Consultancy to Carry out Baseline Study and Mapping of Youth Organizations in Bauchi State

Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking a seasoned consultant to collect baseline data and map youth

organizations in Bauchi State for a Nigeria Youth Care Program titled: “Strengthening the Collective Agency of

Young People in Bauchi, Plateau and Gombe States to Promote Religious Tolerance and Freedom”.

1. Context

Search for Common Ground

Search is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups,

governments and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative

solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 52 field offices in over 30 countries,

including Nigeria, Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive

programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge

and determine a positive shift in behavior.

The Project

Escalating violence, including between and within religious groups and communal clashes in Northeast and Middle

Belt Nigeria has made the risk of mass atrocity real and present and felt by everyone. Intergroup tensions often

play out on social media as a result of perceived social media content that is considered “scandalous”, leading to a

high profile of interreligious violence.

Young people play a unique role in interreligious relations in Nigeria as both catalysts for peace and as supporters

of violence. Pervasive stereotypes associate youth with violent extremism and banditry, and study findings also

show that youth are the most likely group to support violence in defense of their religion. Again, Nigerian

university campuses are hotspots for interreligious violence and Young internet users have the highest proportion

of ‘negative’ online conversations around religion. However, young women and men are also harmed by

interreligious violence and discrimination, and Young women are often the targets of interreligious violence over

sensitive issues such as blasphemy and apostasy.

On the other hand, Young people are also assets for interreligious peace building. Youth civil society organizations

(CSOs) like the Plateau Youth Council have led interreligious peacebuilding work at the state, national, and

international levels. In Plateau, where significant investments have been made to promote capacities in religious

peacebuilding, young people’s demonstrated success in interreligious peacebuilding provides a ‘model’ that can be

replicated in other at-risk contexts, such as in neighboring Bauchi and Gombe. Likewise, as Nigeria’s largest group

of social media users, youth are best positioned to respond to growing threats to peace and tolerance in the digital

space.

Search, in partnership with the Young Leaders Network (YLN) , is implementing a 24-month Nigeria Youth Care program designed to empower diverse youth in Bauchi, Plateau, and Gombe States to advance inter-religious tolerance and freedom of religion . The program, funded by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, is to achieve the goal through a two-pronged approach expressed by the following two specific objectives and 4 interrelated expected outcome results:

Objective 1: To foster youth leadership in influencing the state-level policy environment to be more inclusive and

conducive to inter-religious tolerance and religious freedom.

Expected Result (ER) 1.1: A network of diverse young-led organizations have increased skills, confidence, and

strategic relationships to advance inter-religious tolerance and religious freedom in Bauchi State.

Expected Result (ER) 1.2: Youth leaders increasingly lead concrete advocacy actions to effectively influence FoRB

policy and implementation at the state level.

Objective 2: To support youth-led online initiatives that further inter-religious tolerance and religious freedom

ER2.1: ER2.1 Young influencers are equipped to leverage online spaces to collectively promote inter-religious

tolerance and religious freedom within their communities

ER2.2: ER2.2 Targeted youth and adults’ attitudes and perceptions towards inter-religious tolerance and religious

freedom are positively transformed.

The project is underpinned by the following theory of change:

If diverse young leaders in Bauchi, Plateau, and Gombe have increased skills, intergenerational networks, and

strategic opportunities to advance youth-inclusive state policies that promote religious tolerance; and If they have

online and offline opportunities to mobilize their peers and communities and lead joint actions that demonstrate

the value of interreligious tolerance, then conditions for peace between religious communities will be strengthened because the online and offline social and policy environments will be more conducive to

interreligious peace and the protection of FoRB.

The proposed project adopts a series of different approaches tailored to each target state’s needs and contexts. In

Bauchi, the partners will lead direct, on-the-ground and virtual implementation, while Gombe (as the ‘least’

conflict-affected state) will see only virtual implementation, and Plateau will have both virtual implementation and

will act as a ‘model’ for peacebuilders in Bauchi and Gombe.

To get an understanding of the current situation in order to achieve the stated objectives, Search is seeking the

services of a Consultant to carry out a baseline study and map youth-led organizations in target locations. Findings

from this exercise will improve our understating of the operational environment to help the project develop

strategies for project implementation.

2. Goal and Objectives of Study

The baseline study and mapping of youth organizations will have the following objectives;

1. Collect baseline figures for key indicators and assess whether the project’s theory of change resonates

with targeted communities and their needs and is relevant to their current context.

2. Identify relevant religious, traditional, and civil society leaders and their roles in interreligious

peacebuilding at the local and state levels, their preferences, and platforms that will encourage securing

their acceptance of project approaches and objectives and assess their willingness to support or

otherwise youth’s needs and aspirations.

3. Map youth-led groups in Bauchi State, stating their main features, and interest in religious peacebuilding

efforts, current skills and confidence, and strategic relationships in advancing religious freedom. Ensure

to include gender analysis of CSOs composition in determining the current role of women in leadership

positions and how this can be improved.

4. Conduct a risk assessment and draw recommendations for programming.

The consultant will collect baseline values for the following indicators:

Objective  

1 Objective 1: To foster youth leadership in influencing the state-level policy environment to be more inclusive and conducive to interreligious tolerance and religious freedom

Indicator: % of mapped youth organizations that

report belief in having a level of influence over the state policy environment on inter- religious tolerance and religious freedom.

Objective 2 A1.1.5 Peer Learning Exchanges

 Indicator : % of youth participants who believe they can make a positive difference in their state and

community (Peace Impact Framework Indicator)

Objective: 3 A1.1.2: Establishment and Training of an ‘Advisory Body’

Indicator: % of participating adult mentors who believe that youth participation in religious peacebuilding processes “significantly contribute to the implementation of the processes”

Objective: 3. Key Questions of the Study

1 Objective 1: To foster youth leadership in influencing the state-level policy environment to be more inclusive and conducive to interreligious tolerance and religious freedom

Research Questions: What are the baseline values for the project outcome indicators?

Objective: 2 A1.1.5 Peer Learning Exchanges

Research Question: What are the youth organizations in Bauchi State

with an interest in religious peacebuilding efforts?

Objective: 3 A1.1.2: Establishment and Training of an ‘Advisory Body’

Research question: Who are the relevant religious, traditional, and civil society leaders?

What is their role in interreligious peace, preference and platform that will assist in the promotion of project objective and approaches?

4. Geographic Locations

This study will be conducted in Bauchi State focusing on the 3 senatorial districts in the State- 3 LGAs from each of

the senatorial zones that are prone to religious conflict will be targeted for this assessment. The LGAs are; Alkaleri,

Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa (Southern senatorial district), Itas Gadau, Jama'are, and Katagum (Northern senatorial

district) and Ningi, Warji and Ganjuwa L.G.As (Central senatorial district). orial zones and we have also highlighted

key LGAs that were prone to religious unrest and also house large youth institutions including NGOs and Tertiary

Institutions

5. Methodology and Data Collection Tools

The consultant will propose and design the methodology for conducting the context analysis, baseline survey and

mapping of youth organizations with interest in peacebuilding and interreligious harmony. This will be submitted in

the expression of interest but will be discussed during an expectation meeting, adjusted, and agreed upon before

the commencement of the consultancy. Thereafter, the Consultant will again submit an inception report which

must clearly explain why the proposed methodology is the most appropriate to achieve the study objectives; they

must also clarify the different tools that will be used and how each of these tools contributes to meeting the

established lines of inquiry. In addition, ‘Do No Harm’ strategies, and strategies for conflict sensitive youth and

women inclusion should clearly be stated.

Deliverables

• Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:
• An inception report detailing the methodology for baseline study and Mapping of Youth organizations data collection tools and timelines;
• Any necessary training of data collectors or set-up of systems for data collection;
• Supervision and participation in data collection;
• Debrief after data collection to present preliminary findings, trends, and agree on report structure.
• Oversight of data coding and analysis;
• All original data submitted to Search;
• A draft report in English language for review by Search staff and partners;
• A final report in English ( 20 pages max in length, excluding appendices) consistent with Search’s branding and standards.
• The report:
• Uses the Search template
• Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the intended results, articulates the project’s ToC, and includes other relevant project specifics
• Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations and methods chosen for analysis, Findings respect Search’s evaluation standards, are structured around the main objectives of the study and are presented in relation to the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change and its contribution to our strategy.
• Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable.
• Indicator table showing all indicators.
• Appendices should include detailed research instruments, list of interviewers and interviewees, terms of references, and brief biography of the evaluator(s) .
• 2-page summary of key findings (separate document)
• PowerPoint slides (12 slides max)
• Final restitution session

Logistical Support

• The consultant(s) will be responsible for organizing their own logistics for data collection (vehicles, fuel, and drivers), and this must be budgeted into the study. Search will provide support in arranging logistics. The Search DMEL unit will be available to supervise the process of data collection, and support with the logistics for this study.
• In addition, Search and partners will share the following elements with the external consultant: Background materials including the project proposal and logframe, M&E plan, etc.

Data Quality Assurance and Management

• All studies will be reviewed and approved by the Country DMEL Unit and global Institutional Learning Team prior to acceptance of the final report. The inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, and work plan is to be approved by the Search team before commencing data collection. Additionally, draft reports will be reviewed and feedback incorporated before finalization and sign-off. All data and materials collected in the course of this study is to be safely stored and handed over to Search at the end of the study. Submitted proposals should include plans on how the study will manage data throughout the study to ensure data quality and maintain confidentiality.

Key Deliverables and Timeline

• This study will take place from December 11th, 2023 to January 20th, 2024 with the final deliverables due by 24th January 2023 at the latest. Key deliverables include:
• Detailed inception report, including data collection tools
• Draft baseline report with raw data, recordings, and other qualitative data
• List of Mapped CSOs with the basic profile of each organization
• Updated baseline indicator reference sheet
• Final report with validated data, and PowerPoint presentation slides detailing method, findings, and recommendations and separate executive summary
• Final deadlines will be agreed upon by Search and the consultant upon finalization of the contract.

8. Budget

• A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel, and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables. This budget should include all planned costs for the study as no additional costs will be borne by Search for Common Ground and its partners.

9. Requirements of consultant

• The following skills and experience are expected by Search for our evaluator for this project:
• Proficiency in English and one indigenous language (written and spoken);
• More than 8 years of experience in project evaluation, including collecting data in interviews, surveys, and focus groups;
• Experience in conflict analysis and working with security forces and human rights issues;
• Experience working with international organizations;
• Experience conducting gender needs assessment
• Experience conducting quantitative surveys and analysis;
• Evaluation methods and data collection skills;
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place.

In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles [1]:

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-
• Based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: The consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.Search for Common Ground | Nigeria
• Terms of Reference | Strengthening the Collective Agency of Young People in Bauchi, Plateau and Gombe States to Promote Religious Tolerance and Freedom Baseline and Mapping of Youth Organizations
• Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.
• In addition, the consultant will respect SFCG’s evaluations standards, to be found in SFCG’s evaluation
• guidelines:

Selection Criteria

• 1. Relevance of proposed methodology to the goal, objectives, and research questions for the project
• 2. Quality of proposed methods, conflict sensitivity approaches, and quality control measures
• 3. Qualifications of candidate(s)
• 4. Proposed budget in relation to proposed methodology, deliverables, and team
• 5. Timeline for proposed activities

Applications

with a short cover letter on our online application platform:

● Curriculum vitae and a sample of a past baseline research work in the North.

● A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the evaluation together with a financial proposal for

the completion of the aforementioned deliverables and a short cover letter.

Note that all documents should be merged and uploaded as a single document.

Applications must be submitted on or before 12th December, 2023

 

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Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Please see our website for full details of our work.  All Search Employees must adhere to the values: Collaboration- Audacity - Tenacity - Empathy - Results. In accordance with these values, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-fraud. Search is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children, youth, and vulnerable adults.   Search for Common Ground does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.  View our code of conduct here  here .

Les descriptifs de pouvant ne pouvant être exhaustifs, le titulaire du poste pourra être amené à entreprendre d'autres tâches qui correspondent globalement aux responsabilités clés ci-dessus.

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Seuls les candidats invités à un entretien seront contactés. Pas d'appels téléphoniques s'il vous plaît. Veuillez consulter notre site Web pour tous les détails de notre mission.

Tous les employés de Search doivent adhérer aux valeurs de Search : Collaboration- Audace - Ténacité - Empathie - Résultats. Conformément à ces valeurs, Search fait respecter le code de conduite et les politiques connexes sur la lutte contre le harcèlement au travail, la protection contre l'exploitation et les abus, la protection des enfants, les conflits d'intérêts et la lutte contre la fraude. Search s'engage à préserver les intérêts, les droits et le bien-être des enfants, des jeunes et des adultes vulnérables avec lesquels elle est en contact et à mener ses programmes et ses opérations d'une manière qui soit sûre pour les enfants, les jeunes et les adultes vulnérables.

Search for Common Ground ne fait pas et ne doit pas faire de discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur, la religion (croyance), le sexe, l'expression de genre, l'âge, l'origine nationale (ascendance), le handicap, l'état matrimonial, l'orientation sexuelle ou le statut militaire, dans aucune de ses activités ou opérations.

Consultez notre code de conduite ici et notre politique de confidentialité ici.

Dado que la descripción de funciones no puede ser exhaustiva, el titular del puesto puede tener que realizar otras tareas que coinciden en líneas generales con las responsabilidades clave mencionadas.

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Sólo se contactará con los candidatos invitados a una entrevista. Se agradece no recibir llamadas telefónicas. Consulte nuestro sitio web para conocer todos los detalles de nuestro trabajo. Todos los empleados de Search deben adherirse a los valores de la organización: Colaboración - Audacia - Tenacidad - Empatía - Resultados. De acuerdo con estos valores, Search hace cumplir el Código de Conducta y las políticas relacionadas con luchar contra el acoso en el lugar de trabajo, la protección contra la explotación y el abuso, la protección de la infancia, los conflictos de intereses y la lucha contra el fraude. Search se compromete a salvaguardar los intereses, derechos y bienestar de los niños, jóvenes y adultos vulnerables con los que está en contacto y a llevar a cabo sus programas y operaciones de una manera que sea segura para los niños, jóvenes y adultos vulnerables.  Search for Common Ground no discrimina ni discriminará por motivos de raza, color, religión (credo), género, expresión de género, edad, origen nacional (ascendencia), discapacidad, estado civil, orientación sexual o condición militar, en ninguna de sus actividades u operaciones. Consulte nuestro código de conducta aquí y nuestra política de privacidad aquí .