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 facilitating 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.

Work arrangement
No