Call for Tender: Resilience Analysis

1. Introduction

Resilience is defined as the capacity to adapt to new conditions and risks, and where feasible, particularly in contexts of ongoing crises, to explore new opportunities.

The project for which the resilience analysis is needed, aims to empower local communities and structures to independently manage crises, anticipate recurring stress situations, and mitigate adverse impacts. Ultimately, the goal is to gradually overcome these challenges permanently through structural transformation.

In this context, a comprehensive resilience analysis is crucial to understand the existing vulnerabilities, capacities, and dynamics at different levels.

2. Objective

The primary objective of this ToR is to outline the scope and methodology for conducting a resilience analysis in selected areas of North-East and North-West Syria for both host communities and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) with specific focus on youth employment, primary education and food security and livelihoods.

3. Main aims of the analysis

The analysis aims to understand:

• The current risks and crises in the context of the given localities
• The responsible actors and structures affected along with knowledge of their strengths, potentials and skills (resilience capacities) for coping with the situation
• Needs and opportunities for further strengthening these crisis management capacities (including prevention) on a cross-sectoral basis
• How resilience is to be strengthened (stabilization capacities, adaptation capacities and transformation capacities)
• The Impact of climate change on resilience
• Potential links with other projects or initiatives including in the humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors that could strengthen proposed NEXUS elements.

4. Scope of work

The resilience analysis will encompass the following key areas, where feasible:

1. Household Level: Assessing the resilience of households in general focusing on food access, income, assets, coping strategies, and adaptive capacities.
2. Individual Level: Understanding the vulnerabilities and capacities of individuals within households, focusing on gender dynamics, age groups, and specific needs.
3. Community Level: Evaluating the resilience of communities in terms of social networks, institutional support, infrastructure, and access to resources.
4. Sub-national level: assessing the functions of authorities and the red lines of the donor in relation to primary education, youth training and employment and livelihoods sectors.

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

5. Methodology

The resilience analysis will employ mainly apply qualitative data collection techniques. The following methodologies will be utilized by the consultant:

1. Secondary Data Review: Analysing the concept note of the project, existing data sources, including baseline surveys, government reports, and researches to contextualize findings and identify trends.
2. Key Informant Interviews: Identifying and engaging with key stakeholders, community leaders, and local experts to gather qualitative insights into community dynamics, resource utilization, and resilience strategies.
3. Focus Group Discussions: Facilitating group discussions to explore community perceptions, social cohesion, and collective action towards resilience-building as well as identifying their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in general with specific focus on food security and livelihoods.
4. Other participatory methodologies to draw out responses from community members in relation to the different dimensions of resilience.
5. Organizing weekly follow up meetings to update arche noVa on the progress
6. Organizing a restitution and validation workshop to present the draft report

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

The analysis and reports should include answers for the flowing main questions:

1. In which sectors/areas should resilience be strengthened?
2. Where should resilience be strengthened?
3. With what objective should resilience be strengthened?
4. Whose resilience should be strengthened?
5. Against which risks, crises and vulnerabilities should resilience be strengthened?

6. Deliverables

The consultant/team will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:

1. Inception Report: Detailing the methodology, tools, and workplan and timeline for the resilience analysis, to be submitted within 5 days from signing the contract.
2. Developing and sharing the needed tools such as KIIs, and FGD guides.
3. Draft Resilience Analysis Report: Presenting preliminary findings, including data analysis, key observations, and emerging themes. At latest a week after this document is shared, arche noVa will provide feedback.
4. Final Resilience Analysis Report: Incorporating feedback and revisions, presenting comprehensive findings, conclusions, and recommendations at household, individual, and community levels.

7. Key results to be addressed

The following key results shall be addressed in the report:

• Presentation of the risk and crisis context.
• Identification of possible target groups for the intervention and a presentation of their resilience capacities at various levels.
• Analysis of the gaps in the capacities and potentials to be strengthened.
• Analysis-informed suggestions for the development of a Theory of Change and indicators for the project.
• Presentation: Conducting a presentation of the final report to project stakeholders, highlighting key findings and implications for programming and policy.

8. Time line

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

9. Qualifications

The consultant/team conducting the resilience analysis should possess the following qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience in conducting resilience analysis, preferably in the context of food security and livelihood projects (experience in conducting at least 3 similar analysis is required). 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.
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. Capable to engage teams at the same time in North-West and North-East Syria.

10. Budget

The consultant shall submit a his/her offer including all costs such as transportation, recruitments, taxes, etc…

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 resilience analysis within the project team. Regular coordination meetings and updates will be scheduled to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

a. Technical expertise and experience in resilience analysis especially in Syria

b. Methodological rigor and appropriateness of proposed approach.

c. Clarity and feasibility of the work plan and timeline.

d. Value for money

16. 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

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 Resilience Analysis