Scope of Work (Subject to USAID Approval)
BHAKARI Reporting Consultant (Writer)
Closing date : Tuesday, October 24, 2023
1. Background
Mercy Corps Nepal is implementing the BHAKARI program from October 2020 to December 2023 to enhance food and nutrition security, reduce future humanitarian caseload and improve the resilience of communities to recurrent shocks along the Karnali River Basin (KRB). BHAKARI is a multi-year emergency program funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The program is implemented in 21 Palikas in six districts (Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, and Dailekh, with cluster hubs in Surkhet and Jumla). The sectoral programmatic intervention includes agriculture and market systems, disaster risk reduction, water for productive use, natural resources management, emergency response to multiple localized shocks with a GESI First approach that emphasizes a gender and social inclusion approach, reaching to the most vulnerable segment of the society with an integrated multi-sectoral approach.
Originally, BHAKARI was scheduled to be completed By September 30, 2023. However, at the beginning of Year 3 of implementation the BHAKARI team recognized the necessity of allowing more time to conduct a comprehensive final program evaluation to properly represent the degree of program complexity and multifaceted nature of program outcomes. In addition, the program had several original research projects planned for Year 3 to support the previously developed learning agenda. Therefore, BHAKARI received a no-cost extension (NCE) for three months (Oct-Dec 2023).
2. Job Description
In order to ensure wide dissemination of multiple BHAKARI achievements and learnings to various national and international audiences, the program decided to recruit an external consultant with expertise in reporting and communications. The Reporting Consultant will be responsible for the development of key program learning products targeted to a wide range of external stakeholders, including donors and the Nepal Government. These learning products will also be included in the handover package to the Nepal Government during the final handover event in December 2023.
The role will review existing documents and research products[1], such as key findings from several qualitative studies (Learning Agenda, see Annex I), technical briefs developed for the Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit (TSU) based on these findings, previously developed component-specific briefs and overview documents, the final program evaluation report, and other related documents that highlight program’s key achievements, learnings, and results. Main topics for the expected learning products include:
● Three main components of the BHAKARI Approach:
○ Factors and practices contributing to the sustainability of community groups created by BHAKARI (Learning Questions 1 and 5)
○ Results and lessons learned from practicing the GESI First approach (Learning Questions 5 and 6)
○ Implementing the Sequencing, Layering and Integration (SLI) in a complex multi-year emergency program (Learning Question 8)
● Lessons learned from implementing the program directly through the local partners (localization)
● Key findings and recommendations from the final program evaluation
The Reporting Consultant will then package the main findings and lessons learned per topic for external audiences, including donors, in coordination with the COP, Regional PAQ Advisor, Communications Manager, and Interim CD to ensure that these learning products are in line with the MC strategic priorities.
This assignment does not require any primary data collection or original analysis and can be carried out remotely. Estimated LoE for this assignment is 20 days between Nov 1 and Dec 31, 2023. This role will report directly to the COP and work closely with the Interim MEL Director, Interim CD, BHAKARI Communications Manager, BHAKARI Knowledge Management and Learning Manager, and the Regional PAQ Advisor.
3. Scope of Work
Specific responsibilities will include:
Conduct online consultations with the relevant team members to clarify expectations and available resources Develop a detailed timeline for activities and deliverables in consultation with the COP Review all available documents provided by the BHAKARI team Develop draft content for each deliverable outlined in the table below Address all MC feedback and requests to finalize the deliverables Coordinate with the MC Nepal Comms team and pre-selected graphic design services provider and adjust content for length and clarity, where needed[2 Submit the final products to the COP and conduct an online outbrief, if requested by the COP4. Deliverables
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Deliverables
Timeline
1.
Localization brief, 2-3 pages
end of Nov 2023
2.
SLI brief, 2-3 pages
end of Nov 2023
3.
Community groups’ sustainability brief, 3 pages
end of Nov 2023
4.
GESI First brief (consolidated), 3 pages
end of Nov 2023
5.
BHAKARI Approach brief, 3 pages
end of Dec 2023
6.
Summative impact report, 5 pages
end of Dec 2023
Detailed timeline will be developed by the Consultant together with the COP taking into account availability of key program members and remaining program activities, in particular the final handover event to the Nepal Government in December (date TBD).
5. Knowledge and Experience
● 5+ years of experience in communicati20ons and / or reporting in international
development or humanitarian assistance;
● Practical experience with MEL and / or program learning;
● Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements (optional);
● MA/S or equivalent in communications, journalism, international development,
or relevant fields;
● Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team
members;
● Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and
objectives;
● Ability to work remotely with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive
environment.
6. Reporting
● Reports Directly to: BHAKARI COP
● Works Directly with: Interim MEL Director, Interim CD, BHAKARI Communications Manager, BHAKARI Knowledge Management and Learning Manager, and the Regional PAQ Advisor
7. Duration, and payment schedule
Anticipated timing of this consultancy is November 1 – December 31, 2023 for up to 20 LoE days total. The consultant will work remotely. Payment will be made per deliverable as suggested below:
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