Organizational Context

Over the last decades numerous global guidance and tools on coordinated assessment have been produced, not the least as part of the Grand Bargain, and its workstream 5. In line with global initiatives, the IFRC has developed and implemented needs assessment and analysis tools to be used by the IFRC Secretariat and its National Societies (collectively known as the IFRC network). Many of these tools and best practices have been integrated through the IFRC-managed digital disaster risk management platform, IFRC GO[1], in a similar way as done with tools for emergency staff deployments, preparedness, and the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF).
However, the application and effective use of tools and guidance on needs assessment and analysis is often less than optimal in field operations, especially outside large-scale emergencies. Therefore, substantial efforts were made through the Surge Optimisation process to develop key training packages (ENAP, HIAC, MDC/SD), aimed at bolstering the skills of NS and IFRC staff. Those tools have been tested and interesting learnings from those trainings, as well as from the most recent surge deployments, have been gathered and documented.
Through this consultancy, the IFRC aim to strengthen humanitarian needs assessments and analysis in terms of availability and quality, as well as their use for IFRC and National Society decision-making in emergencies.

[1] IFRC GO Platform https://go.ifrc.org/

Job Purpose

Desired Outcomes:
The main outcome of the consultancy is to develop Minimum Quality Standards (MQS) for IFRC multi-sector needs assessment and analysis. It includes to develop, test and modify a first version of MQS for IFRC needs assessments. The outcome will inform monitoring, documenting and tracking of progress when it comes to quality and availability of evidence in IFRC appeals and operation strategies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key activities
The consultancy will include, but not be limited to, the following activities:

• Review and benchmark minimum quality standards for multi-sector needs assessment and analysis against the IFRC ENA Guidelines.
• Consult with key stakeholders in the IFRC about their relevance for the IFRC emergency needs assessment and planning and other processes alike.
• Propose a set of minimum quality standards for multi-sector needs assessment and analysis for approval.
• Draft a guidance note on the minimum quality standards and how to use them for review, including checklists and/or other relevant tools
• Test the minimum quality standards for multi-sector assessment and analysis on available IFRC assessments and draft an evaluation report.
• Finalize the minimum quality standards documentation and toolkit.*

• Please note that the final output is subject to the consultancy stakeholders’ approval before it is considered as final deliverables. All comments from the IFRC should be addressed before the report is considered complete.

Methodology
The consultancy outputs will be based on the findings and factual statements identified from review of relevant documents and discussions with key interlocutors. It is anticipated the consultant(s) will not be required to physically travel to IFRC headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) for face-to-face meetings.
Document review. Documents to be reviewed include, but not limited to i) Existing literature on minimum quality standards for humanitarian needs assessment, ii) IFRC internal documentation (Policies, SOPs, guidance notes, handbooks), iii) Key Assessment collected by IFRC, and iv) Other relevant documents, when available.
Discussions with key interlocutors. The consultant is expected to facilitate discussions with IFRC team members at the global and regional level. This may include DREF, IM and Quality team, Operations Coordinators, and National Society Response Capacity Strengthening staff.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Support to be provided to the consultant
The primary contact for the consultant will be Vincent Annoni, Sr Officer IM & Data Analysis, Vincent.annoni@ifrc.org and Santiago Luengo, Sr Officer Operations Coordinator, Santiago.luengo@ifrc.org

Timeframe
The duration of the consultancy will be for a maximum of 25 days for the period from November 15 to December 30, 2024. The exact start date to be collectively agreed with the IFRC, and duration adapted according to final list of outputs.
If additional time is required to meet the overall objective of this assignment, IFRC will endeavour to extend the assignment for an additional period to be determined and subject to the availability of resources.

Experience

Required:

• Experience in Humanitarian Multi-Sector Needs assessment and analysis
• Experience in implementing and/or coordinating humanitarian response.
• Previous experience in similar technical evaluations.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Strong knowledge of IFRC coordination and funding mechanisms
• Strong knowledge of global guidance and standards on needs assessments.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings.
• Good written and oral English essential.