Consultancy for Baseline Survey: Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security in (ECPS Project)

TERMS OF REFERENCE Consultancy for Baseline Survey

Nigeria-Benin Border Communities Peace Initiative: Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security in Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger States (ECPS Project)

Context

Search for Common Ground Search is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform how individuals, groups, governments, and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 52 field offices in over 30 countries including Nigeria, Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate, and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviors. Search is seeking a consultant to conduct a Baseline Study to determine gender disaggregated benchmark information for measuring outcome indicators in 3 focal states of the project: Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger in Northern Nigeria.

The Project

The project aims to improve peace and security in Nigerian-Benin border communities in Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara States. The first three states will be the focal states for on-the-ground implementation of the project initiatives. This will be achieved through community capacity building, institutional strengthening, and cross-border collaboration. Planned project activities focus on empowering community members through training in conflict sensitivity and early warning systems, establishing and revitalizing local government-level and state-level Peace Architecture Dialogues, and fostering collaboration amongst project stakeholders. The project also seeks to promote trust-building and social cohesion, through approaches such as sport activities between communities and security officials, media engagement for conflict-sensitive journalism, and community outreach through radio dramas and participatory theater. By fostering inclusive dialogue and enhancing security coordination, the project aims to improve perceptions of peace and security while building sustainable mechanisms for conflict resolution and prevention in the region. The project start-up phase includes a baseline study amongst others to collect context information and data on outcome indicators as indicated in the table below;

Specific Objectives (SO) and Expected Results (ER) of the Project against the Indicators to be provided by this Consultancy

Objective SO1: To strengthen the capacity of community members for peace and security in the Nigeria-Benin border areas.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of trained community members who demonstrate improved behaviour by taking actions that influence diverse conflicts identified within their communities

Percentages/Number

Objective SO1. R1: Community members have increased knowledge, and skills to participate in peace and security processes.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members who acknowledge improved skills and believe they can make a positive difference in peace and security processes.

Percentages/Number

Objective SO1. R2. Peace Architecture platforms are established and strengthened to respond to and address security issues within their communities.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of Peace Architecture platform members who acknowledge that the platforms are responsive in addressing security issues within their communities

Percentages/Number

Objective SO1.R2.A1: Local Government Level Peace Platforms Establishment or Revitalisation

Indicator of Interest Number of Local Government level Peace Platforms Exist

Percentage of Local Government-level Peace Platforms Established or Revitalized that are identified as functional by the community members by location.

Percentages/Number

Objective SO1. R2.A2: State-level Peace Architecture Establishment or Revitalisation:

Indicator of Interest Number of State-level Peace Architecture platforms that exist

Percentage of State-level Peace Architecture platforms that are identified as functional by key stakeholders.

Percentages/Number

Objective SO2: To strengthen the capacity of community members for peace and security in the Nigeria-Benin border areas.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of established State-level Peace Architecture platforms that are functional (regular meetings, agenda, issue based minutes

Percentages/Number

Objective SO2.R1: Promote trust and collaboration between Nigerian security agencies and communities along the border areas of Nigeria and Benin.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members that report satisfaction with security agencies in addressing security challenges along the border areas.

Percentages/Number

Objective SO2.R2: Improved collaboration between relevant authorities and communities in promoting peace and security.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members who report improved collaboration between relevant authorities and communities in promoting peace and security.

Percentages/Number

Objective SO3: To improve intra and inter-communal perceptions of peace and security along the Nigeria-Benin border

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members who reported improved understanding of conflict resolution

Percentages/Number

Objective SO3.R1: Improved access to reliable public information on peaceful coexistence.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members in target States who reported access to Improved reliable public information services on peaceful coexistence

Percentages/Number

Objective SO3.R2: Improved community outreach on conflict resolution.

Indicator of Interest Percentage of community members who reported improved understanding of conflict resolution

Percentages/Number

Goal and Objectives of the Baseline Study

As the project is entering the implementation phase, we require a consultant that could work with us to conduct a Baseline study to investigate the social, political, environmental and economic drivers of banditry and kidnapping within the Nigeria-Benin corridors. The findings of the baseline will provide us with the context for our operations, and provide benchmark information for measuring project outcomes for learning at the end of project implementation.

The Overall Objectives Of The Baseline Study Are To

• Collect, analyze and provide baseline gender and age disaggregated information for measuring project outcome indicators as shown in the table above
• Investigate issues and causes of violence and insecurity in the region, and identify the role of community actors, including young persons, community leaders, and security/private actors in escalating or de-escalating the situation.
• Capture information on context situation that will inform implementation
• Make recommendations on how best to engage the community and project adaptation
  
  

Key Study questions

The consultant is expected to collect data, analyze, and provide answers to the under-listed research questions;

• What are the baseline values for the outcome indicators in the table above?
• What are the primary drivers of banditry attacks, kidnapping, and criminality in the Nigeria-Benin states Corridor?
• Who are the main drivers of banditry and kidnapping within the region?
• What are the existing perceptions of the people (including youth and women) regarding banditry and kidnapping within the target area?
• How are the security forces coordinating their efforts in tackling the challenge and what are the existing challenges before the security forces?
• How have the security forces been working with the communities in tackling security challenges in the target States?
• What are the main challenges that the community are currently facing in the local governments of interest to the project in the target states?
• What are the current community efforts in dealing with the challenges?
• The consultant is expected to add other questions that will provide data for the outcome indicators in the outcome table above.
  
  

Geographic Locations

• The Baseline Study will be conducted in the following States targeting the selected LGA: Niger (Paiko LGA), Kwara (Barutten LGA) Kebbi (TBD LGA), Katsina (TBD LGA) and Zamfara (TBD LGA) States
  
  

Methodology and Data Collection Tools

• The consultant in submitting the proposal should outline the research approach and methodology for data collection to be used, including sampling technique and justification for these methods related to the research objectives. The application submitted must clearly explain why the proposed methodology is the most appropriate to achieve the study objectives; they must also clarify the different tools that will be used and how each of these tools contributes to meeting the established lines of inquiry.
• The consultant will be responsible for finalizing the literature review, designing the final methodology, developing tools, training of enumerators, data analysis, and drafting of the report and actionable recommendations that will be validated (one-day) in each of the target States. Proposals should include clarity on data triangulation and key methodologies for data collection. Methodologies for data analysis would also have to be outlined with justifications and reasoning for any key methods mentioned including the Do No Harm strategies and any proposed strategies for sharing the findings of the study in line with research ethics involving human subjects.
• The final inception report containing the methodology and tools will be approved by Search’s Head of DMEL before data collection begins. The Search DMEL unit will participate in the training of enumerators and intermittently visit to supervise data collection in the field.
• The proposal must also include a budget offer in line with the technical offer. A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel, and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables. Also, the cost of holding data validation sessions should be included in the proposal. Note that the Budget should include all planned costs for the study as no additional costs will be borne by Search.
  
  

Logistical Support

• The consultant(s) will be responsible for organizing their own logistics for data collection (vehicles, fuel, and drivers), and this must be budgeted into the study.
• In addition, Search will share the following elements with the external consultant: background materials of the project including logframe and similar surveys.
  
  

Timeline

• This study will take place from 14th October- 15th November 2024 with the final deliverables due by 22nd November 2024 at the latest.
• Final deadlines will be agreed upon by Search and the Consultant upon finalization of the contract.
  
  

Deliverables

• Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:
• Inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools, Analysis plan, and timeline;
• Training of data collectors or set-up of systems for data collection;
• Supervision and participation in data collection;
• Oversight of data coding and analysis;
• Debrief after data collection is completed (presentation of first trends and preliminary findings)
• Raw data collected from the field and cleaned data used for analysis submitted to Search;
• Uses the Search evaluation template unless otherwise agreed in the contract
• Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the intended and unintended results
• Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations and methods chosen for analysis,
• Findings respect Search’s evaluation standards, are structured around the main objectives of the study, and are presented in relation to the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change and its contribution to our strategy. It should explain adaptations that occurred during the project and their impact on results.
• Strategic Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable.
• Appendices should include detailed research instruments, list of interviewees, terms of references, and evaluator(s) brief biography
• 2-page summary of key findings
• PowerPoint slides (12 slides max)
  
  

Budget

• A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel, and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables. Also, the cost of holding data validation sessions should be included in the proposal. Note that the Budget should include all planned costs for the study as no additional costs will be borne by Search.
  
  

Requirements Of Consultant

• The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the selected evaluator for this project:
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken);
• More than 7 years of experience in evaluation, including collecting data using interviews, surveys, and focus group Discussion methods;
• Experience in previous work of this nature in the social sector;
• Experience working with international organizations/Non-governmental Organizations;
• Experience conducting quantitative surveys and analysis;
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place.
  
  

In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles:

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
• Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.
• In addition, the consultant will respect Search’s evaluations standards, to be found in Search’s evaluation guidelines:
• http://www.sfcg.org/programmes/ilt/dme_guidelines.html
  
  

Selection Criteria

• Selection Criteria
  
  

Method of Selection for the Offer

• Selection will be based on the cost-performance ratio.
• The weighting coefficients fixed to calculate the final score for each supplier are: 75% or 0.75 for the technical bid score. The proposal for awarding the contract will be determined by adding the technical and financial scores: TO (Technical Offer)+ FO (Financial Offer)= successful candidate.
  
  

₦10,000,000 - ₦15,000,000 a month

This is a consultancy

To Apply, Interested Candidates (individuals Or Teams) Are Requested To Submit The Following Two Documents Along With a Short Cover Letter

Curriculum vitae and a sample of a past baseline research work in Northern Nigeria.

A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the evaluation together with a financial proposal for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables and a short cover letter.

Note that all documents should be merged and uploaded as a single document.

Applications must be submitted on or before October 5, 2024

This Consultancy is open to both National and International experts