Call for Tender: Peace and Conflict Assessment

1. Introduction

Twelve years after the start of the civil war in Syria, the country remains utterly divided. Conflict regularly flares between different armed factions and from passive and active involvement of neighbouring countries. These conflicts continue to displace people but there also is a high number of people who were displaced in the past and who are unable to return. The deep economic crisis and the fragilities of state institutions have driven large parts of the population into poverty while the whole population suffers from poor delivery of services including drinking water, electricity, education and health.

Local communities face complex challenges, including food insecurity and livelihood instability exacerbated by conflicts and socio-political tensions.

A thorough understanding of peace dynamics, conflicts, and their impact on food security and livelihoods is crucial for effective programming. Gender dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping vulnerabilities and capacities within these communities.

Therefore, a comprehensive Peace and Conflict Assessment (PCA) is required to inform project interventions targeting households (HH), individuals, and communities in selected areas in North-West and North-East Syria.

2. Objectives

• To assess the current peace and conflict dynamics within local communities, including IDPs with specific focus on basic education, youth training and employment, food security and livelihoods.
• To identify key drivers, triggers of conflict and peace and dividing and connecting forces and actors within the target populations at the household, individual, and community levels in general.
• To analyze gender-specific vulnerabilities, coping mechanisms, and contributions to peacebuilding in the different contexts.
• To provide actionable recommendations for integrating conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches into the design and implementation of basic education, youth training and employment, food security and livelihoods engagements in projects.
• To identify opportunities to address and scale up peacebuilding initiatives in the proposed project context, taking account of the Do-No-Harm approach.
• Potential links with other projects or initiatives including in the humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors that could strengthen proposed NEXUS elements.

3. Scope of work

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, reports, and data related to peace, conflict, food security, livelihoods, and gender dynamics in Syria with a focus on the target populations.
2. Engage with relevant stakeholders including local authorities, community leaders, NGOs, and representatives from host communities and IDPs to gather insights and perspectives on peace and conflict dynamics.
3. Undertake field assessments employing participatory methods such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and community mapping to gather primary data on peace and conflict dynamics, and gender roles and relations.
4. Analyse collected data using qualitative and quantitative methods to identify patterns, trends, and correlations related to peace, conflict, food security, livelihoods, and gender dynamics.
5. Prepare a comprehensive report documenting the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the PCA. The report should include disaggregated data and gender-sensitive analysis.
6. Present the findings of the PCA to stakeholders for validation and feedback, ensuring their active participation in the process.

4.1. Locations to be considered:

– Raqqa: Ar-Raqqa, Ath-Thawra, Karama, Jurneyyeh, and Mansura sub-districts

– Deir Ez-Zor Kasra district, Sur district

– Aleppo Governorate: Ain al Arab District; Sarrin Subdistrict

Five villages will be selected as more or less representative of the whole project area in which an in-depth analysis of the different dimensions of peace and conflict will be organized.

4. Deliverables

• Inception Report: Provide a detailed plan outlining the methodology, tools, workplan, timeline, and responsibilities for conducting the PCA.
• Developing and sharing the needed tools such as KIIs, HH and individual assessments, etc…
• Draft PCA Report: Present preliminary findings, including data analysis, key findings, and emerging themes for review and feedback.
• Final PCA Report: Incorporate feedback and finalize the report, including comprehensive analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and actionable strategies for integrating peace and conflict considerations into the Project.

5. Qualifications

The consultant/team conducting the PCA should possess the following qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience in conducting PCA. Experience in BMZ-TDA analysis is a plus and experience in Syria and MENA countries is also a plus.
2. Expertise in qualitative method research methodologies, including survey design, qualitative data collection, and analysis techniques.
3. Familiarity with participatory approaches and community engagement methods, such as focus group discussions.
4. Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to present complex findings in a clear and concise manner.
5. Knowledge of the local context, including socio-economic dynamics, cultural factors, and environmental challenges relevant to the project area.

6. Data protection

Data Protection: Consultants should ensure that all data collected, stored, or processed is done so in compliance with relevant data protection laws and regulations using secure systems for data storage, encryption where necessary, and implementing access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

7. Confidentiality

Consultants must maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and interviewees information, discussions, and any sensitive data they come across during their work. This involves not disclosing client details or project specifics without explicit permission, both during and after the consulting engagement.

8. Informed Consent

Consultants should obtain informed consent from clients and interviewees before collecting any personal or sensitive information. This includes explaining the purpose of data collection, how the data will be used, who will have access to it, and any potential risks involved.

9. Timeline

The PCA is expected to be completed within 6 weeks from the signature of the contract.

10. Budget

The consultant shall submit a his/her offer including all costs and taxes

11. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant/team will report directly to the regional FSL advisor of arche noVa, designated as the focal point for the PCA within the project team. Regular coordination meetings and updates will be scheduled to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.

12. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical expertise and experience in resilience analysis especially in Syria.
2. Methodological rigor and appropriateness of proposed approach.
3. Clarity and feasibility of the work plan and timeline.
4. Value for money.

13. Submission of Proposals

Interested consultants/teams are invited to submit their proposals in accordance with the instructions provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP) document issued by arche noVa. Proposals should be submitted by the deadline specified in the RFP. The following documents shall be submitted:

• Financial offer including breakdown of covered cost points for all human and operations resources
• CV/portfolio of the assigned people
• At least 1 similar report with references
• Methodology including framework and research questions to outline clear understanding and suitability to the task
• Draft workplan and timeframe with clear timeline for each task

How to apply

arche noVa (AN) is a humanitarian organization from Dresden, Germany, that has been supporting people in need for over two decades and implementing long-term development cooperation and education programs.

The organisation is providing assistance in Syria in the WASH, FSL, Education, Shelter and emergency response sectors since 2012.

On the instructions of the German BMZ, arche noVa requests the services from qualified consultancy companies to implement three studies: 1) on resilience, 2) on women empowerment and 3) on peace and conflict. The studies will accompany a four-year multisectoral proposal that is under preparation and that will be submitted in August 2024.

Interested consultancy companies can request the Terms of References (ToRs) of the three studies on the following e-mail address: cv.syria@arche-nova.org

Quotations must be sent by email in PDF format not later than Monday, 8th of July 2024, 12.00 German time, to the following email address:
cv.syria@arche-nova.org with reference: Tender Peace and Conflict Assessment