Terms of Reference: Consultancy on Humanitarian Surge Capacity Save the Children Canada    
  1. Background
Save the Children Canada (SC Canada) is interested in increasing its capacity to contribute staff to Save the Children global and domestic humanitarian responses. While SC Canada humanitarian staff members have joined the Global Roster and found other deployment opportunities, their ability to deploy is limited due to their ongoing regular work and the lack of back-filling options, which is a common challenge when attempting to deploy staff who are not dedicated to humanitarian response. Over the years and as Save the Children International (SCI) has evolved, Save the Children members have followed several approaches regarding standing teams or rosters. SC Canada is now interested in planning and designing a humanitarian surge team that would support both the international and national programs. Before doing so additional work is needed in terms of assessing what is possible and costing it. Some initial thinking has been completed by an SC Canada Senior Humanitarian Advisor and a briefing paper was shared and discussed by members of the SC Canada SLT that can serve as a good starting point for further analysis and assessment.  
  1. Purpose of the Assignment
Save the Children is seeking to hire a consultant who can help SC Canada to design a model of humanitarian surge support for humanitarian programming that can ultimately serve both International and National Programs.
  1. Scope of work/deliverables
 Scope of work
  • Explore and assess different models of surge support within Save the Children (both SCI and members), including a focus on how members are currently evolving and seeking to coordinate/combine their structures for domestic and international surge
  • Provide an analysis of the competitive advantage of the Canadian market with regards to humanitarian surge capacity, the key opportunities for Save the Children Canada to access this capacity, and the potentially different sources of this capacity for domestic and international purposes
  • Recommend 2-3 surge capacity models for consideration in keeping with both SCI’s humanitarian strategy and needs, and SCC’s domestic response ambitions, with a specific focus given to the unique nature and requirements of response within Indigenous communities
  • Provide phased costing of each model, from conception and preparation stage to full implementation
  • Propose top level work plans to implement each model, up to the launch
  Deliverables Final report that includes
  • Analysis of Canadian market with regards to humanitarian surge capacity in domestic and international scenarios
  • 2-3 surge capacity models, with phased costing and implementation work plans
  • Presentation on the above
 
  1. Methodology
    1. Literature review, desk research, in-person and phone interviews to collect information related to the Canadian context and market and member surge capacity models
    2. Travel to Save the Children US offices in Washington, DC, to conduct meetings with key personnel to discuss the US model of surge support and possibilities for North American collaboration
    3. Travel to Save the Children International offices in London, UK to meet with key personnel to discuss how best to respond to SCI surge capacity needs, while maximizing opportunities for SC Canada;
    4. Meet with heads of the members domestic emergencies to discuss mechanisms for merging domestic and international surge capacity
    5. Development of surge capacity models, with input from key SC Canada finance, HR, management and program staff
    6. Presentation of models to Senior Leadership Team
5. Timeframe The consultancy will commence as soon as possible, and be complete no later than November 30th, 2016. It is anticipated that the consultancy will require no more than 45 days of work, including travel days.  6. Key Stakeholders This consultancy will engage with several groups of key stakeholders, including but not limited to the following: 
Organization             Names
SC Canada International Program Director Director of National Indigenous Programs Senior Humanitarium Program Manager Chief Financial Officer Director of Human Resources
SC US Names and contact information to be provided
SC UK
SC Australia
SC Italy
SC Sweden
SC International
 The consultant will report to Colleen Malone, Senior Humanitarian Program Manager throughout the course of the consultancy, with weekly progress meetings. 7. Desirable experience, abilities and skills of consultant: 
  • Fifteen or more years senior humanitarian management experience
  • Significant field leadership experience in rapid onset and complex emergencies
  • Experience in recruiting and managing humanitarian surge personnel
  • Understanding and experience of the humanitarian operations of large INGOs
  • Ability to create detailed and accurate budgets
  • Understanding of the commonalities and differences of humanitarian response in developed and developing contexts
  • Understanding of the humanitarian landscape within Canada, with regards to domestic response needs and capacities, particularly in Indigenous communities
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
  8. Expression of Interest Interested parties are requested to submit an Expression of Interest for the consultancy, addressing the following key issues:
  • Experience in the specific area of focus
  • A more detailed project plan of how he/she would take forward the consultancy
  • Risks and assumptions
  • Budget
The expression of interest should be no more than 5 pages. If you are interested in this consulting position, please e-mail your Expression of Interest and a resume by Friday, September 16th 2016 to jobs@savethechildren.ca with Subject heading “Consultancy- Humanitarian Surge Support Capacity”. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.