Conflict Protection Sensitivity Analysis Consultancy

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Mogadishu, Somalia

1. Background on the Context

The crisis in Somalia is among the most protracted humanitarian in the world, driven by decades of conflict, widespread violence, and political fragmentation. The country’s limited institutional capacity is a direct consequence of prolonged armed conflict and political instability. These challenges have been further exacerbated by frequent climatic shocks, including extended droughts and destructive floods. In 2023 alone, approximately 2.5 million people were displaced, primarily due to these climate events and ongoing conflicts. Most displaced populations have migrated to major cities and towns, seeking humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, they often reside in overcrowded and informal settlements with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, heightening their vulnerability to health risks. These individuals also face the constant threat of eviction by landowners, exacerbating issues such as gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Additionally, socioeconomic vulnerabilities make it difficult for many displaced households to afford basic necessities, including rent, worsening their overall living conditions and exposure to further risks.

In 2023, the PRMN documented a staggering number of people who were displaced, and the associated protection risks they faced. Various protection risks have displayed an upward trend. These risks include family separation, all forms of gender-based violence, psychological distress, deteriorating mental well-being due to multiple displacements, forced recruitment of family members, increased instances of extortion and abuse, and the taxing of resources by gatekeepers as the displaced population moves to displacement sites. The NRC will target conflict-affected civilians based on exposure to protection risks as a result of protracted humanitarian protection crises facing threats of safety and dignity, which challenge their ability to meet their basic needs. This will include internally displaced people and host community members. The NRC team will operate in regions that are primarily affected and with vulnerable displaced persons that are exposed to violence, oppression, exploitation, coercion and deprivation and restriction of access to basic services[1].

1.2. NRC Activities and Presence

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental humanitarian organization with over 75 years of experience. Our goal is to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and provides assistance in various sectors, including protection, shelter, education, food security, livelihoods, legal assistance, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. With around 6,000 dedicated and competent employees, NRC is involved in projects across four continents. In Somalia, NRC is delivering humanitarian services to meet critical needs throughout the country. These services are provided through various core competencies, including protection from violence (PfV), information, counseling, and legal assistance (ICLA), water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) promotion, Education, Livelihoods and Food Security (FSL), and shelter and settlements. We prioritize the most vulnerable individuals in locations such as Mogadishu, Kismayo, Dollow, Baidoa, Hargeisa, Jowhar, Bossaso, Galkayo, Garowe, and Dhusambareb. Additionally, NRC supports and co-leads some clusters while also providing emergency services to the displaced population.

1.3. NRC’s Intervention Specific to Assessment

In NRC Somalia, PfV was established in January 2024. Initially, the protection component was part of ICLA. The PfV strategy for 2024 includes a comprehensive plan for protection interventions in Somalia. These interventions are being carried out through Protection and Solutions Monitoring Networks (PSMN) and Individual Protection Services (which include Protection Case Management and Individual Protection Assistance). The approach will be a ‘case management lite’ approach, which will involve a range of services such as cash, in-kind assistance, accompaniment, and facilitated referrals etc. In order for the NRC to carry out these activities effectively, it is necessary to conduct a thorough conflict protection assessment and analysis in the conflict-affected areas to inform decisions. This assessment will help to understand the protection needs and concerns of the local population and guide the development of a strategy for effective responses.

1.4. NRC’s Role Specific to the Assessment

Considering the current security situation in Somalia and the limited transportation options, NRC will support the consultant in areas where the protection assessment will be conducted. This support may include assisting the consultant with flight tickets, providing transportation within the assessment areas and connecting the consultant with key informants, local communities, and the population. The consultant should budget for all expenses, including transport, accommodation, and enumerator costs. The consultant will be hired independently, and NRC’s duty of care will only cover areas and situations where it already has an existing duty of care. This includes NRC accommodation, offices, transport, and field locations during program visits. In all other situations, the consultant will be responsible for their own safety and security.

2.1. Overarching Purpose of the Assessment

The Conflict Protection Sensitivity Analysis Assessment will be conducted in selected areas that have been affected by conflict. The assessment will map risks, vulnerabilities, and threats to communities which will provide crucial information about the protection environment for displaced people and the nature of protection operations. This knowledge will help NRC enhance the quality and relevance of its protection programming, as well as develop appropriate and relevant protection responses. The assessment’s primary objective is to gather essential information about protection risks, capacities, and vulnerabilities that are specific to populations affected by conflict.

Protection Assessment Objectives:

To identify/map the protection risks, vulnerabilities and threat affecting women, men, boys, girls, and elders of various age groups, including elderly persons and people with disabilities. The assessment to the affected population will:

1. Establish the level of protection needed as a result of displacement due to various protection risks that expose civilians to violations of their rights and safety.
2. Establish the existing strategies and resources for identifying, mitigating, and responding to identified protection risks and issues.
3. To establish the various protection and essential services available, access by people at heightened risk, and the main barriers to accessing these services.
4. Provide better way to deliver services to the most vulnerable people through the use of protection risks and vulnerable criteria.
5. Identify conflict dynamics that may affect access to humanitarian services
6. Assess if any interventions may exacerbate conflict
7. Identify recommendations to integrate conflict sensitivity into protection programming “to do no harm” and contribute towards peace
8. Understand the causes, actors, and dynamics of conflict in the targeted locations

2.2. How Will the Assessment be Used?

NRC Somalia will use the findings of the conflict protection sensitivity analysis as a basis for designing effective and relevant protection interventions in the identified areas, while also informing other humanitarian services. These assessment results will also help to enhance and strengthen the current protection responses. Additionally, the findings will inform decision-making regarding protection programming and the development of future Protection core competency programmatic strategies. It is part of NRC Somalia’s plan to conduct a detailed conflict protection assessment in order to address the evolving protection needs of the local population affected by conflict and natural disasters. Moreover, the lessons learned from this assessment could be applied to neighboring states for their own responses.

2.3. Who will it be Used by?

The NRC and UNHCR will use conflict protection Sensitivity analysis to inform its protection programming. NRC and UNHCR is collaborating with the relevant government institutions to implement the PSMN project. The government institutions may utilize the protection assessment results for future interventions. Additionally, the protection assessment may be shared with the protection cluster and any NGO that is interested in using the results.

3.1. Scope

The conflict protection assessment is expected to cover conflict affected areas and the assessment will start from November to December 2024. The analysis will cover Jubaland, Puntland and Mudug regions. Conflict affected districts will be identified.

3.2. Line of Inquiry

The conflict protection sensitivity analysis aims to enhance protection services by addressing the following questions:

1. What are the conflict dynamics in the targeted locations that UNHCR and NRC activities need to be aware of, and how can they impact access?
2. What are the primary protection risks and concerns faced by women, men, boys, girls, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities? The assessment will specifically focus on three groups: a) internally displaced persons, b) IDP returnees, and c) the host population.
3. What are the available resources on the ground, both potential and actual? Additionally, what strategies do individuals (both displaced and host) with and with disabilities employ to identify, mitigate, and respond to protection issues?
4. What services are currently in place to address the identified protection risks and issues? Who has access to these services, and who does not? Furthermore, what are the main obstacles that hinder access?
5. How can different protection approaches either mitigate or exacerbate conflict, especially in fragile settings?

4.0. Methodology

The consultant(s) will be expected to utilize a mixed-method approach, which entails integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. The consultant will formulate a comprehensive assessment methodology and present it in the inception report, which will incorporate a detailed matrix outlining the data collection approach. The assessment team will devise data-gathering instruments and techniques that facilitate the collection of disaggregated data based on age, gender, and displacement status. The instruments should also enable data triangulation whenever feasible.

Outlined below is the suggested methodological approach for the consultant(s) to collect quantitative and qualitative data:

1. Conduct a thorough review of all relevant documentation.
2. Analysis of PSMN data from the last 2-3 years
3. Interview key stakeholders using a semi-structured approach. This will involve speaking with project participants, key government officials, representatives of both national and international non-governmental organizations, implementing partners in the area, and key NRC programme and support teams (including area and country offices).
   1. Develop or review assessment questions specific to each stakeholder group.
   2. Ensure that all interviews are conducted confidentially and anonymously.
   3. Obtain written informed consent from all stakeholders before conducting interviews or focus group discussions.
   4. The final assessment report should not attribute specific comments to individuals but rather identify patterns based on respondent categories.
   5. Include a questionnaire survey for a sample of stakeholders to supplement the qualitative data gathered through interviews.

The consultant will apply gender equality principles to address any potential gender biases that may arise during the assessment.

Sample size: The consultant is expected to select an appropriate sampling technique for both qualitative data collection methods. This technique will be discussed and agreed upon with NRC before the data collection exercise begins.

Data collection tools: The selected consultant will develop relevant data collection tools and determine the appropriate methods for collecting the data. These tools and methods will be discussed and agreed upon with NRC before the data collection exercise begins. The data will be analyzed using suitable data analysis tools and software packages. The consultant should present the data in clear, meaningful, reader-friendly, and simple language on a date agreed upon with NRC.

Ethical considerations: The consultant will establish measures to ensure that data collection adheres to all necessary ethics and guidelines. They must also demonstrate how the methodology aligns with ethical professional standards, ensuring data protection and a do no harm approach. Additionally, the consultant should demonstrate an understanding of potential risks associated with the assessment and their ability to mitigate those risks.

Confidentiality and data disaggregation: The consultant(s) must prioritize the confidentiality of issues discussed during data collection, especially during interviews. They should also take steps to protect the confidentiality of the collected data. Furthermore, the data should be broken down by age, sex, and displacement status.

5.0. Management of the Assessment

The Deployment Specialist and Protection Coordinator are responsible for ensuring that this assessment is carried out. They will coordinate the assessment process internally and act as the main point of contact for the consultant(s) at NRC. The Monitoring and Evaluation department will also provide guidance and support to the consultant. The main tasks of the Protection team and Monitoring and Evaluation department include:

• Reviewing and finalizing the assessment Terms of Reference.
• Selecting the consultant(s).
• Reviewing and providing feedback on the inception report and approving the proposed assessment strategy.
• Assisting with gaining access to key informants.
• Reviewing and providing feedback on the draft assessment report.
• Developing a dissemination and utilization strategy.

6.0. Deliverables and Reporting Deadlines

Project deliverables:

• Prepare an inception report that addresses the scope of work. This report should provide an overview of the secondary data review, proposed methodology, detailed work plan, and budget.
• Ensure that the final data collection tools and analysis plans are approved by the NRC team (PfV and M&E).
• Develop a field work implementation plan. Present this plan to the NRC and UNHCR for comments and make revisions as necessary before starting the fieldwork.
• Conduct a validation and feedback workshop with the NRC team, UNHCR, and partners.
• Produce a final assessment report that incorporates feedback from the NRC and UNHCR. This report should provide detailed information on the methodology, context, and analyzed findings and recommendations. Please ensure that the report does not exceed 25 pages, excluding illustrations, tables, and graphs. When drawing conclusions and making recommendations, keep in mind the working conditions and limitations, including the security situation.
• Create a summarized PowerPoint presentation that highlights the main findings, recommendations, and conclusions for debriefing and dissemination purposes.
• The final report should include appropriate annexes, notes, and a bibliography. Ensure that they are completed to a professional, publishable standard. If requested, provide all primary material, such as notes.

Upon submission, the NRC will own the copyright associated with the final report. UNHCR who is the donor will also have its logo in the document. However, the author(s) will be properly credited in any public use. The author(s) may request copyright use in certain cases. The final report will include the following:

• A cover page.
• Table of contents
• An executive summary that includes major findings and summarizes recommendations and conclusions.
• Assessment objectives
• Justification of techniques and methods used, as well as a justification of selections made of interviewed persons, locations, etc.
• Assessment limitations
• Presentation and analysis of findings, including unexpected relevant findings.
• Conclusions which must be derived from the findings.
• Clear and practical recommendations related to conclusions, along with guidelines on how these recommendations can be implemented.
• Report annexes that include data collection tools and schedule, sampling procedures and frame, sampled locations, etc.
• References to sources used, such as literature, reports, and interviews, must be included.

7.0. Timeframe

No

Activity

Completion date

1. Review and finalization of the TOR 29th October 2024

2. Advertisement, application submission deadline 13th November 2024

3. Interviews and selection, conclusion and awarding of contract and onboarding 20th November 2024

4. Briefing with programme staff, develop workplan and start of the implementation 21st November 2024

5. Finalization of data collection, submission of the first report and summarized powerpoint presentation 15th December 2024

6. Finalizations and approval of the report 30th December 2024

8.0. Assessment Consultant Team

The NRC is looking for individuals who have the following skills and qualifications:

• A master’s degree in social sciences, Community Development, or a related field, along with extensive experience in protection in humanitarian and emergency situations.
• A strong knowledge of the context and a clear understanding of protection issues.
• A solid understanding of gender, humanitarian and protection issues, as well as the social, cultural, and economic context.
• Familiarity with social and cultural norms and attitudes, particularly in relation to protection.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting protection assessments, with proven expertise in using various methodologies such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
• Previous experience in similar assignments in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
• Excellent skills in report writing and in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Fluency in English, with knowledge of Somali being an advantage.
• Experience working with NGOs, CBOs, and displaced populations and communities.
• Extensive experience in gender and protection analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical and report writing abilities.

9.0. Application Process and Requirements

Consultant/firm that meet the requirements mentioned above are invited to submit detailed technical proposal and financial proposal on or before 13th November 2024 through NRC Digital procurement system

For any further inquiries, please contact s via the NRC Digital procurement system (DPS) Q&A.