International consultants for livelihood action research

1. Objectives:

The main objective of the research on climate resilient livelihoods is to identify the most appropriate and feasible livelihood options that are climate resilient, gender responsive and benefit the main target groups.

Specific objectives of the research are:

• To suggest and agree in consultation with the project staff and partners on a list of criteria to define or operationalize ‘climate resilient livelihood’ based on international and national good practices, CARE strategies, project experience, lessons learned and tools and in consultation with relevant local stakeholders;
• Based on the agreed list, the results from the rapid assessment and baseline study, and the downscaled climate change scenarios for the target provinces and districts, to identify the most applicable and effective gender responsive climate resilient livelihood options for the context of the project communes, and targeting the main project beneficiaries (such as women, landless, land-poor, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups);
• To collect and consolidate technical, scientific, financial and other information required about the selected livelihood options;
• To make a number of detailed recommendations for the effective planning, implementation and replication of each selected climate resilient livelihood option in the project area.

2. Scope of Work:

The selected consultant will work closely with CARE staff and project partners to carry out the following tasks:

• In consultation and agreement with ICAM staff, prepare a detailed work plan and methodology for the action research based on the TOR and the consultant’s proposal
• Review project documentation and secondary information relevant for the research
• Based on the documentation review and after consultation with CARE Vietnam staff, project partners and other relevant actors, suggest a list of criteria to define or operationalise ‘climate resilient livelihood’
• Through a one day meeting facilitate discussion and agreement on the list of criteria for ‘climate resilient livelihoods’ amongst ICAM staff, partners, the local government and other relevant stakeholders in An Giang and Soc Trang
• Based on the agreed list of criteria and the results from previous project assessments collect detailed technical information about potential climate resilient livelihood options for the An Giang and Soc Trang context and targeting the main project beneficiaries
• With participation of the communities and relevant technical departments, undertake field work in a number of villages in An Giang and Soc Trang to assess the feasibility of the livelihood options and jointly select the most appropriate options per target village and vulnerable group
• Refine the information about the options and make a number of detailed recommendations for the planning, implementation and replication of each selected option in the project area
• Submit a draft report in both English and Vietnamese
• Present the findings at a validation workshop
• Submit a final report in both English and Vietnamese (max. 25 pages, including a summary but excluding annexes), that incorporates CARE’s feedback.

3. Methodology:

The consultant will develop in detail the most appropriate methodology for undertaking the action research effectively ensuring high quality, practical and useful results as stated in this TOR. The consultant is encouraged to make use of a range of participatory techniques with maximum community involvement, particularly of the targeted beneficiaries. The consultant will also apply a gender responsive approach to all aspects of the work.

Field work in the target villages in the two provinces is required to provide sufficient justification and contextualization of the chosen options and ensure their appropriateness. Where practical and feasible, staff from technical departments within the local government can join the field work to provide technical expertise to the selection and further refinement of the CBA options and to ensure buy-in for future replication.

ICAM staff will ensure consistency and learning from other on-going and past CARE climate change, DRR and other projects.
All the tasks will be undertaken in continuous consultation with CARE staff and the ICAM project partners where required through regular face to face interaction and other ways of communication and as agreed at the start of the consultancy. Due to their technical and local experience and in light of CARE Vietnam’s capacity strengthening objectives, ICAM staff and project partners should be involved in the tasks as much as possible and within their capabilities. CARE Vietnam experts on CBA, DRR and sustainable livelihood development are also available to provide advice.

4. Deliverables:

• Detailed work plan and time frame including a draft methodology (to be submitted to CARE 1 week after signing the contract)
• A list of criteria defining or operationalising ‘climate resilient livelihood’ (to be submitted to CARE 2 weeks after signing the contract)
• Draft report in English and Vietnamese, including a list of climate resilient livelihood options for An Giang and Soc Trang (to be submitted to CARE 5 weeks after signing the contract)
• Conduct a validation workshop after field work has been completed in both provinces, presenting the most feasible options and recommendations for the effective planning, implementation and replication of each selected option in the project area (to take place 1 week after the draft report has been submitted)
• Final report in both English and Vietnamese - max. 25 pages, including a summary but excluding annexes (to be submitted to CARE 2 weeks after the validation workshop). This final report should reflect comments from CARE, follow the format and be well written in both languages. CARE will be provided at least 1 week to provide comments.

5. Reporting requirements:

The draft and final reports should be well-written in both Vietnamese and English so as to facilitate understanding and subsequent dissemination to project and other stakeholders. The report should use the following format:

• Executive Summary (maximum 5 pages)
• Introduction including project background
• Research objectives and methodology
• List of criteria for ‘climate resilient livelihood’
• Suggested options with detailed technical, scientific, financial and other information (utilizing the same format for each option)
• Key recommendations for planning, implementation and replication of options
• Annexes (methodoloy and tools, list of primary and secondary resources, pictures, etc.)

Job requirement:

• 5 years of proven experience in conducting high quality action research and evaluation in the field of climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, livelihood, sustainable agriculture, poverty reduction or any related field
• Thorough understanding of climate change issues in the Mekong Delta Region
• Experience in Mekong Delta and An Giang and Soc Trang particularly is a serious advantage
• Familiarity with the CARE CBA framework, the concept of resilience and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
• Very good understanding of gender issues
• Familiarity with ethnic minority issues in Vietnam, particularly the Khmer
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and Vietnamese
• Excellent analytical skills
• Very good facilitation and presentation skills