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Baseline study of Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism programs in Somalia (consultancy contract)

The European Institute of Peace is looking for exceptional individuals and companies who share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements.

We provide practical experience, technical expertise, and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support.

Based in Brussels and active in over a dozen countries, the European Institute of Peace is an independent organisation working collaboratively with European decision-makers, the parties to the conflict, and those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.

Our innovative approach to peace enables us to be agile, creative, and effective in everything we do, and these are key qualities we look for in our team members. See www.eip.org for more information.

The Institute has been active in Somalia since 2017 and is currently implementing an EU-funded program focused on reducing the drivers of internal and external extremism in Somalia. The intervention intends to strengthen Somalia’s approaches to extremism and support Somalia’s capacity to address internal and external threats of extremism and political violence. One of the outputs is to develop a deepened understanding of extremism and extremist movements, including through activities of research, mapping, and the creation of networks.

The requested research report would contribute to a rigorous and replicable baseline from which the impact of PCVE programming can be measured and inform activities and interventions.

The Responding to Violent Extremism (RVE) Team is looking for a consultant or organisation to conduct a baseline study, analysing the current situation, and defining indicators to measure the impact of Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) programming.

Those conducting the research will report to the Head of Responding to Violent Extremism team.

Background

Violent extremism is an ongoing threat to international peace and stability. In Somalia, the rise of violent extremism has derailed peacebuilding efforts and continues to fuel conflict. Since 1991, when the central government collapsed, the country has faced multifaceted challenges such as political instability, insecurity, and violent extremism orchestrated by Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups. These have resulted in a deterioration of security and peace in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region. Efforts to build a stable state have faced numerous challenges amidst insurgency and violent extremism caused by weak state institutions. Despite the many resources and troops deployed into Somalia, the country is yet to achieve sustainable peace and stability. The Somalia government and its international partners, including neighbouring countries, engage in a complex fight against violent extremism.

The ‘preventing and countering violent extremism’ (P/CVE) agenda is shifting away from a focus on highly securitised and primarily military methods for defeating armed groups. Instead, P/CVE takes an approach engaging with many resources and actors. As a result, measuring the impact of PCVE policies to address the threat of violent extremism is complicated by multiple factors but is also essential to demonstrate program results.

In this regard, the Responding to Violent Extremism (RVE) Team is looking for a consultant or organisation to conduct a baseline study, analysing the current situation, and defining indicators to measure the impact of Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) programming.

Those conducting the research will report to the Head of Responding to Violent Extremism.

Terms of references

Objective

The main objective of the study is to gather baseline data to measure the impact of local Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) programming,

Other specific/secondary objectives include:

  1. To identify and define replicable indicators of determining the impact of local P/CVE programming.
  2. To identify gaps in local P/CVE programming.
  3. To ensure data will be presented, when relevant, disaggregated by sex, age, urban/rural, disability, and other identity factors.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the baseline study is to generate knowledge on the existing P/CVE programs in Somalia and their impact on local populations. The baseline report will guide the monitoring and evaluation framework by creating comprehensive baseline data, measuring behaviour and environmental factors, against which program progress can be measured. The primary outcome is an enhanced partnership between the Somalia government and communities to effectively prevent and counter violent extremism. Identified Indicators should measure:

  • The quality and added value of the partnership between the government and communities.
  • The policy, institutional, and social environment in which Somali P/CVE approaches are embedded.

Indicators may include:

  • Number of policies/action plans which explicitly engage civil society developed.
  • The proportion of new and existing policies are linked to an evidence-based monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
  • The proportion of new and existing policies which facilitate genuine engagement with civil society.
  • The proportion of citizens reporting a greater perception of inclusion in political processes and greater awareness of PCVE.

Description of task/scope of work

The Consultant or organisation will work closely with the RVE project team in discharging the following tasks:

  1. Develop a mixed methods methodology that involves collecting, analysing, and integrating quantitative (e.g., experiments, surveys) and qualitative (e.g., focus groups, interviews) data. The methodology should prioritise replicability to ensure ongoing monitoring of indicators.
  2. Implement the baseline study methodology – the consultant will develop implementation plans and train any necessary field staff to implement the designed plan. Where relevant, the consultant will have the responsibility to recruit, train, assign, field, equip, supervise, and compensate all staff/enumerators it needs to carry out the survey.
  3. Production of report/findings – the consultant or organisation will produce the first draft. The report must be submitted in English within ten days after completion of fieldwork. The final draft of the report- the consultant or organisation will produce the final draft of the report that will incorporate comments/observations from the RVE team.
  4. Final Report – the consultant or organisation will present a final report. The report will also include a projected monitoring and evaluation framework/matrix with a summary of indicators for determining the impact of local P/CVE programming.

Deliverables/outputs

The consultant or organisation shall deliver/produce the following:

  1. A concept note complete with a work plan demonstrating a good understanding of the assignment and outlining the methodology.
  2. A first draft report of the baseline study for review by the RVE team.
  3. A final draft report ahead of the validation exercise.
  4. A final report for validation and publication/ in printable format.

Monitoring and comments

The consultancy will be completed within 60 days and before mid-September 2021. The consultant or organisation must ensure that the baseline study/survey work process, including disseminating the key findings to the RVE team and reviewing the final report, is completed within this time frame. The consultant or organisation will submit a work plan and specific dates that will be agreed upon at the beginning of the consultancy. A draft report will be submitted ten days after the end of data collection, and the RVE team will have a maximum of 2 weeks to submit comments on the baseline report. The final report must take into consideration the comments made by the Institute’s project team.

The consultant or organisation, who will be required to give regular reports, will be under the Head of Responding to Violent Extremism supervision.

Target audience

The primary audience of the analysis would be the ‘Strength through tolerance’ consortium partners and the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal member states.

The secondary audience of the analysis would be the EU Delegation in Somalia and other relevant EU and/or international community representatives.

Language

The language of the final research product and all intermediate notes is to be English.

Confidentiality statement

All data and information received from the Institute and partners for this assignment are to be treated confidentially and only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. Ownership and copyright of all data, drafts and final products of the survey will be the Institute’s sole and exclusive property. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed in any form (electronic, hard copies, etc.) to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorisation of the Institute. The Consultant will submit all original documents, materials, and data to the Institute.

Profile

Required

The consultant or organisation expressing interest in this service should have the following minimum qualifications:

  • Experience and knowledge of Somalia and Horn of Africa politics, peace and security dynamics
  • Must have a good understanding (both theoretical and practical) of post-conflict peacebuilding, fragility, and resilience programs, as well as (de)-radicalisation, preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) programs.
  • In-depth knowledge of the socio-cultural, economic, and political context of the Somali people.
  • Good organisational and planning skills and ability to adhere to deadlines.
  • Proven methodological skills and experience in social science research
  • Ability to work both independently and adhere to deadlines
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) with excellent drafting and communication skills.

The consultant or organisation expressing interest in this service ideally should have the following qualifications:

Desirable

  • Existing Somali networks with stakeholders including in government, civil society.
  • Previous experience working in Somalia, including in the Federal Member States.
  • Fluency in Somali or Arabic (written and spoken).

Consultancy fee

The consultant shall be expected to present a detailed budget calculated in USD, to be jointly considered and approved by the project team.

50% of the approved contract budget will be paid at the commencement of the consultancy.

50% of the contract sum will be paid upon submission and acceptance of the final comprehensive report.

The Institute offers

  • Service contract  starting as soon as possible and ending on 15 September 2021

Recruitment process

Please submit in English:

  • Service proposal, with a description of the services, fees, methodology (when relevant), CVs of personnel involved (when relevant)

Submit to: recruitment@cg9lzbbryk.preview.infomaniak.website

The deadline is  14 July 2021 close of business (COB). The successful candidate will be selected based on the most competitive offer, including technical and financial proposal.

Deadline for application: 14 July 2021