Study on Drought Resilience in the Horn of Africa

The aim of this programme is to enhance drought resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihood systems in arid and semi-arid areas of the Horn of Africa through an integrated approach.

The overall objective of the Feasibility Study is to prepare a programme concept / intervention strat­egy with all information necessary for an appraisal by authorities (local, provincial and national gov­ernments) and KfW. The study shall provide background information for the preparation of a pro­gramme as outlined above including an in-depth context analysis, identification of key stakeholders and their roles as well as the elaboration of the programme design. The implementation and moni­toring structures and the cooperation mechanisms with other agencies shall also be outlined. The mission shall look into the issues pointed out below. Existing studies and available documentation shall be considered and incorporated

Qualifications: 

All key experts should have at least the following qualifications:

  • Postgraduate university degree related the specific field of expertise required for the study or with proven extensive work experience in this field;
  • Track record the specific field of expertise required for the study for at least 8 years;
  • International work experience and preferably in African countries of the region;
  • Proficiency in the English language (work language) as minimum requirement; a good com­mand of the French language is an important asset; German skills are an additional asset;

Expertise in livestock management in pastoral societies

  • Practical work experience in rural development with focus on pastoral societies in arid and semi-arid areas;
  • Specific knowledge in livestock and rangeland management including the marketing and  transformation of agricultural products;
  • Experience in preparing participatory integrated development plans involving pastoralists;
  • Knowledge in the economics of rural development;
  • Good knowledge of legal and administrative aspects;
  • Good knowledge/experience in participatory methods to settle conflicting interests and fos­ter development of generally acceptable compromises;
  • Experience with mobile veterinary systems is an asset;
  • Good understanding of the specific animal health challenges in the region;
  • Practical work experience in different socio-cultural settings (different countries) and work experience in the intervention region is an asset.

Expertise in rural development

  • Expertise in resource management and agriculture;
  • Good knowledge in hydrology and water resource management in dry and semi-dry areas;
  • Good knowledge and experience in the design, establishment and operation of water (drink­ing water, irrigation) facilities and practical work experience with water harvesting and water saving systems;
  • Practical experience with infrastructure planning such as roads (transport), schools and/or health centres is an asset;
  • Work experience under different socio-cultural settings (different countries) and work expe­rience in the intervention region is an asset.

Expertise in institutional assessments

  • Wide experience in conducting stakeholder and beneficiaries analyses;
  • Good knowledge and practical experience in assessing the capacities of institutions at various levels related to rural areas;
  • Methodological expertise in community-based approaches of participatory project planning and implementation;
  • Practical work experience with organisational development in rural areas;
  • Own experience in conducting participatory assessments;
  • Knowledge in institutional mapping;
  • Experience with the assessment of capacities, strengths, weaknesses and potentials of pro­ posed implementing agencies and partners in project implementation (including farmers associations which could play a role in the implementation of the project);
  • Practical work experience under different socio-cultural settings (different countries) and work experience in the intervention region is an important asset.
Start / Duration: 

The study will take place from September 2013 and last 2 months. The study will focus on Ethiopia and Djibouti and in particular the Dikhil and Somali clusters.

If you are interested to cooperate with AFC Consultants International, please send your most recent CV to

Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de

Thank you