Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy for Thematic Assessment on Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) and Protection in Yemen

1. Background

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is part of the Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V. (EWDE), one of the biggest welfare institutions in Germany. The organisation supports people affected by natural disasters, war and displacement in 36 countries across the world. This is delivered through a global network of partner organisations. 
DKH provides technical assistance and comprehensive support to all partner organizations, focusing on capacity-building and reinforcing collaborative relationships. DKH has been supporting partner organisations in the delivery of emergency responses and resilience building initiatives in Yemen since June 2019. It currently operates from its office in Aden.
Yemen remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and disrupted public services contributing to extreme levels of food insecurity, weakened livelihoods, and heightened protection risks for vulnerable groups. To ensure that its interventions are evidence-based, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of communities, DKH seeks to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) and Protection sectors in targeted areas.
The assessment will provide a detailed understanding of the context, needs, gaps, and opportunities for programming in these sectors, and will inform DKH’s strategic planning, project design, and resource mobilization efforts.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to:

• Assess the current status, challenges, and opportunities within the FSL and Protection sectors in the targeted geographic areas.
• Identify priority needs of affected communities, disaggregated by gender, age, and vulnerability.
• Map existing interventions by other actors to avoid duplication and identify gaps.
• Provide actionable recommendations for program design, partnership development, and resource allocation.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

3.1 Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL)

• Analyze the current food security situation, including household food consumption, coping strategies, and market functionality.
• Assess livelihood opportunities and constraints, with special attention to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, markets and small business development.
• Identify factors affecting access to food and livelihoods opportunities, including gender, economic, and environmental considerations.

3.2 Protection

• Assess protection risks, threats, and vulnerabilities affecting different groups (women, men, children, persons with disabilities, IDPs, and marginalized groups).
• Identify barriers to accessing protection services and mechanisms.
• Evaluate community-based protection practices and coping strategies.

3.3 Cross-Cutting Elements

• Assess the impact of conflict dynamics, displacement, and climate-related factors on FSL and protection needs.
• Identify opportunities for integrated programming across the two sectors.
• Engage stakeholders, including local authorities, community leaders, NGOs, and beneficiaries, to ensure participatory and inclusive data collection.

4. Methodology

The consultant is expected to use a mixed-methods approach, including:

• Desk Review: Analysis of secondary data, reports, and relevant literature.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders, sector experts, and implementing partners.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with different community groups.
• Household Surveys where applicable.
• Direct observation and field visits to targeted locations (subject to security clearance).

The methodology should be conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive, and adapted to the local context.
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5. Deliverables

The consultant will produce:

1.    Inception Report – detailing methodology, tools, sampling strategy, work plan, and timeline.
2.    Draft Assessment Report – including preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations for feedback.
3.    Final Assessment Report – incorporating feedback, with an executive summary, sector-specific analysis, gap mapping, and recommendations.
4.    Presentation of Findings – to DKH.
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6. Duration and Location

• Duration: 15 working days over an 3-week period.
• Location: Targeted project areas in Yemen (Lahj and Abyan governorates/Tuban and Zinjibar districts). The consultant should consider both rural and urban areas in the targeted governorate and districts.

7. Reporting Line

The consultant will report directly to DKH’s Program Quality and Partnership Manager, with technical oversight from DKH’s Quality team.

8. Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Social Sciences, or related field.
• At least 7 years’ experience conducting humanitarian assessments, with a focus on FSL and/or Protection.
• Proven experience working in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, preferably in Yemen or the MENA region.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills in English; Arabic language skills are an asset.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards (Sphere, CHS, IASC Protection Principles, etc.).
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct participatory and inclusive assessments.

9. Ethical Considerations
The consultant must comply with DKH’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and Data Protection Policy. All data collection must ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and the safety and dignity of participants.

10. Budget and Payment Schedule

The consultant should submit a financial proposal with a detailed budget, including professional fees, travel, accommodation, and any other costs.
Payments will be made in three installments:

• 30% upon signing of the contract and approval of the inception report.
• 40% upon submission of the draft report.
• 30% upon acceptance of the final report.

Financial Proposal (total score: 30 points)

• The financial proposal will specify a total lump sum amount and payment terms shall be aligned with those in the budget section (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified milestones in the ToR.
• Financial Proposal, providing a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems) is to be provided by the offer once the locations have been identified.
• Financial proposal will be assessed based on the completeness, clarity and appropriateness, using the formula:Marks Obtained = Lowest Priced Offer (Amount) / Offer being considered (Amount) X 30 (Full Marks)

11. Evaluation Criteria for Selection

Only applicants scoring 70% or above in the technical evaluation will have their financial proposals reviewed.