Central African Republic: Research Consultants sought in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Research Consultants sought in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

We are looking for consultants to carry out research into conflict and peacebuilding in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The research will be carried out as part of a project managed by Peace Direct entitled ‘Youth Action for Peace’. We will be contracting several consultants to work in the different locations and will consider applications from individual consultants, consultancy firms or small teams of consultants (no more than three people). If multiple individual consultants are selected, they may be expected to work as a single team to deliver the consultancy.

The project

In recognition of UNSCR 2250 which calls for young people to have a greater and more meaningful role in local and national peacebuilding efforts, Peace Direct has created an innovative three-year project which builds on our existing work with local partners in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

The project aims to empower youth led organisations and youth groups to collaborate and lead their own peacebuilding initiatives, while at the same time creating spaces and opportunities for their voices to be heard by local, national and international policy makers. This will be achieved through:

• detailed mapping and analysis of current youth led peacebuilding; • analysis of peace and conflict issues;

• bespoke capacity building and collaboration opportunities for selected youth initiatives;

• distribution of small grants to groups to run their own initiatives;

• facilitating opportunities for young people to engage with their peers and decision makers on issues that affect them.

Description of the consultancy

This consultancy applies to the first nine month phase of the project, which is focused on mapping and conflict analysis (to be carried out simultaneously).

Outputs

• Mapping of local youth-led peacebuilding initiatives in selected locations in in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan, following a methodology developed by Peace Direct. Please note that the locations are likely to be the most conflict affected regions of these countries and will be decided by Peace Direct in consultation with the consultant/s.

• Conflict analysis of the main conflict issues and peacebuilding opportunities for youth in Pakistan, Mali, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. The methodology for carrying out the analysis will be participatory (involving interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) with community members in the selected regions) and will be developed by Peace Direct in consultation with the consultant/s. A final report will include the main findings.

Activities

Preparation

• Desk-based research on existing resources related to existing youth-led initiatives, mapping and conflict analyses, drawing key lessons and identifying gaps in analysis;

• Basic scoping of key actors (local administration, CSO networks, traditional authorities) to approach when visiting each locality, some of whom should be contacted in advance to schedule interviews;

• Discuss methodology documents and tools initially designed by Peace Direct. Based on first drafts, methodology and approach will be refined and decided jointly between the consultant and Peace Direct;

• In collaboration with Peace Direct, select locations where the data-collection will be conducted. Decisions on locations must be made jointly between Peace Direct and the consultant/s and any changes to locations or methodology during the course of the research must be discussed with Peace Direct.

Field research

• Detailed data collection (mapping) and analysis of local youth led CSOs and youth peacebuilders (including less formal groups) through the collection of detailed information on their work, reach, challenges and needs. Consultants will conduct interviews with representatives of local youth-led initiatives having a direct or indirect peacebuilding impact. The mapping will follow a methodology and approach already developed by Peace Direct.

• Facilitation of FDGs. In each locality, several FGDs will be held, in order to understand the main conflict issues and peacebuilding opportunities for different groups (women, Practical Local Vocal youth etc.). The quantity and location of FGDs will be decided by Peace Direct, in consultation with the consultant/s.

• Interviews with a range of community members in order to understand the main conflict issues and peacebuilding opportunities for different groups (women, youth etc.). The quantity and location of interviews will be decided by Peace Direct, in consultation with the consultant/s.

• Arrange all logistical details for travel, accommodation and organisation of interviews and FGDs.

Reporting and Communications

• On top of formal reporting deadlines and documents listed in the following section, we expect fluid and open communication with Peace Direct, in a timely manner, both on successes and failures as they happen.

Deliverables

• A brief (2-3 page) report of the desk-based research listing resources and proposed methodology, key lessons, gaps in analysis and priorities for the data-collection to be conducted;

• Interim report (2-3 pages) after the first round of field research on the main successes and challenges, as well as sharing all data collected, in order to make sure that the process is clearly understood and make any necessary adjustments to the methodology;

• A consistent database (using Microsoft Excel) compiling all data collected on each initiative, including GPS coordinates and qualitative information on the questions of capacity. This data will be publicly accessible through our Peace Insight website (www.peaceinsight.org) and inform the project and other work in the region;

• A final report to accompany the mapping data on the major trends in youth-led peacebuilding in the region (5-10 pages);

• A gender sensitive conflict analysis based on the research carried out (20-30 pages), including individual testimonies and case studies;

• Annexes of all supporting data and documentation, including on identification / sampling of participants, notes from FGDs and interviews (where possible, all information to be disaggregated by gender and age);

• Photographs of FGDs and participants if and where possible, with informed consent. Timeline February Recruitment February Desk research and preparation phase Practical Local Vocal March Pilot research and interim report April- June Main research phase July Final report and full database delivered Person specification

• Excellent analytical and research skills;

• Excellent writing skills (in English for work in Nigeria and Pakistan and French for work in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali);

• Experience working in conflict contexts, including peacebuilding experience;

• Knowledge of national context and civil society environment, especially grassroots initiatives and how they operate;

• Experience and knowledge of the peacebuilding sector;

• At least five years of relevant research experience, including using quantitative and qualitative methodologies;

• Understanding of research ethics and ‘Do no harm’ principles;

• Be based in, or easily able to travel to, the country where research will be carried out.

Person specification

• Excellent analytical and research skills;

• Excellent writing skills (in English for work in Nigeria and Pakistan and French for work in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali);

• Experience working in conflict contexts, including peacebuilding experience;

• Knowledge of national context and civil society environment, especially grassroots initiatives and how they operate;

• Experience and knowledge of the peacebuilding sector;

• At least five years of relevant research experience, including using quantitative and qualitative methodologies;

• Understanding of research ethics and ‘Do no harm’ principles;

• Be based in, or easily able to travel to, the country where research will be carried out

Timeline

February - Recruitment

February - Desk research and preparation phase

March - Pilot research and interim report

April- June - Main research phase

July - Final report and full database delivered

Application process

Interested consultants must present the following documents:

• A cover letter demonstrating their suitability for this role;

• Writing samples from previous research projects;

• Curriculum vitae (if applying as a team, each member of the team);

• Contact details of three referees, including names, positions, telephone numbers, email addresses, and their relationship to the consultant/s.

Applications must be sent by email to the following address: laura.vermeer@peacedirect.org. The deadline to apply is 01/02/2019 at 17:00 GMT.