RFP-UGA-014371 – Conflict Analysis for Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) Program.

Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. DRC operates across 10 countries in the East Africa and Great Lakes (EAGL) region, with regional support based in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. The regional office supports country offices with programming and operations expertise as well as support service functions.

Project Background

With funding from the Royal Danish Embassy-DANIDA, Danish Refugee Council and Save the Children International are leading two consortia to implement a 4-year Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) program. Danish Refugee Council – (DRC- lead agency) in a consortium with CEFORD, DanChurchAid (DCA), Promoters of Agriculture and Market Linkages (PALM Corps), Partners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation (PICOT) will be implementing in Lot 1: Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo and Lot 2: Madi Okollo, Terego, Koboko.

The objective of the URRI program is to contribute to enhanced climate resilience of women, men, and youth in refugee and host communities while promoting inclusive, cohesive, and environmentally sustainable development in refugee-affected areas. The initiative focuses on promoting inclusive, cohesive, and environmentally sustainable development targeting host communities and refugees (65:35) respectively including women, men, youth, children, and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD). In total, the project is targeting1,205 farmers groups or 28,125 individual households with a host/refugee ratio of 63:35 and a significant emphasis on women and youth (at least 60% and 50% of the beneficiaries respectively).

The project is hinged on 3 interconnected outcome areas to contribute to the overall objective.

Outcome 1: Enhanced climate adaptation and resilience for women, men and youth in refugee and host communities through inclusive climate-smart agriculture (CSA).

DRC-led Consortium (Lot 1 and 2) specific outputs

• Output 1.1: Private and public service providers trained and equipped to strengthen and expand their provision of gender transformative regenerative climate-smart agricultural extension services.
• Output 1.2: Small scale farmers (women, men and youth) in refugee-affected areas trained and supported in regenerative climate-smart agricultural practices.
• Output 1.3: Small scale farmers (women, youth and men) in refugee affected areas supported to increase their participation in regenerative CSA input and output markets.

Outcome 2: Sustainable management of the environment in refugee-affected areas through inclusive interventions leading to enhanced conservation of natural resources, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and productivity

DRC-led consortium (Lot 1 and 2) specific outputs

• Output 2.1: Local governance structures, and targeted refugees and refugee-affected communities have the knowledge, skills and tools to engage in natural resource and ecosystem protection, restoration and management.
• Output 2.2: Women, men and youth in refugee-affected areas supported to engage in regenerative livelihoods activities

Outcome 3: Enhanced gender equality and women’s empowerment and rights among refugees and host communities in relation to agriculture, climate change adaptation and sustainable management of the environment

DRC-led consortium (Lot 1 and 2) specific outputs

• Output 3.1: Increased involvement and participation of women and youth in leadership and decision-making processes in relation to CSA, climate change adaptation and sustainable management of environment and natural resources.
• Output 3.2: Positive social and cultural norms and practices promoted to enhance safety for women, men and youth working in agriculture and their access to SRHR /GBV information and services.

Study Purpose

The primary purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a participatory conflict analysis of the conflict dynamics in Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the project locations, to investigate the effectiveness of previous and ongoing conflict management efforts and structures, and to identify new opportunities that will strengthen the Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) program’s implementation by providing actionable insights into the power dynamics, tensions, potential conflicts, and power inequalities within and between refugee and host communities in the targeted locations. The analysis will explore both the deeper causes of conflict and everyday sources of division, while also identifying factors that foster community resilience and cohesion.

Through an action research approach and working closely with local partners, the consultancy will examine the political, economic, environmental, and security-related dynamics. The consultancy will guide DRC and its partners to adapt interventions to address local conflict issues, whilst providing program and policy recommendations for engagement with key state and local duty-bearers and stakeholders, as well as comparative lessons for other conflict management efforts. The findings will enable the strategic tailoring of interventions to be conflict-sensitive, inclusive, and aligned with DRC’s principles of Do No Harm.

The consultant will be expected to align the Conflict Analysis with the specific objectives and outcomes outlined in the URRI project as well as DANIDA priorities on gender equality in conflict situations, as stated in the “How-to note on Democracy and Human Rights”.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives will be to:

1. Identify and analyze the power dynamics, socio-cultural barriers, and constraints that influence conflict and collaboration between refugee and host communities, including marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
2. Examine the root causes of tensions and conflicts, including access to and control over resources, services, and economic opportunities, particularly in agriculture, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation initiatives.
3. Develop and advise on strategies to minimize the risk of exacerbating conflicts or unintentionally creating new tensions, integrating conflict-sensitive approaches that promote social cohesion, equity, and sustainable development within the URRI project’s framework. This includes assessing lessons learned from previous external interventions in the area, and providing recommendations to refine conflict-sensitive and inclusive programming strategies that ensure interventions adhere to the principles of:
   • Do No Harm, by avoiding activities that might unintentionally increase tensions or negatively impact participants.
   • Empowerment, by actively engaging all participants, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the program’s objectives and benefit equitably from its outcomes.

These insights will guide the URRI program in identifying actionable strategies to mitigate risks, leverage opportunities, and build a stronger social contract between refugee and host communities, as well as with local authorities.

Key Research Questions to be answered by the study

1. Tensions and Resource Access: What tensions and potential conflicts between refugee – and host communities exist in these areas, particularly regarding access to resources such as land, water, and natural resources, and what are the root causes? Are there any actors working to address these issues, and how effective are they as perceived by communities? How can URRI avoid exacerbating these tensions further or contributing to new tensions, when providing support for the target households, but not others in the areas? This question will help identify structural causes of potential conflict or tensions, that could potentially be exacerbated during program implementation, and how to minimize these.
2. Local Actors and Power Dynamics: What are the key local actors (e.g., community leaders, marginalized groups, local government, and NGOs) that could influence the success of the URRI program, and how might their interests and power dynamics impact the program’s implementation? Understanding local actors and power structures will guide conflict-sensitive program implementation.
3. External Factors and Tensions: What external factors, such as climate change, economic challenges, or migration patterns, could exacerbate tensions or hinder cooperation between refugee and host communities in these areas? This question aims to identify potential triggers that could heighten tensions and affect the program’s outcomes.
4. Building Social Cohesion: How comfortable are people talking about social tensions, and are there any factors that must be addressed to open up this space? What opportunities exist to build social cohesion and trust between refugees and host communities, and how can URRI interventions foster inclusive, collaborative approaches to resource management and community development? This question focuses on identifying positive dynamics and opportunities for peacebuilding within the program’s framework.
5. Socio-Cultural Norms and Gender Dynamics: How do socio-cultural norms, including gender dynamics, influence cooperation or division between different groups in the refugees and host communities? And what role do women, youth, and marginalized groups play in either exacerbating or mitigating tensions? This focuses on the influence of gender and social norms, recognizing that tensions may manifest in non-violent forms that affect local cohesion.

Methodology

The Consultant will be required to utilize a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The assignment will be for DRC and partners to develop a detailed methodology that incorporates key roles for local partners in conducting the research and generating the analysis while ensuring inclusivity of diverse local stakeholders. Emphasis will be placed on gender inclusion, the participation of marginalized groups, and an intersectional approach that is participatory, value-driven, action-oriented, and conflict-sensitive. A detailed methodology with specific questions and tools for generating evidence will be developed as part of the inception report. This should include clear study design, techniques and tools, sampling methods and appropriate sampling sizes, validity and reliability of data collection, management of the data collection, data processing, analysis and reporting, and limitation of the study as realistic as possible. Moreover, the methods should include a detailed desk review of relevant literature and program reports, as well as operational partner meetings, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The Conflict Analysis will explore the interconnected research questions as analytical themes to build an understanding of how existing conflict and tensions could impact the programme implementation and vice versa, and what tools, decision-making or analysis capacities should be factored into ways of working to respond to these dynamics. The following aspects would be relevant to consider when examining the analytical themes:

1. Existing tensions and Power dynamics: Existing relationships, perceptions and power dynamics between groups in the area, cultural/religious differences, inequality in access to resources.
2. Resource Access as Potential Source of tension: Access to land, natural resources, financial services (information, savings, credit facilities), goods and services, productive inputs and assets, information (agriculture, climate change, natural resource management), quality education and schooling, technology, markets etc.
3. Socio-Cultural Norms and Gender Dynamics: Social norms, cultural practices and behaviors that may influence cooperation or division between different groups in the context of climate change and involvement in agriculture economy.
4. Local Actors, Power Dynamics and Institutional Practices: Key actors and structures, Natural resources management (NRM), employment, financial services, & agricultural policies; ownership and inheritance of land; participation and due process.

Deliverables in terms of data collection tools and methods are further described in point 4 under section 9.0 “Deliverables description”.

Scope of Work

The assignment will cover the URRI project target implementation locations of Lot 1: Northwest-Nile: Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo, Lot 2: Southwest-Nile: Madi Okollo, Terego, Koboko. The time scope shall be approximately 14 weeks (or as will be agreed at contracting stage) of total engagement from inception to completion of the assignment.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical and safeguarding considerations need to be strongly considered during all stages of this assessment, including respect and confidentiality for all participants. Anonymity, privacy and data security need to be ensured particularly during data collection, analysis, storage and reporting. The consultancy team should demonstrate their commitment to children’s rights, safeguarding, ethics and participation, and these principles should be built into the assessment. All individuals involved to conduct this assignment will therefore be required to sign and comply with DRC safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct. Furthermore, the consultant should apply gender-sensitive data collection methods which includes conducting data collection separately with women and men as well as having female enumerators engage with female stakeholders and male enumerators with male stakeholders were deemed appropriate and feasible.

In addition, the principle of “do no harm” must be upheld throughout the assessment. This entails ensuring that all research activities are designed and implemented in a manner that minimizes any potential negative impacts on individuals, communities, or the broader context of the conflict-affected environment. Particular care must be taken to avoid exacerbating tensions, exposing participants to risk, or causing psychological distress. All team members must be trained on conflict sensitivity and understand the local dynamics to navigate ethical challenges effectively.

Deliverables description

Under this role, key tasks for a standard and rapid conflict assessment will include leading:
The following deliverables are to be submitted to DRC depending on the stage of the assignment:

Draft inception report: This deliverable should include:

• Consultant’s response to the ToR and interpretation of the work (1page maximum)
• Development of conflict analysis methodology, rationale, revised research questions, specific details on the critical tasks, anticipated outputs proposed timeframe, number of days required, and resources needed and responsible person(s).
• Proposed data collection tools, including development of tailored interview guides, that would ensure adequate and meaningful children’s participation and gender perspectives in the data collection.
• Consent form for adults and/or assent for children under the age of 18
• A clear risk mitigation plan that will be implemented while conducting this assignment in line with agreed risk management guidelines.

Finalized inception report: Based on DRC feedback on draft report, this should include finalized versions of the above content including finalized data collection tools and consent/assent forms.

Conflict sensitivity workshop: Provision of a 3-day conflict sensitivity workshop for DRC and partner project management staff involved in implementation. The workshop will both provide CS training, as well as to enlist “CS champions”, staff that can roll out simple tools, and ensure that analysis and decision-making on CS continues, as we move from CS analysis to mainstreaming. The workshop will involve the following:

• Introduction to Conflict Sensitivity (training).
• Ways of working with CS (tools, procedures, analysis), that can be incorporated into the consortium for monitoring CS trends and create ownership for implementing staff. The DRC CS toolkit can be used to create simple tools, decision-making or analysis processes that can be rolled out and allow for monitoring of CS-trends, potentially with support from DRC Regional Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding staff. This section will involve group discussions and exercises.

Data collection and analysis: After discussions and an agreement with DRC on methodology and tools, the consultant (company) will:

• Conduct desk research of experiences from existing programs in the area, their potentially identified tensions/conflicts and approaches.
• Primary field research, including engagement with communities, local authorities and other key stakeholders.
• Lead and manage data collection across a representative target sample, including enumerator training for local actors, with support from DRC and partner staff,
• Conduct data analysis to establish the status for key areas of interest and presentation of the field research data in a clear manner and format.

Presentation of preliminary findings to key DRC staff and other partners in field location, country/regional office

Draft report:

• Write up the report (draft 1) with key findings and recommendations, including an executive summary (no longer than 30-40 pages).
• Prepare and present the draft report in a DRC validation meeting to ensure validity and authenticity of data & interpretation of findings for conclusions and recommendations before developing the final findings into a final report.
• Write up briefing note based on key findings and recommendations (no longer than 4 pages for a standard analysis, and 2 pages for a rapid analysis).
• Incorporating DRC feedback into the final report, briefing note and conflict sensitivity guidelines.

Final Conflict Analysis report: A final report (in soft copy) and clean datasets will then be submitted after incorporating inputs received from internal reviews and the validation meeting. The content of the final report must include:

• A succinct Executive Summary of no more than 3 pages
• Clear study methodology and sampling approach
• Conflict Analysis key findings (both quantitative and qualitative) with annexes of all final data collection tools used clean datasets including transcribed qualitative interviews.
• Key learnings around methodology and any key limitations
• Conclusion and recommendation (to be developed jointly with the DRC team).

Dissemination of the findings to the key stakeholders at a venue agreed by the clients. A power point presentation with infographics summarizing the final findings and recommendations from the study report to DRC, government, donors, UN, NGO stakeholders and community authorities.

Action Planning workshop. The consultant will consult with the consortium focal point on the dates of the action planning workshop, location, estimated number of participants and materials to be distributed to attendees. The consultant will submit that information in an action planning workshop plan that will include the agenda/program and materials needed. A result of which will be a Draft Conflict Plan/Strategy, including the following deliverables:

• Relevant data and information that includes specific, practical ways to carry out recommendations
• Specific activities, indicators to monitor outcomes, and a designation of who is responsible for implementation
• Practical tools to support routine conflict analysis / monitoring and conflict sensitive decision making across consortium activities.

Note: On submission of the final report, all tools used for collection and management of data collection processes should be submitted together with the final report. This includes the clean raw data (both qualitative and quantitative), including original field notes for in‐depth interviews and focus group discussions, as well as recorded audio material. Hence, the consultant must agree to permanently destroy all the documents and records after submission and approval of the final report and related files/records to client.

Study management and reporting

The study shall be overseen by the consortium lead, DRC, which will take overall oversight and supervision and approval of key deliverables. The consultant is also expected to work closely with the consortium coordinator program staff in respective locations while in the field. The Consultancy team is entitled to consult with all relevant stakeholders pertinent to the assignment, but it is not permitted to make any commitment on behalf of DRC.

Required Qualification and Experience

The consulting firm will be selected based on their proven experience.

Essential – The lead consultant should possess the following qualifications and expertise:

1. Academic Qualifications:
   • Minimum of a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Development studies or similar with a focus on conflict resolution.
2. Professional Experience:
   • At least 5 years of research experience leading conflict analysis research.
   • Excellent understanding of conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity.
   • Strong qualitative research skills and experience.
   • Experience in mentoring and coaching others.
   • Experience in providing conflict sensitivity trainings
3. Technical Skills
   • Proficiency in qualitative and participatory research methods, including key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and power mapping exercises.
   • Strong skills in data analysis software for qualitative data, such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti etc, and familiarity with mixed-method approaches combining qualitative and quantitative findings.
   • Competence in designing and implementing safeguarding and ethical protocols for research involving conflict-sensitive topics, such as power imbalance, political, economic and security issues, tensions between different groups, etc.

Desirable:

1. Strong understanding of the local context (with previous research experience in the specific location an asset).
2. Strong understanding of the thematic areas under investigation (for instance, if on refugee-host community relations, on youth dynamics, on security and justice, etc.).
3. Ability to communicate findings in an accessible way for technical and non-technical readers, including presentation of data in visually appealing ways & well-structured rigorous summaries of findings.
4. Flexible and adaptable approach to the assignment to respond to new information and gather quality information in a short time period.
5. Previous experience in project management or other areas of implementation within a humanitarian or development setting.

Payments for this Assignment

Payments will be made on signoff of agreed deliverables and verification of quality. It is expected that payment will be made in 3 tranches as below:

1. Submission of inception report – 40%
2. Final approved report with all required attachments – 30%
3. Final approved Conflict Plan/Strategy – 30%

Application Criteria

In response to the ToR, interested firms should include the following information:

• Company brief background outlining their most recent relevant experience in relation to this assignment and how they meet the skills and experience required, including 2 relevant samples of previous reports or briefings (ideally including recommendations and guidance for practitioners)
• Details of the methodology proposed in completing this study and rationale, the scope and focus areas it will cover and how it will meet the objectives of the study.
• Any limitations in the methodology and scope of the assignment proposed.
• A proposed timeline and itemized budget for completion of the assignment.
• Details of team members proposed to complete the study.
• Any other relevant comments on the assignment.

Please find complete biding documents in the following link: RFP-UGA-014371-Conflict Analysis for Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative Program

How to apply

Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address: tender.uga@drc.ngo

When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:

• The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email
• Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email contains
  • The Financial Bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A.2
  • The Technical Bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender as mentioned in section A. Administrative Evaluation, but excluding any pricing information
• Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
• Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.

Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.

DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.

DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process.