Consultancy for improved resilience, DRC

Item Description:

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has been present in the Eastern Congo for 20 years conducting humanitarian and development projects with the aim of reducing poverty and improving the food security and nutrition situation. The goal of our work is “zero hunger wherever we work by 2030” and a strong focus is placed on assisting the population in increasing their agriculture production and marketing. In DRC, WHH has also contributed significantly in the rehabilitation of infrastructure including roads, water systems, schools, and health centres. A critically important institutional donor for WHH in the DRC is the German government, with the largest budget and number of projects funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

WHH is in the process of preparing a project proposal to apply for funding from the BMZ for a project aiming at improving the resilience of local host communities in the Masisi Territory of North Kivu where displacement and internal migration continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods. The project will be implemented as a consortium of WHH and Concern Worldwide. Both organizations are present in the area with respective bases in Masisi town, Mweso and Kitchanga.

The population of the Masisi Territory of North Kivu mostly depend on agricultural production. Still, food-insecurity and widespread malnutrition particularly among children under 5 years of age are alarming in the region. The armed conflict and rebel incursions continue to cause important internal population displacement particularly among the rural farming communities. During displacements households not only often lose all their household belongings, but also the harvest of planted fields and their livestock holdings.

The IDPs typically migrate into more stable zones and find refuge among host communities. These are often key agricultural production zones. However, the demographic puts pressure on already scare land and perpetuates the destruction of natural resources, foremost forests and soil. The desolate condition, insecurity and harassment of road transport make it difficult to reach market outlets and limit access to seeds and other farm inputs. The water systems in the region are not maintained in some parts causing huge problems for the populations.

At present, support by INGOs to the region is often short-term assistance in the form of humanitarian aid. However, local capacities among civil society exist and can be harnessed to rebuild and strengthen resilience.

Purpose and Scope of the Assignment

The international consultant will take the lead and deliver key elements necessary for WHH to submit the full project proposal “Improved resilience in agricultural production zones of the Masisi Territory, North Kivu, that have become a key destination for growing IDP population displacements” to be funded through the BMZ. The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out the preparatory and supporting processes (preliminary project study) and the production of related high-quality documents (workplan, budget, personnel plan, log-frame) for the development of the full project proposal for the timely and successful (winning) submission to the donor.

The aim of the planned project is to improve the resilience of local host communities and helping retunes to sustainably recover their livelihoods in the Masisi Territory of North Kivu. Activities will assist host communities and returnees to face current challenges of displacement and resulting demographic pressure through strategic capacity building of local community organizations for better risk management and protection, improved resource management, relaunch agricultural production and marketing, diversify income and employment opportunities, and help in the rehabilitation of water systems. A specific focus is placed on gender and youth through life skills training, and the establishment and strengthening the organization of local risk reduction efforts.

Terms of Reference (ToR) (zip)