Côte d'Ivoire: Consultancy - Conflict analysis - DDG Sahel

Danish Demining Group is looking for a highly skilled and experienced consultant who has specialised in analysing conflicts in fragile contexts to deliver a high quality conflict analysis for the Sahel’s Liptako Gourma region.

Background and overall objective

Border communities in the Sahel, especially in the Liptako-Gourma region that covers Western Burkina Faso, South East Mali and Western Niger, are under increasing pressure in terms of armed violence, resource scarcity and inter-communal conflicts, all of which are undermining the social cohesion in these marginalized areas.

Danish Demining Group (DDG) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) are implementing a Border Security and Management Programme in the Sahel to promote stability, build community and individual (especially among youth-at-risk) resilience to violent extremism, criminality, and dangerous migration. In the border areas of the Liptako-Gourma region, DDG’s approach entails ensuring effective, accountable and responsive border security and management, improved community safety and social cohesion (especially cross-border), and alternative livelihoods.

The specific two objectives of this consultancy are:

• To produce a high-quality conflict analysis exploring roots and proximate causes, triggers, effects of local dynamics and actors involved in conflict in the Sahel’s Liptako Gourma region – with a special focus on DDG’s 14 communities of intervention but also situating conflict dynamics within the wider region, and
• To provide recommendations to DDG/DRC on viable programmatic opportunities and unexplored types of interventions. This analysis will form the basis of a conflict sensitive approach for the DDG/DRC interventions.

The analysis will be based on existing programme data, including previous analyses, and through an inclusive and participatory dialogue process (FGDs and KIIs) with the intervention of communities and prefects in three capital cities (Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey). This current work will update the analysis on the conflicts in the target areas, to adapt the ongoing programme and activities that DDG/DRC are implementing with a special focus on local dynamics and conflict resolution mechanisms (both traditional and state supported).

DDG/DRC will also distribute a version of the report to other partners and stakeholders especially to the communities and individuals interviewed. Information that is sensitive in nature but does not affect a conflict sensitive approach and true understanding of the conflict will be redacted at the sole discretion of DDG/DRC. A consultative approach will be adopted, but DDG/DRC, as owner of the report, will be the ultimate decision maker as to the release of any and/or all information gathered during the course of the assignment.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The consultant is responsible for producing a high quality conflict analysis for the Sahel’s Liptako Gourma region. The analysis will be based on thorough analysis on already available data, desk research as well as field-based research. The consultancy will focus on the following key tasks:

1. Carry out desk research to identify and summarise existing key analysis and baseline studies, academic reports and identify national and regional issues that may have an impact on local conflict and security in the target areas. Additional resources include already available data collected by DDG during2015 and 2016 via evaluations such as baselines and midlines but also information gathered through activities such as community entry processes, community safety plans, dialogue themes, conflict management education.
2. Plan and support field research that will be carried out in the form of inclusive dialogue processes to identify conflicts and for communities to reflect on priorities and needs for support in resolving conflicts. Design, plan and monitor field research: field research is to be done through a participatory and inclusive process, basing this work on inclusive community dialogues carried out by trained DDG staff in the target areas– the purpose is to base the field research on direct input from a dialogue with the community (representative groups).This can be complemented with focus groups and KIIs, this should allow to get indications on which conflicts according to the communities should be prioritised, what the causes and consequences are and how this links up with activities and support that could be provided by DDG or other actors, as well as links to already ongoing DDG activities. DDG staff will undertake these dialogues having been trained in third party neutral dialogue facilitation and mediation. Furthermore, trained in deep-rooted conflict analysis and the conflict sensitive approach. These dialogues will be complemented by key informant interviews & participatory actor mapping. Provide guidance on how conflict sensitive tools could be better integrated/included/developed in DDG community entry and community engagement and dialogue processes.
3. Following the production of the draft report, validation meetings/follow up dialogues will be held to provide feedback to the communities (interviewees) and enable further refinements of the analysis and recommendations. The consultant should be willing to participate in some of these meetings, contingent on the security situation in the particular areas.
4. Produce a draft report, incorporate comments from DDG/DRC and produce a final report according to structure and guidelines agreed with DDG/DRC.

If funding allows, we would like to add an additional 4 communities between Gao and Timbuktu for a different intervention.

Methodology

• Desk research
• Work with the DDG/DRC team to plan and oversee process in the field and collecting the inputs from field, and remotely oversee the inclusive dialogues in the field carried out by DDG staff (data collection to ensure highest possible quality of data.), in liaison with DDGs AVR advisor and field AVR coordinator.
• Prepare validation meetings/dialogues in the target areas and participate in some or of these, together with key DDG staff, contingent on permitting security situations.

Key deliverables expected from the consultant

Report

A simple and concise format with concrete recommendations and suggested action points, maximum 30 pages, including maximum 03 pages of Summary on key findings and recommendations.

• The Report will be written in French
• The Three-Page – Summary (from the Report) will be translated into English, as Summary for the donor’s interest

The exact format will be agreed upon with DDG/DRC but should include the following elements:

1. Overview of local conflicts: types of conflict in the intervention areas, existing conflicts resolution mechanisms (their strength and weaknesses) and key stakeholders (participatory actor mapping). Priorities defined by communities of what conflicts should be addressed, needs in terms of capacity building and possible processes that could be put in place.
2. An analysis of how the programme can most appropriately support community leaders, conflict resolution mechanisms (already existing or newly established, based on needs expressed in community safety plans, through community and security provider dialogues) and potentially assist in facilitation of dialogues in the communities.
3. Recommendations on how to integrate conflict sensitive tools in existing DDG processes/modules.
4. Recommendations on adaptation of ongoing activities in terms of conflict sensitivity and conflict resolution --how ongoing activities can better integrate conflict sensitivity and contribute to conflict resolution/social cohesion.

DDG/DRC’s responsibilities

• DDG/DRC will assist in organising inclusive dialogues, FGDs and KIIs in the field. Trained DDG staff will facilitate the inclusive dialogues.
• DDG/DRC will cover the costs of transportation to and from necessary meetings in the implementation and research areas.
• DDG/DRC will be responsible for providing the consultant with a safety briefing and the consultant will fall under DRC’s safety umbrella for the duration of the field research in the Sahel, which means that the consultant will be obliged to adhere to DRC safety management Standard Operating Procedures.

Reporting

• The consultant will report to the DDG Sahel Programme Manager, Housseini Ouedraogo and DDG Regional Manager – Yann FAIVRE
• The Global AVR Advisor – based in Copenhagen will provide inputs and feedback during the consultation time

Expected profile of the consultant or consulting team

• Advanced university degree in conflict analysis, peace studies, or similar field
• 3-5 years’ experience conducting conflict analysis
• Extensive experience of research or work related to the Sahel region
• In depth knowledge of conflict contexts in the Sahel region is highly desirable
• Knowledge and experience of implementing conflict sensitive approach and tools
• Excellent research, report writing and analytical skills
• Proven capacity to write analytical, clear and concise reports on conflict dynamics (candidates must submit 1 relevant example of previous conflict analysis work they have carried out)
• Experience of working with secondary data analysis/desk reviews
• Experience of developing research tools and carrying out research
• Ability to provide clear guidance to DDG staff/field research teams
• Remote management experience is desirable in order to make realistic recommendations
• Experience working in remote and conflict-affected areas and ability to conduct field work in the communities in the Liptako-Gourma Region
• Proven ability to deliver against targets and meeting deadlines within short timeframe
• Fluency in French and English
• Relevant computer skills: Word, Excel, internet

Commitments

DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework. (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).

Further information

For further information, please contact the DDG Sahel Programme Manager, Housseini Ouedraogo at pm@ddgsahel.org or the DDG Regional Manager for West Africa, Yann Faivre at regional.manager@ddgwestafrica.org . For general information about the Danish Demining Group and the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.danishdeminingroup.dk and www.drc.dk

Please submit your application by clicking here. Interested candidates are requested to send their application package, consisting of the following documents:

• CV, detailing the similar studies you carried out
• Proposal of methodology and tools, summarising your understanding of the study and your methodological approach (maximum 05 pages) - in French
• A budget – Please note that DDG field staff will be involved in the data collection

Please Note that the working language will be in French.

Please submit your application no later than 29th March 2017.

Please contact job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your online application.

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is widely recognised as provider of efficient and community-oriented solutions to human security problems caused by landmines and other explosive remnants of war as well as small arms and light weapons.
DDG is part of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), which is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world. We are the largest humanitarian NGO in Denmark and consistently ranked as one of the world’s best NGOs according to Global_Geneva.
We fulfil our mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people and host communities in the conflict areas of the world. We also advocate on behalf of conflict-affected populations globally on the basis of humanitarian principles and the Human Rights Declaration. Our work and long-term strategies are guided by our five core values: Humanitarian approach - Respect - Independence & neutrality - Inclusion - Honesty & transparency.
You can read more about our vision and work ondrc.ngo.