Search for Common Ground
Peacebuilding • Conflict Transformation • Conflict Resolution • Media Sector Development • Youth Leadership Development
Consultant - Baseline Study (Niger, DRC, Palestinian Territories)
October 1
Search for Common Ground
Peacebuilding • Conflict Transformation • Conflict Resolution • Media Sector Development • Youth Leadership Development
Description
• See the full Terms of Reference HERE. • Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking consultants (a group or a firm) to conduct a comprehensive baseline study for our strategic peacebuilding programme, "From grassroots to global: empowering communities in peacebuilding policy," which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. • This baseline study aims to establish a foundational understanding of the current context regarding the influence of local actors on multi-level peacebuilding practices and policies in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Niger, and the Palestinian Territories at local, national and international level (and vice versa). • We are primarily interested in understanding: 1. The capacity and agency of locally-rooted peacebuilders in enhancing community resilience and transforming violent conflicts; 2. The effectiveness of grassroots practices in influencing policy based on evidence from locally-rooted programmes; 3. The current ability of the international system to identify gaps in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and the ability to respond to that analysis with early action (responsiveness); 4. The values and relevance of the project indicators and the analysis/integration of locally-led indicators in the baseline for future impact measurement of project interventions. • This baseline study is conducted in alignment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants decree and the 'Contributing to Peaceful and Safe Societies 2024-2031' grant policy framework. This study will align with the MFA’s 'contributing to peaceful and safe societies' framework, incorporating IOB quality criteria for evaluations and ensuring that the study's findings contribute to the overarching MEL objectives of the grant program. It includes a comprehensive policy analysis component, identifying key policies and evaluating their current status and relevance in the context of peacebuilding efforts. It will inform both the initiation of the project and subsequent evaluations, contributing to the program’s broader policy influence objectives. • Proposals submitted should include a comprehensive plan to analyze these aspects, ensuring robust insights into how programming, context, and observed changes are interrelated. The study should consider crucial demographic factors such as gender, age, and other relevant details. • Candidates must have proven experience in conducting baseline studies for multi-country programmes, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and in analyzing norms to explain the relationship between programming, context, and the changes observed. • Additionally, we require members of the team to have proven experience in analyzing policy and advocacy work at the international level and a strong knowledge of international stakeholders in the areas.
Requirements
• Expertise and experience in peacebuilding and conflict-affected areas such as Afghanistan, Niger, Palestine territories and DRC: demonstrated experience in conducting research and evaluations within FCAS, with a strong understanding of peacebuilding dynamics, local governance structures, and conflict resolution mechanisms (more than 7 years of experience); • Demonstrate experience in conducting evaluations that align with the IOB criteria ensuring high-quality, credible findings that can inform policy and programmatic decisions; • Mixed methods research proficiency: proven ability to design and implement mixed methods approaches, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies to capture nuanced insights into peacebuilding practices and policy influence. Experience in leveraging both methods effectively to validate findings and enhance data reliability (more than 10 years of experience); • Policy and advocacy expertise: experience in policy analysis at national and international levels with strong knowledge of international stakeholders in the domain. (more than 10 years of experience); • Data management and quality Assurance: skills in developing and implementing data collection tools, ensuring they are culturally sensitive, ethical, and aligned with study objectives. Proficiency in data entry, cleaning, analysis, and interpretation, with a commitment to maintaining data integrity and confidentiality (more than 10 years of experience); • Community engagement and ethical standards: ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, civil society organizations, and government officials, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for cultural sensitivities throughout the research process; • Gender and conflict sensitivity: understanding of gender dynamics in conflict contexts and proficiency in integrating a gender-sensitive approach into research methodologies. Capability to analyze data through a gender lens, uncovering gender-specific barriers and opportunities in peacebuilding efforts; • Reporting and communication skills: strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable reports tailored to different audiences, including policymakers, donors, and community stakeholders. Experience in presenting research findings effectively through workshops, conferences, and publications; • Languages: Proficiency in English and French (written and spoken).
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