Lot 1: CSOs and Media Stakeholders Mapping and Baseline Assessment / Lot 2: Conflict Assessment (October, 2021) At Search for Common Ground

Search is seeking a consultant or consultancy firm to lead on a comprehensive mapping of CSOs, CBOs, and media actors and stakeholders in the six target localities.

Note: Applicants can apply for either/both Lot 1 and 2.

1. Context

The Project

While broader conflict dynamics remain unpredictable, tangible threats of inter- and intra-communal violence and the suppression of civil society may prove equally decisive in shaping the country’s long-term future. With Voices of Hope: Aswat al Amal, Search for Common Ground (Search)and our partners will work with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media actors, and communities to foster civil society-led reintegration and protection efforts directed at women and children at the local level. Specifically, the project will equip CSOs with skills to better navigate, operate, and collaborate in a volatile context and utilize community engagement and media campaigns to address mistrust and build partnerships. This will increase community resilience and social cohesion, whilst directly promoting the sustainable reintegration and protection of women and children.

The results of this intervention will be realised through the successful implementation of technical capacity building trainings and community initiatives, which will provide the CSOs with a key opportunity to apply skills gained and contribute to achieving the project’s objectives, while forming the content for media production action and involving community members directly in the project’s activities. The project will create channels for CSOs to constructively engage with their communities and provide opportunities for transformation and positive social change. Community members will have access to avenues to reflect on local dynamics related to reintegration barriers, as well as address the stigma women and children face by being associated with former combatants. By creating ‘reintegration and protection platforms’ in each of the target communities, the project will provide a neutral space for community stakeholders to undertake an inclusive healing process that takes into consideration the needs and rights of women and children, as well as communities’ fear and opportunities for resilience.

The media component will contribute to social cohesion by mainstreaming positive norms around women and youth, showcasing examples of returnees engaging positively in their communities as role models, and raising community awareness on the importance of cooperation. The project’s ‘whole-of-society’ approach will ensure local communities’ buy-in and allow target stakeholders to embrace inclusive actions, which builds trust between returnees and communities of origin, as well as between traditional power holders (adult males) and vulnerable groups (women and children), thereby promoting greater social cohesion.

The project will address the lack of collaboration between civil society and community stakeholders, which has been identified by Search as one of the most prominent barriers to effective peacebuilding, mostly due to the limited relevance and sensitivity of the interventions being implemented in the area. As such, the project will foster the creation of constructive and sustainable platforms in the target communities. Furthermore, in line with previous and highly successful Search programming that sought to protect and increase space for women’s and children’s empowerment, the proposed project will involve communities in leading conversations and actions around the rights, protection, and participation of these vulnerable groups. The project will leverage the relationships that Search has built with its network and partners, including CSOs working on gender issues. Search, and partners will build on existing on-the-ground resources and will continue our long-term engagement process for increasing social cohesion, a value-add to our approach.

Lot 1: CSOs and Stakeholders Mapping and Baseline Assessment

1.1. CSO and Media Stakeholders Mapping

Search is seeking a consultant or consultancy firm to lead on a comprehensive mapping of CSOs, CBOs, and media actors and stakeholders in the six target localities. The assignment builds on an existing CSO mapping conducted in late 2019, and which covers four out of the six target areas in a strategic country in MENA. This mapping will feed into shaping the project activities with the following objectives:

Objectives and key questions:

A) Map out existing NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs in the project’s target areas:

• 1.1.1. What are the existing NGOs, CSOs and CBOs working (primarily and/or secondarily) in education, reintegration, and/or with women/youth in targeted locations? What are their size and overall reach (geographic and demographic)?
• 1.1.2. What are the official statuses of the mapped organizations, as well as their affiliations (religious, political, tribal, etc.)? What is their relationship with the local authorities?
• 1.1.3. What are the key interventions of mapped organizations in the field of education, reintegration and/or with women/youth? What is the scope and the overall effectiveness of these interventions?
• 1.1.4. How are the relationships between the NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, and community members? Are there clear, effective avenues of communication between NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, and community members? What were the effects on Relevance of these implemented interventions?
• 1.1.5. Who, amongst the CSO and CBO members identified, could be qualified as a local leader (demonstrate good skills in education, have influence on local youth, and can potentially build strong community networks in the targeted locations)?

B) Map out existing media structures and actors in the project’s target areas:

• 1.1.6. Who are the media professionals / media structures in targeted locations?
• 1.1.7. What are the types of media used by these professionals, the structure?
• 1.1.8. What are the affiliations / orientations of the media professionals?
• 1.1.9 What other traditional and informal media and communication channels exist in the target area?

1.2 Baseline assessment

The baseline is expected to validate the relevance of existing project indicators and set baseline values for the project’s monitoring and evaluation expectations. The baseline is expected to assess relevance and inform necessary adaptations to the project’s objectives and overall ToC. The findings of the baseline will be used as a point of reference to measure the impact of the project and track its progress over time by collecting data for project indicators and provide benchmark information for measuring project outcomes based on the project log-frame, particularly, in the following areas:

Objectives and key questions:

C) Assess the capacities of the selected NGOs / CSOs / CBOs (hereinafter: CSOs) positive and collaborative leadership skills:

• 1.2.1. What is the current capacity of the selected CSOs in leadership, non-violent communication, conflict mitigation, transformation and resolution, non-adversarial advocacy, conflict sensitivity, and community dialogue?
• 1.2.2. What is the current capacity of the selected CSOs in terms of organizational skills (project design and management, budget development, financial management, MEAL, HR, etc.)?

D) Assess the selected CSO’s capacities (in terms of skills and access to opportunity), to engage effectively with local communities on the reintegration and protection of women and children:

• 1.2.3. What are CSOs members/representatives capacities and skills on the topic of reintegration and protection?
• 1.2.4. What are the organisations’ capacities in terms of identifying and implementing relevant interventions in their communities?
• 1.2.5. What are the CSOs’ knowledge of concrete and creative ways for reintegration and protection of women and children in target communities?
• 1.2.6. What is the current level of coordination and collaboration in target communities, among and between civil society actors and community stakeholders?
• 1.2.7. How do community members share their needs with the CSOs and to what extent these needs are being addressed?
• 1.2.8. What are challenges faced by the community members (particularly women and children) that prevent them from having access to the CSOs?
• 1.2.9. What are the key challenges and/or hindrance factors that inhibit the work of these organizations in the fields of education, reintegration and/or with youth/women?

E) Assess the capacities of selected media actors and stakeholders in media for social change, the creation of peace narratives, and amplifying positive narratives.

• 1.2.9. What are the existing skills of the selected media actors in media for social change, the creation of peace narratives, amplifying positive narratives, principles of journalism to common ground and reintegration and protection of women and children?
• 1.2.10. What are the levels of knowledge and awareness of selected media actors and stakeholders on the topics of protection and reintegration of women and children?

Lot 2: Conflict Assessment

The outcome of the conflict assessment will be used as an entry point to understand and identify local dynamics related to instability, violence, and reintegration. This will help us to design, implement, and evaluate the development of the program in a volatile conflict context. The conflict assessment will play a vital role to monitor the essential Do No Harm principle of the program as well as how our efforts can incrementally add on the local prevention of violent extremism efforts. This shall be done in line with the following objectives:

2.1. Identify and analyze the context-related factors that influence and shape the outer layer of the conflict dynamics in the target communities:

• 2.1.1. What is/are the conflict(s) present in each of the targeted localities? What is its/their nature? Is it a primarily political, social, economic, cultural, ideological conflict?
• 2.1.2. What are the components and characteristics (physical, geographical, and environmental) of the context of the conflict in each area, that has been directly and indirectly leading to violence against women and children?
• 2.1.3. What are the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that feature the society and feed into the dynamics of the conflict, including institutional powers that rule and govern human interactions and external influences that impact the conflict patterns in each area? Do they impact exclusion and violence against women and children? How?
• 2.1.4. What are the cultural, ideological, and historical narrative(s) within and beyond the capacity of human change that impact the evolve of violence against women and children?
• *Note: This objective aims at understanding the broader landscape of the context and conflict dynamics and would serve as preamble to Objective 2.2 and 2.3*

2.2. Map and analyze the key actors, communal grievances, and resiliencies in each area and how their societal patterns appear in the social system and affect the process of reintegration and protection of women and children.

• 2.2.1. What are the communal grievances of each area that led to violence? Are there any latent grievances that might lead to a new wave of violence? Do they act as barriers for social integration between communities in conflict? Do people consider their grievances essential to conduct positive change and reach reintegration? What is the role of women in such grievances?
• 2.2.2. What are the societal patterns and institutional performances that give rise for grievances and systems of resilience? Are there any societal patterns framed around women and children?
• 2.2.3. Are there any stabilizing factors that act as systems of resilience able to endure shocks, grievances, and violence? How do they interact with grievances? How do they foster reintegration and protection of women and children?
• 2.2.4. What are the local socioeconomic, political, and security mechanisms that manage conflicts, manage disputes, and foster reintegration in each area?
• 2.2.5. Who are the key mobilizers (key actors) that have the means to mobilize groups and resources towards violence and reintegration?
• a) What are the shapes and types of this mobilization?
• b) What are their operational capacities, financing and support networks?
• b) How do the different actors interact with each other?

2.3. Draw and analyze trajectories or possible alternative futures of the areas based on trends and triggers; and how the reintegration and protection process of women and children is embedded in these alternatives.

• 2.3.1. In light of the findings of objectives 2.1 and 2.2, what are the key challenges and opportunities for protection and reintegration in each of the target communities?
• 2.3.2. What are the trends and triggers that influence violence in each area, including push and pull factors of violent extremism? And what are those that feed into reintegration and preventing violence?
• 2.3.3. What are the impacts of these trends and triggers in managing reintegration violence against women? What is the most likely pathway to be followed by each area? And why?
• 2.3.4. What are the past and ongoing efforts that have been made to promote protection and reintegration in the target communities? Who are the key stakeholders involved? What are the good practices / lessons learned related to those initiatives?

Note: The conflict assessment is expected to take into account an existing conflict analysis that was recently produced or any other relevant resources produced by Search.

3. Geographic Locations

The CSOs and Stakeholders’ Mapping, the baseline assessment and the conflict assessment are expected to provide quantitative and qualitative information, gender-age disaggregated data and analysis on CSOs and target communities in a strategic country in the MENA region.

4. Methodology and Data Collection Tools

Approach

Search’s approach to the study is grounded in the guiding principles of our work: participatory, culturally sensitive, committed to building capacity, affirming and positive while honest and productively critical, and valuing knowledge and approaches from within the context. Search and the hired consultant(s) will agree upon a joint set of standards when negotiating the final contract of agreement.

The below principles should be taken into account:

• Inclusiveness—the methodology should include a wide range of viewpoints, specifically gender and age-sensitivity when applicable.
• Mixed-method approaches—both qualitative and quantitative methods need to be present in the methodology.
• Rigor of evidence—gathered information needs to be reliable and transparent
• Ethics—the methodology needs to consider ethics in order to ensure that the evaluation is fully objective.
• Safeguarding – remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable promoting strong safeguarding practices, understanding the child safeguarding policy and procedures.

Methodology & Scope of the study

The consultant(s) will utilise a multi-method approach of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to conduct the mapping and the Baseline Assessment and the Conflict Assessment (utilising Search’s guide to conflict assessment ), including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and a survey.

The mapping will be conducted at the beginning to inform Search decision-making in selecting CSOs and stakeholders. The baseline assessment will be conducted with focus on selected CSOs and Stakeholders and should triangulate data from multiple sources and stakeholders in order to infer reliable findings and assess their level of capacities.

The consultant will conduct KIIs/FGDs with CSOs representatives and media actors, in addition to surveys with community members. The survey sample size should be adequate and representative of those who will be directly and indirectly engaged in project activities. Search staff will work with the consultant to ensure adequate selection of the Key Informants and FGD participants.

The Conflict Assessment will be conducted in parallel to the Mapping and Baseline Assessment (Lot 1) and should factor in relevant information from the Mapping and the Baseline Assessment (and vise-versa) as information made available to ensure synergy between the two studies to the degree possible. In case consultant(s) are applying for the two lots, a separate sampling framework should be developed for the Conflict Assessment. The consultant(s) may decide to use a blended approach to data collection or completely separate. Either way, the approach should be clearly articulated under the overall methodological approach in a reliable and technically sound manner.

The consultant is requested to provide a detailed sampling framework and methodological framework that is clear and technically sound in the technical proposal with clear criteria for inclusion and representation. Data collection, analysis and the results should represent Inclusiveness—the methodology should include a wide range of viewpoints, specifically sex, gender and age-sensitivity. In addition, these should ensure integration of ethical considerations, and rigorousness of findings. In addition to adopting a mixed evidence-gathering approach, the consultant will also conduct a thorough desk review, and update the existing CSOs mapping, in addition to any existing literature on the project and/or related or similar projects. Together, the KIIs, surveys, the FGDs, and the desk review will provide a holistic understanding of the project’s progress.

The methodology and data collection tools need to be validated and approved by Search’s MEAL and Project Managers.

The consultant(s) is also required to develop a detailed evaluation matrix with judgment criteria that captures the baseline’s objectives and key questions which will guide the study process into reliable judgments and outcomes.

It will draw on the following sources:

• Desk study review: The Consultant(s) will conduct a desk review, synthesizing any existing literature and/or materials on the targeted areas. It is important to review project documents, logical framework, and other relevant sources of data to complete the assessment.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Interviews and dialogues will be conducted to gather in-depth information on key questions aiming to set baseline values.
• Surveys: Surveys should be distributed to stakeholders including men, women, and youth groups, and others as appropriate to collect numerical information related to the study’s key questions.

Note: Due to COVID-19 situation and uncertainty about undertaking on-ground data collection, applicants are required to integrate a detailed multiple scenario strategy in their proposed methodologies and work plans that would ensure efficacy in the delivery of the assignment and allow for flexibility to switch between different modalities (i.e., to virtual data collection and vice-versa) whenever there is a need to do so.

Deliverables

Lot 1: Mapping and Baseline Assessment

Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:

• An inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools and timeline, in addition to an evaluation matrix (for each deliverable, separately);
• Any necessary training of data collectors or set-up of systems for data collection;
• Supervision and participation in data collection;
• Oversight of data coding and analysis;
• All original data submitted to Search;
• A draft mapping report in English for review by Search staff;
• A draft baseline report in English for review by Search staff and partners;
• A final report integrating the mapping and baseline assessments reports to be submitted after incorporating the comments of Search. The report should be written in English (40 pages max in length, excluding appendices) consistent with Search branding and standards for studies. The report:
• Uses the Search template unless otherwise agreed in the contract;
• Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the intended results, articulate the project’s ToC, and include other relevant project specifics;
• Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations and methods chosen for analysis;
• Findings respect Search’s standards, are structured around the main objectives of the study, and are presented in relation to the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change and its contribution to our strategy. It should explain adaptations that occurred during the project and their impact on results;
• Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable;
• Indicator table showing all indicators;
• Appendices should include detailed research instruments, list of interviewees, terms of references and evaluator(s) brief biography.

Lot 2: Conflict Assessment

Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:

• An inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools and timeline
• Any necessary training of data collectors or set-up of systems for data collection;
• Supervision and participation in data collection;
• Oversight of data coding and analysis;
• All original data submitted to Search;
• A draft conflict assessment report in English for review by Search staff;
• A final conflict assessment report to be submitted after incorporating the comments of Search. The report should be written in English (40 pages max in length, excluding appendices) consistent with Search branding and standards for studies. The report:
• Uses the Search template unless otherwise agreed in the contract;
• Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the baseline study;
• Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations and methods chosen for analysis;
• Findings respect Search’s standards, are structured around the main objectives of the study, and are presented in relation to the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change and its contribution to our strategy. It should explain adaptations that occurred during the project and their impact on results;
• Appendices should include detailed research instruments, list of interviewees, terms of references and evaluator(s) brief biography.

Both reports should be submitted electronically in an MS – Word document. The consultant is responsible for the English editing of the final reports which should be well formatted.

All handwritten and electronic transcripts of interviews and KIIs, hard copies of survey questionnaires, photographs taken during the assessments, and any equipment received from Search for the purpose of the study should be submitted to Search. Furthermore, all information generated during the baseline study will be the sole property of Search and is subject to submission to Search along with the final report, prior to the end of the contract.

Logistical Support

Consultant(s) will be responsible for organizing their own communication and logistics for data collection (subscriptions to digital platforms of data collection, vehicles, fuel, and drivers), and this must be budgeted into the baseline. Search can provide support in arranging logistics as agreed upon based on the consultant’s proposal. At least one Search staff member may be available to support data collection and logistics.

6. Ethical Considerations

In line with the ethical codes and guidelines of research, the consultancy should take into consideration the Do No Harm, Conflict sensitivity, and inclusion principles throughout the processes of designing, implementing, and finalizing the proposed assignment. The consultant(s) are required to respect the following ethical principles:

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: The consultant should make the most of the existing information and a full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. The consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret, and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: The consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: The consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan, and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
• Respect for people: Consultant should respect the security, dignity, and self-worth of the respondents, program participants. The consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.
• Do No Harm: Consultant should obtain informed consent of participants and understand the context and the participants’ cultural backgrounds as well as the dynamics between the different target groups to avoid exacerbating negative impact and/or placing unintentional harms/risks.

7. Data Quality Assurance and Management

All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the country office and global Institutional Learning Team prior to the acceptance of the final product. The consultant(s) are also required to develop a clear and rigorous quality control plan during the inception phase of which will be implemented and deployed throughout all phases of the study process to ensure reliability and validity of findings. In Principal, all deliverables should meet the following quality control criteria:

• Meet information needs
• Appropriate design
• Reliable data
• Sound Analysis
• Credible Findings
• Valid and useful conclusions
• Realistic Recommendations
• Clarity

The consultant(s) are expected to ensure that the deliverables comply with the requirements of the Terms of Reference and meet adequate quality standards before sending it to Search. All limitations in the data sources and in the data analysis should be reported. Limitations on data reliability or related to the availability, quantity or quality of data which have implications for the findings, conclusions and recommendations should be articulated.

Search expects all reports to demonstrate high levels of professionalism. In addition to quality content, which will be ensured by our internal MEAL and ILT review as indicated above, Search also expects the consultant to include strong copy-editing and formatting efforts throughout the time of engagement.

8. Timeline

Lot 1: Mapping and Baseline Assessment

• The mapping timeline is expected to be kicked off on the 1st of November, and concluded on December 15, 2021 by submitting the final deliverables requested above.
• The baseline assessment timeline is expected to be kicked off on the 15th of November, and concluded on January 15, 2022 by submitting the final deliverables requested above.

Lot 2: Conflict Assessment

• The conflict assessment timeline is expected to be kicked off on the 1st of November, and concluded on January 15, 2022 by submitting the final deliverables requested above.

9. Budget

• The total budget available for both Lots is 27,000 USD. Applicants are invited to submit a proposal for either one or both Lots detailed above, in line with the communicated budget. A detailed budget should be provided for each Lot separately, including daily rates for personnel, and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables.

10. Requirements of Consultant

Lot 1: Mapping and Baseline Assessment

The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the consultant for this project:

• Proficiency in English and Arabic;
• More than five years of experience in project baselines and mapping, evaluation, including collecting data in interviews, surveys, and focus groups;
• Experience in situation analysis and working with local communities and marginalized groups;
• Experience working with international organizations;
• Experience conducting quantitative surveys and analysis;
• Experience doing similar work in MENA countries that include Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq etc;
• Evaluation methods and data collection skills; and
• Excellent report development and writing skills.

Lot 2: Conflict Assessment

The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the consultant for this project:

• Proficiency in English and Arabic;
• More than five years of experience in conflict analysis, conflict settings and post conflicts including understanding of conflict analysis methods and mixed methods approach (qualitative and quantitative).
• Experience in situation analysis and working with local communities and marginalized groups;
• Experience working with international organizations;
• Experience working in conflict sensitive localities;
• Experience doing similar work in MENA countries that include Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq etc;
• Evaluation methods and data collection skills; and
• Excellent report development and writing skills.

11. Selection Criteria

• Consultant proposals will be selected for:
• The relevance of the proposed methodology to the goal, objectives, and research questions for the project.
• Quality of proposed methods, conflict sensitivity approaches, and quality control measures.
• Qualifications of the candidate(s).
• The proposed budget in relation to the proposed methodology, deliverables, and team.
• Timeline for proposed activities.

Applications

To apply, interested candidates (individuals or teams) are requested to submit the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae of proposed consultancy team (to be consolidated in one pdf document);
• A technical proposal clearly outlining the proposed methodology, understanding of requirements, experience doing similar work, and timeline for the required deliverables. The technical proposal should not be more than ten pages (excluding annexes);
• A financial proposal (with detailed line items per deliverable) for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables (not more than two pages). For applicants applying for both lots, financial proposals should detail budget for Lot 1 and Lot 2 separately; and a
• Short cover letter (not more than one page).