The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is currently seeking applications for a consultancy position to carry out an Endline Survey for the Integrated Emergency Drought Response in Turkana County, Kenya. This assignment is crucial in assessing the impact and effectiveness of a 12-month emergency drought response program implemented with funding from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The consultancy will inform strategic programming decisions for future interventions and generate key insights for stakeholders including the IRC, its partner TUPADO, and USAID.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of multi-sectoral humanitarian response programming, specifically in drought-prone regions such as Turkana County. This consultancy provides a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the humanitarian sector by supporting evidence-based decision-making for some of the most vulnerable populations in Kenya.
Background of the Project
Since July 2024, the IRC has been implementing a 12-month emergency drought response program in Turkana County. The primary goal of this initiative is to save lives, protect livelihoods, and enhance the resilience of communities severely affected by drought-related shocks and stresses. The program targets a total of 84,730 individual beneficiaries across several critical sectors:
- Nutrition
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Protection
- Agriculture (Livestock-focused interventions)
- Food Assistance
Among these beneficiaries are 2,541 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), reflecting the project’s commitment to inclusivity. The IRC has served as the prime implementing agency, with TUPADO supporting agriculture and livestock components.
As the project draws to a close, the IRC is preparing for the next phase. The planned endline survey will serve not only to evaluate the current project but also to lay the groundwork for subsequent programming.
Objectives of the Endline Survey
The primary objectives of this endline survey are:
- To generate data that guides future project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- To collect comprehensive endline data on current interventions, output and outcome indicators, and provide baseline information for the follow-on phase.
- To develop actionable recommendations for sustainable and high-impact programming tailored to the evolving needs in Turkana County.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Consultation and Planning
- Participate in briefing and consultative sessions with the IRC’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team.
- Collaboratively design the survey methodology in accordance with USAID BHA guidelines and IRC’s internal requirements.
- Develop a robust survey framework based on a mixed-methods approach, integrating both primary and secondary data collection.
Methodology Overview
- Present a methodology that combines desk reviews and field-based assessments, contextualized for the Turkana region.
- Clearly describe data collection strategies, including tools and instruments, sampling frameworks, and analysis techniques.
Secondary Data Review
- Review existing project documents, government records, and other relevant literature.
- Use structured techniques such as content analysis and data triangulation to enrich the survey findings.
Primary Data Collection
- Implement structured surveys, interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and site visits.
- Employ a statistically representative sampling strategy targeting the 120,360 project participants (65,947 females; 54,413 males) across various sub-counties and intervention sectors.
- Develop data collection tools aligned with the indicators in the project document and tailored to assess the needs of diverse target groups.
Data Management and Analysis
- Develop a comprehensive data collection and analysis plan.
- Recruit and train research assistants in collaboration with IRC.
- Conduct pre-tests and refine data collection tools.
- Ensure rigorous quality assurance measures throughout data collection and entry.
- Conduct both quantitative and qualitative data analysis using robust techniques and tools.
Reporting and Dissemination
- Lead the drafting of a comprehensive final report written in fluent English.
- Include sector-specific analyses and interpretations with clear geographic disaggregation.
- Present findings to IRC and key stakeholders for validation and feedback.
- Revise and finalize the report based on stakeholder input.
Key Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected from the consultant:
- Inception Report
- Detailed framework outlining the methodology, tools, and timeline.
- Workplan with a delivery schedule and resource allocation.
- Comprehensive Draft Report
- Not exceeding 25 pages.
- Includes all raw data in Excel, Word, or other appropriate formats.
- Final Report
- Details the implementation progress, persisting challenges, and needs arising due to drought.
- Recommends best practices, highlights innovative solutions, and provides strategic guidance for upcoming phases.
- PowerPoint Presentation
- A concise summary of the survey findings to facilitate dissemination and stakeholder engagement.
Required Qualifications
- Post-graduate degree in Social Sciences or a relevant field with substantial training in health, nutrition, food security, WASH, and protection.
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in conducting evaluations and assessments within the humanitarian or development sector.
- Proven track record of publications or field reports in the aforementioned thematic areas.
- Prior experience conducting BHA, USAID, EU, or UN-funded assessments with a clear understanding of associated indicators and reporting standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized and vulnerable groups in complex multi-stakeholder settings, including government agencies and development partners.
- Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required. Proficiency in local languages spoken in Turkana County is considered a strong advantage.
Additional Considerations
- The consultant will need to ensure that ethical standards and considerations are strictly adhered to, particularly in working with vulnerable populations.
- The endline survey must be designed to be inclusive, gender-sensitive, and disaggregated by sex, age, and disability.
- The consultant will be required to use digital data collection platforms to enhance accuracy, speed, and data security.
Application Process
Interested candidates should prepare a technical proposal outlining:
- Understanding of the terms of reference.
- Detailed methodology and approach.
- Workplan with deliverables and timelines.
- Proposed team composition and CVs.
- Budget with a breakdown of costs.
All applications must be submitted by email as per IRC’s standard consultancy recruitment procedures. For more details regarding the submission process, reach out to the recruitment contact provided in the original listing.
Conclusion
This consultancy offers an opportunity to work with a globally recognized humanitarian organization on a critical project aimed at alleviating the effects of drought in one of Kenya’s most vulnerable counties. The selected consultant will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of IRC’s response and helping communities recover sustainably from environmental and socio-economic shocks.
To apply, please send your application via email as indicated in the recruitment instructions.
