Consultant FCA Mozambique Programme

BACKGROUND

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish development cooperation organization and the second largest provider of humanitarian aid. We operate in over 20 countries, where the need is most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political affiliations. Our work is based on rights, which means that our operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility. To this end, FCA is committed to working until the people in need can secure their livelihood and satisfy their basic needs independently.

FCA specializes in supporting local communities in three priority areas. These are communities’ right to livelihood, right to education and right to peace.

FCA is a founder member of the UN related Network of Religious and Traditional Peace Makers. In 2013, it was appointed the Interim Chair of the Network. The initiators of the network are UN Mediation Support Unit, (MSU) in the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC) and Religions for Peace (RfP) and Finn Church Aid (FCA). The objective of the network is to have an effective presence in places where anger is starting to turn to violence. It is working with the local people to try to get the opposing parties to come around the negotiating table. FCA operates from the premise that reducing fear, bitterness and anger caused by war is pivotal to national and global development.

In Mozambique, FCA has been working with communities since the 1970s. During the civil war, FCA supported the resettlement of internally displaced people. Since the end of the war in 2002, however, FCA’s work has focused on development cooperation projects in the Gaza province and the capital, Maputo.

In Gaza province, FCA supports projects that aim to improve the livelihood and the active involvement of village communities in development programs and in general decision making. This has enabled communities to ensure sufficient availability of food and water and improved standard of living. In the urban areas of Maputo, FCA supports home agriculture and projects aimed at improving income generation and strengthening of communities, and particularly the people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. FCA also provides training and support to savings and credit groups to initiate income generation activities.

PROPOSED GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF FCA PROGRAMMES IN MOZAMBIQUE

The Mozambique programme has been until end of 2012 under the management of FCA Headquarters based in Helsinki, after which the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) took over its direct management. Previously, FCA exercised a more hands-off donor-partner relationship, but as we look into expanding the work in the country, we wish to provide a closer and more hands on management, support and guidance to our local partners. Furthermore, FCA aims to demonstrate the added value through establishing a presence and putting in place a program team that will provide the much needed technical support and expertise to the current and future partners.

Guided by the FCA Strategic Plan 2013-2016, and the three strategic pillars of FCA work i.e. the right to education (R2E), right to peace (R2P) and the (R2L), FCA aims to establish a solid program that is well informed by thematic studies. FCA further aims to establish solid linkages and networking collaborations with the different relevant stakeholders key among them the Government of Mozambique, the civil society, the UN bodies, the donor community, learning institutions and the private sector among others for purposes of program implementation, advocacy, expanding funding portfolio, research and learning; and influencing national, regional and global agendas in favor of the country.

Ground work developed through investment in research, monitoring and learning will culminate into a comprehensive FCA Country Strategy.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Based on the foregoing, FCA wishes to contract a consultant to assist with the following key tasks;

Support registration of FCA Presence in Mozambique FCA has entered into negotiations with a Mozambique based law firm to facilitate registration of FCA presence in Mozambique. The consultant will therefore be required to work with the law firm to provide any support that the law firm may require on site to secure the registration. The consultant will work closely with the FCA Mozambique Program Coordinator to prepare and deliver all the required documents for the purpose of this process. The consultant will support with establishing any linkages that might be deemed relevant and useful to the process by the law firm.

Mozambique Programme Development FCA aims to expand its program in Mozambique. We aim to develop a comprehensive result based program that is well aligned with our Strategic Plan 2013-2016. To this effect, the consultant shall be required to undertake the following;

Spearhead Thematic Assessment in Education The consultant will be required to spearhead a thematic assessment in education using FCA Thematic Assessment Guidelines. The goal of the study is to identify key gaps in the education sector to inform future FCA programming. In collaboration with the relevant government ministries, FCA will provide details of the specific area of focus for this assessment. Key deliverables in this task will be as follows;

1. In collaboration with the FCA Mozambique Program Coordinator; Develop terms of reference (TOR) for the study outlining in details the problem statement, the methodology to be applied including the sample size and the sampling procedures, the assessment plan including a detailed budget Develop data collection tools Undertake the actual data collection . Analyse the data
2. Compile the report
3. Based on the findings of the study, develop a comprehensive 3 years program proposal supported with specific indicators for measurement, implementation strategy, an implementation plan, an M&E Plan and a detailed budget. The idea for the proposal and the design shall be negotiated and approved by the relevant government ministry and the FCA Educational Advisors at ESARO and the global office

Spearhead Re-design of the Xhikeleni Urban Project

FCA has for the last couple of years been funding an urban project dubbed ‘The Xhikeleni Urban Development Project’ through the Ecumenical Committee for Social Development (CEDES). This project aims to improve the livelihood status of the people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The fact that this project was started before the current FCA Strategic period fails to align with the Strategy Plan. The consultant will therefore be required to among others;

1. Work with CEDES to review the design of this project vz vis the current FCA Strategy Plan 2013-2016, and the current broader socio-economic and donor dynamics and thinking; and redesign it to focus it as much as possible with the FCA strategy plan. An emergence of a completely new project that fits well with the strategy plan & the agreed dynamics is not ruled out
2. Develop clear monitoring indicators for the project
3. Develop a clear M&E plan for the project
4. Define the beneficiaries, the location and the implementation strategy
5. Develop a detailed budget for the project as well as an implementation structure

Support the Mozambique Network of Religious Leaders for Peace & Reconciliation

The Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers is a service function for international and local mediation and peace-building initiatives. The Network consists of religious and traditional leaders and organizations supporting their mediation and peace-building efforts. As indicated earlier, the objective of the network is to have an effective presence in places where anger is starting to turn to violence. It is working with the local people to try to get the opposing parties to come around the negotiating table.

In Mozambique, a network of religious leaders was recently established, and whose objectives mirrors significantly those of the UN Network. Specifically, its primary goal is to sustain the mediation between the government and the opposition to ensure sustainable peace and stability of Mozambique. The origin of this Mozambique network is the continued engagement of the religious leaders with the political mediation process that started in 2013. To this end, FCA has stepped in to financially and technically support this network to establish a structure for its effective operation; concretely define its focus; map out available resources and most importantly, provide the most needed technical support to confidently move forward. The consultant will therefore be required to among other things;

1. Provide technical support to this network as and when required
2. Market the network to the donors, the government through the relevant line ministries and to the international community
3. Support learning and documentation of the Religious Leaders Role in successful preventive mediation processes (FCA will advise further on this as and when time comes)

Donor Mapping & Linking

As FCA looks into expanding its program portfolio in Mozambique, new funding sources need to be mapped out and linkages established with both local and institutional donors. As such, the consultant will be required to deliver the following;

1. Map out key institutional donors and their funding priorities and strategies. This should align as much as possible with FCA thematic areas and strategic intentions
2. Provide any relevant advise on the donor trends and approaches in Mozambique for successful future FCA fund raising
3. Establish strategic conversations and contacts with selected donors that could lead to FCA program funding
4. Develop and submit at least two proposals on areas to be agreed with FCA and based on the donor priorities by the end of this contract

Spearhead Development of FCA Mozambique Country Strategy

The outcome of the proposed thematic assessment and other studies to be carried out separately by FCA; lessons obtained from the discussions with key stakeholders, review of available relevant and current literature and discussions with the current and potential FCA partners will culminate into a Country Strategy Document for Mozambique. To this end, the Consultant is expected to undertake the following;

1. Synthesis outcome of the Education Thematic Assessment and prioritize details for inclusion in the Country Strategy
2. Gather relevant documents from different sources i.e. government offices, INGOs, LNGOs, UN, Learning Institutions etc
3. Literature review of available relevant documents
4. Organize/facilitate a stakeholder’s consultative forum to gather more details
5. Draft the strategy document
6. Input comments from FCA & other relevant stakeholders to finalise the document

Support Mapping of Strategic Partners based on FCA Focus Areas

As FCA looks into expanding its partnership portfolio, more focus shall be granted to the most strategic partnerships that will enable it to deliver real results at scale. As such, the Consultant shall be required to facilitate the following;

1. Identify very strategic and suitable partners that fit well with FCA strategic intentions and recommend them to FCA through the Mozambique Program Coordinator
2. Sit in the ‘Think Tanks’ with the selected partners to brainstorm and firm up partnerships around selected program priorities
3. Work with selected partner to incubate the project idea (s) into concrete project plan
4. Monitor the implementation of the project (s), while providing required technical support

REQUIRED COMPETENCES & EXPERIENCE OF THE POTENTIAL CONSULTANT

The incumbent shall be required to demonstrate practical experience & expertise in the following areas;

****Education****

A Master’s degree in Development Studies, Education, Projects Planning & Management or other relevant field from a recognized university.

****Work Experience****

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in programs development, development research, strategy development, technical cooperation, partnerships building & management & fund raising.
• Demonstrated experience working with International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), national governments, the private sector and donor partners in Mozambique
• Excellent knowledge of computer applications, in particular proficiency in internet applications, MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point (relevant to programs and budget development)
• Proven competence in high quality projects proposal writing, fund raising & donor relations
• Proven experience in guiding strategy development and strategy writing
• Strong skills in analytical and strategic thinking
• Proven leadership in development research assignments, thematic assessments & projects baselines
• Good communication skills & clarity of issues
• Ability to analyse and process information; and to clearly and concisely convey information to others
• Commitment, determination, reliability and a high degree of personal integrity & discretion
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Personal initiative; ability to work both independently and in a team, with ability to set priorities, and to work to tight deadlines
• Thorough knowledge of Mozambique context a must

****Languages:****Proficiency in spoken and written ****English and Portuguese is mandatory****.

MODE OF ENGAGEMENT

This consultancy will run for a period of 8 months with possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of resources. As such, FCA wishes to operate on a ****retainer fee basis**** that is pegged on ****concrete performance indicators**** that will be agreed with the successful consultant. Consultants are thus required to make their ****financial submissions on this premise****. A concrete work plan shall be worked out in consultation with the successful consultant. If/when FCA registration is successful, a regular employment contract may be offered.

HOW TO APPLY:

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST

Interested Consultants are required to submit a 2 page letter of expression of interest, outlining how they qualify for the task, and clearly indicating their key achievements against the various criterias. Kindly note FCA will NOT share externally any details provided without further consultations with the candidate.

Attach a copy of your updated Curriculum Vitae detailing your education achievement, experience and expertise in the various areas relevant to this assignment.

Please include copies of relevant work that you have done for other clients that is relevant to this task.

Provide a financial proposal detailing the following;

1. Monthly charges
2. Preferred mode of payment

FCA RESPONSIBILITIES

1. FCA will provide a working station for the selected consultant; stationery, a lap top (if needed), office utilities and means of local transport as and when needed, communication allowance on negotiated monthly basis
2. Shall work very closely with the consultant and provide prompt feedback & relevant approvals as and when required
3. Honour the contractual obligations as engaged

CONSULTANT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Deliver the task as per the TOR and the agreed scheduled indicators
2. Consult with FCA on any new developments that might lead to new commitments or engagements; and on any other relevant issues that FCA should know about
3. Deliver bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) report of progress made
4. Should strive to deliver the task on time
5. Account to FCA any such funds that might require such an arrangement
6. Should not incur a cost that’s not approved by FCA while in course of duty
7. Should meet his/her insurance needs, accommodation, meals, private communication and transport as well as their tax liabilities

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT THROUGH;

recruitment.esaro@kua.fi

Indicating clearly Consultant Mozambique on the subject line.

****Deadline for Submission:****Wednesday 10th December 2014 @ 17.00hrs

****Kindly note canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification****