Terms of reference for a Context analysis

Background and rationale

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International Alert (Alert) is an international organization headquartered in the United Kingdom that works to build peace by working with local civil society organizations through research, advocacy, capacity building, inclusive dialogue, and political and civic participation.

Since April 2021, International Alert Rwanda in partnership with ARCT Ruhuka have been implementing a four years and nine months USAID funded Dufatanye Urumuri (Light) Project (DUP) across 30 districts of Rwanda. The overall goal of the project is to improve social cohesion by strengthening the inclusive unity and resilience processes in Rwanda. Specifically, DUP seeks to improve unity, resilience, and social cohesion efforts in Rwanda through healing of historical wounds and facilitation of open and inclusive dialogue on contemporary sensitive issues in communities, secondary and high schools, universities, and civil society forums in 30 districts as well as at the national level.

To maximize the impact of DUP intervention, International Alert is seeking to better understand the current context of unity, resilience, and social cohesion in the project intervention areas to inform our programming and interventions. This context analysis aims to identify current and emerging key factors, challenges, opportunities, and trends that are impacting unity, resilience, and social cohesion efforts. Additionally, we aim to assess the Urumuri projects and other key actors’ role and contribution in this context for learning purposes.

Objectives of this context analysis

The primary objectives of this context analysis are:

1. To identify and analyze current and emerging key drivers of division and conflict that are hindering unity, resilience and social cohesion by geo-historical clusters/ regions.
2. To identify current gaps, challenges, and opportunities for fostering unity, resilience, and social cohesion.
3. To assess how of key actors’ interventions respond to identified drivers that hinder unity, resilience and social cohesion.
4. To provide strategic recommendations for enhancing unity, resilience and social cohesion efforts in the project intervention areas.

Methodology

The consultant(s) or research team should provide a detailed methodology outlining the approach, data collection methods, tools, and sampling techniques to be used. The methodology should ensure a comprehensive and participatory analysis involving a wide range of stakeholders and should be conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including the following:

1. Desk research: Review of relevant literature, reports, and documents.
2. Data collection (predominantly qualitative): Conducting Focus group discussions, interviews and surveys with key informants, stakeholders, and community members.
3. Data analysis: Analysis of collected data to identify trends and patterns, including comparing the findings with relevant case studies or similar contexts.

Deliverables

The consultant/team conducting the context analysis will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Report: A detailed work plan, including a timeline, tools, and a refined methodology within 5 working days of contract commencement.
• Draft Report: A comprehensive report detailing the findings, conclusions, and initial recommendations after approval of inception report. This draft report will be subject to review and feedback.
• Final Report: A final revised report addressing feedback and incorporating any additional information or data as required, within 5 working days after receiving feedback on the draft report.
• PPT presentation of the findings and recommendations and a well-structured stand-alone executive summary of the report.

Timeline:

The context analysis is expected to be completed within 30 working days including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Budget:

Proposals should include a detailed budget, specifying all costs associated with the context analysis, including consultancy fees, travel, data collection expenses, and report production.

Reporting and Communication:

The consultant or team responsible for conducting the context analysis will regularly communicate with the International Alert team to provide updates, seek clarification, and ensure alignment with the International Alert implementation approach.

Ethics, Data Protection and Confidentiality:

The consultant will make sure that all information collected during the context analysis is treated with utmost confidentiality, and ethical research practices will be followed, he/she should adhere to ethical research principles, including informed consent, and data protection regulations, throughout the context analysis.

Profile of the consultant

Education and Expertise:

• Advanced degree (master's) in a relevant field such as sociology, political science, conflict resolution, peace studies, anthropology, international relations or social sciences.

Research and Analysis Skills:

• Proven proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience in conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis.

Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding Experience:

• Prior experience in conflict analysis, conflict resolution, or peacebuilding efforts.
• Understanding systems analysis of conflict drivers, conflict prevention strategies, and peacebuilding interventions.
• At least seven years’ experience conducting research/study in peace building in Rwanda.

Subject Matter Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of Rwandan history and socio-political dynamics.
• Familiarity with the specific issues affecting unity and social cohesion in the

Cultural Sensitivity:

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to navigate potentially sensitive or contentious issues. 

Communication Skills: 

• Strong written and oral communication skills in Kinyarwanda and English to convey findings and recommendations clearly and effectively.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, civil society organizations and international actors.

Proposal Submission:

Interested consultants/teams are invited to submit their proposal to Rwanda@international-alert.org  not later than November 15th, 2023

Proposals should include:

• Application letter
• CVs of lead consultants
• Detailed technical proposal with methodology and timeline.
• Financial proposal
• A sample and/or Certificate of completion of three similar assignments previously done.