Consultancy Service – Conflict Sensitivity Analysis and Capacity Building in Kachin and Northern Shan states, Myanmar

1. 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 a 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 into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

DRC is seeking a consultant to (re-)introduce key concepts to DRC staff and 2 implementing partners (Alinn Bhamo, Meikswe Myanmar), support them in conduct local stakeholder and power analyses, and subsequently reviewing the systems, policies, and programmatic approaches that underpin FLER programming with respect to conflict sensitivity.

1. Background

Due to its long-term presence in Myanmar, DRC has extensive knowledge and understanding of the protection concerns across the three states. DRC Myanmar recognises the need to better reflect local conflict and contextual dynamics across its target selection processes, communication strategies, recruitment and procurement processes, inter alia. This is particularly important in emergency assessment and response missions, where implementing agencies are often lacking the time, contextual understanding and community trust to adequately address conflict sensitivity considerations. DRC plans to initiate a long-term process of strengthening conflict sensitivity across its programmes, starting with its operations in Kachin and Shan States under the ECHO-funded First Line Responder (FLER) consortium.

Throughout 2023, DRC will focus on building in-house capacity / resources that allow for regular review of the changing context and conflict-sensitive decision-making across programmes and support services functions. The consultancy detailed below outlines requirements under the first phase of planned support enabling DRC Myanmar to build this in-house capacity.

1. Objective of the consultancy

The support provided under this consultancy will be split into two tenders / phases, with the following objectives:

1. Strengthen understanding of key conflict sensitivity concepts and local conflict dynamics amongst DRC’s and implementing partner (IP) staff in Kachin and Shan States – Phase 1
2. Undertake an operational review of DRC and 2 IPs, including analysis of how their systems, policies, and programmatic approaches result in negative or positive interactions with local context dynamics – Phase 1
3. Provide accompaniment to key DRC staff and IPs on applying conflict sensitivity tools and establishing tailored conflict sensitivity processes that are integrated into existing partnership and project cyle management systems – Phase 2
4. Carry out a holistic security assessment with implementing partners (IPs) and facilitate an inclusive risk sharing approach between these IPs and DRC, ensuring that risks are managed respectfully and with a localisation focus – Phase 2

This consultancy will focus on Phase 1 objectives, including one-on-one consultation with key staff and programmme stakeholders, discussions or workshops that combines practical training and participatory analysis, in addition to desk review of key programme policy / process documents. These activities will inform development of a final review document outlining suggested organisatioinal change measures promoting conflict sensitivity across DRC and the two IPs’ FLER programming. The focus should remain on FLER programmes, but may in some cases be applicable across DRC / IP programmes more widely. It is expected that the successful candidate will already have personnel that hold a reasonably strong understanding of the Kachin and Shan contexts, to help inform further design of the process.

1. Scope of work and Methodology

The consultant may choose to broaden the scope, however it is acceptable for deliverables under objective 1 to focus on two selected priority townships in Kachin and Shan respectively. Due to the nature of the operational review, the final document under objective 2 will include measures applicable across how programmes function at the state / area level (Kachin / NSS) as a minimum. The Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how

the objectives of the project will be achieved, and the support required from DRC.

1. Deliverables

Please see details in the attached Terms of Reference.

1. Duration, timeline, and payment

The consultancy is expected to take a maximum of 60 working days and completed by 14 April 2023.

NB: these timelines are suggested, and applicants are welcome to suggest a timeline for the consultancy.

1. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

The conflict analysis consultancy assignment is open to individual nationals or a team of national and international expert consultants, with specialist knowledge and research expertise in conflict analysis and peacebuilding as well as humanitarian programming and theory. The consultant will have the following experience and qualifications:

Essential:

1. At least 5 years of significant experience in conducting conflict sensitivity analysis for humanitarian actors and/or research on conflict analysis and its causes or approaches to conflict transformation
2. Previous experience providing tailored, practical recommendations for humanitarian practitioners on conflict sensitivity issues
3. Previous experiences of practicing participatory methods for conducting research and planning
4. Considerable professional experience of working in Myanmar at the community, village and township levels, with a clear understanding of traditional forms of social organization and systems of local governance, as well as official systems of local administration
5. Team members fluent in Burmese spoken and written language, and a strong working level of competence in the English are both required

Skills and knowledge:

1. Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally.
2. Strong proven knowledge on the history of conflict dynamics in Myanmar, with a particular focus on Kachin and Northern Shan

Eligibility:

The consultant, or members of the consultant team are able to work within Myanmar, including travel to Kachin and NSS.

1. Technical supervision

The consultant will report to and receive technical input from the DRC Myanmar Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HoHDP).

It should also be noted that DRC plans to hire a staff member that can facilitate and follow-up on recommendations made during the review and may be available during the latter stages of the consultancy period.

1. Location and support

This consultancy will be based in Myanmar, with at least one member of the consultant team visiting DRC’s programme in Kachin and Shan States in person. The consultant is expected to include any accommodation and travel costs within the funding proposal for the consultancy.