Consultancy on Conflict Sensitivity Assessment For, Area-Based Livelihoods Initiative II (ABLI II) Project in Garissa county

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Conflict Sensitivity Assessment For, Area-Based Livelihoods Initiative II (ABLI II) Project in Garissa county.

Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included in hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote the protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

DRC has been operational in Kenya since 2005 and is one of the United Nations Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) largest Implementing Partners in the refugee response. DRC is present in Garissa (Dadaab & Garissa), Turkana (Kakuma, Kalobeyei & Lodwar), Nairobi and Mandera counties.

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct field research for a Conflict Sensitivity Assessment of Garissa County to promote more conflict-sensitive policies, programs, and service delivery in the region. Focusing on conflict drivers and dynamics related to livelihoods interventions, humanitarian and development service delivery, the study is expected to provide key stakeholders with a better area-based understanding of the types of conflict to be addressed, the actors involved and their interests, key trends, and entry points or opportunities to build the communities’ abilities for resolving differences without engaging in violence, as well as potential spoilers. Secondly, the analysis and recommendations should support DRC and its partners in implementing the ABLI Garrissa phase II project in a conflict-sensitive manner.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council, along with our partners, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), the Pastoralist Girls Initiative (PGI), the Rights Organization for Advocacy and Development (ROAD), and the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), are implementing a joint project that builds the self-reliance of refugee and host communities in Garissa County, through a flexible framework that is responsive and adaptable to the opportunities and challenges of the new Refugee Act, 2021 and the much anticipated Shirika Plan and the Garissa Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (GISEDP) processes. With the enactment of the Refugees Act, there have been positive developments in terms of access to documentation, freedom of movement, livelihoods, and socio-economic inclusion of refugees – however the actual regulatory changes will depend on the regulations which have recently been gazetted on 1st February 2024, the soon-to-be relaunched GISEDP as well as the initiatives to be rolled out through the Shirika Plan, which when taken together will provide the county vision for integrated development. There is generalized support for a settlement approach by local stakeholders, including with the re-opening of IFO2.

This project, Area-Based Livelihoods Initiative II (ABLI II) primarily objective is to enhance displacement-affected communities’ access to decent employment in Garissa County – through a holistic intervention that assists project beneficiaries to access employment through business development, skills development, agricultural development, and market linkages. Alongside the immediate results, the project builds sustainability by working alongside the government and private-sector partners to improve the enabling environment the project also focuses on addressing key barriers identified under the first phase of the project including resource-based conflict and limited social cohesion and social capital for the most marginalized groups, To better have a clear understanding of these barriers and the root causes and a clear plan to address them DRC would like to conduct a conflict sensitivity assessment to ensure that the project interactions between context and interventions are understood and that interventions are adapted accordingly to avoid unintentionally feeding into further division.

The objective of the consultancy

DRC wishes to conduct a conflict sensitivity assessment to ensure that the ABLI Garissa project interactions between context and interventions are understood and that interventions are adapted accordingly to avoid unintentionally feeding into further division as well as identifying opportunities to promote social cohesion and positive interactions between host and displaced communities. The assessment will build on previous conflict assessment and political economy analysis conducted during the implementation of ABLI-G phase I, including a focus on marginalized clans and the societal terrain in which refugee households manage risk, access protection and resources, seek livelihoods, and cope with social barriers.

Scope of Work and Methodology

The Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how the objectives of the assessment will be achieved within the agreed-upon set time, and the support required from DRC. Below is a list of the expected deliverables; The consultancy will focus on the field research and data collection for the Conflict Sensitive Development Assessment. This will include at least 15 days of fieldwork to conduct the primary research in Garissa County with support from the ABLI Garissa consortium partners and additional days for desk research and analysis.

Key tasks

• Develop a participatory research methodology appropriate for the Garissa County contexts
• Conduct a desk analysis of existing reports and relevant documents including political economy analyses conducted in ABLI-G Phase I.
• Conduct primary field research, including engagement with communities, relevant authorities including security providers, Civil society organizations, and private sector actors
• Compile and analyze field research information and data in a clear manner and format
• Present research findings to DRC,Its partners, and stakeholders for validation
• Submit a final report including relevant policy and programming recommendations

Specific assessment questions

The assessment is expected to formulate answers on the following questions.

• Alignment with policies and government structures: How may the specific outcomes and outputs of the project affect the conflict actors and dynamics present in the local context? Will the project work on contentious topics related to the Shirika Plan and GISEDP (e.g., is there dissonance between these plans and certain project approaches or objectives)? Do national policies, laws and regulations align with the objectives and overall approach of the project? Will the project promote changes that can give rise to resistance e.g., from government actors or policy decision makers?
• Impact on the existing driver of exclusion or marginalization (including clannism as a variable): Might the identified target areas reinforce grievances or conflict drivers, for example around the marginalization of certain groups? Might the project be instrumentalized to perpetuate certain shifts in the conflict context (e.g., tensions over land use and access between clans or different community groups)? Are there risks that the project would reinforce exclusionary practices?
• Project management: How do project staff and partners relate to the conflict? Do they have links to or represent a certain group? How may prevailing narratives and stereotypes affect their decisions? May they be exposed to pressure from their communities? How are implementing partners perceived in the local context? Do they have the capacity to work in a conflict-sensitive way? Can they demonstrate knowledge and experience of conflict sensitivity? How will the project manage security risks? How will the project capture and manage unintended effects (whether these effects are positive or negative)?
• Stakeholder engagement: Might elites be able to capture project resources or benefits to pursue their interests or reinforce their positions of power? Which actors will be strengthened or weakened by the project? How will power relations be affected by the project, and also about gender? Who will benefit and who will lose out from the project?
• Beneficiary selection: How will the project ensure that beneficiary selection will be regarded as transparent and equitable? How can the project effectively target the most marginalized and those with limited social capital? Could beneficiary selection result in disproportionate benefit to a certain group and the exclusion of others? Could it coincide with key divisions in society or existing conflicts? Could it create or exacerbate grievances and tensions? Is there a risk that targeting exercises will be manipulated and lead to breaches in impartiality?
• Community Participation: Does the project foresee consultation and participation processes? Is the project considering specific measures for inclusion, consultation, and consent of marginalized and vulnerable groups?

The consultant can suggest modifications or additions to these questions as part of their bid.

Furthermore the assessment should make recommendations to cover the following aspects:

• Identify and describe opportunities that can strengthen peace factors or support peace actors.
• Recommend actions to ensure that the project does not contribute to exclusion or worsen social inequalities and tensions.
• Verify if the project has suitable objectives and indicators to reflect its commitment to conflict sensitivity. If not the case, propose changes to ensure the objectives and indicators indeed incorporate conflict sensitivity.

Methodology

The consultant should employ a participatory and qualitative research methodology, engaging key stakeholders and communities in Garissa County. This approach should include a combination of desk analysis of existing reports and documents, primary field research involving community engagement, and discussions with relevant authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector actors. The proposed methodology should prioritize clarity, inclusivity, and adaptability, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of conflict dynamics and drivers related to livelihood interventions and service delivery in the region.

Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:

Inception report

Inception report, including an agreed methodology and research tools for the conflict sensitivity assessment, including a work plan and timeframe,

Research Assessment

Collect, review, compile, and analyze all raw information and data from desk and field research, as outlined in the finalized methodology.

Validation

2 de-briefs sessions (one in Garissa and one in Nairobi) of the preliminary findings to the DRC – ABli G consortium and key stakeholders for validation.

Reporting

A synthesized report with research findings, analysis, and recommendations (no longer than 30 pages)

Finalization of the assessment.

Final Report (with feedback integrated) no longer than 30 pages

The Consultant will provide the documentationby email.

Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than _25 days working days.

Proposed Composition of Team

DRC expects this consultancy to be conducted by one consultant. DRC will provide a Garissa-based project staff that will be available throughout the fieldwork. This staff member will support with logistics arrangements, and help organize interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and meetings. While the DRC staff could conduct interviews based on the methodology and questionnaire developed by the consultant, the consultant is expected to lead the engagements in Garissa during the fieldwork and have an existing network to identify relevant respondents.

Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

The successful candidate will lead the organization and implementation of the work and is responsible for delivering the required outputs, working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Qualifications will include:

• Excellent understanding of conflict issues and community security
• Strong and proven research skills with more
• 3-5 years of experience in conflict sensitivity assessments, conflict analysis
• Strong understanding of the Garissa County context
• Willingness and ability to travel to conflict-affected communities in Garissa
• Good communication skills, including report writing in English.
• Must be a master’s holder in conflict and peace studies or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Technical supervision

The consultant will report to the DRC Kenya’s Head of Programme. The focal point for coordination and liaison will be the DRC Kenya HDP manager.

Location and support

The Consultancy will take place in Garissa County. The Consultant will provide her/his computer and mobile telephone, data analysis platforms, and other essentials required for the accomplishment of the deliverables.

Travel

The consultancy requires travel to the field that’s Garissa County and local travel within Garissa County including travel to the Dadab sub-county. DRC will cover all the consultant’s travel and accommodation to and from the field.

Evaluation of bids

All bidders will be scored for each of the below criteria and will be assessed for profile and qualifications (document 1), technical approach (document 2), and similar experience (document 3).

Only those shortlisted will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.

Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: RFP 0281657 PROVISION OF CONFLICT SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT CONSULTANCY