Terms of Reference

Consultancy for Conflict Mapping Study

 

Project Title	Livelihood Improvement & Vocational Skill Trainings Program for Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Donor	UNCHR
Location	Peshawar

Introduction:

Pak Mission Society is a National Humanitarian and Development organization established in 2004. It was founded by a group of Christian professionals whose collective vision is to reach the unreached to bring hope, dignity, respect, and share love through emergency relief efforts and delivering long-term rehabilitation and development programs. PMS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Government of Pakistan valid till August 2024. We are certified as NPO as per evaluation standards notified by FBR with Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy. Pak Mission Society has reached and served the unreached communities regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, and social background. The organization catalyzes holistic transformation and development through transparent, fair, and rights-based allocation of humanitarian and development efforts.

PMS aims to empower Afghan Refugee artisans at Turkmen by enhancing their skills, improving occupational health and safety standards, and facilitating market access. To achieve these goals effectively, a comprehensive market assessment is required to identify needs, constraints, and opportunities within the carpet industry.

Background:

Pak Mission Society (PMS) is in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support Afghan refugees in KP to implement the project "Livelihood Improvement & Vocational Skill Trainings with job-placement and market linkages." The initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods and skills of Afghan refugees, particularly focusing on forcibly displaced Afghan Refugees which have physical challenges. The project targets 200 beneficiaries for vocational training, including 60 individuals in entrepreneurship and business development. Additionally, PMS plans to offer 40 small grants to support "Home-Based Business" initiatives. Job placement assistance will be provided to 70 Afghan youth, and two events/conferences will be organized to promote livelihood opportunities. In addition, to support Afghan Refugees of Turkmen RV with the installation and operationalization of the carpet weaving business model would also be provided. This center will be owned and sustained by the Turkmen RV refugees with the social support of PMS.

Objectives of the Assignment:

• To identify the root causes and drivers of community-level peace building and harmony dynamics in selected areas with refugee populations.
• To assess the impact and effects of of social cohesion and harmony on the general wellbeing of refugees and the broader development context.
• To provide insights and recommendations for social cohesion programming and preventive measures to mitigate and enhance the peacebuilding and harmony initiatives.
• To support social cohesion efforts in alignment with the HDP Nexus Approach

 

Scope of Work:

• Geographical Scope: The study will focus on Turkmen Refugee Village (Nowshehra) with significant refugee populations.
• Key Components: The study will involve a combination of desk research, interviews, focus group discussions, and data analysis.
• Data Collection Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods will be employed to gather primary and secondary data.
• Analysis Techniques: Thematic analysis and other relevant methodologies will be utilized to analyze the collected data.
• Reporting Requirements: The consultant/firm will deliver an interim report for feedback and a final comprehensive report with findings, analysis, and recommendations

Methodology:

• The consultant/firm will develop a detailed methodology incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Data collection methods will include interviews with key informants, focus group discussions with community members, and reviews of relevant documents.
• Ethical considerations will be prioritized, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for participants' safety.

 

Key Tasks of the Assignment:

Upon signing of the contract, the consultant/firm will:

• Develop and share a detailed work plan outlining the study's methodology, timelines, and deliverables.
• Commence data collection activities, including interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews in the selected areas.

 

During the study period, key tasks include:

• Conducting field visits to gather primary data on conflict dynamics, consequences, and impacts on refugees and development efforts.
• Analyzing collected data using qualitative and quantitative methods to identify key findings and insights.

 

Upon completion of data collection and analysis:

• Drafting an interim report presenting initial findings, methodology, and progress updates for review and feedback.
• Preparing a final comprehensive report documenting key findings, analysis, recommendations, and annexes.

 

Presenting findings and recommendations:

• Presenting study findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders, including PMS staff, government officials, and community members.
• Facilitating discussions and dialogue sessions to solicit feedback and validate findings.

 

Results/Deliverables include:

1. Interim Report: A draft report presenting initial findings, methodology, and progress updates for review and feedback.
2. Final Report: A comprehensive report detailing key findings, analysis, recommendations, and annexes (e.g., interview transcripts, survey results).
3. Datasets: Raw data collected during the study will be provided in a format compatible with common analysis tools:

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• PMS will monitor the progress of the study and evaluate the quality of deliverables against predefined criteria.
• Key performance indicators will be established to assess the effectiveness of the consultant's/firm's work.

 

Submission of Technical and Financial Proposal by Consultants/ Consultancy firms (content, process and deadlines):

Proposal of the assignment must contain the following details:

• Concept/methodology of the study including study design, leading research questions and methodology for the quantitative and qualitative components, software programs, and use of indices and cut off points etc.
• Explanation on gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive study design and analysis
• Explanation around how the study results will be used as reference to inform in the programming sphere and around peacebuilding and harmony initiatives.
• Sample definition, statistical sample size calculations, justifications and selection procedure (survey sample) for the study.
• Work-plan: including details and time frame for activities for assignment implementation from start to completion of all studies; including time for literature review, writing of study concept, drafting and refining the questionnaire, training of field teams, fieldwork, data entry and analysis; drafting, acquiring feedback from technical team and finalizing report and presentation of the findings to the technical advisory team.
• Draft questionnaire for qualitative as well as quantitative survey components.
• Budget sheet with breakdown of budget per activity.
• Information about proposed Human Resources
• Information about the expertise of the consultant in relation to study conduction.

 

The consultancy will be awarded on the basis of the evaluation of technical and financial proposal/relevant working experience of the consultant and working methodology. The organization serves the rights to accept or reject any proposal without giving any reasons.

 

Study Locations: The assignment will focus on two target locations; Peshawar and Nowsehra, but also includes exploration of opportunities and influencing factors in nearby cities/districts as well.

 

Report: The Consultant will produce a report (not more than 10 pages) in hard and soft form along with relevant annexes, in Microsoft Word using Arial font 11. The report will include:

-      Basic Information

-      Executive Summary

-      Introduction/Background of the study/project

-      Study methodology

-      Findings in accordance with the tasks and deliverables as mentioned above as well as an analysis of findings.

-      Recommendations

-      Annexes – Methodology tools, Study schedule, List of persons, stakeholders interviewed and sites visited, Documents consulted, List of skills identified.

Assignment Duration: 25 working days beginning with the date of contract signing and ending with the submission of the final report after review by PMS per the following specific time frame;

1. Submission of first draft for review within 20 working days after signing of the contract.
2. Presentation of findings to PMS team, incorporation of feedback into the final draft
3. Final draft of the report within 10 working days after incorporating the inputs from project team.
4. Stakeholders workshop with 5 working days after submission of final report

Work plan on below format supposed to be submitted by consultant:

S. No.	Task	# of Days	Dates
1	Tool development
2	Tool review and finalization
3	Field team orientation on tool and field visits plan
4	Field visit and Data collection
5	Data analysis and report writing
6	Submission of initial to PMS for feedback and inputs
7	Finalization of Report
8	Conduction of stakeholder workshop

 

Reporting Line: The Consultant/s will report to the project manager and will liaise closely with HOP as well.

 

Submission of proposal: Consultants that meet the requirements should submit an expression of interest, which should include the following:

-      Cover letter detailing the consultant’s/institutions’ suitability for the assignment, contact information.

-      CVs including detailed work experience and education (maximum 5 pages); where more than one consultant/s will be involved clearly indicate the overall lead consultant and responsible persons.

-      The consultant will submit technical proposal including methodology and work plan

-      Indicative budget for the consultancy fee and travelling cost (boarding /lodging, stationery for the facilitators and any other expected costs).

-      As a proof of experience, the consultant should annex previous experience in peacebuilding, social cohesion and harmony studies, etc., in soft copies to below mentioned email address.

 

Profile of the Consultant:                             

-      The consultant/firm should possess expertise in peacebuilding, social cohesion and harmony, refugee issues, and development programming.

-      Must be familiar with gender and disability inclusion.

-      Excellent communication, facilitation and report writing skills.

-      Strong analytical, conceptual, critical thinking skills

-      Knowledge of local languages and culture.

Track record of similar previous assignments of the consultant:

S. No.	Name of Assignment	Name of Organization	Focal Point Email Id and Cell #	Duration and Date of the Assignment	Soft Copy of the Contract
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10

 

Deadline to submit the expression of interest within 6 working days after advertisement. Shortlisted consultants/institutions will be requested to submit and present a detailed plan, methodology and contents to undertake this assignment. Applications should clearly be marked as “Consultancy for conducting peace building, harmony and social cohesion Study " and should be sent either by email [email protected] or post to following address

 

 

Pak mission society (PMS) office: House # 333, Street 29, Sector G-14/4, Islamabad, Pakistan