TERMS OF REFERENCE

For the External Consultant of ACFs

Development of West Africa Strategy 2016-2020

1. CONTRACTUAL DETAILS OF THE CONSULTANCY

1.1. Key Consultancy Dates
Expected Start Date:
End Date:
Submission of Draft Report
Submission of Final Report

20th June 2015

4th December 2015
10th October 2015
2nd November 2015

1.2. Language of the reports

Language Requirements for the process:
Language of the Report:

French, English
English

1.3. Workplan & Timetable

Activities

Working
Days

ACF WA Strategy 2016-20

Terms of Reference

Desk review
Preparation of the 1st draft (July-October), including trips to Dakar
Attendance to the International workshop in Dakar
Preparation of final draft

3 days
17 days
3 days
5 days
Total 28

1.4. Budget for the Consultancy

Total Amount Available

Deadline for invoicing (Contract End):

[Currency of Contract]
[amount]
th
4 December 2015

The consultant is responsible for personal insurance during the consultancy. The consultant will also
provide any necessary materials (including laptops) required for the consultancy.

2. DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME

Name of the Programme:
Location:
Starting Date:
End Date:

West Africa Strategy 2016-2020

Home based with possible trips to Spain, France and West Africa
(Dakar)
20th June 2015
4th December 2015

2.1. AIM OF THE CONSULTANCY

2.1.1. Objective(s) of the Consultancy
To lead and coordinate the process of development of ACFs West Africa Strategy 2016-2020 and
provide ACF with a document which will sets out the main directions of its work in the region in the
next five years.
2.1.2. Outputs
Outputs
1st mid-term report to Steering Committee
2nd mid-term report to Steering Committee
Draft document
Regional workshop report
Full final document

Deadlines
15th July, 2015
15th August, 2015
09th October, 2015
23rd October, 2015
02nd November, 2015

The product of this consultancy should be presented in a written report (strategy document), reports
of participation to several international workshops (minutes + PPTs) and through several oral
presentations at HQ levels (through teleconference). The reports will be presented in English.
It is expected that the final document:
- Integrates the recommendations and lessons learned from the internal evaluation of 2010-2015
conducted during May 2015.
- Integrates recommendations and lessons learned of the second regional workshop;
- Aligns with ACH International Strategic Plan 2016-2020;
- Promotes harmonization, coherence, synergies and coordination across the region;
- Contributes to enhancing ACF programs quality and impact;
- And helps scale up ACF actions in the region.
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A proposed outline for the final output is indicated in Annex III

2.1.3. Methodology
The methodology should be as participatory as possible, in order to ensure not only ownership of
the strategy and ultimately its implementation but also that the strategy response to identified
needs.
2.1.3.2. Reporting lines:
The main focal point for the consultant will be Regional Representative of WARO. The leadership of
the overall process will belong to the Steering Committee (SC): group of 5 Desk Officers of West
Africa missions from different ACF Headquarters.
The consultant is expected to work on a regular basis with WAROs Regional Representative and
provide punctual and ad-hoc feedback to SC during the assignment.
2.1.3.2. Briefing
Prior to the assignment taking place, the consultant is expected to attend briefings at HQ level, and
at field level with the Regional Desks, Directors of Operations and/or the relevant technical focal
point. Briefings by telephone must be agreed in advance.
The consultant is expected to work in close coordination with ACF West Africa Regional Office
(WARO) and members of WARO Steering Committee in the different headquarters: UK, US, France
and Spain.
2.1.3.3 Desk Review:
Secondary information analysis of WA regional strategy 2010-2015, ACF WA strategy internal
evaluation, WARO evaluation, relevant ACF national strategies, donor strategies, key ACF strategic
documents in WA, ACF technical policies, etc. (see Annex I)

2.1.3.4. Field activities

The consultant is expected to collect an appropriate range of data. This includes (but not limited to):
Direct information: Interviews and consultations with key ACF focal points in West Africa
Regional Office and at HQ level; key regional humanitarian actors and partners (Donors,
INGOs, UN) in Dakar. (see Annex II)
Indirect information: Interviews (and/or email contact) with country ACF representatives;
selected project staff expatriate and national staff; groups of beneficiaries, humanitarian
agencies, local partners, donor representatives and other stakeholders.
2.1.3.5. Field trips/visits and regional workshop
The consultant is expected to visit the West Africa Regional Office in Dakar during the period JulyOctober in order to conduct several interviews with ACF staff and key regional stakeholders.
The consultant is expected to prepare a second regional strategic workshop in Dakar in close
collaboration with WARO Regional Representative. The regional workshop is expected to take place
in October and will count with the participation of all ACF Country Directors/HQ Technical focal
points. The objective of the workshop will be to present a first draft of the strategy, gather feedback
on the findings and build consensus on the basis of the recommendations and lessons learned.
2.1.3.6. Debriefing with ACF HQ
The consultant should provide a debriefing with the relevant ACF HQs on her/his final report
regarding the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Relevant comments should be incorporated in the final version.
2.1.3.7. Length of the document
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ACF WA Strategy 2016-20

Terms of Reference

The document should be written in English and not be longer than 20 pages including cover page
and annexes.
2.1.4. Logistics arrangements
International transport, local transport , visa, health insurance, laptop, food and accommodation
during the stay in Dakar will be arranged and covered by the consultant.
Other The consultant must follow the security/safety regulations in the mission as followed by the
other expatriates.

2.2 Background:
2.2.1 ACF West Africa Operational Strategy 2011-2015
a) Map of WA Strategy 2011-2015 Area

b) Rational for the WA Strategy 2011-2015

Countries in the West African Region are affected by complex and severe crisis, with inadequate
capacity to respond to emergencies. The region has recently led the list of the highest rates of
under-five mortality being under nutrition the underlying cause for up to 50% of those cases; and
also the underlying factor for other morbidities.
The levels of under nutrition have deemed to be related to a combination of several factors like food
availability, accessibility, and diversity; infectious diseases; limited access to safe water and
sanitation; lack of proper health services; and inappropriate behaviours and care practices. Since
2005 the mayor effort to address this issue has focused on improving the response to high intensity
peaks rather than on implementing structural responses to under nutrition. The increasing
frequency of these peaks has the high risk of affecting the structural vulnerability, jeopardizing the
efficiency of the response system itself.
ACF has identified the need of a holistic and new complementary approach to national strategies in
order to contribute to close unacceptable gaps in the current response to nutritional vulnerability,
flattening the regular peaks and reducing structural vulnerability.

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The WA Strategy represents a common frame to address unacceptable levels of both chronic and
acute under nutrition. Some of the contextual reasons pushing for a regional strategy approach to
address nutritional vulnerability are its common factors among several countries; the derived multicountries consequences (analysis and responses) triggered by most humanitarian countries; and the
existence of the same actors and stakeholders within the region, strongly connected and
coordinated at different levels, and with strong regional focus and vision. Some internal reasons
have to with the similarity of a high percent of the activities of ACFs West African missions; and the
perceived value added in having a broader focus towards increasing impact, while reinforcing
coherence among countries and increasing mutual learning.
c) Objectives of the WA Strategy 2011-2015
General Common Objective: Nutrition Well-Being
Specific Objective 1.Tackle Peaks of Nutritional Vulnerability
Sub-Objective 1.1. Strengthen health systems capacities to treat Severe Acute Under nutrition.
Sub-Objective 1.2. Mainstream improved methodologies to measure malnutrition status, risk and
programme delivery.
Sub-Objective 1.3. Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition
Sub-Objective 1.4. Seasonal Action and Social Protection
Specific Objective 2. Improve capacity to respond to Emergency
Sub-Objective 2.1. Emergency Nutrition Capacity Development
Sub-Objective 2.2. Leverage ACFs Rapid Response and Emergency Preparedness Operations and
Mechanisms.
Specific Objective 3. Reduce Structural Vulnerability to under nutrition.
Sub-Objective 3.1. Promote Behaviour Changes for improving adequate care practices at HH and
community level
Sub-Objective 3.2. Improve access to save water and basic sanitation
Sub-Objective 3.3. Improve small holders food production, diet quality and diversification
Specific Objective 4. Advocacy for Community and Government ownership and commitment.

ACF Strategic Approach in West Africa

Tackle systematic peaks of nutritional vulnerability
Strengthen health systems capacities to treat Severe Acute Undernutrition
Mainstream improved methodologies to measure nutrition status, risk and program
delivery
Management of moderate actute undernutrition
Reduce risk of malnutrition through preventive and systematic seasonal actions

Solution focussed

Improve capacity to respond to emergency

Emergency Nutrition capacity development
Leverage ACF Rapid Response and Emergency Preparedness Operations and
Mechanisms

Reduce Structural vulnerability to undernutrition

Promote behavious changes for improving care practices at household and
community level
Improve access to safe water and basic sanitation
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Linking Relief
Rehabilitation and Monitoring & Evaluation
Development

Field evidences

The Nutrition well-being as a common objective

Research

ACF WA Strategy 2016-20

Terms of Reference

Improve small holders food production, diet quality and diversification

Advocacy for Community and governement ownership and committement

Risk management and seasonality ; treatment of Acute Malnutrition ; prioritization of
nutrition in agricultural policies

The implementation of the WA Strategy is in its 5th and final year. There is no formal tracking system
informing the status of objectives achievement so far.
d) Geographical Scope and Implementation Management of the WA Strategy
The geographical scope of the WA Strategy is of eleven West African countries, namely:
- Burkina Faso, Chad, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone managed by ACF-France.
- Guinea Conakry, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal managed by ACF-Spain.
- Nigeria managed by ACF-US.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the management set-up of the WA
Strategy involves the different HQs (ACF-France, ACF-Spain, ACF-US, and ACF-UK), the Regional
Office for West Africa (WARO1), and the missions in the region. ACF-Spain is the HQ legally
responsible for the ACF WARO in terms of administrative, legal and institutional issues, and in
relation to the Government of Senegal.

2.2.2. Background and rational to the WA 2016-20 strategy

The West Africa region remains prone to chronic humanitarian crises mainly linked to conflict and
environmental conditions. As the region is more than ever at a crossroad between humanitarian aid
and development assistance, ACF intends to bridge this gap to lay out a strategic framework that will
promote multi sectorial integrated interventions in order to seriously address the fight against under
nutrition.
The WA region2, as intended by ACF, can be divided in three distinct geographical areas: the Coast
that would include Cote dIvoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia; the Sahel that would include
Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger; and Nigeria, which represents a distinct area of
its own. Those three areas can be very different in terms of demography, geology or livelihood, and
face various issues ranging from epidemics to droughts to population displacement, or from chronic
malnutrition versus acute malnutrition, nonetheless it will be essential that ACFs WA 2016-20
strategy captures the essence of those specificities in order to provide the organisation with a
strategic framework that sets out the main directions of its work in the region in the next five years
ACFs WA 2016-20 strategy should capitalise on ACFs pas experience in the region, in particular the
lessons learned from the WA 2011-15 strategy, and build upon ACFs 2016-20 International Strategic
Plan (ISP) and relevant countries strategies, in order to produce a common frame for addressing
issues in the region according to ACFs mandate and priorities.
The strategy should acknowledge the evolving humanitarian and development context in West
Africa that sees the rise of national and regional civil society organisations and regional
governmental organisations, and propose operational recommendations for ACF to attain its
objectives in the fight against under nutrition.

West Africa Regional Office located in Dakar.

The WA region understood by ACF includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote dIvoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone
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3. PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

7-10 years of project management experience (management, planning, coordination, staff

development and training skills) in emergency / development programs, preferably in West
Africa region.
Relevant degree in international development and/or international management.
Significant experience in coordination/development of strategic processes, design,
implementation, strong background in monitoring and evaluation of programmes
Strong communications and facilitation skills and proven experience of workshop facilitation
Ability to write clear and useful reports (may be required to produce examples of previous work)
Fluent in French and English
Understanding of major donor requirements: ECHO, DFID, USAID
Ability to manage the available time and resources and to work to tight deadlines
Independence from the parties involved

3. Gender policy:
The consultant will have to mainstream gender throughout the process and in the final output.
For further information please refer to ACF Gender policy:
http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/publication/2014/03/gender-policy-english

5. 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 strategy document and its results might impact on both
operational and technical strategies. This being said, ACF is likely to share the results of the strategy
document 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 your duties) shall
remain the sole and exclusive property of the Charity

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ACF WA Strategy 2016-20

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Annex I: List of potential strategic documents for the gathering of secondary information Desk
review

WA Strategy Evaluation Desk Review

ACF Internal Documentation
1

ACF West Africa Operational Strategy 2011 2015.

ACF International Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

ACF International Gender Policy and Toolkit.

ACF International Advocacy Strategy

ACF WA Advocacy Strategy

ACF International relevant Technical Policies.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Cooperation between ACF-Spain, ACF-France, ACF-US and
ACF-UK in the management of ACF West Africa Regional Office.

Ways of Working between ACF-Spain, ACF-France, ACF-US, ACF-UK, ACF West Africa Regional Office and
ACF WA missions in the management of regional grants.

WARO External Evaluation. ACF West Africa Regional Office Evaluation Report.

10 WA Country Operational Strategies (11 strategies: SN, MR, ML, GN, LB, SL, CI, NE, BF, TD, NG)
External Documentation
22 OCHA, Sahel Response Plan (SRP), 2014 2016, Humanitarian Needs Overwiew (HNO), 2014 - 2016
23 Donors strategic documents (ECHO, EuropeAid, USAID, DFID, SIDA, AECID, AFD, etc.)
24 Regional West African Organizations strategic documents (ECOWAS, CILSS)

Annex II: List of potential people to be consulted during the process

WARO Staff
Stphane Dufils

WARO

Regional Representative

Barbara Frattaruolo

WARO

Regional FSL Advisor

Christelle Hur

WARO

Regional Advocacy Advisor

Diane Moyer

WARO

Regional Nutrition Advisor

Alexander Morkovic

WARO

Regional DRM Advisor

Charlotte Fontaine

WARO

Regional Grants Manager

WARO Steering Committee

Saul Guerrero

ACF-UK

Operations Director

Alvaro Pascual

ACF-Spain

Desk Officer (WARO/NE/ML)

Susana Guerreiro Dos Santos

ACF-Spain

Desk Officer (SN/MR/GN)

Alexandre Le Cuziat

ACF-France

Desk Officer (BF/TD/RCI)

Isabelle Roubeix

ACF-France

Desk Officer (SL/LB)

Thierry Laurent-Badin

ACF-USA

Desk Officer (Nigeria)

Country Directors
Franck Vantelle

ACF-Spain

Mali CD

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Thomas Loreaux

ACF-France

Burkina Faso CD

Marlou Den-Hollander

ACF-Spain

Niger CD

Mamadou Diop

ACF-Spain

Mauritania CD

Clment Cazaubon

ACF-France

Chad CD

Sasha Ekanayake

ACF-France

Sierra Leone CD

Juan Wells

ACF-France

Liberia CD

Andrea Dominici

ACF-France

Ivory Coast CD

Anika Krstic

ACF-Spain

Guinea CD

Fabrice Carbonne

ACF-Spain

Senegal CD

Yannick Pouchalan

ACF-USA

Nigeria CD

Other HQ Staff
Vincent Stehli

ACF-Spain

Operations Director

Amador Gomez

ACF-Spain

Technical Director

Anthonio Vargas

ACF-Spain

Nutrition Advisor

Pilar Charle

ACF-Spain

Nutrition Advisor

Helena

ACF-Spain

Nutrition Senior Advisor

Julien Jacob

ACF-Spain

FSL Senior Advisor

Hlne Pasquier

ACF-Spain

FSL Advisor

Elisa Gimenez

ACF-Spain

WASH Advisor

Menna Seged Abraha

ACF-Spain

Advocacy Senior Advisor

Vincent Taillander

ACF-France

Operations Director

Serge Breysse

ACF-France

Technical and Advocacy Director

Segolen Guillaumat

ACF-France

Deputy Desk Officer Pool 4

Chlo Milloz

ACF-France

FSL Advisor Pool 4

Olivia Freire

ACF-France

Nutrition Advisor Pool 4

Jean-christophe Barbiche

ACF-France

WASH Advisor Pool 4

Fabienne Rousseau

ACF-France

Nutrition Advisor Pool 3

Marie Sardier

ACF-France

FSL Advisor Pool 3

Sacha Greenberg

ACF-France

WASH Advisor Pool 3

Glen Tarman

ACF-UK

Advocacy Director

External Stakeholders
Patrick David

FAO

Regional Advisor Emmergencies

Jrome Bernard

ECHO

Regional Food Security Technical Assitant

Rachel Gallagher

OFDA

Support Relief Group

ALIMA
OXFAM

Regional representative
Regional representative

SAVE

Regional representative

CARE

Regional representative

ACTED

Regional representative

DFID

Regional Advisor
Representative

STOP SAHEL

Local partner 1 Representative

Local partner 1 Representative
Patricia Hoorelbeke

WFP

Regional Food Security Advisor

UNICEF

Nutrition Advisor / Ex WARO REP

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ACF WA Strategy 2016-20

Robert Piper

Terms of Reference

OCHA

Regional Humanitarian Coordinator

Annex III Suggested outline for the final output:

1. Introduction
2. General context in the region
3. National framework
4. Humanitarian/development framework
5. Donors priorities
6. Lessons from past ACF work in the region
7. Strategy SMART objectives and outputs, SMART indicators
8. Implementation and Management Framework (including (i) management set up: role of HQs,
missions, WARO office, (ii) provision for M&E, (iii) resource mobilization strategy)
9. List of ongoing ACF projects in the region.

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