| Department: | HIAS Kenya |
| Location(s): | On-Site – Nairobi, Kenya |
Background
About HIAS Kenya
HIAS is a global Jewish not-for-profit organization that stands for a world in which displaced persons attain full potential and contribute to society through sustained legal, social, and systematic change, attaining legal status, exercising social and economic rights, and rebuilding their lives. HIAS’ operation in Kenya was established in 2002 to provide protection to refugees from African countries plagued by conflict, to advocate on their behalf, and to resettle the most vulnerable. HIAS Kenya work with refugees through community-based protection, mental health, and psychosocial-support (MHPSS), economic inclusion, gender-based violence, child protection and provision of durable solutions.
Legal Protection
Refugees and other people forcibly displaced from home are fleeing persecution and violence. They need to be able to safely cross borders into countries where their lives are not at risk. Once over the border, they need information and legal representation to secure legal status and access their rights. Without that status, refugees are forced to live on the margins of society, sometimes for generations, without access to healthcare, education, dignified work, or safe shelter. HIAS begins by educating refugees about their rights, then secures protection by engaging in advocacy, legal representation, and strategic litigation, and working with government authorities.
Gender-Based Violence Response and Risk Reduction
Compounded by rampant gender inequality, forced migration and displacement quickly erode the limited protections women, girls, and LGBTQ populations have, even in times of stability. HIAS Kenya is driven by their voices and needs, working to empower them and engage the whole community to reduce the risk of gender-based violence. We raise awareness so survivors know where and how to get help after experiencing violence. We train advocates and support existing services so that no survivor—regardless of age, sexual orientation, or gender identity—suffers alone. We help communities begin the kind of transformative work that leads to longer-term change.
Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Violence, conflict, and displacement disrupt relationships and daily life, break down existing support systems, and have a devastating impact on mental health, overall wellbeing, and recovery. A supportive environment is essential to healing and recovery for refugees and other people forcibly displaced from their homes. One of the best ways to build a supportive environment is to strengthen existing relationships, networks, and practices which promote mental health and well-being and allow communities to cope and heal.
Economic Inclusion
When refugees and forcibly displaced people arrive in countries of asylum, they often need to adapt their skills to earn sustainable and safe livelihoods. HIAS supports refugees on their road to self-reliance, helping them to find programs focused on poverty eradication, employment, entrepreneurship, and financial services. We advocate for the rights of both refugees and local host communities to access dignified, sustainable, and safe work, alongside economic development.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE META-ASSESSMENT
HIAS Kenya is seeking an experienced consultant(s) to conduct a meta-assessment for all evaluation reports (baseline, mid-term and endline) and other project reports conducted in the period 2020-2023 and triangulate with secondary sources. The consultant will review these evaluations and conduct a meta-analysis of their results and methods. This will involve critically assessing the robustness of the evaluations, analyzing the results obtained and drawing out key recommendations and lessons learned from the findings.
The main purpose of the meta-Assessment is to:
- Carry out an extensive literature review from HIAS reports, journals, periodicals and online reviews.
- The assessment will involve identifying gaps among refugees across the HIAS signature programs and localization.
- Synthesize evidence from the evaluations conducted in the past to determine the effectiveness, relevance and impact of HIAS work and areas of strengthening.
- Determine the overall quality, credibility, and use of evaluations to provide advice on improvements and adjustments to existing and future evaluations.
Objective of the meta-assessment:
- To what extent these evaluations carried between 2020 and 2023 fulfil widely accepted standards in terms of quality and develop recommendations on what aspects to improve and how to increase the usefulness of HIAS Kenya project evaluations?
- What are the key findings, recommendations and lessons learnt to improve the performance of HIAS institutional capacity-building and productive capacity enhancement projects?
- Provide a consolidated assessment on the performance of HIAS projects, particularly in relation to its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
Methodology
The meta-assessment will be guided by the OECD criteria of evaluation (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and impact). It will assess the relevance of the objectives of HIAS Programs. It will assess the effectiveness of the project in line with the respective program objectives. It will assess efficiency in relation to cost-effectiveness or the Value for Money. Conversely, sustainability, particularly through capacity-building, should be assessed to gauge the continuity of program objectives once HIAS Programs end.
The selected consultants will conduct.
1. Document review:
- An extensive desk top review of existing from reports, journals, periodicals and online reviews
- A document review of baseline, mid-term reviews, final evaluations and project completion reports and other HIAS strategic documents.
2. Survey and interviews:
- For each selected project evaluation, staff of HIAS implementing the respective projects and partners will be consulted through interviews or surveys to ascertain the perceived usefulness of HIAS Kenya project evaluations as well as support functions, challenges, and constraints.
Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- Inception report (including a work plan and timeline).
- Data collection tools as appropriate
- Draft meta-evaluation report.
- Finalize the draft report after receiving comments HIAS Kenya
- Submit the final report HIAS Kenya Country Director.
- Presentation of the final meta-evaluation report (the final report must contain an executive summary and a list of recommendations made by the consultant. It should not comprise more than 30 pages, excluding annexes)
These tasks are indicative for understanding the meta-evaluation. They will be adjusted and elaborated in the consultant’s Inception meeting and as agreed upon by HIAS Kenya.
Managing the evaluation process
HIAS MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination of the Meta-assessment with the consultant to ensure timely and quality outputs. In addition, the Program Managers, Program Director, Regional technical advisors, and Country Director will provide all the necessary technical and operational support required throughout the process.
HIAS will provide:
- Relevant documentation and background information.
- Contacts of relevant stakeholders.
- Consolidated feedback/guidance on draft reports.
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE EVALUATOR/CONSULTANT
In accordance with these TOR and the Inception Report (to be produced by the winning consultant), the consultant will be responsible for the evaluation’s overall conduct, including submitting/presenting all evaluation deliverables in a timely manner.
HIAS is looking for a consultant/team with the following skills and qualifications.
- The team leader should possess a postgraduate degree in research-oriented social science or a related discipline.
- Extensive MEAL expertise and experience (at least ten years), including leading global program evaluations in displaced people/refugee programming.
- Demonstrable expertise and a good understanding of refugee operations especially in Kenya, refugee protection risks, and relevant international /regional refugee frameworks
- Extended experience in conducting meta-evaluations and in developing analytical protocols (Consultant to submit work related previously done)
- Excellent and demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in research
- Experience in developing data collection tools using KOBO
- Excellent verbal and written communication in English is required
- Knowledge of institutional issues related to development programming (including funding and administration and the role of donors, and partnerships).
Other skills:
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.
- Excellent report-writing and editing skills.
- Excellent data presentation and visualization skills.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following.
- Letter of interest in submission of a proposal
- A detailed technical proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including but not limited to the following.
- Consultant/Company Profile
- Proposed methodology and a proposed consultancy work plan
- Demonstrated previous experience in similar assignments and qualifications outlined in this ToR (with submission of the most recent report of a similar assignment)
- Proposed data management plan (collection, processing, and analysis).
- Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member (include CVs of each team member).
- A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study quoted in Kenya shillings.
Qualified candidates to share their applications by COB 5th December 2023.
SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here is a snapshot of our hiring process for consultancies:
Step 1: Submit your application!
Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.
Step 3: Offer, consultancy agreement and background check.
Step 4: Start your professional journey with HIAS!
Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step
ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.
VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
VALUES:
Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • (Hachnasat Orchim) We Welcome the Stranger
Justice • Justicia • Justice • (Tzedek)
We Pursue Justice
Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • (Chesed)
We Approach our Clients with Empathy
Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • (Chevruta)
We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership
Courage • Coraje • Courage • (Ometz)
We Act with Courage to Build a Better World
Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • (Ruach)
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience
DIVERSITY:
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.
SAFEGUARDING:
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS.We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies.All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the InterAgency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
