Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA)

1. Background of the assignment

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH)

DKH provides humanitarian aid worldwide. DKH supports people who have fallen victim of natural disasters, war and displacement and who are not able to cope on their own in the emergency situation they find themselves in. It is an effort to help people in great need – worldwide, regardless of their color, religion and nationality. One of the most important principles of our work is impartiality and independence. DKH painstakingly observes its aim not to become an instrument for political, economic or military interests. Particularly in conflict areas, DKH attaches great value to asserting its independence from all parties involved. Projects and programs are designed to suit the local conditions and are integrated in the economic, social and political context of a specific country or region. DKH is committed to the basic principles of humanitarian aid as laid down in the Code of Conduct of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and of non-governmental aid organizations in the context of assistance. DKH is guided by the four humanitarian principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

DKH closely cooperates with local partners. DKH is also a member of ACT (Action by Churches Together).

Planned project

DKH will hand in a project proposal for funding from Transitional Development Assistance (TDA) from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. TDA is designed to support affected people and local structures in overcoming crises and strengthening their resilience. TDA has a focus on crisis management. In countries with a higher or acute potential for conflict escalation, a PCIA is necessary.

The planned project will be implemented with a local partner organization and has a focus on the health sector in Lebanon. Peace and security is an important subordinate goal, but not one of the main reasons for implementing the project. Some of the corresponding measures contribute peaceful and inclusive coexistence. It is also essential to ensure that the planned project is sensitive to conflict dynamics, and does not inadvertently impact negatively upon the levels of conflict in the health sector and in the country.

2. Purpose and specific objectives of the PCIA

The assignment will use the methodological framework of a PCIA. The purpose of the PCIA is threefold: The PCIA is a diagnostic tool for a context assessment and for understanding the contextual challenges. The PCIA is a methodological approach for ensuring conflict-sensitivity of the planned project. The PCIA is used as a mechanism for brining project stakeholders together to discuss and agree upon a shared understanding of the conflict dynamics and to improve the project design in the context of peaceful and inclusive coexistence.

The specific objectives of the PCIA are:

· Describe the main factors leading to conflict, fragility and violence as well as needs for peace;

· Conduct an assessment of the relevance of the planned project to peace and security;

· Define the risks and the risk management in the context of conflict, fragility and violence;

· Provide guidance to monitoring and avoiding negative consequences.

The results of the PCIA will be shared with DKH, the local partner and the backdonor. 3. Design, methodology and deliverables

The assignment can be conducted remotely or partially remotely, due to the COVID-19 situation.

The PCIA consultant/ team is expected to use a diverse set of methodologies:

· Desk review: The PCIA should make use of existing peace and conflict analyses and literature and reference frameworks for Lebanon wherever possible.

· (Remote) Interviews: Interviews involve representatives of DKH and the local partner. Interviews may also involve context actors, such as representatives from clusters and other (inter-) national organisations working in Lebanon.

· (Remote) Focus group discussions: Focus groups discussions may involve potential beneficiaries.

· (Remote) Analysis workshops: Three analysis workshops (context analysis; assessment of relevance; risks and monitoring) allow key project stakeholders to engage in a participatory conflict analysis process.

· Assessment report writing: Assessment report (around 20 pages)

It should be evident that the PCIA should take a participatory and conflict-sensitive approach.**

The anticipated time period for the assignment is 20 days between April and June.

Context factors such as Ramadan as well as the COVID-19 situation have to be taken into consideration.

4. Profile of the selected PCIA consultant/ team

The selected PCIA consultant/ team shall have the following profile:

· Proven experience with conducting PCIAs and familiarity with the academic and policy literature surrounding the causes and consequences of violent conflict;

· Professional working experience in Lebanon and knowledge of its context of conflict and fragility;

· Professional experience in transitional development assistance and/ or humanitarian aid;

· Robust experience with data collection and analysis methodologies for PCIAs, including facilitation skills in managing workshops and group discussions in an unbiased manner;

· Proven experience in writing assessment-type documents;

· Familiarity with and clear comprehension of conflict sensitive and do no harm assessments;

· Fluency in English, both written and spoken is required;

. Fluency in German and Arabic is an asset.