Terms of Reference For Consultancy to Facilitate Reflection and Learning on Nexus Programming 44 views

Background

CST Ethiopia represents the Catholic development agencies of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales in Ethiopia and works in partnership with local, secular & and church organizations. CST Ethiopia works in the thematic areas of resilience building, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, and women’s empowerment. Working through a partnership model, CST provides capacity building, and technical and financial support to local non-governmental organizations.

Trocaire and CAFOD have been working in Ethiopia for over 40 years independently and jointly with Caritas sister agencies SCIAF, Trocaire and CAFOD as CST Ethiopia since 2009. CST operates in multiple regions in Ethiopia including Oromia, SNNPR, Addis Ababa, Afar and Tigray. All the CST operational areas are characterized as chronically food insecure and are affected by multiple crises such as drought, flood, conflict and epidemic.

In 2021, CST/Trócaire began work on the development of a framework and practical operational guidance to support Trócaire’s country teams and local partners on the conceptualisation and implementation of nexus programming (both double nexus and triple nexus).    A Draft of Nexus Guidelines and Framework was completed in February 2022.  The Nexus Guidelines and Framework are intended to help CST and local partners operationalise Nexus from the perspective of programming, financing, staffing and coordination with other stakeholders.  A Tool was also developed to bring the components of the Nexus Guidelines and Framework to life.  The tool presents the various components of the framework and prompts actions that could be taken in relation to each component in different programme phases from the preparatory phase to the longer term thereby providing a detailed step-by-step breakdown for country teams.

The DRAFT Nexus Guidelines and Framework are available on request and the Tool is available on request.

In 2022, CST implemented a pilot Nexus project in South Omo and Borena and utilizes the draft Nexus framework and tool. CST has also facilitated a series of learning events to enhance understanding of the nexus principles, components and what it takes to translate this to action at a community level. Based on the learnings and experiences of the pilot project the draft framework has now been finalized and a learning document has been compiled.

In 2023, CST has designed a comprehensive multi-annual nexus project that will be implemented in Borena, South Omo, Addis Ababa and Tigray, with the engagement of 6 local partners. Complete documentation on the project is available on request.  CST has planned to extend the learning process in the new programme cycle to deepen the understanding of it by the local implementing partners and other stakeholders working in the same communities.

Therefore, this assignment will focus primarily on Borena and South Omo where the pilot project has been implemented and the three pillars (Devt, Hum and Peace) of the nexus have been incorporated in the new multiannual project. An opportunity for learning and sharing across all the CST partners and programme areas should be built in.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The objectives of this consultancy are as follows:

• To help partner partners understand Nexus principles, programming approaches and how to contextualize them in the programme’s areas, through facilitating mini-training workshops.
• Provide advisory support to partners participating in the nexus approach on translating principles into action and operationalising the Guidelines and Framework.
• Assess the usefulness of the Nexus Guidelines and Framework for CST and local partners as they embark on nexus programming and if necessary, suggest recommendations to adopt the Guidelines and Framework to improve its usability and maximise its relevance.
• Provide a space for participating partners to share and learn from each other (virtual learning spaces and /or in-person learning spaces)
• To document and disseminate learnings from nexus programming (approaches, strengths, and challenges) to a broader audience – CST partners, local and national NGOs? INGOs, and other Trócaire teams. This should include written documents such as case studies and an end-of-assignment Learning workshop.
• To develop a joint nexus learning agenda, (which incorporates learning questions, in close consultation with partners, CST, Trócaire Knowledge Management and Learning advisor and global nexus consultant”

Scope of the work

The following should be considered during the course of the assignment:

• Approaches implemented by CST teams and partners in operationalising nexus, challenges they meet, how they overcome them and what learning they generate.
• Resilience as the underpinning framework and how it can shape nexus programming.
• What do the Nexus principles mean in practice?  Does the guidance work for both double (Hum/ Dev) and triple nexus (Hum/ Dev/ Peace)? Are there other critical questions that should be included?
• Generation of case studies, mini-case studies, and tips that can be used alongside the Guidelines and Framework. The case studies could also capture the contribution of the integrated nexus approaches to improving people’s resilience.
• Identifying the roadblocks to a nexus culture?  How do we overcome them?  What work practices support nexus culture and programming?

Methodology

The methodology should aim to capture the views of the practitioners (CST team and local partners) as the most important voice in this assignment. As the partners will be participating in the learnings exercise parallel to project implementation, an efficient, well-planned, and jointly agreed schedule of engagement is important.  The specific learning events should be sequenced with the phase of the project implementation. When appropriate the consultant might accompany partners in major events that could contribute to the nexus learning.

The learning exercise will start with a refresher training for the partners on the nexus approach – using the Trocaire framework. Then a series of learning events will be facilitated. This could include 8 monthly check-ins through Virtual calls with partners in Borena and South Omo. A field-based learning workshop in Both locations, the possibility of bringing the partner to one place can be explored if it will generate a better cross-learning.  In between, there will be a Global learning platform to share CST Ethiopia’s status to Trocaire HQ and Country offices. A final wider workshop in Addis will engage all CST partners and other relevant stakeholders. The Nexus Tool could be utilised to structure discussions.

Potential Outputs

• Inception report with a clear methodology and schedule to facilitate Reflection and Learning on Nexus Programming
• A final report summarising key learnings gathered.
• Case Studies from the experience of Borena and South Omo partners.
• Tips and step-by-step short guidance on specific aspects of nexus implementation (e.g., joint assessment, targeting…).
• Recommendation for enriching/ improving the Nexus Guidelines and Framework
• Other products that will help create ownership of the Nexus Guidance and Framework (to be discussed and agreed upon with CST).

Timeline

• The duration of the learning process will be 18 months, from Oct. 2023– to Jan,2025. However, the actual workdays by the consultant are estimated to be about 30 days.

Budget

• 30-day professional fee. Other expenses will be covered for field days on a reasonable basis.

Proposal Submission

• Interested consultants should submit a proposal marked “Reflection and Learning on Nexus

Technical Proposal

• Brief curriculum vitae of the individual(s) to be engaged in the work. (Include CVs, certificates and renewed legal registration)
•  An outline of the proposed approach to facilitate the learning process and deliver deliverables.
• Details of three relevant referees for contracts undertaken within the last three years in areas related to the subject matter of this consultancy.
• A recommendation letter/certificate of satisfaction on similar work performed

Profile of the Consultant (s)

The consultant(s) is expected to have the following qualifications in skills:

• Advanced academic degree in development studies, humanitarian work or peacebuilding and or another relevant field
• Extensive professional knowledge and at least 10 years of experience working on development and or humanitarian work.
• Proven experience leading learning exercises.
• Ability to convey complex information concisely, clearly, and in plain language.
• Solid facilitation, presentation, writing, communication, and collaboration skills.