Job Title: Consultant
Reporting to: Project Manager 
Place: Aden 
Deadline: 17 Jan 2025 

About Afaq Shababia Foundation (ASF)

ASF is a registered national NGO with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, No. 271. Our mission is to contribute to youth and community development by implementing quality programs and building effective partnerships in accordance with best institutional practices. ASF started its work in Yemen in 2013 and has been implementing projects in 4 sectors: capacity-building, peacebuilding, governance, Economic Empowerment, and Protection.

1.    Background

The Building Agile Leadership and Development initiative is a comprehensive effort that combines the establishment of a sustainable Humanitarian-Development Studies Centre (HDSC) with broader Local Humanitarian Leadership (LHL) components to advance gender-responsive localization in Yemen. The proposed project brings together key partners to strengthen the capacities, leadership, and decision-making roles of national and local actors (LNAs) for a more equitable, risk-informed, and locally driven humanitarian system. Currently, Yemen faces a severe humanitarian crisis with millions of people in need of assistance. However, local and national actors face significant challenges in effectively responding to the needs of crisis-affected populations due to limited capacities, resources, and participation in decision-making processes. This project addresses these challenges through targeted capacity building, resource mobilization support, and advocacy for increased local participation in humanitarian coordination mechanisms. The initiative also aligns with the Humanitarian Country Team's Localization Strategy by strengthening local leadership and decision-making capabilities. It also supports the global Grand Bargain commitments on localization by promoting direct funding to local actors, enhancing partnerships between international and local organizations, and increasing the visibility of local contributions to humanitarian response. Through these efforts, the project aims to create a more effective, locally-led humanitarian system in Yemen, capable of delivering sustainable and context-appropriate assistance to those in need. 

To operationalize these objectives and create lasting change in Yemen's humanitarian and development landscape, the SDC project will establish the Humanitarian-Development Studies Centre (HDSC) as a cornerstone of its capacity-building efforts. The center will offer training courses covering operational, institutional, and technical competencies to 50 targeted LNAs, incorporating gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and nexus approaches. Targeted LNAs will be supported to self-identify organizational capacity needs and gaps, and will be eligible for financial grants for specific internal organizational development initiatives. The HDSC will be hosted by the University of Aden through integrating the Humanitarian Development Studies Centre (HDSC) with the existing Women's Center for Research and Training (WCRT), based on the strong recommendation and willingness expressed by the University during recent consultations with them. Within the framework of the Building Agile Leadership and Development Initiative (BALADI), Output 1.2. Local and national actors' capacity building needs are assessed, and targeted technical and financial support is provided based on identified gaps and priorities. This begins with a comprehensive mapping of local and national actors in the development and humanitarian sectors, recognizing the diversity of local and national organizations. A gender barrier analysis will also be conducted to identify challenges in access to capacity−building opportunities and women's representation in decision−making processes. This analysis will pay particular attention to cultural and societal norms in Yemen that may impact women's participation in the humanitarian and development sectors. LNAs will be selected through request for expression of interest based on the following criteria: a) local organizations which are legally registered and operational across most governorates in South, b) Organizations which are women−led organizations/women rights organizations, disability/marginalized groups focused organizations, c) demonstrate neutrality that they are not affiliated with any part to the conflict, d) engagement at the community level in collaboration with grassroots organizations, and ongoing activities, e) on−going humanitarian/development activities in technical competencies (EFSVL, WASH, Advocacy, Protection, gender, etc) f) willingness and commitment to participate in capacity−self assessment process to improve individual and organizational capacities. A selection committee comprising technical and operational staff will be established to lead the selection process.
Using the 'Taking the Lead' (TTL) approach, designed to empower local actors by putting them in the driver's seat, organizational capacity assessments will be carried out. This bottom−up approach is fully in line with the NEAR network's recommendation to invest in targeted/non−standardized and relevant support to LNAs. The project will support LNAs to design their capacity strengthening plans based on their own priority development areas, rather than priorities set for them by external partners. This approach will start with training facilitators (one per organization) in the TTL methodology. These facilitators will then lead their organizations through the Capacity Self−Assessment (CSA) process, which involves approximately 15 hours of workshops per organization. This approach empowers local organizations by:

• Fostering ownership of the capacity development process
• Building internal capacity for ongoing self−assessment and improvement
• Tailoring capacity building to the specific needs and context of each organization

Bioforce will provide support to the facilitators, particularly during the CSA roll−out and the development of capacity-strengthening plans (the last of the four steps in the methodology). This support is crucial to help organizations translate identified weaknesses into relevant organizational action plans, avoiding the pitfall of equating all capacity needs with external training. An average of 15 hours of remote support per LNA/facilitator will be provided to finalize CSA documents. As this support will be adapted to the specific needs of each organization, it may address:

• Respond to the technical questions or problems that arise.
•     Support the facilitators in the preparation of the workshops (workshop planning, identification of the necessary resources, advice on the facilitation of the workshop, etc.).
• Support facilitators in identifying lessons learned from each workshop (successes, challenges, adaptations, etc.).
•     Provide technical advice on the development and revision of the organizational capacity of LNAs.
• Based on the action plans, organizations will receive targeted technical support and a financial envelope to implement priority actions. This process will be iterative, with regular feedback loops to ensure that support is tailored to evolving needs and contexts. The findings of the capacity assessment, as well as the gender barrier analysis, will be widely shared with key stakeholders, including the HCT, the localization task force, and networks of LNAs, promoting transparency and collaborative learning across the sector in Yemen.

ASF is seeking to conduct a comprehensive Mapping for NGOs working in the development and humanitarian sectors through EOI for NGOs in Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Hadramout, Taiz, Marib, and Al Dali.

2.    Nature and scope of the assignment/service
This consultancy mission aims to conduct a comprehensive mapping of national and local organizations operating in the humanitarian and development sectors across targeted governorates, in alignment with Output 1.2 of the BALADI Initiative. The consultancy will support in identifying eligible Local and National Actors (LNAs), analyzing their thematic areas, institutional capacities, geographic coverage, and existing gaps, while integrating gender considerations and barriers affecting women-led and marginalized groups' organizations. The consultancy will also develop the complete Expression of Interest (EOI) package, selection tools, and screening methodology, ensuring that the process is transparent, gender-responsive, and fully aligned with the project’s localization and capacity-strengthening objectives. 

Scope Of Work: 

The Consultancy will be implemented as follows:

1Prepare a comprehensive inception report.
2Conduct and attend the meetings needed with the project team. 
3Review the project document and the gender analysis report and develop the mapping tools. 
4Develop the document for EOI, taking into consideration the gender barriers and project requirements, which can include the following:

• EOI background and means to share EOI,
• The applicant NGOs' information,
• The applicant NGOs' Obligations and benefits, 
• The criteria, the process, and the tools for screening and selecting the NGOs, 
• The tools for notifying the accepted Applicants,
• Any other relevant points, 

5Develop the mapping, final selection report, and minutes under the supervision of the project team. 

3.    Purpose of the assignment/service

This consultation aims to support output 1.2 of the “My Country” initiative for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive and gender-sensitive survey of local and national actors in the humanitarian and development sectors in order to identify organizations eligible to participate in the project, ensuring diversity, inclusion and compliance with selection criteria through the establishment of a transparent mechanism for expressing interest, and the preparation of a thorough survey and selection report that guides subsequent capacity-building interventions, while ensuring that the selection of national actors reflects the contextual reality, addresses gender and inclusion barriers, and supports the project’s objective of empowering local actors by providing them with tailored technical and financial support.
The specific objectives of this mission are:

• Identify and map local and national actors in the humanitarian and development sectors across targeted governorates, ensuring diversity and inclusivity through developing and implementing a transparent EOI-based selection process that applies the project’s agreed criteria and integrates gender-barrier considerations.
• Assess the eligibility and readiness of applicants through document review, tools, and screening mechanisms to ensure alignment with BALADI goals.
• Produce a comprehensive mapping and final selection report that documents the process, rationale, and outcomes to guide subsequent capacity-building activities.
• Ensure the integration of gender, protection, and conflict-sensitivity principles throughout the mapping and selection stages.

4.    Methodology

4.1.    Consultancy Methodology Description: 

The consultant will apply a structured, evidence-based, and participatory methodology aligned with the BALADI program design and the principles of gender-responsive localization. This methodology will combine desk review, stakeholder engagement, and analytical tools to ensure an accurate and inclusive mapping and selection process. The approach will include:
Desk Review: Reviewing the project's core documents, including the BALADI project, gender analysis, self-assessment mechanisms (TTL/CSA), and any relevant policies or guidelines to establish a thorough understanding of the overall mission framework.
Stakeholder Consultation: Holding consultative meetings with the Afaq project team to ensure that actions align with the objectives, and with key stakeholders as needed.
EOI Development: Preparing an Expression of Interest (EOI) document that includes background information, eligibility criteria, organizational commitments, application process, filtering tools, and gender and contextual sensitivity.
Data Collection: Receiving applications from local and national organizations and ensuring that all required data is complete, taking into account geographical, sectoral, and target group representation.
Screening & Shortlisting: Applying agreed-upon selection criteria using transparent and standardized assessment tools, ensuring the integration of gender, governance, technical expertise, and impartiality factors.
Verification & Analysis: Analyzing data from applicant organizations, verifying information as needed, and assessing their readiness to participate in the TTL/CSA process.
Reporting: Preparing the final Mapping Report and Selection Report, including the methodology, criteria, results, and recommendations, and submitting them to the project team for review and approval.

4.2.    Ethical Considerations: 

1.    Ensure confidentiality and sensitive institutional information. 
2.    Apply Do-No-Harm and conflict-sensitive principles. 
3.    Maintain neutrality, transparency, and data protection standards.

This methodology ensures institutional ownership, sustainability, and practical applicability of all developed policies and systems.
5.    Deliverables, timetable, and budget

5.1. Deliverables, timetable: 

5.2. Deliverables Review and Approval Process

All deliverables will undergo the following cycle:

1.    Draft submission.
2.    Review by ASF.
3.    Revision by consultant.
4.    Final approval.

5.3. Proposed Budget

1.    The service provider must submit a detailed financial proposal in US dollars.
2.    The service provider must specify the total financial offer for each task as outlined in Section 2 of the Terms of Reference (TOR).
3.    The financial offer must be valid for 90 days from its date.

6.    Qualification criteria for suppliers

Qualifications 
1.    Previous experience in the related field.
2.    Experience working with international and national organizations, including INGOs and UN agencies.
3.    In-depth knowledge of the local context, NGOs' structures, and legal frameworks relevant to NGOs.

Compliance requirements

The service provider must adhere to the following:

1.    A policy for protection against exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
2.    Anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and anti-bribery policies.
3.    Compliance with all applicable local laws.
4.    Provision of valid legal documents.
5.    Sign a "Supplier Code of Conduct" before starting work.