Final Evaluation Consultant ('Way Forward' Project) at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from destructive approaches towards cooperative solutions. With more than 600 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries across the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Final Evaluation Consultant ('Way Forward' Project)

Location: Bayelsa, Nigeria
Consultant: Local
Consultancy: Final Evaluation Consultant

About the Project

• With funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO), Search implemented a 12 months project from September 2019 to August 2020 to strengthen community resilience to violence during the pre- and post-electoral period in high-risk areas of Bayelsa State. This project is implemented in five communities from 5 LGAs of the State (Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor, Oporoma and Sagbama).
• The project had two specific objectives:Objective 1: To foster youth- and women-led platforms for violence prevention during the pre- and post-election period.Objective 2: To build community resilience to violence, including cult violence, for the pre- and post-electoral periods and beyond.
• The “WAY Forward” is a project that capitalized on Search’s existing conflict prevention programming in Bayelsa State, to elevate women and youths as leaders of peace and security in their communities. The capacity of the women and youth was strengthened and they were supported with platforms and key relationships in the bid that they could lead early warning and early response processes. They were also expected to facilitate peace and dialogue activities to build community resilience to violence; and raise awareness and sensitize communities for violence-free elections.

Evaluation Objectives

• Search seeks to evaluate to what extent the project’s objectives were achieved.  These are the specific objectives of the evaluation:
• To determine the outcomes and impact of the project since inception to date in building community resilience to violence
• To determine the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing the project, including who contributed to or hindered these, and what lessons we can learn.
• To determine to what extent the project built and/or leveraged on the capacity of women and youth to have potential or existing influence over conflict and violence dynamics at the community LGA and state level, and the impact of this influence.
• To what extent has the intervention been coordinated with the efforts of the communities, LGA and government in ending electoral violence’s.
• The extent to which the COVID 19 pandemic affected the conflict, project  objectives, implementation and sustainability

This learning will be shared with Search and its donor on the project, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Conflict and Stabilization Operations. It will also be made available to community stakeholders and other development partners. The report will also be published on the Search website after sensitive details have been removed.

Evaluation Methods:

• Using Search’s tools and guidelines for working with project beneficiaries, the study will bring the perspectives of different stakeholders together through a participatory and solutions-oriented process that specifically includes women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
• The evaluation will be conducted using a mixed methodology that includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. This will allow for the triangulation of information, allowing for in-depth findings and recommendations.
• The study, from conception to recommendations will be grounded on conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm principles, to ensure that the needs of women and youths are met, in ways that do not entrench dividing lines between various groups in the community.
• Operationalization of this proposed methodology is to be clearly stated in the application, detailing how this research and methodology is actionable in the states and to the purpose of the evaluation. In addition, the application  should include details on logistics and roll-out of the study: who the target respondents will be and why, how will they be identified or recruited, how data collection and data quality assurance will be carried out, as well as how data analysis will be done.
• The inception and final reports will be developed by the consultant and/or team, and reviewed and approved by Search. The tools will be administered by the consultant and/ or team, working with a team of data collectors, while the data will be analysed by the consultant and/or team chosen to perform this research. In addition, the consultant and/or team chosen will develop the report with guidance and reviews by Search’s DMEL team.

Deliverables:

• An inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, and work plan. It is to be approved by Search’s DMEL staff before starting data collection.
• Research tools and data collection (developed by the candidate and/or team with the input of Search’s DMEL staff)
• Draft report for review by Search staff and other stakeholders
• Final Report, consisting of but not excluded to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the evaluation questions and should include information on:

Timetable and Deliverables
Within the consultancy period, the consultant is expected to complete the above-mentioned scope of work. The deliverables are as follows:

• An inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, and work plan. It is to be approved by Search’s DMEL staff before starting data collection.
• Research tools and data collection (developed by the candidate and/or team with the input of Search’s DMEL staff)
• Draft report for review by Search staff and other stakeholders
• Final Report (20-30 pages, excluding appendices), consisting of but not excluded to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the evaluation questions and should include information on:
• All data collected for this research including audios and transcripts for all interviews, and quantitative data entered in a template, based on the methodology used will be included
• Appendices, including data collection tools and list of interviewees
• A power-point presentation summarizing the report’s findings

Required Profile

• Advanced degree in Conflict Studies, Research and Statistics, Social Work or other relevant degree is an added advantage
• 5 years or more of experience in evaluations and large-scale qualitative studies with international organizations;
• Experience working in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and familiarity with the context with focus on Bayelsa State.
• Experience in evaluating programs relating to electoral violence, conflict drivers, community development, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution;
• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale baseline and endline evaluation researches in Bayelsa State, including ability to train and work with a locally recruited research team;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills in English;
• Knowledge of languages indigenous to Bayelsa State will be an added advantage;
• Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule.

SFCG will provide the following logistical support to the consultant;

• Transmission of background materials (project proposal, meeting notes, etc.)
• Availability of meeting rooms in Bayelsa, as required;

Timeframe:

• The consultancy period will be from July to Early August 2020 The consultant will be based in Bayelsa with field trips to the five communities of activity implementation.

Budget and Terms of Engagement

• All logistic costs, including transportation and lodging will NOT be borne by Search and should be included in the proposed budget.
• 5% withholding tax will be deducted at source from the total cost of the consultancy fee for a firm.

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 SFCG’s evaluations standards, to be found in SFCG’s evaluation guidelines: https://www.sfcg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SFCG-External-Evaluation-Guidelines-FINAL.pdf

Application Closing Date
15th July, 2020.