Cameroon: Consultancy for Conflict Sensitive Analysis

Feb 6, 2018 | Danish Refugee Council
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Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income generating activities, and wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries. Cameroun is facing three humanitarian crises : i) the conflict in Lake Chad Basin, directly linked to the Boko Haram crisis, which conducted to massive population movements of refugees and IDPs since 2014 ; the effect of the Central African Republic (CAR) crisis, with a first influx of refugees in 2005 and a second in 2013, characterized by generalized violent acts perpetrated by ex-Séléka rebels and anti-Balaka militia ; and, a degradation of the socioeconomic and security context increasing food insecurity, malnutrition and populations’ vulnerability to epidemic outbreaks. CAR crisis and Nigerian crisis led to influx of refugees in Cameroun: 247 777 refugees from CAR mostly settled in the Eastern region (45 019 people), Adamawa (55 438 people) and North (19 581 people); 87 000 Nigerian refugees; and about 199 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Among CAR refugees, 73% declared that they had no intention to go back in CAR (OCHA 2016, according to a survey conducted by the UNHCR). Consequently, in the Eastern part of the country the situation evolved in a protracted context as some refugees have been in Cameroon since 2004 and mostly rely on humanitarian assistance. In the Adamawa region, two sites were deployed to welcome these refugees (Borgop and Ngam). Nevertheless, 70% of the refugees live outside sites, among host communities, and have less access to humanitarian services and assistance (UNHCR, 2016). Basic economic resources and services, already not sufficient to satisfy local population, cannot offer a response to these refugees and this could represent a source of tensions/conflict in the area. Since October 2017, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been opening a mission in the Adamawa region with a main axis which is to monitor protection issues in the area to get a better understanding and an analysis of the protection trends while providing an assistance to protection cases. Among the activities, DRC has decided to conduct a Conflict Sensitive Analysis based on the Danish Demining Group (DDG) guidelines. This in-depth analysis is needed to outline the dynamics and sources of tensions to inform future DRC/DDG programming. DRC/DDG therefore seeks a qualified consultant to carry out a conflict analysis in the area.

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Objective: The consultancy objective is to produce a high-quality conflict analysis report exploring the different sources of tensions among local populations and refugees but also the dynamics and the actors of these tensions on the axis between Meiganga and Touboro (Adamawa and Northern region). A specific attention should be given to the impact of armed groups present in the CAR conflict in the area and the cross-border implications; criminality impact on relations between refugees and local populations; the upcoming presidential and legislative elections; the humanitarian assistance reduction in the Adamawa and Northern Region; the resources management issues and the strain on resources with the refugees’ presence in host communities and the risks related to agro-pastoral tensions. Scope: DRC/DDG will use this report to inform the design of its future programming but will also make the report available to other humanitarian actors and national and international stakeholders. DRC/DDG is willing to involve and mobilize the maximum of partners to, in collaboration, work towards the prevention and reduction of tensions with no regard to the intervention sector. The report will also offer recommendations to all involved actors according to their roles and responsibilities and finally will lead to the design of an action plan in which every actor will have his inputs.

2. METHODOLOGY

The consultant is responsible for producing a high-quality conflict analysis for the Cameroonian axis connecting Meiganga to Touboro via Ngaoui and Djohong. This analysis will be based on desk research and field research as the consultant will come in the field. The consultancy will focus on the following key tasks:

Carry out desk research to identify and summarize 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.
Design, plan and conduct the collection of data during field research. The consultant will recruit and manage the enumerators/field researchers. The field research will collect data using focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII). Through these, local perspectives and up-to-date information will be sought as a supplement to information already available and identified through the desk study. In addition to addressing conflict dynamics, the interviews will collect stakeholder views on past and possible future interventions to improve community social cohesion and manage conflict.
Following the production of the draft report, several workshops will be organized with all involved partners and will allow interviewees and partners to give feedbacks and refine analysis. These workshops will also be the occasion for all partners to work on a common action plan in the area and engage some recommendations.
Following comments and the action plan elaboration, the report will be finalized according to structure and guidelines agreed with DRC/DDG.
The conclusions drawn will include variables such as age, gender and status (refugees, and host communities) as relevant.

Actionable recommendations: Actionable recommendations will be developed on the basis of the findings. Ethical considerations: In designing and conducting research activities, DRC/DDG’s standards of ethical conduct will be upheld. These include « do no harm » assessments and confidentiality of information provided during interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as well as confidentiality of data, documents and results. Furthermore, the purpose and scope of the evaluation must be clearly communicated to beneficiaries and stakeholders before any FGD or interview. Beneficiaries and stakeholders must therefore give their informed consent before being interviewed. The consultant/ consultancy firm must abide by DRC/DDG’s Code of Conduct that will be signed simultaneously with the contract. Security: The consultant/ consultancy firm must abide by DRC/DDG’s security guidelines and procedures that are applicable in the country and in particular in the Adamawa and Northern regions.

3. EVALUATION MILESTONES AND CONSULTANCY OUTPUTS

The study will be divided in the following 3 phases:

Desk study and elaboration of a sound research methodology and tools to be shared and approved by DRC/DDG;
Work with DRC/DDG to plan data collection and organize field visits. This phase will include interviews and consultations with a range of actors (humanitarian actors, State actors, host communities, refugees, etc.);
Elaboration of a final report and annexes, including a bilingual presentation of the study to be shared externally. Also, the restitution workshops preparation and, to the extent possible, participation.

The consultancy outputs are as follow: The main output that the consultant will provide is a consolidated conflict analysis report covering the target areas in Cameroon as well as wider national and regional dynamics. The report should draw on DDG’s guidelines for conflict analysis. The analysis should be comprehensive but concise and not exceed 50 pages, and include a 5 pages executive summary including recommendations for humanitarian assistance and programming. The structure of the report will be agreed with DRC/DDG. The report should be written in French. This analysis will include:

An history of the local dynamics of conflict;
A mapping of actors and their relations between each other and an analysis of roles, responsibilities and interests of actors (all involved actors) ;
Crisis’ humanitarian impact on civil populations;
A risk assessment concerning humanitarian interventions conflictual dynamics that could influence humanitarian intervention or could be influenced by humanitarian intervention);
Prospective scenario and actionable recommendations for intervention and further actions in the area.

4. DRC/DDG’S RESPONSIBILITIES

DRC/DDG will cover transport to and from necessary meetings in the implementation and research areas. 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, which means the consultant will be obliged to adhere to DRC safety management Standard Operating Procedures.

5. DURATION OF ASSIGNEMENT

As soon as possible. This consultancy could consist of 55 working days. The work plan will be agreed in consultation with DRC/DDG. The following is a proposed allocation of days by task that can be adjusted. Tasks, Output and Suggested number of days:

Desk research: Review of existing data and research identifying conflict issues, causes, actors, dynamics, Complete bibliography, Report format, 14 days
Field research plan: Reach guide for field researchers. Plan for data collection including methodology, target locations, FGDs, KII, 5 days
Field research: Fieldwork by consultant, in selected locations, including interviews with security personnel, government officials, international agencies, refugees and local population, 20 days
QA data collection: Regular review of information collected by field enumerators. Guidance to field researchers during data collection. 5 days spread over the duration of the field research
Write up of findings from each area: Identify key conflict issues, causes, dynamics, actors, Impacts, Conflict sensitivity Issues for external actors to be aware of; 4 days
Validation meeting plan: Structure and plan for restitution workshop, 1 day
Draft report: Draft report according to agreed format submitted to DRC/DDG for comments (and shared to stakeholders for comments); 7 days
Final report: Final high-quality report; 4 days

6. SCHEDULE

Field travel will be agreed in advance with DRC’s Country Team and will be subject to security updates. If DRC deems it is unsafe for the consultant to travel on the axis between Meiganga and Touboro, the itinerary will need to be revised accordingly. The consultant will not be penalized in any way, nor will the total contract length or amount change. Activity Desk research + field research plan Field research + QA data collection Write up of findings + validation meeting plan + Draft report Restitution Workshops Final report Dates to be decided upon.

7. CONSULTANT OR CONSULTANTCY FIRM PROFILE

Advanced university degree in conflict analysis, peace studies, or similar field;
At least 5 years’ experience conducting conflict analysis;
Extensive experience of research or work related to CAR and/or Cameroon;
Indepth knowledge of conflict contexts in the CAR/Cameroon cross-border region is highly desirable;
Excellent research, report writing and analytical skills;
Proven capacity to write analytical, clear and concise reports on conflict dynamics (candidates must submit 2 relevant examples of previous conflict analysis works they have carried out);
Experience of working with secondary data analysis/desk reviews;
Experience of developing research tools and carrying out research;
Advanced knowledge of the Cameroonian political system from community to national level is highly desirable;
Advance understanding of land and natural resource related conflicts are highly desirable;
Ability to provide clear guidance to field research teams;
Experience working in remote and conflict-affected areas;
Proven ability to deliver against targets and meeting deadlines within short timeframe;
Fluency in French;
Relevant computer skills: Word, Excel, internet.

8. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants are required to submit:

A cover letter of maximum 5 pages comprising the following:

Proposed evaluation methodology;
Tentative work plan;
Detailed budget, including consultancy fees and health and repatriation insurance. DRC/DDG will cover international and national transport, accommodation and other study-related costs (enumerators, equipment…);

The consultant/ consultancy firm’s Curriculum Vitae, specifying relevant expertise and experience as detailed in the section above;

Two excerpts from recent evaluations in French in the fields of humanitarian/development and/or protection and/or conflict analysis.

9. SELECTION CRITERIA

The consultant application will be evaluated on the following criteria: Criteria and selection points: Experience in research work in the context of CAR/Cameroon = 3 Experience in conflict analysis (at least 5 years of experience) = 4 Excellent French writing skills (ability to write a full report in French) – evaluation based on the two excerpts from recent evaluations written in French = 4 Quality of the evaluation methodology – based on clear sampling methodology, tools development methodology and coherent workplan =5 Proposed budget = 4 Total 20 Following a shortlisting based on these criteria, an interview will take place. The interview will be evaluated on: Criteria The in-depth knowledge of the consultant of the CAR/Cameroonian context = 4 The relevant expertise/experience based on the CV = 4 The ability to demonstrate and justify the methodology relevance when challenged = 5 The ability to work in autonomy = 3 The consultant availability = 4 Total 20