Transition Analysis Consultant

Job Description

Background

Chad is in the midst of a political transition and is facing persistent humanitarian problems. More than one million people have been forcibly displaced as a result of growing insecurity in certain parts of the country and in neighboring countries, as well as due to socio-economic, health, and climate challenges. Exposure to the effects of climate change, the extent of the violence perpetrated by armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin region, the fragile security situation in neighboring countries (Sudan, CAR, Nigeria, Cameroon), and intercommunal conflicts perpetuate a dire humanitarian situation in Chad.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover, and gain control over their futures.

The IRC began its operations in Chad in 2004 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of refugees from Darfur into Eastern Chad. Relief to Sudanese refugees expanded to include the management of eleven camps in the east and one camp in the west, with assistance offered to refugees and local communities in the areas of health, nutrition, and water, hygiene, and sanitation.

In 2012, the IRC expanded its geographic coverage into the Guéra province, where the organization currently works in five health districts and provides malnutrition prevention and treatment services to the local population, as well as family planning and gender-based violence (GBV) response and prevention activities.

In May of 2016, the IRC established its presence in the Lac Province to respond to the Boko Haram-related crisis. It is implementing projects there to provide assistance in health, nutrition, economic recovery, and protection and response to GBV.

The IRC also plans to intervene in Salamat Province.

The IRC's Strategy 100, which runs through to 2033, sets 5 global expected outcomes of the organization's interventions, 3 of which (health, safety, and economic wellbeing) are prioritized as part of the intervention strategy in Chad. The strategy's success is achieved when clients see improvements in:

- Their power to influence decisions that affect their lives. To achieve this, the IRC works on conflict prevention and management and social cohesion, the strengthening of local government bodies such as the Regional Action Committee, the Departmental Action Committee, or the Local Action Committee, and the provision of support to civil society. - Health, including physical and mental wellbeing. To this end, IRC Chad plans to improve the management of malnutrition at the community level, improve the reproductive and sexual health of women and girls, and promote the population’s access to water and sanitation. - Their safety from physical, sexual, and psychological harm through GBV and psychosocial care programs. - Economic wellbeing, including the ability to meet basic material needs and growth in income and assets through the distribution of cash/vouchers, agricultural support, or other inputs. - Education, including literacy and numeracy, socio-emotional skills, and life skills (including a safe environment in schools). However, IRC Chad does not have any programs in education or child protection, only intervention through an ADELAC consortium project that it runs in partnership with partner NGOs.

Objectives of the consultancy

As part of its strategy implementation, IRC Chad will want to:

Develop possible political transition scenarios and identify the (economic, political, legal, demographic, etc.) factors that increase or decrease security and access risks for the IRC in its zones of operations, namely N'Djamena, Eastern Chad (Iriba, Guereda, Amdjarass, Hadjard Hadid), Western Chad (Bol, Bagasola, Liwa), Central Chad (Mongo, Mangalme, Melfi), and Salamat Province.

Have a country profile that encompasses the country's historical evolution and political, economic, social, legal, and environmental situations that may have an impact on the humanitarian and security situation of the IRC's teams.

This analysis must pay particular attention to existing conflicts (intercommunal or otherwise) at the country level as well as in each area of intervention. An analysis of these conflicts (actors and stakeholders, relationships among actors and stakeholders, structure, motivation, triggers of violence, stakes, dynamics, capacity, ethnic implications, and links with other groups) will be necessary. An analysis of the different armed groups will also be required.

Shed light on the political, military, and social relations between Chad and its neighbors (CAR, Libya, Sudan, and Cameroon) and identify the geopolitical stakes for each country.

Methodology

The applicant shall submit a methodological proposal to be discussed with IRC Chad’s Senior Management Team (SMT) and validated by the Country Director (CD). Nevertheless, the methodology should include at least:

- A review of documents (IRC Chad’s strategy, past background documents, etc.) - Interviews with key actors and stakeholders - Mention of the methodology for conducting the stakeholder analysis - Workshops with the teams - A final feedback workshop with the SMT

In conjunction with IRC Chad’s Country Director, the selected consultancy team will develop a detailed methodology that will be annexed to these terms of reference.

The resulting analysis will be presented in a workshop to IRC Chad’s SMT for comments.

Deliverables

At the conclusion of the consultancy, a study comprising the following will be due:

- Analysis of transition scenarios in Chad and potential impacts on the IRC’s activities. - Country profile including historical, political, social, security, and humanitarian developments. - Analysis of ongoing conflicts with a clear description of the actors/stakeholders and existing links, particularly in the IRC's areas of intervention. - Regional geopolitical analysis.

Qualifications

Timeframe and duration

The consultant will complete the work over a 60-day period beginning on the date the contract is signed and ending with the acceptance of the final report.

The consultant will report to IRC Chad’s Country Director.

Qualifications

The sought-after consultant must have the following qualifications and skills:

- At least 10 years of experience conducting contextual, political, economic, social, and security analyses at the country level and 5 years for international organizations; - A solid level of wide-ranging experience in analyzing the context of humanitarian access and peaceful conflict resolution at the country level; - Ease in getting in touch with the people who have information, whoever they may be, ease and competence in analyzing the information collected and in writing reports; - Vetted technical knowledge of the risks and vulnerabilities facing humanitarian organizations in the field and mechanisms to reduce their impacts in order to ensure operational continuity; - Knowledge of Chad and the two most spoken languages (French and Arabic); - Knowledge of the Chad’s political, economic, social, and security background and context; - Mastery of qualitative research methods and techniques (data collection and analysis and drafting of reports); - Skills in conducting individual interviews and group discussions; - Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.); - Qualitative data analysis software proficiency (Nvivo, etc); - Report-writing skills.

Contents and submission of applications

The application will include a technical proposal and a financial proposal:

1: The technical proposal will include:

- Detailed CV of the lead consultant and associate consultants if any (with names and contact details of 3 references) - A description of the methodology for conducting this analysis - A work plan including a projected timeline (refer to the point above regarding timeframe and duration) - A previously produced report by the candidate for similar work.

2: The financial offer will include:

A detailed budget for the consultancy. The budget should take into account all expenses including fees, hotel and accommodation costs, airfare, taxes, meeting and communication costs, etc.