TERMS OF REFERENCE For the SALAMA HUB PHASE II JOINT PROJECT

BASELINE STUDY (Re-Advertized)

PROJECT TITILED: Transforming Lives through Evidence-Based Advocacy by Campaigning for Peaceful Change

Project Holder: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Consortium Lead Agency with the All Africa Conference of Churches, AACC.

Project Number: A-AFM-2024-0019

The evaluation is commissioned by: The American Friends Service Committee, AFSC, on the Salama Hub Project Phase II

1.Background and Justification

The Salama Hub Project Phase Two (2024-2026) is a joint project between the American Friends Service Committee, AFSC, (Lead Consortium Partner), and the All Africa Conference of Churches, AACC. It presents a great opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders in the Horn of Africa and beyond to contribute to peace and stability. The project targets the Horn of Africa countries (IGAD member states) that are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. It aims to ensure that African Civil societies and Faith Leaders to effectively engage with regional bodies (IGAD, AU, UN, EU, EAC, ETC) in Africa, Europe, and the United States of America for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. It is expected that the project will further equip Civil Society Organizations and Faith Based Organizations in the Horn of Africa region with knowledge and skills that come through research, to positively influence the conflict situations as well as policy development, thereby contributing to peace. The knowledge and skills will come from the strengthening of their capacities and enabling environment for these actors to contribute better to stability in the countries of the Horn of Africa.

This region remains one of the world’s most conflict-prone and fragile regions and some of the countries have experienced decades of wars, while others have experienced temporal stability but with relapse into conflicts, others experienced new armed conflicts, while some continue to go through political oppression with a lot to deal with vis-à-vis restricted spaces. This new project comes after a First Phase (2021 – 2023) had been implemented by the same consortium partners and provides an opportunity to draw lessons that could contribute better to the dynamics of the region with policymakers. Through this new phase of interventions, African civil societies and faith leaders will interact efficiently with institutional stakeholders in Africa, Europe, and America for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. The project exists to make a significant contribution by equipping Civil Society Organizations and Faith-Based Organizations in the Horn of Africa region with evidence-based advocacy while research becomes a strong foundation for positively influencing the conflict situations as well as policy development, thereby contributing to peace.

Both Phase I and Phase II of this project have been a partnership between AFSC, AACC, and Brot fur die Welt (BfdW). BfdW has been a long-standing strategic partner of AFSC and AACC for many years and this new phase of project presents an opportunity to further harness and consolidate the efforts towards the long-term vision for peace and stability for the three organizations as described in the new Joint Advocacy Strategy for Peace and Stability, ASPS 2023 – 2033. BfdW and AFSC made a strategic decision in 2023 to develop, finalize and adopt an Advocacy Strategy for Peace and Stability 2023 – 2033 for the Horn of Africa. This is a long-term vision for the Horn of Africa and AACC being a strategic partner to both AFSC and BfdW will also be part of the strategy. It is expected that many other actors in the Horn of Africa and beyond will value this strategy and collaborate to making the Horn of Africa in particular and in broader Africa, and the world a better place to live in.

2. Project indicators

1.1. At least 75% of the 1,800 (900 F) trained CSO and FBO members use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries,

1.2. At least 40% of 900 women (CBO/FBO) members use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries,

1.3. At least 40% of 720 youth (CBO/FBO members) use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries,

2.1. At least X new peacebuilding-related advocacy initiatives on non-violent approaches have been undertaken by concerted and coordinated actions by CSOs and FBOs*,

2.2. At least two priority issues (added to the six identified in phase 1) raised by CSOs and FBOs influence policy reforms and practices at the AU, IGAD, EU, and USA,

3.1. At least X documents and oral statements from the project’s research findings are used by policymakers, organizations, and the public on pro-peace policies and practices*.

3. Purpose of the Baseline Study:

Given the above-mentioned context of the Horn of Africa and the content of the project, to monitor and assess project progress towards to the above objectives, and effectiveness during the project implementation phase, a baseline survey has been planned to be undertaken by the consortium to ensure that there is accountability to deliver against the targets. The baseline study will therefore focus on baseline data collection (quantitative and qualitative) for the set of indicators outlined in the project and enumerated here above. The baseline study report will be used as a measurement to monitor the project progress against the set indicators over the course of the project implementation. The Baseline study presents an essential tool for tracking the impact of the project on policy issues in the Horn of Africa through research and advocacy. This is expected to be inclusive by the combined efforts of CSOs and FBOs, and the different constituents in the Horn of Africa. Inclusion will also look in the areas of Gender, Youth, and Persons with Different Abilities.

In assessing the changes in policies and context dynamics, this study will also help to understand how the project contributes to peace and stability in the countries of the Horn of Africa. The data generated from this study will inform the end-of-project evaluation.

4. Objectives of the Baseline Study:

The following are the specific objectives of the baseline study:

1. Identify potential collaboration between CSOs and FBOs and the constituencies to influence the contextual dynamics and power centers/decision-makers for policy strengthening,
2. To identify policies, protocols and conventions on human rights, sustainable peace and migration influenced by CSOs and faith-based organizations,
3. To understand the contribution of CSO and faith-based organizations on human rights, sustainable peace, and migration,
4. To assess the capacity of CSOs and faith-based organizations for evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue with the AU, IGAD, EU, USG, and UN on human rights, sustainable peace, and migration,
5. To examine the availability and accessibility of safe spaces for right defenders, activists, CSOs and faith-based actors, who need protection from targeted threats or risks to their lives in the HoA,
6. To establish the baseline indicators to facilitate the implementation of the Joint Project.
7. Provide a foundation for monitoring and evaluating the project’s impact.

5. Scope of Work:

The baseline study will cover key institutions (AU, IGAD, EAC) and organizations which the project will be engaging with including government, and non-government organizations, CSOs, Faith Based Organizations in the eight countries of the Horn of Africa: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda including women, youth, and persons with different abilities. It is expected that consultant used 30 days spread over April and May 2024.

6. Methodology and Approach

The Baseline Study will be summative and will employ a participatory approach whereby discussions with and surveys of key stakeholders to provide and/or to verify the substance of the findings. An appropriate mix of qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to gather and analyze the data/information. This baseline survey encompasses secondary data as well as primary data based on the results chain and the indicators of the project. The successful Consultant/firm must propose a methodology and plan for this baseline assessment which will be approved by the Consortium Partners. Ensuring the credibility and accuracy of data/ information gathered through various tools, is required. Furthermore, the purpose of consultancy is to validate the indicators of the project objectives. Under the overall supervision of the Director for the Salama Hub, the contacting firm/consultant will be responsible to plan and deliver on the below tasks and deliverables.

• Develop Inception Report and Work Plan: The Consultant/Firm will have a meeting together with the Joint Project Team to have a better understanding of the project and to collect the required documents such as project proposal, Advocacy Strategy for the Horn, etc. before proposing a draft inception report, the consultant/firm will engage with the project team to come to a consensus on the baseline assessment methodology, possible field visit plan, sampling and so on. The draft inception report should include a detailed methodology including stakeholder map, baseline framework along with tools to be used to gather data/information, details of data collection instruments, quality assurance mechanism of data/information collection, sampling, deliverables, and work plan (timeline).
• Brief presentation after engagement with the Salama Hub CSOs and FBOs on preliminary findings: The Consultant/Firm will present the preliminary findings of the engagements undertaken to the Consortium Members.
• Draft Report: The Consultant/Firm will submit the preliminary results of the baseline assessment after completion of data gathering and data/information analysis.
• Final report: The final report will be submitted after presenting the result of the survey to the Salama Hub Joint Project team and incorporating feedback which is received during the presentation. The final report should include the completed analytical framework of baseline assessment. The review and revision process from the draft report stage to the final report should not exceed one week. The final report, maximum of 40 pages including Annexes, will be of importance to include the following sections: Acronyms, Introduction, Executive Summary, Methodology, Limitations, Findings, Conclusion, and recommendations, and finally, an Appendix section.

Upon the end of the entire process, the Consultant/Firm is expected to submit an electronic version of the final report alongside hard copies.

7. Required Expertise, Qualifications, and Competencies

• The consultant/Firm should have relevant educational background and experience and have PhD/MA/MSc in Human Rights, Peacebuilding, law, Conflict Management, and related profession.
• Extensive experience in conducting research and project evaluations mainly in peacebuilding and stability projects and a proven record in delivering professional results.
• Proven experience in conducting baseline studies for peacebuilding projects.
• Excellent knowledge of the HOA context including languages like Somali, Amharic, Swahili, Arabic and English language skill.
• Experience in working with INGOs, policy makers, regional agencies like IGAD, EAC, AU and executed similar activities in the HOA.
• Knowledge of peacebuilding advocacy strategies.
• Knowledge of Strategic Planning for International NGOs and the United Nations.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Able to work independently with efficiency and competence.

8. Study Duration

Tentatively the Baseline Study is expected to be completed in 30 Calendar days including field assessment/engagement with different stakeholders and final report writing.