Conflict Sensitivity, Community Governance & Participatory Implementation Consultancy

Description Background: Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster , in hardship , in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corps, in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion (HI), is implementing the RENEW Project, funded by the Centre de Crise et de Soutien (CDCS), to strengthen resilience and recovery in conflict-affected communities through integrated Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) interventions. Result 3 of the project seeks to promote inclusive governance and improve communities' access to essential services through participatory engagement between communities, local authorities and other key stakeholders. Implementation of several participatory governance activities experienced delays due to significant contextual changes during the early stages of the project, including shifts in administrative authorities, access constraints and delays in humanitarian mine action activities. Since then, substantial progress has been achieved in identifying target farmers, prioritising agricultural land and referring land to Humanity & Inclusion for explosive ordnance survey and clearance. Mercy Corps is now preparing to deliver agricultural recovery assistance . As the project enters its final implementation phase, there is a need for targeted technical support to complete the remaining governance and community engagement activities under Result 3. This consultancy will strengthen conflict-sensitive implementation, facilitate participatory decision-making, and support collaborative planning among communities, local authorities and project stakeholders to maximise the effectiveness and transparency of project interventions. Purpose / Project Description: The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Mercy Corps in completing the remaining Result 3 activities through conflict-sensitive facilitation, participatory community engagement, and collaborative planning. The consultancy will strengthen inclusive decision-making, support effective stakeholder coordination, and enhance the quality and transparency of project implementation in target communities. The consultancy will focus on a community in each 7 Subdistricts target communities in 3 Governorate region(s). Ar-Raqqa Subdistrict / Ar-Raqqa Governorate Mansoura Subdistrict / Ar-Raqqa Governorate Sabka Subdistrict / Ar-Raqqa Governorate Hama Subdistrict / Hama Governorate Salamiyyah Subdistrict / Hama Governorate Dier ez Zor Subdistrict / Deir Al Zor Governorate Khisham Subdistrict / Deir Al Zor Governorate Most of the assignments will be conducted remotely, leveraging available project documentation, virtual engagements, and support from Mercy Corps field teams for data collection and facilitation where needed. Consultant Objectives: Activities will be delivered through a hybrid approach, with the consultant working remotely and relying on Mercy Corps field staff to support data collection, logistics , and in-person facilitation as required . Objective 1 Provide technical guidance and facilitate the Mercy Corps team in conducting rapid conflict and stakeholder analyses in target communities to identify context-specific risks, opportunities and stakeholder dynamics that may influence project implementation. ( Specific focus on issues related to land access, beneficiary selection, and natural resource management). Objective 2 Support the establishment and/or strengthening of Community Stakeholder Committees to facilitate inclusive participation, dialogue and transparent decision-making throughout project implementation. Objective 3 Guide the MC team on f acilitat ing participatory prioritization and Joint Action Planning with community stakeholders, local authorities and relevant service providers to support implementation of agricultural and essential service interventions. Objective 4 Strengthening the capacity of Community Stakeholder Committees, community representatives and Mercy Corps staff on practical approaches to conflict sensitivity, inclusive governance, participatory facilitation and collaborative decision-making, including an orientation on Community-Based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER ) . Objective 5 Document key lessons learned, agreed community priorities and Joint Action Plans, and provide practical recommendations to support the remaining implementation period and project close-out. Consultant Activities: The consultant shall undertake the following activities. Objective 1 Rapid Conflict and Stakeholder Analysis. The consultant will: Review relevant project documentation, including the approved proposal, workplan, implementation progress, beneficiary selection process and available assessments. Provide technical guidance and facilitate the Mercy Corps team in conducting rapid participatory conflict and stakeholder analyses in each target location using a mixed methods approach ( e.g , Focus group discussions and Key informant interviews) . Identify existing community structures and key stakeholders at the community and local authority levels, paying attention to the interests and influence of different groups (e.g., women, youth, internally displaced persons, host communities). Assess conflict dynamics that may influence project implementation, including land access, natural resource use, beneficiary selection, community relations and access to services. Identify practical opportunities to strengthen inclusive participation during implementation. Prepare concise conflict and stakeholder profiles with recommendations for implementation teams. Deliverable Rapid Conflict and Stakeholder Analysis Report with max 10 pages Objective 2 Community Stakeholder Committees The consultant will facilitate the establishment and/or strengthening of Community Stakeholder Committees that will support transparent and inclusive implementation of project activities. Activities include: Mapping existing community coordination mechanisms. Conducting a power and inclusion analysis to identify and address potential barriers to participation for marginalized groups . Supporting transparent committee formation where needed , ensuring fair representation of farmers, women, youth and other relevant community stakeholders . Developing standard Committee Terms of Reference that are adaptable to the local context . Defining committee roles and responsibilities. Establishing simple meeting procedures and decision-making processes that include a grievance mechanism . Supporting effective communication between committees, Mercy Corps, local authorities and relevant stakeholders. The consultant will encourage inclusive representation of farmers, women, youth and other relevant community stakeholders while respecting local context and existing governance structures. Deliverables Community Stakeholder Committee Guidelines Standard Committee Terms of Reference (Template to be contextualised ) Objective 3 Participatory Prioritization and Joint Action Planning Using participatory facilitation approaches, including Appreciative Inquiry where appropriate , the consultant will design and remotely facilitate community workshops and provide structured guidance to Mercy Corps field teams, who will lead the in ‑ person facilitation in each target location: Guide the validation of agricultural recovery implementation priorities. Support the review of agricultural and community support needs. Facilitate the identification of implementation challenges and opportunities. Guide collaborative prioritisation of activities within the available project budget and timeframe . Support and structure dialogue between communities and local authorities, with MC teams facilitating discussions on the ground Develop practical Joint Action Plans for each target location that outline specific, measurable activities, responsible parties (community, authorities, MC), timelines, and resources for each target location. Joint Action Plans should clearly define agreed priorities, stakeholder responsibilities, coordination arrangements and follow-up actions during the remaining implementation period. Deliverables Joint Action Planning Facilitation Package Joint Action Plans for each target location (Approved by Mercy Corps) Objective 4 Capacity Strengthening The consultant will design and facilitate practical field-based learning sessions for Community Stakeholder Committees, Mercy Corps staff and relevant stakeholders covering: Foundations of Conflict Sensitivity and "Do No Harm" Conflict Management and Resolution Group Dynamics and Collaborative Leadership Participatory Decision Making and Negotiation Skills Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Introduction to Community-Based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER), including community roles, reporting pathways and referral mechanisms. Training should emphasize practical application using project examples, case discussions and field-based exercises rather than classroom-based lectures. Develop and facilitate an introductory orientation on Community-Based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER), including community roles, reporting pathways and referral mechanisms relevant to the project context. Deliverables Training Materials (PowerPoint presentations, facilitator guides, case studies, and handouts) Capacity Building Report (Summary of sessions, attendance, feedback, and recommendations for follow-up). Objective 5 Documentation and Close-out Support The consultant will: Document key process lessons learned from the participatory governance process , focusing on what worked, what didn’t and why . Compile committee documentation and Joint Action Plans. Identify good practices and implementation challenges linking them back to the conflict analysis . Provide practical , actionable recommendations to support project reporting and close-out and for potential future programming . Deliverables: Lessons Learned and Recommendations Brief (Max 10 pages). Final Consultancy Report (Compiles all key deliverables and provides an executive summary of the entire assignment). Consultancy Activity Mapping: Result 3 Activity Consultancy Contribution 3.1.1.1 Community Stakeholder Committees Establish/strengthen committees and develop ToRs 3.1.1.2 Stakeholder Mapping & Conflict Analysis Rapid conflict and stakeholder analysis 3.1.1.3 Mapping & Prioritization of Services Participatory prioritization workshops 3.1.1.4 Conflict Management Training Design and deliver conflict management and group dynamics training 3.1.1.5 EWER Deliver introductory EWER orientation and guidance 3.1.1.6 Joint Action Planning Facilitate participatory Joint Action Plans Consultant Deliverables: The Consultant will provide the following: Deliverable Timeline ( Assumptions: Approval of report/guide within 2-3 working days ) Inception Report and Detailed Workplan End of Week 1 Rapid Conflict and Stakeholder Analysis Report End of Week 2 (approved by week 3) Community Stakeholder Committee Formation and Guidelines & Standard ToRs Week 3 Joint Action Planning Facilitation guide Week 4 Joint Action Plans for each target location Week 5 Training Materials End of Week 5 (Developed in parallel with JAPs) Capacity Building Report End of Week 7 Lessons Learned and Recommendations Brief Week 7 Final Consultancy Report End of Week 8 Timeframe / Schedule : Activity Days Inception and document review 2 2 Conflict & stakeholder analysis 6 6 Community committee establishment/strengthening 6 6 Development of materials 4 Added to reflect the work required Training Training Delivery (Conflict Mgmt , Group Dynamics, EWER) 5 6 Participatory priorisation and joint action planning 6 Documentation & final reporting 3 3 Total 30 30 The Consultant will report to : CDCS Program Manager/ Syria Country Manager The Consultant will work closely wit h : MC CDCS Program Team , MC PaQ Team , and Humanity & Inclusion (HI), where relevant . MC will be responsible for Stakeholder meetings ’ logistics like (venue, refreshment ) , n o travel, accommodation, or field transportation costs for the consultant are included under this assignment, as the consultancy will be implemented primarily remotely. Required Experience & Skills: The successful consultant should possess : An advanced university degree in Peacebuilding, Conflict Studies, Governance, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related discipline. At least 8 years of professional experience in conflict sensitivity, community governance, participatory development or social cohesion programming. Demonstrated experience conducting conflict and stakeholder analyses. Proven experience facilitating community dialogue and participatory planning processes. Strong understanding of the Do No Harm framework and conflict-sensitive programming. Experience in fragile and conflict ‑ affected contexts, including engagement in Food Security and Livelihoods, resilience, or recovery programming, or in related sectors with strong relevance to community dynamics and conflict sensitivity. Previous experience working in Syria or comparable humanitarian contexts is highly desirable. Excellent facilitation, analytical and report-writing skills. Fluency in English is required ; Arabic is highly desirable. Team Engagement and Effectiveness Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work. We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.