Details of Technical Focal Point Consultant

Background of the project

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC is working to improve the safety, health, education, economic well-being and power of people in crisis affected places.

Sitting within the Airbel Impact Lab, the research and innovation arm of the IRC, and working in close coordination with the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Technical Unit, the Climate Resilience Research & Innovation team generates and adapts solutions to increase the resilience of agro-pastoral livelihoods in the areas hardest hit by climate change and conflict – with a focus on women, who are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and already face significant challenges in agriculture. Our solutions are localized to specific priority countries and will help to reduce poverty and food insecurity by enabling people and institutions to absorb, adapt and respond to climate shocks.

Position overview: 

We are seeking a Technical Focal point in Somalia to provide comprehensive technical leadership from Somalia for our Livelihoods Transformations research project in Somalia.

Scope of work:

Household Economy Analysis (HEA) serves as our foundational methodology, informing our ‘Livelihoods Transformations project’ (Program design research and behavioral science research for diversified and alternative livelihoods). Through HEA data collection and analysis, we strengthen both our immediate crisis response capabilities and long-term strategic development. This position will play a crucial role in bridging these workstreams, ensuring that our HEA insights inform both immediate crisis response and long-term livelihoods transformation strategies.

Livelihoods Transformation

This project aims to support agro-pastoralists in climate-vulnerable and conflict-affected contexts whose livelihoods are no longer viable, to diversify or sustain their livelihoods with the capacities, tools, and resources to develop risk-informed transformative livelihoods strategies, including migration as a potential adaptation strategy.

In collaboration with IRC’s Somalia country program, we are launching a Livelihoods Transformations research and innovation project. This initial phase (research and design) will be grounded in four key technical assessments:

●        Household Economy Analysis (HEA) to understand economic conditions, coping mechanisms, and livelihood zones

●        Migration and displacement pattern analysis

●        Evaluation of existing livelihoods interventions to build on successful programs and avoid duplication

●        Conduct a human-centered design (HCD) and behavioral research aimed at uncovering what "desirable livelihoods" looks like to individuals and households, and identifying informal support systems or community mechanisms communities could rely on to build resilience and adapt their livelihoods

The insights gathered will inform the development of areas of opportunity for the IRC and corresponding early-stage ideas that align with the needs and aspirations of agro-pastoral communities. All ideas will be co-created with partners, clients, and IRC staff, ensuring they are grounded in community realities. In the next phase of the project, prioritized ideas will then undergo rapid prototyping with clients to refine and test their feasibility.

1.      Research support and technical co-leadership for Livelihoods Transformations:

a.      Support the development of research objectives, methodology, and fieldwork logistics to ensure alignment with project goals.

b.      Support the technical implementation of qualitative research activities, including coordination with MEAL team for tool development and approval.

c.       Guide and mentor the project team in data collection methodologies and research.

d.      Plan and support with implementation of HCD and Behavioral research activities engaging 60-70 participants through interviews and focus groups.

e.      Participate in-person and remote synthesis sessions organized by the project lead / lead designer to analyze findings, identify opportunity areas, and co-create new solution ideas in collaboration with other IRC colleagues.

f.        Present early solution concepts to approximately 15-20 agro-pastoral communities and stakeholders, gather their feedback, and document insights to refine ideas based on community needs and preference

g.      Ensure quality control of research outputs and documentation; participate in research planning discussions with the IRC team.

h.      Present Research Findings and Solution Concepts - both projects: Collaborate with the lead designer to develop presentation materials that summarize research findings, highlight opportunity areas, and showcase refined solution ideas and prototyping outcomes.

Deliverables:

●       Livelihoods Transformations

○        Interview notes covering insights from 60–70 participants.

○        Slide Deck summarizing key qualitative findings, including a 1–2-page executive summary highlighting key insights and takeaways.

○        Provide inputs into the final presentation deck or assets created by the lead designer

○        Support coordination and local dissemination of research findings with local governments, clusters, etc. 

Skills and qualifications

Job Requirements

This posting is open for Somalia nationals only.

Education

●       A bachelor’s or master’s degree with demonstrable skills in human-centered qualitative research.

●       Prior training and experience with HEA baselines and/or outcome analysis is highly preferred.

Experience

●       Familiarity with qualitative research methods, including conducting semi-structured interviews and facilitating focus group discussions.

●       Experience with quantitative data analysis using Excel.

●       Experience collecting participant stories, rather than one-word answers and transcribing and analyzing them

●       Experience in creating a space where women and vulnerable individuals feel comfortable, safe, and respected

●       Experience working on pastoral livelihoods with agro-pastoralist communities or other vulnerable groups in Somalia is highly preferred.

●       Experience working in food security and livelihoods systems is preferred.

●       Experience working in fragile or conflict-affected settings with complex security situations is preferred.

●       Previous involvement in research projects, internships, or academic fieldwork. Experience conducting qualitative evaluations for NGOs is strongly encouraged

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies 

●       Strong understanding of the Somali cultural, social, and environmental context, particularly in relation to climate challenges, floods, and droughts.

●       Proficiency in organizing and conducting field research activities in remote or rural settings.

●       Ability to communicate effectively in Somali and English, both written and spoken.

●       Curiosity: Has a “learning mindset” and seeks to deeply understand clients’ lived experiences and local context. Shows interest in looking beyond the surface to uncover the “why.”

●       Collaboration: Works effectively in both remote and in-person settings with diverse individuals, including technical experts, the lead designer, and other researchers.

●       Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with communities and stakeholders.

●       Moderate analytical skills, with the ability to document and synthesize qualitative data into actionable insights.

●       Self-motivated and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Language Skills:

●       English written and oral fluency

●       Somali written and oral fluency

Working environment

●       Mix of remote and in-person work - the consultant must be based in Somalia, have access to their own computer for data logging and reporting writing

●       4 weeks of field research at an Somalia research site

●       Ability to travel to sites in Galkaacyo and other locations

Payment Rate and Schedule:

●       Maximum of 80 workdays - with a workday equaling 8 hours of active, client-facing work

●  Costs for travel to and from research sites, and for accommodations at research sites will be paid for by the IRC

●    The IRC will be responsible for travel costs within Somalia and accommodation expenses for stay in research sites during data collection.

●   Meals and incidental expenses during travel will be supported by per diems.

●   The cost of printing or materials necessary for research will be covered by the IRC but only for materials pre-approved in writing by the project design lead

Application process

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit the following documents:

•      A cover letter expressing their interest in the consultancy and summarizing relevant qualifications and experience.

•      An updated CV, including details of academic background and professional experience.

•      A summary of experience with similar research consultancy assignments.

•      A proposed daily consultancy rate

 How to apply

•       Proposals must be submitted as word/PDF/excel files, ideally packaged in a zip folder.

•         Proposals must be submitted to the following address ircsomaliajobs@rescue.org  with “Technical Focal Point Consultant Application” in the subject line.

The deadline of the application submission is on “Thursday 10th July 2025 @ 4:00pm”

Apply to  ircsomaliajobs@rescue.org