A DV E RT I S E M E N T

Consultancy

Terms of Reference
HEA assessment - RDC

(REF: CD-KN-LC-085)

Reference:
Location :
Domain
Type of position:
Duration
Language:

ACF USA Household Economy Analysis in DRC

Kalomba, Kasai occidental, RDC
Food security, HEA
Consultant
42 days
English and Franais

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Household Economic Approach

ADDRESSING THE NUTRITIONAL CRISIS IN KALOMBA HEALTH

ZONE, KASA OCCIDENTAL PROVINCE THROUGH ACTION AND
LEARNING
Program Funded by
SIDA

Contract Reference
ACF Multi-Country humanitarian projects 2014-2016

[30/12/2014]

1. CONTRACT DETAILS
1.1. Key dates of the consultancy
Planned starting date:
Planned end date:
Submission of draft report:
Submission of final report:

01/02/2015
14/03/2015
10/03/2015
13/03/2015

1.2. Language of the consultancy

Required language for the consultancy:
Language of the report:

French
French

1.3. Workplan
Description

Days

Trip to DRC

Briefing Kinshasa, literature review and compilation of HEA data

Preparation and validation of detailed, specific methodology for HEA implementation

and selection of villages

Trip to Kalomba

Field work

25

Preparation of draft report

Trip to Kinshasa

Preparation of final report after incorporating feedback

Debriefing at mission level

Return trip

TOTAL

42

2. DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME

Title of the Programme:
Localisation
From:
To:

Addressing the nutritional crisis in Kalomba Health Zone, Kasai Occidental

Province, through action and learning
RDC, Kasa Occidental Province (Kalomba Health Zone)
01/04/2014
31/03/2015

2.1. Map of the area of intervention

The area of intervention is Kasai

Occidental Province, Kalomba Health
Zone

2.2. Context
ACF, funded by The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is undertaking an innovative
and comprehensive program in Kasa Occidental Province, and in particular the Kalomba Health Zone, an area
which has a total population of 143.964 people. This project will focus on service provision through detection,
referral and treatment of severe acutely malnourished under-5 year old boys and girls in collaboration with Ministry
of Health. Additionally, ACF will study determinants of undernutrition and community dynamics for the targeted
areas, with the aim of developing necessary knowledge and insights into the problem of undernutrition at various
levels in order to inform long-term impact nutritional programming in the DRC. ACF will translate its findings in a
proposed multi-sectorial strategy providing the basis for a long-term impact response towards undernutrition in the
DRC. Through the adoption of a community-based approach and close involvement of local authorities, ACF will
lay the foundations for sustainability.
As part of the first phase of this project (during year one) a number of assessments and studies a Household
Economic Analysis (HEA), a Nutrition Causal Analysis (NCA), a Rapid Socio Cultural Assessment (RSCA) and an
ACF Participatory Capacity and Vulnerability Assessment (PCVA) will be carried out in order to understand the
direct and indirect drivers of undernutrition, and also gather information about which actions are most appropriate to
bring about the desired change, and at what level.
The information from these studies in phase one will inform context specific and long-term impact strategies and
programming and will be the basis for the development of a multi-sectorial, integrated approach to be presented at
the end of year one. ACF will share the results of the different surveys and its strategic recommendations to fight
effectively undernutrition with all relevant actors and donors, and will evaluate with them the opportunities for next
phases programming.
2.3. Program objectives
Global objective: To contribute to the development of a sustainable response to addressing undernutrition and
associated risks of morbidity and mortality by deepening the understanding of key drivers of undernutrition among
vulnerable and affected populations in DRC to inform appropriate action and ensure community ownership in
finding solutions
Specific objective: To respond to immediate nutrition needs and lay the foundations for a long-term impact
response by generating key knowledge and stimulating community dialogue about key factors contributing to
undernutrition in Kasa Occidental.
2.4. Results

1.

Severely acute malnourished boys and girls under-5 are timely and appropriately diagnosed, admitted and
treated in the therapeutic nutrition units (TNU)1 as per the National Protocol

2.

Communities show improved understanding and capacity to prevent, detect and refer severe acute
malnutrition cases

3.

Drivers and determinants of undernutrition, including community dynamics are documented for the
targeted areas and used to inform future multi sector approaches.

2.5. Activities
Result 1:
1.
Treatment of SAM among U5 girls and boys through 16 (in Kalomba) therapeutic nutrition units (TNU)
2.
Training of caretakers
3.
Active case finding of U5 with SAM and referral to TNU
4.
Provision of nutritional inputs, equipment and drug for treatment of SAM
Result 2:
1.
Training of Community Volunteers (CV)
2.
Health education and care practices sessions conducted at the facility (group and individual sessions for all
caretakers)
3.
Sensitization of community on malnutrition and good nutritional practices
4.
Promoting behaviours and practices favourable to IYCF in support groups
Result 3:
1.
Nutrition Causal Analysis (NCA) survey,
2.
Rapid Socio Cultural Assessment (RSCA),
3.
Household Economic Analysis (HEA)
4.
ACF Participatory Capacity and Vulnerability Assessment (PCVA)
5.
Nutritional anthropometric survey
6.
Publication of findings and development of an advocacy document to promote learnings

3. SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

3.1. Users of the consultancy
ACF
HQ
Mission
Others

Technical adviser
Desk officer
Country Director, Field Coordinator, Technical Team, Support Team
Local Partners, donors

3.2. Objectives of the consultancy

The Household Economy Approach (HEA) is an analytical framework to generate baseline data on food security
and understand the key elements of risk for different socioeconomic groups. It is a predictive analysis to estimate the
potential impact of a shock on the access to food and household income. The HEA approach estimates the
household's access to food by the production but also in buying and measures the ability of households to adapt to
changes in their environment. It thus allows for detailed vulnerability profiles.
How to better understand the vulnerability to food insecurity for the poorest households? How to anticipate the
impact of hazards on those households? How to plan emergency response and seasonal net programs? How to
improve the quality of programs? How to link emergency response to development programs and contribute to
household resilience? How to improve the quality of programs? These are all questions that as part of HEA analysis
answer. Mainly based on participatory methods of information gathering, part of HEA analysis to describe and
understand the ways in which households have access to their food and their income and how they prioritize their
expenditures for food, but also health, education, etc ... It helps to understand the financial barriers that prevent the
poorest households to access a minimum supply and access to basic social services. Improving knowledge of
humanitarian actors on the livelihood zones and the most at-risk households, analysis of household economy (HEA)
identifies the main socio-economic determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition.
The approach uses a variety of information sources, including in particular census data, agricultural performance,
1

The number of TNU depends on the number of aires de sant in each health zone, which are16 for Kalomba

etc. This is an efficient way to use information from both primary and secondary sources, which are used to: i.
Identify key indicators; ii. Predict the impact of a shock on livelihoods; iii. Understanding household coping
strategies; and iv. Identify appropriate responses (targeting and conditions).
Study Design:
The implementation of the study should scrupulously follow the steps of the HEA analysis are:
1. Division of the population into socioeconomic classes;
2. Basic Access Analysis to food and income;
3. Analysis of hazards / shocks;
4. Analysis of the flexibility and response.
3.3. Details of the consultancy
The consultant is expected to oversee the HEA, with the input and approval of ACF.
Primary responsibilities include the following :
Review of relevant HEA data and reports from the assessment areas (livelihood zones, wealth ranking,
household composition and income data) (Note: depending upon the availability of secondary data, primary
data collection may take places at the outset of the consultants time in the DRC), and collection of HEA data
on the ground.
Support the team in organizing the training logistics and selecting villages and markets for data collection.
Develop training and field work schedule
Assist with hiring of researchers for HEA Study and assist with logistics as necessary
Undertake in-country training on the HEA method and analysis program
Provide support (distance or in person) to field teams during data collection (including checking data quality)
Provide an overview of the initial findings to the national team (record feedback and determine interventions
that should be modelled)
Produce a final report (to be written in French, see below for more information) that includes all information
and analyses, which incorporates feedback from the initial presentation and draft reports
Present findings to stakeholders.
3.6. Expected results

The result of this evaluation should be presented in a written report and through several oral
presentations:
One on the mission (to Head of Mission and relevant technical staff)
One at HQ (in person or via teleconference).
3.7. Methodology
3.7.1. Briefing
Prior to the evaluation taking place, the evaluator is expected to attend a briefing at HQ level, and at field level with
the Head of Mission and/or the relevant technical focal point. Briefings by telephone must be agreed in advance.

3.7.2. Activities in the field

Consultants are expected to collect an appropriate range of data. This includes (but not limited to):
Direct information: Interviews with beneficiaries - Visit to project sites and to the facilities provided to the
beneficiaries
Indirect information: Interviews with local representatives; interviews with project staff expatriate and
national staff; meeting with local authorities, groups of beneficiaries, humanitarian agencies, donor

representatives and other stakeholders. For indirect data collection, standard and participatory evaluation
methods are expected to be used (HH interviews and FGDs with beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, key
informants health workers, teachers and leaders)
Secondary information analysis: including analysis of project monitoring data or of any other relevant
statistical data.

3.7.3. Report
At the end of the HEA study, the consultant will have produced a final report. It will include an executive summary
as well as sections on the background and context, the methodology of work, all analyses, relevant models and
descriptions of diets calculated, (including their costs and affordability) and recommendations that can be used to
direct future integrated programming, including detailed ideas on how families in the area studied can access
nutritious diets, as well as conclusions, a bibliography and necessary annexes etc.
In addition to the written report, the consultant will share findings with ACF and other stakeholders at the local level
and the national level.
The report shall follow the following format.
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Executive Summary: must be a standalone summary, describing the programme, main findings of the
evaluation, and conclusions and recommendations. This will be no more than 2 pages in length.
Main Body: The main body of the report shall elaborate the points listed in the Executive Summary. It will
include references to the methodology used for the evaluation and the context of the action. In particular,
for each key conclusion there should be a corresponding recommendation. Recommendations should be as
realistic, operational and pragmatic as possible; that is, they should take careful account of the
circumstances currently prevailing in the context of the action, and of the resources available to implement
it both locally and in the commissioning HQ. Annexes: Listed and correctly numbered. Format for the
main body of the report is:
o

Background Information

Methodology

Findings & Discussions

Conclusions Recommendations

4. PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

Qualified Candidates will possess the following:
Master degree in food security, economics, health or a related field
Proven experience leading successful HEA Assessments
Team training, capacity building and management skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Excellent written and spoken French or willingness to work with an interpreter. Comprehension of written
English is an asset.
Strong communication and presentation skills
Previous experience working in low-resource settings
Flexibility, cultural sensitivity and adaptability
Previous experience in the DRC and previous experience with ACF desirable

5. CONDITIONS
To have a health insurance policy, and details of the coverage to be shared with ACF before departure.
The consultant is responsible for ensuring he/she has a valid visa before entering DRC:

The consultant is responsible for acquiring and paying for their entry visa(s) to DRC prior to
arrival. The cost of the visa(s) will be reimbursed by ACF DRC, upon presentation of receipt(s).
An invitation letter will be provided and paid for by ACF DRC to assist the consultant in acquiring
the entry visa. Be aware the DRC visa process can be long and requests anticipation (1 to 3 weeks
for invitation letter, up to 2 weeks for the visa itself).
o If there is no DRC Embassy in the consultants country of residence, the mission will be
responsible for acquiring and paying for the entry visa (visa volant). The process for acquiring a
visa volant is complicated and time consuming.
o Once in DRC, an accord de dploiement or a work permit will be facilitated, acquired and paid for
by ACF DRC.
His or her own computer.
The Consultant is responsible for any and all administrative costs that do not derive from ACFs
responsibility (for example: passport renewal, photos, penalties or administrative fees related to prior stays
in DRC, among others.)
The Consultant is responsible to cover the costs of his or her food during the stay in DRC. If meals are
taken at the ACF guesthouses, then the Consultant will have to reimburse acf based on the daily rate for the
corresponding ACF base (5 USD = cost of lunch in Kinshasa).
The accommodation in DRC will be provided for and covered by ACF. Transport in DRC and the other
costs directly related to the consultancy (daily workers, local translator, etc.) will be covered by ACF

6. RIGHTS
The ownership of the draft and final documentation belong to the agency and the funding donor exclusively. The
document, or publication related to it, will not be shared with anybody except ACF before the delivery by ACF of
the final document to the donor.
ACF is to be the main addressee of the evaluation and its results might impact on both operational and technical
strategies. This being said, ACF is likely to share the results of the evaluation with the following groups:
Donor(s)
Governmental partners
Various co-ordination bodies

Intellectual Property Rights

All documentation related to the Assignment (whether or not in the course of the evaluators duties) shall remain the
sole and exclusive property of the Charity

7.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested parties must submit their applications by email referenced under title
HEA assessment Consultancy
at consultancies.lsc@acf-international.org
Deadline for submission: Monday 16th February 2015 at 17:00 (GMT+3).
Consultants are requested to submit a proposal with a cover letter and must mention their
expected total remuneration for this assignment.
Applications should include:
A proposal to the above Terms of Reference including methodology, schedule, budget.
A financial offer including daily fees in US Dollars

Up-to-date curriculum vitae(s) of the lead consultant and relevant team members (if any),
Evidence of past experience in undertaking similar assignments (three most recent documents
preferred) of similar works done,
Three (3) references of previous assignments.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.

The final selection will be done by Action Against Hunger USA
For more information, prospective consultants may contact Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
(GMT+3) at the following email address or by phone:
Email: consultancies.lsc@acf-international.org or tel: +254 721 126 481