Strategic Advisor – Yemen Response Scoping Exercise

Terms of Reference

Strategic Advisor – Yemen Response Scoping Exercise

ActionAid Arab Region

1. Background to the brief:

ActionAid has been working in the Arab Region since 2005 with programmes in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, and Tunisia. Our operations are managed from our regional office in Amman, Jordan, complemented by a dedicated team in Lebanon and local partners in each country of operation. ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) will soon launch a transformative organizational strategy, Youth-led Feminist Action Fostering Resilience, Social and Climate Justice in the Arab Region 2023-2026. This ambitious plan aims to advance and strengthen the protective environment for women and girls, cultivate civic participation, champion climate justice, stimulate economic justice through improved employability and decent work, and drive women and youth-led humanitarian action.

In 2023, it is projected that more than 21 million individuals – accounting for two thirds of Yemen's population – will require humanitarian aid and protection. The combination of widespread conflict, economic decline, food insecurity and collapse of essential services continue to take a toll on the population, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Led by this urgent humanitarian need, ActionAid aims to conduct a comprehensive scoping study on potential work inside Yemen, initially through Jordan and potentially leading to engagement with the Yemeni population directly in Yemen. The intended outcome of this study will be a pilot programme focused on ActionAid’s unique approach to humanitarian response known as our Humanitarian Signature. The study will be focused on enhancing the leadership of women and youth to lead emergency responses through community-based protection and resilience programming, accountability to affected populations, and partnerships with women’s and young people’s organizations and networks.

AAAR will lead the scoping exercise with the support of ActionAid International’s International Humanitarian and Resilience Team (IHART), and ActionAid UK’s Humanitarian Policy & Practice (AAUK HPP) team. The aim is to prob the potential role of ActionAid within the complex Yemeni context. To help guide the scoping study we are looking for a consultant to provide strategic expertise and guidance.

1. Purpose of the consultancy:

The primary purpose of the consultancy is to steer an in-depth scoping into ActionAid’s potential work in Yemen. This exploration entails looking at potential interventions, identification of feasible locations of operation, an assessment of potential partners and determining a sustainable operational model.

An essential component of the consultancy involves developing working protocols, collection and dissemination of needs assessments, and evaluating the challenges and risks associated with engaging in a Yemen response with a particular focus on political, logistics, financial, and ethical perspectives.

The consultancy will take place initially over the course of 30 days in Jordan. Key stakeholders of the consultancy will be:

• IHART team
• AAUK HPP team, who lead ActionAid’s humanitarian funding delegation
• ActionAid Arab Region
• UN agencies, Yemen NGOs based in Jordan and Yemen (online), and other networks and stakeholders working inside Yemen i.e. thematic coordination clusters.

1. Key deliverables of the consultancy:

The specific deliverables of this consultancy role will be finalized once the appropriate consultant has been selected. However, the expected outputs will include:

• Lead on the scoping of the Yemen response, drawing on the regional expertise of AAAR, the global expertise of IHART team, and current actors (INGOs, CSOs/CBOs, UN agencies).
• Analyze the current situation in Yemen and suggest how ActionAid can effectively contribute and enhance response efforts. Examine the potential operational opportunities and challenges associated with aiding INGOs operating in Yemen while coordinating efforts from Jordan.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the cultural norms and conflict sensitivities that are critical for effective collaboration with local actors and community groups.
• Identify key local partners who align with AA mission and humanitarian approach to foster effective collaboration.
• Provide strategic advice on the future direction of the Yemen crisis and potential risks, challenges, and opportunities over the next five years.
• Consult with AAAR and AAUK HPP on fundraising strategy and allocation of fundraising resources.
• Consult and engage in meaningful dialogue with Technical Advisors on women’s and youth leadership and protection, resilience framework, livelihoods, cash and research to identify where and how ActionAid may provide the most impact.
• In collaboration with the AAAR team, develop innovative and feasible operational models tailored for the Yemen context that AAAR could effectively implement.

1. Location: Amman, Jordan with local travel to Yemen. The assignment can be remote, with a requirement for travel to Yemen to deliver the in-depth scoping exercise (Phase 3). Associated travel costs will be covered by ActionAid.
2. Timeframe: The consultancy is initially scheduled for a 30-day period. However, based on the results achieved and the evolving needs of the project, there may be a need for additional consultancy days directly within Yemen.
3. Estimated time of work: August – September 2023
4. Conditions of the consultancy: The consultant will use her/his resources (laptop) to conduct this assignment.
5. Supervision and reporting: The consultant shall be responsible to coordinate closely with the Regional Director for AAAR, Regional Humanitarian Advisor for the Arab Region, and Humanitarian & Resilience Fundraising Specialist (donor-scoping).
6. Funding and payment: The consultant will be paid by ActionAid Arab Region on receipt of invoices based on the detailed TOR and consultancy contract. It is estimated the work will be broken down as per the following based on the project’s workplan/milestones:

1. Skills and Experience Required:

Knowledge and experience:

• Proven track record of providing strategic guidance in mapping, gap analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian sector and architecture, the localization agenda, and ActionAid’s approach to humanitarian work.
• In-depth knowledge of the Yemen crisis, the MENA region, and the political landscape surrounding the Yemen response.
• Experience of working with international and local NGOs, networks, UN agencies, and governments, especially in relation to Yemen response.
• Successful management of donor projects and innovation funds, and an understanding of their expectations.
• Proven experience of assessing, analyzing and developing innovative and feasible INGO operating models for humanitarian response.
• Experience in facilitating high-level discussions and coordinating inputs from a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of writing highly structured and organized reports.

Technical skills:

• Extensive experience of the political nature and complex humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
• Understanding of ActionAid’s principles and how to apply these in an emergency and protracted context.
• Hands on experience in navigating operational challenges to access and security constraints related to the ongoing Yemen crisis.
• Understanding of evolving needs and knowledge of multiple sectors, in particular women and youth protection and leadership, economic recovery and resilience.
• Understanding of relevant legal frameworks in Jordan and Yemen including financing regulations, political affiliations, and restrictions on INGOs.
• Experience in developing an organizational structure or funding model.

Other qualities and skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work well with diverse stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

• A strong commitment to develop, promote, and practice ActionAid International’s vision, mission, values, and strategy.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation approaches in both humanitarian and development settings.
• Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Applications

This application is open to individuals.

Applications should contain the following documents / information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Expression of interest (no more than one page);
• Most updated CV
• A breakdown of expected services and associated costs, without VAT for the completion of all deliverables
• If available, examples of similar work conducted e.g. research outputs

Qualified and interested candidates are requested to send their documents and offer to the following address: Ari.jobs@actionaid.org by July 25, referring to this advertisement.

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