Background
The greatest global challenge of the 21st century is adapting to the consequences of climate change and associated extreme weather events. In particular, the region of south-eastern Africa is increasingly affected by extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts, heavy rainfall, floods, and cyclones, each of which is increasing in intensity and frequency, due to the intensifying El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. In addition, these countries are in a tense economic and socio-political situation, which in turn exacerbates food and income insecurity (up to recurring hunger crises) for the population in the region, whose livelihoods are largely dependent on subsistence agriculture.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015), the Paris Agreement (2016) and other internationally recognised guidelines and guidance (see IASC, ECHO) highlight the importance of the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian aid, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
However, there is often a lack of appropriate translation into national guidelines and national action plans as well as their practical implementation. In addition, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are often not included in the corresponding policy processes at national level and thus do not have the opportunity to adequately address and introduce their concerns. Representative organizations for persons with disabilities often lack the necessary capacities to enter into dialogue with highly technical and scientific disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation institutions and organizations. Bringing these actors together is critical, as it can support to close advocacy gaps both at national and regional level, through exchange and networking.
Introduction
Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) is a leading disability-focused network engaged in coordination of activities of organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Southern Africa region. SAFOD plays a huge role in influencing policies at a regional level and also building the capacity of the national OPD’s in advocacy to ensure that they advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRR policies in their respective countries.
SAFOD is currently implementing a project in South-Eastern Africa, on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) in collaboration with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), an international Christian development organization, committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world. The project is implemented with seven local partners, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Zambia Federation of the disability organisations, (ZAFOD) in Zambia, Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) and Federation of Organisations of disabled people in Zimbabwe (FODPZ) in Zimbabwe, Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD), and Federation of Disability Organisation in Malawi (FEDOMA) and Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) in Malawi. The three countries were selected primarily because of their similar vulnerability profiles to extreme weather events (drought, floods, cyclones) and the long-term consequences of climate change.
The objective of the project is to contribute to reducing the increased risk of persons with disabilities in climate change-related disasters by strengthening inclusive disaster risk reduction processes and climate change adaptation processes.
Persons with disabilities bear the heaviest burden from negative impacts of climate change and disasters. Due to their unique challenges which are heightened by their vulnerabilities. There is a link between poverty and disability that creates a vicious circle. Poor people are more at risk of acquiring a disability because of lack of access to good nutrition, health care and sanitation as well as safe living and working conditions. while persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty due to discrimination and barriers to participation in all spheres of society such as accessing education, employment, health care, and transportation. The two-way relationship between poverty and disability increases vulnerability, yet little attention has been given as to whether social safety nets reach persons with disabilities. Safety mechanisms and safety nets play a critical role in addressing increased vulnerabilities and exposure to risks associated with disability and potential related barriers.
Social safety nets would benefit persons with disabilities who cannot participate in the opportunities generated by growth, inclusive employment and/or education policies. These programs can take several forms such as: social insurance schemes, publicly funded transfers (sometimes provided as part of a family allowance), in-kind targeting (assistance devices for example) or livelihood programs. However, a more feasible solution may be to ensure that mainstream social safety nets are “disability inclusive”.
Three national studies were conducted in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia to investigate the possibilities of social safety mechanisms, formal and informal safety nets for persons with disabilities .The studies were led by three implementing partners ADRA, CARD and REPSSI in partnership with ZAFOD, FEDOMA and FODPZ.
Building on this activity, SAFOD is commissioning a consultant to develop a meta-analysis of the three national studies. The consultant will review and analyse the three studies and conduct a meta-analysis of their results and develop regional guidelines for action, that will serve as a framework to inform practitioners and stakeholders on providing inclusive safety mechanisms for persons with disabilities.
Scope of Work
The consultant will:
Prepare a preliminary analysis of the three country reports and produce the Inception Report, including a work plan.
Conduct the meta-analysis using standard robust evaluation techniques.
Develop guidelines that will serve as a framework to inform practitioners and stakeholders on providing inclusive safety mechanisms for persons with disabilities.
Duration of the assignment
The assignment is expected to be conducted over a period of 40 days including weekends
Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
Inception report (including a work plan with timelines).
Draft meta-evaluation report.
Presentation of the final meta-evaluation report
Final meta-analysis evaluation report (The report must contain guidelines that will serve as a framework to inform practitioners and stakeholders on providing inclusive safety mechanisms for persons with disabilities.
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT
The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:
Advanced degree in social sciences, disability studies, or related fields.
Extensive M&E expertise and experience (at least ten years)
Extensive experience working with international and or regional organisations
Experience working with persons with disabilities, including understanding of disability barriers and inclusion.
Specific to the task:
Extended experience in conducting meta-evaluations and in developing analytical reports as documented in at least two meta-evaluations during the last five years.
Experience in conducting project and programme evaluations in the international and regional levels
Familiarity with disability barriers and disability inclusion.
Other skills:
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.
• Excellent report-writing and editing skills.
• Excellent data presentation and visualization skills.
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
The consultant will be selected through a competitive selection process. These TORs are published on the SAFOD social media platforms and website. Interested candidates should submit a technical proposal and a financial proposal, with estimated costs. The technical offer should include the following:
• Brief description of the understanding of the assignment.
• Presentation of a proposed approach.
• Presentation of a detailed work plan, including time schedule and tasks.
• Detailed CV and references of similar assignments (as annexes).
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be evaluated based on:
Relevant qualifications and experience.
Understanding of the scope of work.
Quality and feasibility of the proposed work plan.
Previous experience and sample work.
Applications should be submitted to procurement@safod.net Cc rmonnakgosi@safod.net by 21st February 2025.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.