Call for Application: Baseline Study - Community-centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta Project (CRIN-VIN)

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 behaviors. Search is seeking a consultant to conduct a Baseline Study to determine gender disaggregated benchmark information for measuring outcome indicators of our project covering 32 LGAs and 3 states of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Additionally, the consultant will do a socio-economic cum political, and environmental analysis of factors that drive criminality relating to bunkering in the region and the needs of community members, especially youths in the target states that will inform intervention actions. The Project Oil bunkering and artisanal oil refining have profound implications on security and stability in the Niger Delta, and cannot be divorced from broader questions of socio-economic inequalities and social exclusion in the region. The practices are associated with environmental degradation in nearby communities, including reductions in water, air, and soil quality, which in turn negatively affect livelihoods for farmers and fishers. Consequently, the presence of artisanal refining camps across Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States has led to the increasing militarization of the area as cult gangs, pirates, the police, military, and community vigilante groups compete to capture economic benefits at various points along the production and distribution value chain. Activities of non-state actors; individuals and Multi-National corporations activities within the region, instead of curbing, have exacerbated the precarious situation. In addition, militarized government responses to insecurity and criminality in the Niger Delta, which do not address underlying economic and social drivers of violence, have also caused a cascade of negative consequences in affected communities. In order to curtail the growing economic and human costs of criminality, including oil bunkering, artisanal oil refining, and gang and cultist violence, it is pivotal to address the fundamental social and economic drivers of criminality in the region through a bottom-up, inclusive, and community-centered approach that takes into account the needs of all community members, especially youth in Bayelsa , Delta, and Rivers States. Search for Common Ground, with co-applicants AAPW, PIND, and SDN, is implementing an 18-month action funded by the European Union with the overall goal of fostering inclusive community security approaches to address the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States . Specific Objectives (SO) and Expected Results (ER) of the Project:  SO1 : To empower diverse community actors to address social exclusion, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental degradation : Local community actors, including youth, are better equipped to jointly address social exclusion, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental degradation : Youth and adult leaders increasingly collaborate to explore and address drivers of division, criminality, and conflict in their communities  SO2 : To strengthen collaboration amongst communities, security actors, and the private sector around preventing and responding to the triggers and core drivers of violence and criminality : There is greater collaboration between communities and security and government actors around early warning and response to key security issues : The private sector better collaborates with and responds to the needs of local communities SO3: To foster online and offline social cohesion within and between communities in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers Target communities have increased positive interactions across dividing lines : Target online audiences have increased access to positive content that fosters social cohesion  SO4 : To foster multi-level dialogue between communities, civil society actors, and government officials in Nigeria and abroad that informs innovative policy development around preventing criminality and violence in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers : There are enhanced networks and opportunities for actors at all levels to formulate policies that respond to the underlying drivers of violence in the Niger Delta. Goal and Objectives of the Baseline Study As the project is entering the implementation phase, we require a consultant that could work with us to conduct a Baseline study to investigate the social, political, environmental, and economic drivers of violence and criminality in the Niger Delta States of interest to the project, establish needs of community members, particularly for young women and men, to inform action planning and implementation. The findings of the baseline will be used as a point of reference to measure the impact of the project and track its progress over time by collecting data on indicators and providing benchmark information for measuring project outcomes for learning and being accountable to key stakeholders. The overall objectives of the Baseline Study are to: 1) Collect, analyze, and provide baseline gender disaggregated information for measuring project outcome indicators 2) Investigate issues and causes of violence and insecurity in the region, and identify the role of community actors, including young women and men, community leaders, and security/private actors in escalating or escalating the situation. 3) Investigate and assess community members in targeted areas on their livelihood options and make recommendations for program use. 4) Use the study information to inform the final selection of target communities. 5) Make recommendations on how best to engage the community The Consultant would be expected to provide baseline values on the under-listed outcome indicators and recommendations on how best to achieve the objectives. Impact : To foster inclusive community security approaches to address the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. Indicator 1: % of community actors, including young people, who believe they can make a positive difference in the area where they live (disaggregated by age, sex, and location); Indicator 2:  % of the increase in community members who believe decision-making on security issues is inclusive and responsive (disaggregated by age, sex, and location); Objective 1: To empower diverse community actors to address social exclusion, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental degradation Indicator % of community leaders who report positive relationships with youth in their community (disaggregated by age, sex, location) Indicator % increase in community members who believe that there are significant opportunities to earn a livelihood in their community (disaggregated by age, sex, and location). Objective 2: To strengthen collaboration amongst communities, security actors, and the private sector around preventing and responding to the triggers and core drivers of violence and criminality. Indicator  % decrease in community members who believe that there are significant risks of violent incidents in their community (disaggregated by age, sex, location) Indicator % of community members who report being consulted by security/private sector actors around issues that concern them at least once in the past six months (disaggregated by age, sex, location) Objective 3: To foster online and offline social cohesion within and between communities in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers Indicator % of community members who report having positive relationships with members of âother communitiesâ Objective 4: To foster multi-level dialogue between communities, civil society actors, and government officials in Nigeria and abroad that informs innovative policy development around preventing criminality and violence in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. Indicator % of participating regional, state, and national actors who report enhanced multi-stakeholder cooperation around criminality, including with local actors (disaggregated by sex, actor type) Indicator % increase in state-level security body members who believe that there is effective security infrastructure in their state (disaggregated by sex, age, actor type, location) Key Study Questions 1.What are the baseline values for the outcome indicators (impact and objective results)? 2.Who are the main drivers of criminality and violence in the region? 3.What are the primary drivers of criminality and violence in the Niger Delta?4.What are the perceptions of community leaders and local Authorities in addressing social exclusion, expanding livelihood opportunities, and environmental degradation? 5.What are the existing opportunities, including livelihood options, in reversing criminality and violence in the region?6.What are the existing perceptions of the people regarding criminality and violence in the region?7.What is the perception of community members in having a positive relationship with members of âotherâ communities?8.What is the perception of state-level security body members on the existence of an effective security infrastructure in the state?

Geographic Locations

The Baseline Study will be conducted in the States capturing information that represents the local governments in the 3 senatorial zones in each state of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. Bayelsa (8 LGAs): Southern Ijaw, Brass, Ogbia, Ekeremor, Sagbama, Nembe, Yenego; Delta (13 LGAs): Burutu, Udu, Ethiope East, Warri North, Bomadi, Warri South West, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Isoko North, Uvwie, Warri South, Sapele; and Rivers (11 LGAs): Andoni, Emohua, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Gokana, Khana, Ogba/Egbemar/Ndomi, Eleme, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Okrika.

Methodology and Data Collection Tools

The consultant in submitting the proposal should outline the research approach and methodology for data collection to be used, including sampling technique and justification for these methods related to the research objectives. The application submitted 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. The consultant will be responsible for finalizing the literature review, designing the final methodology, developing tools, training enumerators, data analysis, and drafting the report and actionable recommendations that will be validated (one day) in each of the target States. Proposals should include clarity on data triangulation and key methodologies for data collection. Methodologies for data analysis would also have to be outlined with justifications and reasoning for any key methods mentioned including the Do No Harm strategies and any proposed strategies for sharing the findings of the study in line with research ethics involving human subjects. The final inception report containing the methodology and tools will be approved by Searchâs Head of DMEL, and Institutional Learning Team (ILT) Focal point before data collection begins. The Search DMEL unit will participate in the training of enumerators and intermittently visit to supervise data collection in the field.

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.  In addition, Search will share the following elements with the external consultant: background materials of the project including previous mappings and listenership surveys. 

Timeline

This study will take place from November 20th â December 20th, 2023 with the final deliverables due by December 20th, 2023 at the latest.

Deliverables

Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:   Inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools, Analysis plan, and timeline;  Training of data collectors or set-up of systems for data collection;  Supervision and participation in data collection;  Oversight of data coding and analysis;  Debrief after data collection is completed (presentation of first trends and preliminary findings)  Raw data collected from the field and cleaned data used for analysis submitted to Search;  A draft and data validation report in the English language for review by Search staff and partners;  A final baseline report in English (20 pages max in length, excluding appendices) consistent with Search branding and standards.  Uses the Searchâs templates for baselines Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations, and methods chosen for analysis, Findings respect Searchâs standards, are structured around the main objectives of the study and are presented in relation to the intended target groups. Strategic Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable. Appendices should include detailed research instruments, list of interviewees, terms of references, and evaluator(s) brief biography  2-page summary of key findings (separate document)  PowerPoint slides (12 slides max)  Final restitution session

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. Also, the cost of mobilization of not more than 30 (persons) for data validation session in each of the target states should be included in the proposal. Note that the Budget should include all planned costs for the study as no additional costs will be borne by Search.

Requirements

Proficiency in English (written and spoken);  More than 7 years of experience in conducting media mapping, and media evaluation, including collecting data using interviews, surveys, and focus group Discussion methods;  Have done similar livelihood studies involving youth in the Niger Delta.  Experience in previous work of this nature in the Niger Delta with the social sector; Experience working with international organizations/Non-governmental Organizations; Experience conducting quantitative surveys and analysis;  Strong analytical and report-writing skills  Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place. 

Selection Criteria - Consultant proposals will be selected for:

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

To apply: Interested candidates (individuals or teams) are requested to submit the following two documents along with a short cover letter: 1. Curriculum vitae and a sample of a past baseline research work in the Niger Delta.2. A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the evaluation together with a financial proposal for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables. Note: The required documents listed above should be merged and uploaded as a single document.  Applications must be submitted on or before 10th November, 2023