Terms of Reference Assessment of Decentralized Technical Services at Action Against Hunger

Project and Study Summary Table
Reference of the Assessment PD-ABU-01361-001
Project Name RESILAC - Assessment of decentralized technical services information system

Sector Food Security and Livelihood (FSL)
Implementing Partners (if applicable) Global level: Action Against Hunger, CARE International and

Groupe URD;Nigeria: Action Against Hunger and
Search for Common Ground (SFCG), NEEM Foundation

1. Project Background
1.1. Rationale for the Project
The crisis in Nigeria’s Northeast region is one of the most severe in the world today. The ongoing hostilities have unleashed a multitude of consequences on affected populations, including widespread loss of life, massive population displacement, loss of livelihoods and diminished agricultural production. Ongoing insecurity, especially in Borno State creates restrictions in movements, affecting producers’ capacity to access farms and transport goods from urban to rural areas; with a consequent effect on the cost of commodities and the ability the populations to engage in livelihood activities.
The development challenges in Borno State are seemed multiple, ranging from political (security, management of uncertainty), socio-economic (Food production and monetary resources, employment);
ecological (vulnerability of an ecosystem weakened by drought episodes); hydrological (variability of rainfall and lake water level) and governance (weak State presence and decentralization which makes it difficult to provide basic public services and civil protection expected by the populations).
Action Against Hunger has been operating in Nigeria since 2010 in Jigawa, 2014 in Yobe and 2015 in Borno States of Nigeria congruently responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sector strategy in both humanitarian interventions (Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and now transiting to recovery and building resilience of communities, institutions and individuals most affected by the ongoing hostilities.
Action Against Hunger being the leading organization in a consortium which comprises CARE international, Search For Common Ground and group URD, is implementing resilience activities aimed
at improving economic and social inclusion and recovery in the Lake Chad region across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Part of the RESILAC project’s intervention plan includes strengthening of
institutional capacities, systems and actions towards sustainable development, social cohesion and economic recovery in Kukawa, Monguno and Jere LGAs of Borno state.
In Nigeria the RESILAC project is developed along 4 main pillars: Strengthening human capital, ensuring social cohesion and supporting conflict transformation;
Economic Recovery, through support to agricultural value chains and youth employment;
Enhancing institutional action in project implementation and governance of economic processes;
Production of useful knowledge for assuring quality project activities in a crises context and to support the decision-making process of the local actors.
1.2 Project Goal
The strengthening or revitalization of information systems aims to provide a holistic response to the accompanying vision of local actors by promoting information that can guide their actions. Information
systems involved in sharing knowledge on the evolution of territorial situations useful to different groups (producers, breeders, traders, etc).
For agro-pastoral producers, information sharing is critical as it allows them to make informed choices
(planting dates, transhumance period market price and cross boarder market linkages), which is particularly important in a context of strong yearly climate variations. The strengthening of information systems directly foster the improvement and adaptation of agro-pastoral production.
The information system also provides a tool to aid the decision making of national actors involved on local development and emergency response planning. Its improvement will strengthen national capacity and provide policy makers with useful information for the design and implementation of public policies including. Information system on agricultural production, Weather information system,
Information system on the evolution of prices of agricultural products, Information system on livestock (cattle, epizootic) Early warning system and disaster management,
Early warning system for epidemic-prone diseases,
Information System on Food Security and Early Warning.
1.3 Geographical scope covered by the analysis
The geographical scope of the assessment is Jere, Monguno and Kukawa LGAs in Borno state
2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
2.1. Objectives of the Assessment
The specific Objective of the assessment is to provide

• Identify information systems available at the various technical agencies in the state and their areas of coverage.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the information systems in place.
• Define strategies for improvement on the identified gaps.
• Develop an action plan for developing an easy to handle coordinated information system from government to end users. Considering the local, regional and national level information coordination mechanism, that puts local communities at the center of the information system.

3. Profile of the Consultant

• Masters qualification in a discipline related to political science, sociology, IT, Mass
• Communication or other relevant discipline or commensurate work experience in lieu of postgraduate qualification.
• Proved experience (at least 5 years) in information assessment related programming.
• Extensive experience in data management and analysis, including data collection tools design, database design, management, and data quality checks.
• Extensive experience in quantitative, qualitative analysis, and social and political economic analysis.
• Sound and mature understanding of the role of decentralized technical service providers actions in community and nations development.
• Robust experience in applying participatory methods of data collection and validation and in
• recommending solutions that are context specific and community-adaptive.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at
• all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong personal discipline and capacity to respect deadlines, even if under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language (oral and written).
• Ability to communicate effectively in local languages (Hausa and/or Kanuri is a strong asset;
• The ability to work closely in a team, to be patient, adaptable, flexible and able to improvise and
• work in an environment that is often stressful and potentially volatile.
• Willingness to travel in difficult circumstances.
• Understanding the social and economic context of North Eastern Nigeria is an added advantage.
• Relevant experience in a similar assessment in Nigeria is preferred.
• Proved international experience would be an asset.