National Consultant for Analysis of the Impact of Conflict on Women and Children in North West Nigeria at UNICEF

Reference No.: 540744
Contract Type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Emergency Programme

Purpose of Activity / Assignment

• The purpose of the study is to conduct an in-depth study on the impact of the rise in violence on the socio-economic situation of rural and urban populations, particularly women and children, of north-west Nigeria (Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States). 
• The analysis will provide UNICEF with an understanding of the impact the growing violence has on populations and guide on strategic direction for UNICEF Nigeria to effectively mitigate these effects.

The Overall Purpose of the Impact Assessment is two fold:

• To establish evidence base on the socio-economic impact of the crisis on vulnerable populations, specifically women and children, their livelihoods, coping mechanisms, access to basic services and physical security.
• Generate a strategic conflict sensitive framework based on the findings and recommendations to inform risk informed programme development.

Scope of Work

• Nigeria’s north-western states have been characterized by chronic under development, that has resulted in the region having some of the worst human-development indicators and trends in the country. In the last three to four years, the region has experienced a multi-faceted, complex crisis complicated by the effects of climate change and worsening violence in three worst affected states of Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto.
• The crises have been characterized by conflict between farmers and herders, rising crime and infiltration by non-state armed groups and the ongoing violence has resulted in significant population displacements of varying patterns – ranging from short-term and temporary to repeated and protracted displacements. Internally displaced persons in this region often live with host community families as there are very few formal or informal IDP camps.
• Without a formal reporting mechanism, large numbers of incidents go unreported thus the scope and magnitude of the crisis is largely unknown.  Government authorities are measured in their recognition of the humanitarian crisis and response has been primarily heightened military operations. 
• In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated state mitigation measures have restricted access and movement of displaced families further impacting their livelihoods and ability to supplement their household income.
• The economic downturn due to COVID-19 is a major issue across Nigeria - worst recession in four decades (3.2% contraction), the collapse of oil prices, double-digit inflation, job losses due to COVID-19 and insecurity. Women and children have borne the brunt of this crisis as their vulnerability has increased due to limited access to basic services and ongoing displacement.

UNICEF Nigeria is seeking to be proactive in anticipating the impacts of the continued violence within the complex crisis and foresees impacts in the major domains as listed below:

•  Current migration and displacement: Any restriction of movements, influxes of populations and/or migration out of the north-west due to insecurity or lack of opportunities.
• Social tensions and conflict: define the characteristic of the various armed groups, unpredictable instability, communal tension, conflict over natural resources, recruitment into armed organizations and impact on social fabric
• Child Protection Issues: presence of children in armed groups, recruitment tactics and implications, and the corresponding social/ community systems available for reintegration of these children.  Impact/correlation of school closures, 
• Deepening of existing vulnerabilities: possible rise of gender-based violence, exploitation of women and youth, access to basic services (Health, WASH, Education) and physical labour, augmentation of existing negative coping mechanisms, child labour/association with armed groups, removal of children from school
• Economic Security of vulnerable households (urban/rural/IDP): high dependency on remittances, reduction of casual labour, petty traders, urgency in loans payments, new adoption of negative coping mechanisms, impact of the dependence in agriculture and disruptions on access to land and livestock.
• Impact on food systems (food production and supply chains) and markets: Markets and supply chains are expected to be disrupted (processors, transporters, traders). Aspects to analyse would be; physical access to markets, economical access due to high prices and low incomes, imports/exports with Niger, increase of supply cost, decrease in diversification, lack of basic inputs, decrease of buyers for harvest, high value of perishable crops).
• The consultancy work will be focused on; in-depth examination of the impact of the increase in violence, impact on community’s social fabric in the three worst conflict affected states of Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states.

The scope of the proposed consultancy includes the following tasks: 

• Collect, describe, and analyse, the socio-economic information available in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto in Northwest Nigeria and the region prior to the rise in violence (secondary data review)
• Carry out a direct and secondary effects’ assessment (primary data) by including interviews with key informants, meetings and focus groups with affected populations, contact with armed groups where possible, surveys and brainstorming and working days with the UNICEF staff / partner staff to better understand the changes provoked already by the conflict
• Provide an assessment on the impact of the rise in violence on women and children with recommendations on conflict sensitive response options to mitigate the impact of the conflict

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Formal Education in Economics, Statistics, International Development, or other relevant studies.

Knowledge / Expertise / Skills required:

• Over 10 years’ experience of conducting conflict analysis and/or research on the impact of conflict.
• Sound knowledge of development theory and/or experience of project management for an NGO or UN agency in delivering development projects.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting similar research and design activities in socio-economic research or evaluation of programs and politics domains
• Previous experiences of practicing participatory methods for conducting research and planning.
• Experience and knowledge of markets assessment, value chain analyse and food systems
• Considerable professional experience of working in Nigeria at the community, village and district levels, with a clear understanding of traditional forms of social organisation and systems of local governance, as well as official systems of local administration; - Experience of working in North West Nigeria preferred
• High level of competence in the English language, particularly in writing and working knowledge of Hausa will be preferred
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally.