and adequate
Percentage CVA expenditure compared to in-kind assistance
Number of people supported with CVA
Percentage of people that at PDM report they are able to meet the basic needs of their household according to their priorities and report satisfaction with the overall CVA program
Number of Red Cross Red Crescent cash programmes providing “cash-plus” assistance to affected populations
Study Location: The baseline survey will focus on the 3 districts where the project will be implemented: Mazabuka, Choma and Namwala
The methodology
Both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected. The developed research methodology will be participatory to enable both ZRCS HQ and branch structures provide variable input. The methodology will further solicit beneficiary participation at community and district level to enable them take active role in making suggestions that are key in addressing critical areas of the project.
Key activities will include both primary and secondary data collection, which includes but is not limited to:

Literature review of key documents (within and outside ZRCS which includes but not limited to the EVCA Report, Strategic Plan, Project documents).
Developing the data collection tools.
Training and orienting volunteers on data collection tools: HH questionnaires, Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussions
Pretesting the data collection tools in the target communities to prepare the team to collect the data from the target population.
Analysis of the collected data in correspondence with the project indicators, thematic (cross-cutting) areas, target population and geographical locations. It is suggested to use triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative data.

The consult will be expected to recommend mechanism for tracking progress of the project including source of information and the means of verification.
Expected Outputs
Working under the direct supervision of the program manager / PMER Lead, the consultant shall deliver the following output
Inception report

The inception  report will contain the methodology, work plan, team composition, data collection tools and the detailed costs.

Base line report

The draft report should be submitted to the program manager and will include executive summary, background, approach and methodology used, the detailed findings, discussion of findings, recommendations, conclusion and Annexes.
The first draft of the Assessment report should be produced within Five (5) Days of the completion of the field trip and Three (3) days will be given to the team to give input to facilitate the final report with baseline figure.
Based on the established baseline data, propose SMART performance indicators, if the current indicators have shown to be not measurable and provide baseline figures.
Power point presentation of key findings.
Final report incorporating comments.
Submission of data sets (qualitative data in summarized themes and quantitative in excel sheet)

*The baseline will have a benchmark data for the indicators provided in the table below, as extracted from the project logical framework
Timeframe
This activity should be conducted within a maximum period of 25 days from the day of engagement.
Skills and Experiences Required
The consultant must be able to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and experience:
0.1 Education

Master’s or Phd degree in Development studies, Demography, Population studies, Disaster Management, Public Health or related.

0.2 Experience

At least 5 years’ experience conducting similar projects / studies.
Previous assignments in conducting baseline studies and evaluations
Experience with participatory assessment
Experience with qualitative and quantitative methods
Knowledge or expertise in statistical data analysis software in the case of conducting the baseline survey
Knowledge of qualitative data analysis methods
Experience conducting similar works with Red Cross (RCRC) is an advantage

0.3 Skills

Fluency in English
Ability to write concise, yet comprehensive reports
Ability to meet deadlines
Knowledge of mobile data collection.
Competences in qualitative and quantitative data software is desirable.

0.4 Knowledge

Technical knowledge in Public Health, Disaster Risk reduction and Cash and Voucher Assistance
Proposal by consultant to ZRCS
The consultant is expected to hand in the following in view of selection process on the last day of the advert which is the 7th day to ZRCS through KOBO link.

a) Technical offer/ Expression of Interest
b) Technical proposal describing how evaluation should be carried out.
c) Financial proposal (consultancy fees) to be quoted in ZMW
d) List of the previous studies/research developed by her/him, a document or including the link to be able to review similar works including reports of previous assignments
Apply using this link.

To apply for this job please visit eenew.ifrc.org.