Vacancy reference no.:
Position: VAC-1210
Contract duration: up to 15 days per month for 6 months
Starting date: ASAP
OVERVIEW OF CTG GLOBAL
CTG support and manage humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world. With past performance in 15 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Central and South America – we offer a holistic fabric of project management, implementation and support. Skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, we have the ability to act quickly (crisis response teams can be on the ground in 24 hours) and to establish structured operations in high-risk environments. CTG recruit and manage qualified, skilled teams with extensive experience operating in challenging conditions.
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION
To serve as the primary focal point between IOM and the firm carrying out the research on disengaged combatants, aimed to inform initiatives on the prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE) and the reintegration of low-risk disengaged combatants in Somalia. To provide subject matter expertise on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) for SSI/Dalbile and ensure the design and execution of the research are carried out according to the work plan. To review all deliverable’s submitted by the research firm, verifying these are in line with agreed upon requirements and provide corrective measures if necessary. To report on a regular basis to IOM SSI and IOM DDR on the progress of the research and closely coordinate with IOM during the duration of the implementation of the activity. To coordinate with the research team in holding training sessions on the findings and recommendations for key stakeholders to ensure dissemination of research findings and their programmatic utility.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS
Role objective:
Following the establishment of the Federal Govt. of Somalia (FGoS) in 2012, Somalia has been experiencing increased political stability and engagement with international partners. Despite these gains in the political arena, the security situation remains highly volatile and continues to challenge operations in Somalia. In particular, there has been an overall increase in militant movements in the regions neighboring Mogadishu including Gedo, Lower Juba, Lower Shabelle, Hiiran and Middle Shabelle.
In 2012, the FGoS identified the issue of disengagement of combatants from violent extremist groups as an area of concern. Together with partners, including the IOM, the FGoS embarked on a process to develop the “National Program on the Treatment and Handling of Disengaged Combatants and Youth at Risk” (National Program). Its objective is to establish a comprehensive process that allows for low-risk ex-combatants to reintegrate in communities and become productive citizens.
Although the National Program has made notable progress towards understanding and standardizing the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes in Somalia, limited research studies have created information gaps that decrease the efficacy of existing humanitarian and political responses. Specifically, previous DDR research studies have:
Largely focused on qualitative data collection and excluded quantitative, providing no statistically significant data or pattern/trend analysis.
Been limited to a few locations such as Mogadishu, Baidoa and Kismayo.
Targeted male disengaged combatants, giving inadequate attention to female disengaged combatants, host communities, family members of engaged/disengaged combatants, at-risk youth, and other important actors.
Not had the capacity to examine nationwide movement patterns related to disengaged combatants. Addressing these information gaps through the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistically significant and representative data on disengaged combatants will support targeted programming towards P/CVE and the reintegration of low-risk disengaged combatants in Somalia.
The overall objective of this study is to inform interventions on P/CVE and the reintegration of low-risk disengaged combatants in Somalia through statistically significant and representative data. IOM intends to fill the critical research gaps in these thematic areas in Somalia through the following actions:
Conduct quantitative and qualitative research on disengaged combatants, contributing a holistic analysis on push/pull factors both for engagement and disengagement in violent extremism, reintegration initiatives and community perceptions thereof.
Conduct a movement mapping exercise, tracking individual movements from recruitment to reintegration.
Produce a comprehensive final report and recommendations based on careful data interpretation and analysis and deliver capacity-building training to relevant stakeholders.
The research will be undertaken in 12 different locations in South Central Somalia: Mogadishu, (SWS: Baidoa, Baraawe, Marka, Xudur, Afgooye), (JSS: Kismayo, Garbahaarey, Doolow), (Hirshabelle: Beletweyne, Bula Burto and Jowhar) and will be carried out through household surveys, targeted surveys of disengaged combatants and their families, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with identified groups including disengaged combatants, families of disengaged combatants, govt. authorities, youth, women, community leaders, etc. The number of respondents to be surveyed in each location will be determined based on population estimates and preliminary stakeholder engagement. Some of the areas of focus and indicators to be evaluated through data collection will include but are not limited to:
Push/pull factors concerning violent extremism and socioeconomic indicators of engaged/disengaged combatants and youth at risk (males and females).
Factors that lead combatants to disengage from violent extremist groups.
Viable and sustainable reintegration activities.
The research will also consist of a movement mapping exercise to document locations from the time of recruitment to reintegration. This component will provide insight for the geographically targeted provision of socioeconomic opportunities for at-risk youth, implementation of advocacy and communication campaigns and other P/CVE interventions.
The final report analyzing the research findings is expected to provide in-depth analysis of the data procured through the data collection initiatives and the mapping exercise. The report will also include recommendations for improving reintegration and community engagement initiatives, minimizing push/pull factors and increasing defections, as well as provide clean data sets as annexes. The initiative will also include a capacity building component, with govt. officials and other stakeholders being thoroughly trained on the final report and recommendations once they have been completed and approved. The training sessions will take place in Somalia at locations to be determined.
Expected output:
Participate in an initial kick-off meeting to meet with the IOM-SSI/DDR team to discuss the project and to develop a project plan to guide the research project through completion.
Provide regular updates to the IOM-SSI/DDR focal points on the progress of the research and the implementation of the activity.
Coordinate on a regular basis with the research firm recruited for the research implementation and IOM-SSI/DDR focal points in the development of research tools and work plan.
Oversee the research implementation process, including the review of regular reports submitted by the research firm, provide technical guidance where needed and monitor to ensure the research is proceeding according to the work plan.
Coordinate with the research firm in the production of the research report and recommendations. The consultant will review the research findings and draft report, provide written inputs where needed and support in the development of practical recommendations.
Support the research firm in the organization of research dissemination workshops in Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa.
Deliverable’s:
Initial kick-off meeting with IOM SSI and IOM DDR and presentation of project plan to guide the research project through completion.
Session held with the research team on the research purpose, scope and guiding questions prior to the development of the research tools.
Review of deliverable’s developed by research firm, literature review and inception report outlining the proposed methodology, research tools, stakeholder engagement.
Review of all draft reports to ensure these are in line with agreed upon requirements and provide corrective measures if necessary.
In coordination with the research firm and IOM-SSI/DDR hold meetings with DDR stakeholders in Somalia to share preliminary research findings on at least two occasions.
Review of the draft report providing recommendations, editing as well as substantive inputs where needed.
Review and edit the final report and recommendations.
Organizational arrangements:
The Consultant will work with the IOM Somalia Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Somalia Stabilization Initiative (SSI) program units, coordinating with the focal persons from each unit. The consultant will report directly to the SSI focal point and work closely with the DDR unit, and in particular the DDR Capacity Building Officer. The consultant will be based out of the IOM Somalia offices in Nairobi for the duration of the consultancy.
Project reporting:
This role will directly report to the Reporting Officer & will be monitored closely by the Program Manager.
Team management:
This role does not have any team management responsibility.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
Education:
Master’s degree in Political Science, Peace and Security Studies, International Relations, International Development, or a related field and/or PhD degree in Political Science, Peace and Security Studies, International Relations, International Development, or a related field..
Work experience:
Minimum of 8 years of demonstrable relevant Security experience and/or minimum of 4 years of demonstrable relevant Research experience.
Geographical experience:
Minimum of 4 years of experience in Africa and/or Middle East with local experience in Nairobi is an advantage.
Languages:
Fluency in English (essential) and Somali (desirable).
Key competencies:
Qualifications:
At least 8 years of research design and implementation experience (with substantial focus on DDR and/or P/CVE) using both quantitative and qualitative methods, with proven experience in Somalia or elsewhere in the East Africa region.
Demonstrated experience in the fields of DDR and/or P/CVE.
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills using statistical software packages (e.g. STATA, SPSS, etc.).
Extensive field research experience and experience in training and leading teams of researchers and enumerators.
Proven experience in providing capacity building training for govt.
Superior research, analysis and writing skills.
Experience collaborating with high-level govt. officials.
Other relevant information:
Payment: Monthly payment based on satisfactory completion of tasks assigned, submission of monthly report, time-sheet and bill for number of hours worked. Supervisor and Consultant will agree on an estimate of time required for each report/assignment.
