Terms of Reference DRR in Practice: Preparation of Three Case Studies

Terms of Reference
DRR in Practice: Preparation of Three Case Studies

1. Background

In 2008 Uganda Red Cross (URCS) introduced Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) as a major for Disaster Management with the aim of mobilizing communities to identify and act upon risks before disaster strikes.

In 2009, with support from British Red Cross (BRC) a three year DRR project was launched in Pallisa district in Eastern Uganda; with the aim of (a) building resilience to flooding and its associated risks for 2,800 households in two communities vulnerable to frequent flooding in Pallisa and (b) strengthening URCS Pallisa branch capacity, with particular focus on its branch and community structures, to implement risk reduction work. Interventions focused on malaria control, watsan and livelihoods all implemented using a DRR approach.

In effect, the project became a test site for URCS as approaches then helped inform the development of the 5 years URCS 2011-2015 DRR Strategy.

Since 2010, URCS has initiated a number of programmes which have, solely or partly, focused on DRR including:
2010-2011 DRR project (Katakwi branch)
2011-2014 Reducing Community Risks: Strengthening Disaster Response (Kumi, Sironko and Bududa branches)
2012-2015 Manafwa River Basin Project (Butaleja, Bududa and Manafwa branches)
2012-2014 Urban Disaster Risk Reduction (Gulu and Lira branches)
2011-2015 Partners for Resilience (Katakwi and Apac branches)
2012-2014 Diarrhea Risk Reduction (Iganga branch)

In addition, there are many other DRR projects that started in 2013 and there is much on-going work supported by different branches which includes elements of DRR practice but which is not supported by specific project funding.

There is learning to be derived from all this work, in terms of what is working well and what is not. URCS is committed to documenting learning and using the lessons to inform the development of future work and to help inform the future revision of the URCS DRR strategy. The case studies will make a significant contribution to the knowledge base of risk reduction for both URCS and other partners in Uganda as well as globally. The learning captured will be of particular importance to the URCS since it is in infant years in the application of DRR. The case studies will document the successes and challenges faced by the URCS over the past 4 years and will serve as a benchmark for DRR in Uganda

A consultant(s) is needed to work with URCS to develop the case studies.

1. Three Case Studies

With several years of experience to draw on, three case studies/practice papers will be prepared that accurately document aspects of URCS’s DRR work.

Each case study will take a particular theme as follows:

2.1 Approaches to community based DRR
- More specifically, using the hyogo framework as a structure, present highlights of what is working and what is not in different contexts, identify common themes of what has worked, what hasn’t and why. The case study will, in effect, present an overview of current URCS practice in this area: highlighting practices that should be promoted, those which should be modified, or avoided all together.

2.2 DRR: A Step by Step Approach
- This case study will explore the Step by Step approach which was developed and first applied in the Reducing Risks: Strengthening Response programme and elements of which have been utilized in other DRR programmes since. The case study will explore how the approach has been used, examining its strengths and weakness, considering – among other things - its relevance, applicability for use in different contexts and ease of application.

2.3 DRR groups: ownership and motivation
- URCSs DRR work uses a social mobilization approach, with the implementation of DRR centered on new or existing groups. Experience shows however that while some groups continue and thrive after URCS support is concluded, others become inactive. This case study will explore the motivation of groups and what factors contribute to their long-term continuation considering, among other things, the comparative advantages of working with new or existing groups (reflecting on the URCS group formation guidelines); whether group members feel they are a community group or a Red Cross group and so on.

In addition to the above, the consultant will record any other important issues/themes which may emerge during the course of this assignment and which could form the basis of other case studies in future.

The development of the case studies will be based on active enquiry. The exact questions for each case study will be agreed between URCS, BRC and the consultant. It is expected that the case studies will address questions such as:

a) Has the DRR approach adopted generated good quality information on the underlying causes of the risks and used this to inform plans?
b) What difference did the DRR approach/es make to targeted communities?
c) What DRR actions are demonstrably reducing risks?
d) How well have communities connected with other actors? e) What are the costs of the DRR actions being implemented? What options were considered?
f) Were there any intended or unintended consequences of the DRR interventions - positive and negative?
g) Have any partners (districts/other NGOs) changed their policies or practices to help reduce risks e.g. new services initiated, greater responsiveness, resource re-allocation, improved quality etc.?
h) How have URCS and partners collaborated to move the DRR agenda forward?
i) How has design of DRR projects been informed by learning from experience (URCS, national and international)?
j) Did the design of the DRR intervention include appropriate sustainability and exit strategy (including promoting Branch/local ownership, use of headquarters capacity, etc. to support positive changes in after the end of the intervention? k) What challenges did communities and URCS face during the implementation of the DRR projects? To what extent did communities address challenges with/without URCS support?
l) To what extent were stakeholders involved in the preparation of the sustainability strategy?
m) How has URCS progressed in its capacity to manage DRR interventions?
n) To what extent was the work aligned with/take account of the URCS DRR strategy and other relevant policy/strategies?
o) Have URCS structures (i.e. branch and HQ capacity, relationships with other agencies) been strengthened (and/or need further strengthening) as a result of the DRR work?
p) What are the strategies / recommendations that can improve future DRR programming to building community resilience?
q) To what extent did the actions take account of the RC fundamental principles? Were there any challenges in this regard/if so how were they managed?
r) How has URCS used lessons learning from the different programmes to:
o inform DRR planning
o inform /change any other aspects of URCS work?
o influence the GoU and others
o Could URCS have used/exploited the learning more?

Each case study will draw out lessons learned, highlighting good practices which should be promoted and ways of working that should be avoided in future programmes.

The consultant will also document any issues arising or recommendations which fall outside the remit of the case studies but which could be useful for URCS to consider in its DRR work in future.

1. Target audience and publication

The audience for the case studies is:
- Internal: shared between staff and volunteers to inform and promote good practice.
- Externally the primarily audiences are:
o DRR practitioners and policy makers in Uganda
o DRR practitioners within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

The case studies will eventually be published on the URCS website and widely disseminated within and beyond Uganda.

1. Methodology

It is anticipated that this will include:

• A literature review including:
  o Evaluations, reports and documents from the URCS DRR projects
  o URCS DRR process documents e.g. step by step guide
  o URCS DRR strategy
  o GoU DM policy
  o Minutes from the URCS DRR task force
• Preparation of a synthesis of URCS learning from the above documents
• Interviews and group discussions with staff and volunteers involved in DRR
• Interviews with URCS RC partners who are supporting DRR
• Visits to DRR project communities (to include Pallisa, RRSR programme and others from those listed in section 1)
• Interviews with beneficiaries and other stakeholders
• Development of an approach and application of the for the cost-benefit analysis

The consultant will work closely with the URCS DM colleagues to complete this task.

1. Output Required

The consultant will produce three case studies/practice papers which should be:
- No more than 12 pages each (pictures will be additional)
- Clear, easy to read and jargon free
- Demonstrably evidenced based
- Designed to enable sharing of lessons learned - internally and externally
The consultant will also produce a brief report with any reflections and recommendations which arise from the process but which fall outside the scope of the case studies.

Working with the communications manager and DM colleagues, high quality photographs should be identified and be appended to the case studies, along with captions and copyright details, which can be used to illustrate the case study. Note: the consultant is only expected to provide the content for the case study, the layout/design of the final document will be managed separately.

1. Quality and Ethical Standards

The consultant should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the case study respects and protects the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved and to ensure that it is technically accurate and reliable. The consultant should therefore adhere to the following standards:

The case study:

a) Must be prepared in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those who may be affected by the case study.
b) Should provide a comprehensive, unbiased and transparent view of the situation being documented. c) Should be technical accurate and provide sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.

It is also expected that the case study will respect the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: 1) humanity, 2) impartiality, 3) neutrality, 4) independence, 5) voluntary service, 6) unity, and 7) universality.

1. Timing

It is expected that the assignment will take 25 working days to prepare. Ideally all work will finalised by mid December.

1. Application Process

8.1 Person specification

Selection of the consultant will be based on the following qualifications:

a. Extensive experience of DRR and related work
b. Excellent analytical and writing skills
c. Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports
d. Experience of writing case studies/practice papers for publication
e. Proven experience of undertaken evaluations and reviews
f. Excellent communication skills
g. Demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality outputs within a proposed timeframe
h. Knowledge of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement preferred;
i. Availability to undertake and complete the work within the period indicated

8.2 Accountability and Support

a. The consultant will be contracted by BRCS.
b. A team comprising URCS and BRCS will oversee the process
c. A technical review team (URCS, BRCS and possibly others) will and provide feedback on the draft case studies.
d. The draft report (second output) will be reviewed and feedback provided by URCS/BRCS.
e. As the contracting party, BRCS will sign-off the final case studies and reports.
f. URCS will provide logistical support: it will organise visits to project sites and help arrange meetings as needed.
g. URCS will provide / make available all necessary and relevant programming documents that may facilitate the work of the consultant

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit their application via email to Nancy Kariuki nkariuki@redcross.org.uk

Applications should include:
a. Curricula Vitae (CV) of no more than 3 sides
b. A one page cover letter (maximum) clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this review and details of your daily rate.
c. At least one example of a case study written by you which most similar to that described in this TOR (the report will only be used in relation to the assessment of your application)
d. Names and contacts for three referees (these would only be contacted with permission at shortlisting stage)