Tenders Are Invited For External Evaluators Mid-Term Evaluation

Tenders are invited for External Evaluators Mid-Term Evaluation Closing Date: 17 Dec 2024 Type: Consultancy This participatory, learning-focused mid-term evaluation is an excellent opportunity to identify key approaches and good practices around engaging vulnerable youth in countering violent extremism in the Sahelian context, from the perspective of the communities involved. Successful candidates will design the study and write an inception report, then conduct the fieldwork, and finally the writing of a report and the presentation of key results and learnings. We are looking for a team of consultants with: 2 to 6 years in the design and implementation of similar assessments, and in particular focused on learning. 3 to 6 years of practical experience in conducting participatory processes in conflict zones. a good understanding of the human rights-based approach and gender-responsive approaches and tools 1-3 years of practical experience on topics such as peacebuilding, governance, violent extremism, etc. Speaking French (essential) and/or Bamanakan and other regional languages relevant to the assessment (desirable). 1-3 years of practical experience on topics such as peacebuilding, governance, violent extremism, etc. Previous experience with the Austrian Development Agency, the funder of this project, would be appreciated. Project Background In this context, International Alert (IA) is implementing a project entitled "Promoting the engagement of vulnerable youth in the fight against violent extremism in the border areas of Mali and Burkina Faso through a participatory governance and socio-economic reintegration approach". The project aims to reduce high levels of violent extremism and promote more effective, accountable, trust-based and collaborative security by Malian security and defense forces to address the root causes of violent extremism in central Mali and on the borders with Burkina Faso. This project is being implemented in Mali, in the regions of Mopti, Ségou and Sikasso. Seven municipalities are targeted: Mopti and Douentza (Mopti); Ségou and Tominian (Ségou); Sikasso, Hérémanoko and Koury (Sikasso). The project mainly targets young men and women in the communities through local and communal youth councils, representatives of the security and defence forces and local authorities as direct beneficiaries. The expected direct beneficiaries are estimated at a total of 1,000 people (divided between 500 men and 500 women). A total of 138,522 people (50% of whom are women) are expected to benefit indirectly from the implementation of the project. These include civil society organizations, traditional authorities and the target population at large. The overall long-term goal to which the intervention aims to contribute is to "prevent and reduce violent extremism in the Sahel through a resilience-building approach". The theory of change on which this project is based is as follows: If young men and women and other marginalized groups participate meaningfully in inclusive dialogue, if trust and collaborative ties between vulnerable youth, security and defence forces and civilian authorities are built to enable peace and prosperity, and if vulnerable youth are supported through social and economic rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives, then violent extremism affecting border security will be addressed and the resilience of young people to violent extremism will be strengthened in central Mali and along the borders with Burkina Faso, thus contributing to the prevention and reduction of violent extremism in the Sahel. This project is based on the experience and lessons learned from Alerts work in Mali on strengthening security governance in northern and central Mali since 2013, mainly targeting the regions of Mopti, Ségou, Bandiagara, Douentza, and Timbuktu, with the aim of preventing and countering violent extremism. As part of this security governance programming, Alert focused on improving trust and collaboration between local communities and the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) through dialogue and capacity building on conflict and gender sensitivity, and increasing the resilience of Malian women and youth and their communities to violent extremism. More specifically, the programme strongly supports the transformation of intra- and inter-community conflicts, the prevention of violent extremism at the local level through the establishment and support of local forums promoting dialogue around the main sources of violence and strategies and actions to mitigate violence. As such, the project is structured around the following three main result areas, two of which have been implemented (Outcome 1 and Outcome 2), while Outcome 3 is still awaiting implementation as of mid-December 2024. Outcome 1: Youth resilience to violent extremism is strengthened through the creation of inclusive and participatory spaces for dialogue and economic opportunities. As part of this result, Alert established and managed youth-led community dialogue forums in border areas at the communal level (1.1); trained members of dialogue forums in conflict and gender sensitivity and analysis (1.2) and trained young people (men and women) in conflict management and resolution (1.3) as well as advocacy and lobbying (1.4). Alert raised awareness among young people about the risks of violent extremism by sharing testimonies and engaging with survivors of violent extremism (1.5). These activities aim to increase youth participation in decision-making to reduce grievances and build resilience. Outcome 2: Trust and collaboration between vulnerable youth, security and defence forces and civilian authorities are strengthened to foster peace and prosperity. As part of this result, Alert supports the development and implementation of joint civil-military actions aimed at building trust and promoting social cohesion (2.1), training traditional community leaders, local government officials and security service providers on international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict in border areas (2.2), training of community-based organisations and local youth councils to reduce the stigma related to violent extremism within local communities and promote peaceful coexistence in border areas (2.3), and raising awareness of the rule of law, anti-incivility, anti-corruption and anti-drug policies (2.4) with the aim of building trust and collaboration among vulnerable young people, the SDF and the civilian authorities in order to promote peace. Result 3: Vulnerable youth benefit from rehabilitation and social and economic reintegration initiatives. Under Outcome 3, Alert will rehabilitate youth learning centres at the communal level to promote mutual exchange among young people (3.1), support income-generating activities, including vocational training, basic literacy and peer training, for identified at-risk youth to facilitate the economic reintegration of vulnerable youth (3.2 and 3.3), support the development and implementation of youth-led PVE micro-projects at the communal level (3.4), and train local NGOs, the private sector, authorities, security forces and communities to reduce and combat stigma (3.5) with the aim of supporting vulnerable youth through rehabilitation and social and economic reintegration initiatives. Please note that this is only a portion of the requirements for this position. For full job requirements, please click here to view the job description. How to apply Interested candidates and teams should provide the CVs of all consultants involved, as well as their respective roles within the team, and a letter of intent outlining their approach to this work and how their experience allows them to carry it out in a qualitative manner (2 pages maximum). All applications should be sent to [email protected] Local, womens and ethnically diverse teams are strongly encouraged to apply. International Alert prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer and especially welcomes applications from underrepresented individuals, including women, people in the Global South, BIPOCs, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and others who are historically marginalized. While International Alert strives to contact all applicants within a reasonable amount of time, this is not always possible due to limited resources. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you may consider that your application has not been selected. Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4116646/evaluateurs-externes-evaluation-mi-parcours