About the projectSearch for Common Ground (SFCG) secured an 18-month cost extension grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) to modify the existing contract “Constructing Coalitions to Reduce Human Rights Abuses by Security Forces in Nigeria” to the project “Expanding Initiatives to Reduce Human Rights Abuse by Security Forces in Northern Nigeria”. The overall goals of the project is expanding engagement and advocacy processes and enabling local CSOs to effectively address human rights abuses perpetrated by security forces in Borno and Adamawa State. This goal is still supported by three specific objectives, highlighted below with their expected results:
• Strengthen the capacity of CSOs and the NHRC in human rights monitoring, reporting, and advocacy.1.1 Improved operational capacity of target CSOs and the NHRC in human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy.1.2 Increased citizen knowledge on human rights and the work of key stakeholders to promote them.• Establish a platform between the NHRC, CSOs, and judicial actors for effective action on issues related to human rights.2.1 Increased collaboration between CSOs in each target state for more effective action on human rights issues.2.2 Increased collaboration between NHRC, CSOs, and judicial actors in each target state for more effective action on human rights issues• Improve communication and understanding between affected communities, key stakeholders, and security actors on issues related to human rights.3.1 Improved behavioral capacity of security forces to understand and respect human rights principles.3.2 Increased dialogue between affected communities, key stakeholders, and security actors on issues related to human rights.
The objectives are supported by key sets of activities:
Act. 1.1.1 Interactive Radio Programming in Borno, Adamawa and Diffa
Act. 1.2.1 Support Outreach to Displaced Populations
Act. 2.1.1 Forward Looking Dialogues on Protection of Holy Sites and Elections Violence Prevention in Bauchi Town and Jos City
Act. 2.2.2 – Act. 2.2.5: Integrate Borno and Adamawa Actors into DRL CSO Platform
Act. 3.1.1 Resiliency Training Workshops
Act. 3.1.2 Stakeholder Forums in Borno and Adamawa States
The Project aims to extend the geographical scope of SFCGs accountability initiatives and further bolster the CSO platform currently under construction in Plateau and Bauchi States. SFCG aims to leverage forward-looking investments in CSO staff and community leaders through targeted trainings in Borno and Adamawa States in order to build their capacity to own and address human rights issues, while simultaneously drawing relevant regional actors into a burgeoning network of empowered human rights activists spanning four states. The project also aims to bring displaced populations into the networks ambit by assisting partner organizations in extending their programming initiatives across the border to difficult to reach areas like Diffa, Niger.The project is being implemented in partnership with the NBA and other partners.
Objectives of the EvaluationThe baseline seeks to achieve the following objectives:
1. Study of the human rights contexts in Borno and Adamawa States.2. Chart key regional parties, issues and interest and identify relevant challenges and opportunities presented in each state, as well as identify communities for resilience training.3. Conduct a network analysis of current levels of linkage, engagement and capacity existing among regional NHRC staff, relevant CSOs and judicial actors.4. Determine current challenges and future opportunities. 5. Identify the following important indicators for measurable performance benchmarks
# of displaced persons reached through partner media organization programming
# of radio programs and outreach activities that discuss issues of relevance to displaced populations
# of USG-assisted programs to enhance public understanding of judicial independence and accountability*
# of people reached through USG-assisted public information campaigns to support peaceful resolution of conflicts*
% increase of radio listeners who have increased understanding of judicial and accountability processes
% increase in inter-CSO meetings at the end of the project, compared to start of project
% increase of improved relationships between NHCR, CSO and judiciary between beginning and after the program
% target CSOs who report better relations with other rights and advocacy CSOs at the end of the project than before the project
# of follow-up meetings (Between NHRC and CSOs)
Evaluations QuestionsThe following are the key questions to be answered by the baseline:Human Rights Context
What is the current security situation in the state?
Are there cases of human rights abuse?
What are these cases of human rights abuses?
What accountability and judicial measures are in place to address case of human rights abuse?
What kinds of safety nets existed before and what kinds of safety nets were set up in terms of community response to the crisis? What is currently happening now in the current context?
Regional Parties/ Issues/Interest
Who are the actors or perpetrators of human rights abuse?
Which groups of persons are most affected by human rights abuses?
What is the nature of relationship with security formal and informal both in the past and in the present?
What are the new forms of coping with security?
What’s the relationship to government at all levels i.e. Local, State and Federal?
What were they engaged in and how has it changed?
How do they get information and which media do they trust?
Current levels of linkage/engagement and capacity existing among regional NHRC staff, relevant CSOs and judicial actors.
What is the current level of relationship among relevant CSOs with each other and these relevant CSOs with, the NHRC and Judiciary?
What is the current level of relationship among relevant CSOs/NHRC/Judiciary with the security?
Is there a coalition in place or avenues for collaboration among stakeholders working in the area of rights and accountability?
Do CSOs report cases of human rights abuse to the NHRC and what actions have been taken by the NHRC to address these cases?
What are the challenges/gaps
What is the current level of awareness of human rights, judicial and accountability mechanisms?
How effective are the measures in place at addressing human rights abuses?
Are there programs in the media to create awareness of rights and accountability process?
Are there programs in the community to create awareness of human rights/judicial process and accountability?
Are the issues of concern to displaced persons being addressed by the media?
Are there other appropriate actors who can address issues of human rights and accountability who are not doing so?
What skills are required to make CSOs/judiciary/NHRC/security improve their capacity in addressing human rights and promote accountability process?
Which communities would benefit more from resilience training?
What are their expectations from the present circumstances and what kind of engagement do they seek with the security both formal and informal?
Collect data to relevant baseline indicators listed in the objective section
AudienceThe intended users of the final evaluation will be the donor, SFCG, the implementing partners and other SFCG partners. The report will be published on SFCG’s website once finalized.
MethodologyThe baseline should include a mixed method methodology comprising of both qualitative and quantitative methods. This will include survey, key informant interviews FGDs and a literature review of all relevant project documents and reports. The key informant interviews and the focus group discussions will consist of semi-structured open-ended questions, while the survey will be predominantly closed ended questions with few open ended questions. The tools to be used for the baseline, KII and the FGD will be provided by SFCG.The baseline will be conducted in the two project locations Adamawa and Borno State. Exact locations will be proposed by SFCG and partners. The targets for the baseline will be radio listeners (including displaced people), relevant CSOs, NHRC, security, judiciary, the media, government and community members. Gender should be taken into consideration with 40 % female and 60% male.
As an illustration, data collection could include:
400 surveys (200 conducted in each state) targeting the community/relevant stakeholders;
Approximately 32 key informant interviews (16 per state including SFCG project staff and partners; relevant CSOs, security and judicial actors; and representatives of the NHRC)
Approximately 10 focus group discussions (5 per state with relevant CSOs, the judiciary, security and judicial actors, community member’s i.e. women, youth, community and religious leaders)
Participants for the survey should be selected by random sampling. Interview and focus group will be selected in coordination with SFCG and project partners based on the criteria proposed by the Consultant.
DeliverablesThe expected final evaluation deliverables are:
A baseline plan detailing a proposed methodology (in line with the evaluation methodology stated above), evaluation matrix (baseline tools will be designed by SFCG)
A draft evaluation report for review by SFCG staff and other stakeholders
A Final Report (30 pages max in length, excluding appendices) that consists of :
Executive summary of key findings and recommendations
Table of contents
Research findings, analysis, and conclusions with associated data presented. The report should be structure around the main objectives / evaluation criteria
Recommendations for future action
Appendices, which include detailed research instruments, list of interviewees, terms of references and evaluator(s) brief biography
A Powerpoint presentation of the report
Databases of the evaluation data
A short summary report (5 pages) meant to be shared with audiences outside SFCG
Logistical SupportSFCG will provide the following logistical support:
Background materials (project proposal, reports, etc.)
Quantitative and qualitative documentation of project activities
List of participants and partners (and their contact information)
Field visit logistics (travel cost, car, driver, translation services)
Meeting arrangements with stakeholders and beneficiaries including venue and transport
Printing of surveys
TimeframeThe baseline should be conducted in May 2015. A final version of the report is expected June 5, 2015.Requirements of consultant
SFCG has the following requirement from the evaluator:
Proficiency in English
More than 5 years of experience in project evaluation or the equivalent in DM&E expertise, including collecting data in interviews, surveys and focus groups
Experience working with international organizations
Experience conducting large-scale quantitative surveys
Experience working with DRL or USAID funded projects
Understanding of and experience working with human rights, governance, media, and peacebuilding organizations/projects
Evaluation methods and data collection skills
Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule
Conflict resolution/peacebuilding experience
The consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles
Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.
To apply, please submit the following information to Nigeria@sfcg.org and sbentu@sfcg.org no later than May 2nd, 2015:
Apply via :
Nigeria@sfcg.org
