Niger/Nigeria: Peace and Conflict Assessment (PCA) with focus on Resilience and Gender for Niger (Diffa) and Nigeria (Borno and Yobe State)

Mar 6, 2023 | Christian Blind Mission
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Background and rationale

CBM is a Christian international development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world irrespective of race, gender or religious belief. Through our disability-inclusive development approach, we address the barriers that hinder access and participation and actively seek to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities as empowered.

CBM is planning to submit a project full proposal for Transitional Development Assistance (TDA) from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). TDA bridges the gap between humanitarian aid and sustainable development cooperation while also contributing to peace building. It is designed to support affected people and local structures in overcoming crises and strengthening their resilience. TDA has a focus on crisis management. In countries with a higher or acute potential for conflict escalation, a Peace and Conflict Assessment (PCA) with and a project shaping Resilience Analysis is necessary.

Purpose / overall objective

The project is aiming to improving access to education and vocational training for refugees, IDPs and host communities in Niger (Diffa) and Nigeria (Borno State and Yobe State), with special attention to persons with disabilities, by providing equally accessible school education (1), improving the living situation of displaced persons and people from host communities, especially youth with vocational training measures (2), building accessible and safe latrines and water points in schools and vocational training institutions (3) and strengthening the capacities of self-advocacy organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) (4).

CBM will implement the project in cooperation with 5 local partner organisations. In Niger we are working with FNPH, DEMI-E, AGIR PLUS and in Nigeria with Taima-ko-CDI and COCIN. The partner organisations will work closely with OPDs.

The project seeks to promote a disability-inclusive, conflict- and gender-sensitive approach throughout all intervention areas.

Expected Results and Specific Objectives

The advertised analysis is mandatory by the donor and must be submitted with the full proposal and is essential for proposal development. The analysis consists of 3 components that are intertwined:

• Peace and Conflict Assessment, PCA (1)
• Resilience Analysis (2)
• Gender-specific Needs Assessment (3)

The assignment will use the methodological framework of a PCA, a diagnostic tool for a context assessment and for understanding the contextual challenges. Further the PCA is a methodological approach for ensuring conflict-sensitivity of the planned project. Lastly, the PCA is used as a mechanism for brining project stakeholders together to discuss and agree upon a shared understanding of the conflict dynamics to improve the project design in the context of peaceful and inclusive coexistence.

The four specific objectives of the PCA are (1):

• Description of the main factors leading to conflict, fragility, displacement, and violence as well as needs for peace
• Assessment of the relevance of the planned project to peace and security
• Identification, definition, and assessment of the risks and the risk management in the context of conflict, fragility and violence
• Guidance on monitoring impacts and avoiding negative impacts (Do No Harm).

Resilience strengthening aims to enable regions and people to cope with crises independently and to prepare for recurring stresses to mitigate the negative effects of crises and overcome them gradually and permanently through structural changes. To taking into account resilience strengthening in project planning, the following objectives need to be analysed (2):

• Existing risks and crises in the country context: What factors weaken resilience?
• Affected and responsible actors and structures as well as their strengths, potentials, and competencies (resilience capacities) to deal with risks and crises, and
• Needs and opportunities to further strengthen these capacities for crisis management across sectors.

Gender Need Assessment (3):

• Analysis of gender-related risks and violence in the project context
• Gender-specific needs in relation to projects objectives

Deliverables, methodology, timeframe, and duration

The assignment can be conducted remotely but travels to the target region is mandatory. The consultant/team is expected to use a diverse set of methodologies:

• Desk review
• Interviews
• Focus group discussions
• Analysis workshop
• Resilience-capacity-matrix
• Assessment report

The exact questionnaire will be discussed in cooperation with the CBM country offices and local partners.

Timeframe: The anticipated time period for the assignment is up to 25 days between March and May 2023. Context factors such as seasonal situation (raining season), public/traditional/religious holidays or similar must be taken into consideration.

Required Expert Profile

The consultant/team should possess the following qualifications:

1. Degree related to Social/political Sciences, International Development, Humanitarian Aid, African Studies, Anthropology, or similar specialization.
2. Proven experience with conducting resilience analysis, gender analysis, peace and conflict assessment or similar;
3. Familiarity with the academic and policy literature surrounding the topics and consequences of violent conflict, capacity building, conflict-sensitivity, and do-no-harm assessments;
4. Excellent analytical and writing skills - ability to write in a structured, lucid, and concise manner, without losing depth of the substance;
5. Excellent writing skills in English is a must;
6. Experience in participatory approach and facilitation skills are a must;
7. Technical expertise in the field of disability-inclusive development and internally displaced;
8. Proven work experience with NGOs or INGOs and the (local) Government;
9. Experience in transitional aid and/ or humanitarian aid;
10. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential;
11. Proficiency in spoken French is essential;
12. Working knowledge in the Niger/Nigeria context is preferable;
13. Ability to obtain entry permits / visa for Niger/Nigeria is necessary;
14. Familiarity with disability-inclusive programming would be an asset;
15. Expertise in Child Safeguarding principles and gender competency would be an asset.

How to apply

Send your application to: consultancy@cbm.org The subject line must contain: BMZ TDA Niger/Nigeria

Your application must include the following documents:

• Brief description of the consultancy/firm;
• Tailored CV that highlights relevant experience;
• Concept paper with approach, method, and rough time schedule.
• Writing samples (similar assessments, research papers, articles) that reflect your language skills;
• Signed budget detailing the daily rate

The consultant/team is expected to be covered by a medical insurance during the time of service under this consultancy. The contracting agencies will not assume responsibility for any damage, injury, or loss of life by the consultant/team in the framework of this assignment.

CBM Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy: As a condition of entering into a consultancy agreement the consultant/team must sign the CBM Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.

The contract of consultant/team and payments will be issued by CBM.

Please note: The contract will not come into effect until the approval to submit the full proposal has been received from BMZ (donor). The selection process takes place before that. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.