Country: Sweden
Closing date: 10 Aug 2018
Terms of reference
Consultancy
Study on how to improve support to civil society actors in conflict settings
Background
To mark the centenary of the organization in 2019, Save the Children (SC) is running a campaign on the theme: Protecting Children in Conflict (PCiC). As part of the campaign and programme work, Save the Children Sweden (SCS), is commissioning a study on supporting civil society actors in conflict settings. Partnership with civil society is central to SCs Theory of Change and in line with the commitment to realizing the Grand Bargain. SC as many other INGOs work in partnership to access and provide support to the most conflict affected and vulnerable communities. Although SC is committed to support the localization agenda it is obvious that there are challenges in current ways of working which is not necessarily supporting civil society actors based on their needs or its sustainability.
Purpose and use of the study
The main objectives of the study: Some interesting research has been conducted on INGOs current approaches and its limitations. This study aim to find possible good practices to support civil society actors in conflict settings. It is aimed for SC and possibly peer INGOs to learn from and hopefully develop new ways of working but also to make donors aware of what kind of support is required to strengthen civil society actors in conflict settings and realizing that part of the localization agenda.
Scope of the assignment and suggested methodology
Literature review of current research
Two field visits (countries not yet decided)
Report with recommendations
Key study areas: • Partnership to support independent and sustainable civil society organizations in conflict settings • Civil society as actors of change in conflict settings • Transfer of risks to civil society organizations in conflict settings • Supporting organizational capacity of civil society organizations in conflict settings
Intended users and use of the study:
Informing Save the Children’s and hopefully peer INGOs strategic decision-making regarding programming with civil society in conflict settings.
For Save the Children and peer organizations to learn from and develop new ways of working with civil society partners in conflict settings.
To inform donors of what kind of support is required to strengthen civil society actors in conflict settings and realizing that part of the localization agenda.
It is Save the Children Sweden’s aim that this study will contribute to a broader learning process, on what works, how and under what circumstances. A reference group has been formed to involve key internal and external stakeholders with interest in this study.
Approaches and standards
Child safeguarding According to Save the Children’s standards, children's safety and well-being should always be paramount. Children and young people should not be exposed to any risks and all staff, partners and consultants should adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
Organisation, roles and responsibilities
The following management structure has been put in place for the study:
The civil society TA at Save the Children Sweden will assume the day-to-day responsibility for managing the process from Save the Children’s side. The TA will be the main point of contact for the study team and Country Offices involved and is responsible for providing the team with access to relevant documentation and information.
A study reference group consisting of key stakeholders will have an advisory role in the process and comment on drafts. Work plan, timeline and deliverables The assignment will be carried out between September 2018 and June 2019
Work plan, timeline and deliverables
Deliverable: Literature/research review, Time: September-December 2018 Deliverable: Field research, Time: January-April 2019 Deliverable: Draft report, Time: May 2019 Deliverable: Final report, Time: June 2019 Publication and dissemination, TBD
Qualifications of the evaluation team
It is expected that the study will require a team of consultants. Preferably the team will be small (2-3 persons), The team shall have the following skills:
• All team members shall have an advanced academic degree, i.e. a minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in development/humanitarian studies and/or conflict studies • All team members shall be fluent in English, written and spoken • The team shall have significant practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of working to support and stregthen civil society in conflict settings, conflict sensitivity approaches and experience from development/humanitarian work in conflict settings
• Knowledge of programs related to child/human rights and humanitarian principles • One research leader should have extensive experience in leading research and research teams • It is expected that the team will travel to the field within this assignment
How to apply:
- Submission of Proposals
The deadline for proposals is: 10th of August 2018
Proposals are expected to contain:
- CVs of each person in the team
- Division of roles (who will do what) and daily rate
- Design considerations: consultants’ suggestion of design and methodology including timeline and estimated budget
Contact persons
Jeanette Lundberg, Civil Society Advisor Humanitarian Context, jeanette.lundberg@rb.se
Sara Johansson, Head of Emergency Unit, sara.johansson@rb.se