1. Background and Introduction
Caritas Africa is a social pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church in Africa. The Africa Region is one of the 7 Regions of the Caritas Internationalis Confederation (162 members). It is a network of 46 National Caritas Organisations in 46 African countries: including adjacent islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Caritas Africa is headquartered in Lomé, Togo.
Caritas Africa mission is inspired by the Gospel and as part of the mission of the Catholic Church, we work in a spirit of communion, fraternal cooperation and partnership for a better Africa by:
- • Upholding Caritas as an expression of the organised charity of the Church in Africa
- • Reinforcing the effectiveness and resilience of Caritas Africa Member Organisations
- • Saving Lives and reduce the impact of humanitarian crisis in Africa Region
- • Engaging Caritas Africa Member Organisations in transforming unjust structures for a fair and fraternal world
The Caritas Africa Strategic Framework 2024-2030, strategic orientation 3, aims to Save Lives and reduce the impact of humanitarian crisis in Africa Region. Consequently, our humanitarian focus emphasises on three key areas of service: Disaster Preparedness, Response and Community Resilience Building.
To ensure a coordinated approach to our humanitarian programming, Caritas Africa desires to engage an experienced consultant to develop a humanitarian strategy which will guide our humanitarian programming in our 46 member countries.
The consultant is expected to a develop a framework for accessing expertise, improving coordination and resource mobilization while adhering to our commitments to strengthen localization and partnership in implementing humanitarian work across our member organisations.
2. 2. Objectives and Terms of Reference for the Consultancy
The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive humanitarian strategy for Caritas Africa. Specifically, the consultant is expected to:
- Carry out a thorough analysis of humanitarian situation in Caritas Africa with a focus on Disaster Preparedness, Response and Community Resilience Building.
- Carry our literature review by among others consulting the following documents: report on the role of the Regions in Humanitarian Emergencies, Caritas Africa reports on humanitarian aid and covid 19 response, the DRR advocacy guide, research on localization, Caritas Africa Strategic Framework among others.
- Conduct a consultative process with Caritas Africa Humanitarian Reference Group and carry out a thorough SWOT and PRESTEL analyses and stakeholder mapping to provide guidance on how to leverage partnerships and collaboration.
- Ensure that the strategy is regionally relevant and reflects the humanitarian contexts, common themes, issues, and recommendations from across Caritas Africa zones or member organisations
- Suggest focus areas, develop objectives and results based on the areas drawn from identified gaps and priorities.
- Develop indicators from the three strategic objectives below upon which the strategy will be based: Consolidate the preparedness and response capacities of Caritas Africa Member Organizations facing emergency situations; enhance coordination of intervention mechanisms for rapid and effective response in emergency situations at different levels and strengthen the capacity of Caritas Africa Member Organisations in Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR).
3. Delivrables
The consultant(s) are expected to:
- Provide an inception report detailing on how this assignment can be carried out, including the cost implications.
- Once recruited, to provide an assessment report of the exercise based on consultation meetings held with various stakeholders.
- Consult and submit a draft humanitarian strategy including vision, objectives, principles and priorities for Caritas Africa’s feedback and comments.
- A final humanitarian strategy document, incorporating comments and recommendations from Caritas Africa and other stakeholders.
- A results framework with milestones, timelines and proposed success indicators.
4. Timeline
The consultation should be completed within four weeks of contract signature.
5. Qualifications and expertise
The consultant(s) or team of consultants must have the following qualifications and expertise:
- A thorough understanding of humanitarian principles and approaches, including localization, decolonization of aid, safeguarding and community participation.
- Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to review and synthesize existing documents and strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in developing humanitarian strategies, preferably with a focus on international NGOs and/or humanitarian organizations. Previous experience of working with Caritas Africa and being bilingual (French and English) will be an added advantage.
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Knowledge of humanitarian contexts and challenges in Africa is highly desirable.
6. Budget
Caritas Africa invites interested consultants to submit a detailed budget proposal, including all consultancy fees. Note: This consultation will be entirely online.
7. Application mode.
Interested consultants are invited to submit their proposals, including a detailed CV and cover letter, describing their approach to consultancy, by April 25, 2024 to recrutement@caritas-africa.org and secaf@caritas-africa.org
