External Review of the SDC Water for Livestock Project in Garissa and Isiolo counties, (Kenya)

1. Introduction

Background
In the Arid and -Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya, agro-pastoralism, based on extensive livestock
production, serves as the bedrock of livelihoods and culture. A general marginalization with weak
infrastructure, insecurity, frequent droughts and limited livelihood options has kept the people of the
Kenya ASAL in conditions of poverty and vulnerability.
To address precarious living conditions of agro-pastoralists in targeted communities of North Eastern
Kenya, SDC mandated a project with the objective to improve their livelihood and resilience against
drought through:
· Increased access to balanced water supply and pasture for livestock in targeted areas of Garissa
(Lagdera district) and Isiolo (Merti and Garbatula districts) county
· Improved awareness and capacity in sustainable water and rangeland management in the
targeted communities and at district and county level in Garissa and Isiolo.

This region, mainly inhabited by pastoralists (up to 95% in Lagdera), in majority Somali and Borana, is
part of a connected management system within the Ewaso Ngiro watershed which extends from the
high potential areas of central Kenya down across seven ASAL districts and is believed to be the main
recharge contributor to the Merti Aquifer (on which Dadaab is sitting and which influences pastures
up to the other side of the border in Somalia).

The project started with an entry phase (June to December 2012) followed by a 14 months
implementation phase ending in March 2014. The project is implemented by African Development
Solutions (Adeso) in Garissa County and by a consortium consisting of the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in Isiolo County. Additional
technical support has been mandated to private consultants. The project approach mainly consists in
the construction of surface water storage infrastructures and the provision of capacity building in the
area of water resource and rangeland management.

Early this year, SDC launched its new Cooperation Strategy 2013-2016 for the horn of Africa with the
priority collaboration sectors of Food Security, Health, Governance and Migration. While the
previous SDC programme was a regional humanitarian programme, the new strategy includes
development instruments in order to increasingly shift towards more sustainable development
results.

In spring 2013 a food security sector review was conducted in order to assess the SDC food security
portfolio and to outline its future direction under the new SDC Cooperation Strategy. The sector
review confirmed the relevance of the Water for Livestock project in response to the needs of the
agro-pastoralist in Northern Kenya, and emphasized the potential of the project as a future longer
term developmental approach to enhance food security in the region. However, the assessment, the
current project monitoring and internal discussions outlined several important potential/challenges
to be considered in relation to project outreach (untapped potential for replication and scaling up),
the inclusion of a stronger governance component towards more participative and sustainable
natural resource management, conflict sensitivity and peace building (e.g. conflict over water
resources), as well as to the project setup and steering aspects (e.g. project delivery mechanisms,
security etc.).

2. Objectives of the external review
The overall objective of the external review is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, conflict and
gender sensitivity of the Water for Livestock project and to provide SDC and its partners with an
assessment of the achieved project results, lessons learned and recommendations for a planned
future Swiss engagement in the area of natural resource management (water and rangeland mainly)
in North Eastern Kenya and the region, and in the framework of the devolution process.
TOR External Review SDC Water for Livestock project
achieve those outcomes, including a monitoring system allowing efficient project steering
and result reporting, and a comprehensive risk analysis?
· What is the potential of scaling up and to extend outreach to other regions?
· How can the future project integrate a stronger governance, gender, CSPM and peace
building approach?
· How does the project and its second phase position itself with other ongoing and planned
food security and NRM programs (GoK, donors and NGOs, SDC). What are the synergies,
complementarities and Swiss added value)? What are the existing coordination mechanisms
and which role could/should SDC play to support it?

4. Suggested Methodology and scope of work
It is planned that the review is conducted by a team of 2-3 persons with the consultant as team
leader. Additional team members will be 1-2 SDC collaborators with a strong expertise in CSPM,
possibly also in natural resource governance.
The review will include a desk review, visits in the project area (Isiolo and Garissa County), and
interviews with key stakeholders such as beneficiaries, project implementer, national , regional and
local key government authorities, and other stakeholders relevant in the food security sector. An
initial list of possible interview partners will be provided by the COOF. In addition, a learning event
will be organized in the first quarter of 2014 by SDC and IUCN to draw project lessons with relevant
project partners, key representatives of the counties and other donors active in the topic. The review
team is expected to contribute to the preparation of the Learning event and to attend in it.
An inception report with a detailed methodology and work plan (including timing) has to be
submitted by the review team in the beginning of the assignment. SDC Office Nairobi and their
partners will put a series of documents at the disposal of the reviewers.

Profile of consultant:
The consultants should fulfill the following criteria:
At least 10 years experience in rural development, natural resources
management/governance in Africa, preferably in the Horn of Africa (Kenya and/or Somalia,
Ethiopia)
Proven working experience in contexts of pastoralism and/or agro-pastoralism , preferably
related to Africa
Experience with Conflict-Sensitive Programme Management (CSPM)/Principle of “Do
no/least harm” and Gender
Experience in/related to water resource management and/or accountability mechanisms
(Governance) is an strong added value
Strong political and cultural sensitivity; ability to capture political and social dimensions of
pastoralism and/or agro-pastoralism and the identification of risks, mitigation measures etc.
Strong analytical capacity combined with ability to synthesize/communicate conclusions and
recommendations
Ability to work in a team and to deliver high quality outputs on time
Fluent in English (written and spoken); knowledge of Kiswahili is an asset

5. Time Frame/Duration :
Time frame for this review is a maximum of 30 working days between April and May 2014 (negotiable
to some extent).
TOR External Review SDC Water for Livestock project

6. Expected Outputs
It is expected that the consultant will provide
· An inception report at the beginning of the review
· A written report in English (maximum 20 pages; including summary; excluding annexes)
· Contribution to and participation in learning workshop (resource event)
· Sound base for the elaboration of a tender document in view of the project’s second phase:
including conceptual approach, monitoring framework, risk analysis and partner selection.

Application:
- CV
- Half page of conceptual approach to conduct review including time planning
- Example consultant report(s) done during previous similar assignment (if publicly available)
- References (to be contacted after the first round of selection)
- Financial offer (amount per working day)
- Availability
Application to be sent to nai.sdc@eda.admin.ch
Subject line: External Review SDC-WfL – Applicant name
Closure: 26.01.2014



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