Consultant for NE-CMS III Program at Mercy Corps

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Contract

Background
North-East Nigeria’s Conflict Management and Stabilization (NE-CMS) III programme is funded by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by four (4) international partners led by Mercy Corps and includes Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), and Okapi Consulting. The local organizations Herwa Community Development Initiative, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Women in New Nigeria (WINN) are sub-awardees on the Mercy Corps component. Currently, in its third phase, the program builds on the foundation and success of NECMS I and II phases that concluded in March 2017 and March 2019 respectively. Phase III runs from 1st August 2019 to 31st May 2021 and is implemented in thirty-one (31) communities and five Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps in Damboa, Dikwa, MMC, Jere, Gwoza, Konduga LGAs of Borno State. The program aims at improving peace and resilience among communities in the face of drivers of conflict and violence in Borno State.

As such, the program envisions the following underlying results:

• Citizens are more civically engaged, and civilian government and security forces are more transparent and inclusive in addressing community needs around service delivery and protection
• Communities and citizen security forces have improved capacities to protect civilians in conflict
• Communities demonstrate improved trust and social cohesion within and between actors at the local level
• Local decision-making spaces and peacebuilding processes are equitable and inclusive of marginalized social groups, especially youth and women

The consortium aims to achieve these outcomes through a range of activities: engaging government and security forces in capacity building and mentorship, while supporting traditional leaders and communities to conduct advocacy and accountability activities; engaging non-state security forces and communities in dialogue, and self-protection initiatives; encouraging dialogue and psychological trauma healing among diverse stakeholders to generate trusting relationships, nurture reconciliation, and mitigate potential future crises; and establishing parallel safe spaces for women and youth to ensure that they can effectively contribute to peacebuilding.

Purpose / Project Description

• The purpose of the consultancy is to investigate the effectiveness of previous and ongoing conflict management efforts and structures in contributing to the above highlighted results areas, and to identify key learning, insights and evidence potent to sustain program achievements as well as explore new opportunities towards future conflict management and stabilization programminge.
• Through a participatory research approach and working closely with local and international partners the consultancy will help partners to understand the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the collective NECMS peace-building approach in Borno state.
• The survey will provide programme and policy recommendations for engagement with key stakeholders, as well as comparative lessons for other conflict management efforts.

The Illustrative evaluation questions that will be considered as cornerstone for this assessment are:

• How relevant, effective, efficient, and sustainable were the different processes, strategies and approaches adopted in the implementation of the project?
  • Relevance will look at the planning, design, implementation and coherence of the programme related to the four outcomes. The endline evaluation will make suggestions and outline the strategies that lead to the improvement of the programme design to achieve the results.
  • Efficiency will look at how the programme is converting inputs in a co-effect manner and with best quality across its outcomes.
  • Effectiveness will examine factors contributing to achievement of the results in time. All lessons learnt at this stage of the programme would be identified by the endline Evaluation.
• How effective were the adaptations made as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic? Were they more effective for specific population groups (youth, men, women, religious leaders and security actors)?
• How can the teams further adapt to ensure safe and dignified continuation of programmatic implementation and high level of program quality during these unique circumstances?
  • Sustainability will look at the aspects of the programme which is contributing to the continuation of the results of the programme after its completion.
• How have the activities impacted the social cohesion of the community, the peaceful environment and wellbeing of project participants?
• What were special inclusive considerations implemented for gender specific activities and community based stakeholders was incorporated throughout the project?
• Examine how women, youth, religious leaders, traditional leaders and security actors are included, consulted, and incorporated in the program at all stages. All lessons learnt at this stage of the programme would be identified by the endline evaluation.
• What is the level of satisfaction of the stakeholders including partners, participants / beneficiaries, and others? Were stakeholders able to provide feedback with ease?

It is expected that the above questions will be adjusted in collaboration with the consultant/service provider.

Consultant Objectives:

• Collaborative design of a mixed method evaluation approach to include a desk review of programme reports as well as research reports, adoption of qualitative and quantitative techniques (surveys, interviews, workshops, etc) to collect primary data across programme sites, analyse and interpret findings using innovative data storytelling techniques and an evaluation report.

Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:

• Review programme reports, evaluation surveys conducted on NECMS (I, II, and III) and researches conducted.
• Inception report detailing approach, methodology, and specifics of data collection and analysis to be shared with the consortium partners
• Inception workshop for collaborative review of the inception report by the consortium partners.
• Develop tools for the evaluation including adopting and refining the NECMS baseline tools as necessary.
• Fieldwork for data collection and collaboration, including engagement with partners, local communities, and relevant NECMS stakeholders
• Compile and analyse field survey information and data in a clear manner and format
• Submit a final report including relevant programming recommendations.
• Facilitate final endline report dissemination workshop

Consultant Deliverables:

• The Consultant will work closely with the NECMS Consortium partners led by Mercy Corps. It is expected that government regulations in response to COVID-19 are respected throughout the process. Gender inclusion and participation of marginalized groups will be emphasized.
• Care will be taken to ensure that the different stakeholders are free to express their views without interference or concerns of reprisals.

Key Deliverables / Outputs:

• Inception Report
• Inception Workshop; updated and final inception report submitted after incorporating key action points from workshop.
• Data collection Tools for Endline Evaluation
• Detailed Field Itinerary to include mitigation plans for possible risks such as COVID-19
• Complete data collection plan
• Raw and clean data set from survey including audio files and transcripts
• Completed informed consent forms from participants for pictures and audio files as applicable
• Analysis framework for qualitative and quantitative analysis as applicable
• Evaluation Report
• Case studies on key lessons, constraints and best practices identified.
• Dissemination Workshop
• Consultant may also recommend additional outputs and deliverables

Note: The consultant will not be provided with transportation and accommodation but Mercy Corps will provide guidance and recommendations. The consultant will include their airfare, accommodation and Per diem as part of his/her quotations - and Mercy Corps will support with access to field/implementation sites. Mercy Corps Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team will be available to work directly with the consultant throughout the duration of the consultancy and to answer any question as they emerge. Supporting with supervising and training of the data collectors in the field and providing tablets, digital recorders, and also electronic data collection platform (ONA or Comcare). Mercy Corps will be responsible for providing hall for training training venue, training materials and refreshment during the training for data collection.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• It is expected that the consultant is available to start in March, 2021. The consultant will then work until April 28, 2021 where the final evaluation report (adjusted according to NECMS Consortium feedback) is to be shared.
• It is expected that the consultant will work for an estimated 30 working days (including weekends) between March 19th, 2021 and April 28, 2021 (both days inclusive).
• The invoice for services should be provided to Mercy Corps immediately after the delivery of the final evaluation report (due April 28, 2021).

The Consultant will report to:

• Mercy Corps Country Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager

The Consultant will work closely with:

• The Consortium Management and the Consortium Partners led by Mercy Corps and includes Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), and Okapi Consulting.

Required Experience & Skills
The following are the qualifications and experiences the consultant should possess:

• A minimum Masters or Post Graduate Degree in Social Sciences or any relevant field Readiness to travel to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps in Damboa, Dikwa, MMC, Jere, Gwoza, Konduga LGAs of Borno State to conduct direct standard assessment activities as well as field visits to program sites.
• 6 - 15 years work experience.
• Strong experience conducting major research exercises in support of major development programmes – preferably in early recovery - peacebuilding/conflict resolution and livelihood – in challenging operational environments, previous experience in Northeast (Borno) Nigeria is strongly desired.
• A strong approach to assuring quality assurance of data collected.
• A strong ethical approach to data collection – while still being able to meet the objectives of the consultancy.
• Demonstrable experience in leading evaluations of conflict programs and peace building activities
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques, especially in emergency operations.
• Data visualization skills highly desirable.
• Experience with evaluation FCDO-funded projects.
• Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of Nigeria Conflict and Peace building programming context.
• Good interpersonal skills and understanding cultural sensitivities, conflict dynamics, gender norms and governance structures and issues of Borno state.

Terms & Conditions

• The consultant must abide by all of FCDO (NECMS Consortium) standard procedures, including the Code of Conduct and confidentiality policies. All data and information collected, and any reports, as well as the methodology of the Conflict Assessment will be the property of NECMS Consortium (FCDO).

Assessment and Award of the Assignment:

• Mercy Corps will evaluate technical and financial proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. Mercy Corps reserves the right to accept, or reject one or all proposals received without assigning any reason, and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
• Any sub-contracting under this evaluation consultancy will not be accepted.