Consultancy for End-line Evaluation I-RENEW: Inclusive Religious

TERMS OF REFERENCE: Consultancy for End-line Evaluation I-RENEW: Inclusive Religious Engagement in Nigeria Enhanced by Women Project Introduction Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking a consultant to conduct an End-line assessment of its Gender- and Youth-inclusive FoRB Project in Plateau and Kaduna States, Nigeria.

The project aims to empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), as well as promote inter- and intra-religious peaceful coexistence in the two states.

The endline will evaluate the project’s impact, assess its effectiveness, relevance, sustainability, and lessons learned during the life cycle of the project.

The consultant is expected to collect End-line values for key project outcome indicators and explore shifts in gender dynamics related to FoRB issues in the target locations.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in religious studies and gender analysis to generate evidence on the link between program activities, the religious context, and resulting changes.

Context Search for Common Ground Search is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups, governments and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions.

Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 52 field offices in over 30 countries, including Nigeria.

Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviours.

Religion is deeply embedded in all aspects of Nigerian life, shaping citizens’ moral values and understanding of the world, especially in times of crisis.

While there are no official indicators of religious affiliation in Nigeria, most analysts say it is roughly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians.

The country is believed to have the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is estimated that 9% of the population belongs to other (non-Christian) or no religious groups.

Religious affiliation is an important identity in the lives of most Nigerians; 87% of Nigerian citizens believe that religion plays an important role in their lives.

Religious and cultural pluralism is the daily experience of millions of Nigerians.

Notwithstanding the existence of religious tensions, the reality is that most Nigerians want to live in harmony with their neighbours of different faiths.

A Pew Research report found that 71% of Nigerians think that it is a good thing for people of other faiths to have the freedom to practice their beliefs.

This presents risks to several key overall development indicators, including Freedom of Religious Belief and Religious Tolerance.

Search working with key stakeholders in the sectors has implemented a 24-month project with the addition of 4 Months of No-Cost Extension to empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and promote inter- and Intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States.

This End-line evaluation will measure the key project outcome indicators and achievements in Kaduna and Plateau States in the following LGAs, Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa, and Jos East.

The Project Search has implemented a 24-month project and is currently in the 2nd month of its No-Cost Extension period with an overall goal to empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and Inter- and Intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States.

The overall goal is supported by two specific objectives and the four expected results, to guide the project’s activities.

Below are the objectives; Specific Objective 1: To strengthen the capacity of women religious leaders and youth activists to play an active role in promoting FoRB and peaceful coexistence across different beliefs Expected Result 1.1: Target women religious leaders and young religious activists have greater skills and tools to promote FoRB and inter- and intra-religious coexistence in their communities.

Expected Result 1.2: Target women religious leaders and young religious activists have an increased role in enhancing inter- and intra-faith coexistence at the community level.

Specific Objective 2: To contribute to a social and policy environment that is conducive to inclusive FoRB efforts.

Expected Result 2.1: High-level policymakers and religious leaders in target states have an enhanced understanding of the importance of and capacities to support inclusive FoRB and intra- and inter-religious engagement efforts.

Expected Result 2.2: Citizens in target communities have increased access to information and narratives that positively shift norms and attitudes on FoRB, intra and interreligious engagement, and women and youth’s role in promoting religious coexistence.

Search combined an iterative series of monitoring and quarterly FoRB reports, FoRB and Common Ground Advocacy training for youth and women leaders, training for women religious leaders and youth activists on CGA for religious engagement, women and youth-facilitated interfaith solidarity activities, advocacy visits with high-level faith leaders and policymakers, University sensitizations amongst others to meet the project goal and objectives.

Our theory of change is premised on: IF women religious leaders and youth FoRB activists have increased capacities and opportunities to promote FoRB and inter- and intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States, and IF target communities, policymakers, and religious leaders recognise and value the importance of FoRB and women and youth’s role in sustaining it, and IF target communities experience positive interactions and narratives that foster inter and intrareligious collaboration and dispel myths and harmful stereotypes, THEN a diverse community of multi-level stakeholders can more effectively and collaboratively protect and support the rights of people of all faiths and beliefs and promote religious coexistence across target communities BECAUSE effective FoRB and religious engagement initiatives require the support and intervention of all of society, including women and youth, to be effective and adequately incorporate the needs of all Nigerians.

Goal and Objectives of Study

As the project enters its close-out phase, it is important, as best practice and a contractual obligation, to conduct the project's end-line assessment. This assessment will help Search understand the project’s impact and changes in the FoRB landscape across both states. Specifically, it will examine shifts in the challenges faced by women religious leaders and youth activists in promoting FoRB, assess changes in associated risks, and explore their coping mechanisms. It will also capture lessons learned from the inclusion or exclusion of these groups in advancing FoRB in the two states. The objectives of the End-line assessment are as follows:

Evaluation of the Relevance of the Project Results: Understand whether the objectives of the project aligned with the needs and priorities of the target community and stakeholders.

Examine the Project's Effectiveness: Determine the extent to which the project achieved its stated objectives and outcomes.

Measure the Project’s Impacts: Examine the broader changes (positive, negative, intended, and unintended) resulting from the intervention.

Understand the Sustainability of the Project Results: Identify barriers and factors that could affect the likelihood that the benefits of the project will continue beyond the life of the project.

Harvest the Lessons Learned for Future Intervention: Understand what worked well, what needs to be improved, and what did not work well during the project implementation.

Collect End-line information to assess the project’s Outcome Indicators after the project implementation and conduct a comparative analysis with the baseline information.

The study will measure the following indicators as stated above:

Type, Overall Objective: To empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and inter and intra-religious peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States.

Indicator:

% of surveyed women and youth who believe they can make a positive difference in their religious communities in Plateau and Kaduna states.

% of surveyed people in target areas who report collaborating across religious divides on a community initiative led by women/youth religious actors.

Specific Objective 1

To strengthen the capacity of women religious leaders and youth activists to play an active role in promoting FoRB and peaceful coexistence across different beliefs

Indicator:

% of trained women religious leaders and youth activists who can cite at least one example of successfully using a conflict transformation skill learned through the action to promote FoRB and/or peaceful coexistence.

% of women religious leaders and youth activists surveyed who take action to influence the things they care about.

Specific Objective 2

To contribute to a social and policy environment that is conducive to inclusive FoRB efforts.

Indicator:

% of trained women and youth participants who believe they have increased opportunities to access policymakers to advocate for inclusive FoRB efforts as a result of their participation in the action.

% of trained women and youth participants who believe that they were able to achieve at least one of the goals set in their advocacy plan

% of radio program listeners who believe that women and young people have valuable contributions to make to FoRB efforts.

Key Study questions

The consultant is expected to collect data, analyse, and provide answers to the following research questions

Relevance:

Were the project’s outcomes aligned with the identified needs and priorities of the target community?

Did the project address significant gaps in the context of its implementation?

Was the intervention adaptable to changes in the operating environment?

Effectiveness:

To what extent were the project’s objectives and targets met?

What factors contributed to or hindered the achievement of these objectives?

Were the methods and strategies used effective in delivering results?

Impact:

What significant changes occurred in the community and the lives of beneficiaries as a result of the intervention?

Did the project contribute to systemic or transformative changes?

Were there any intended (positive) or unintended (negative) consequences?

Sustainability:

Are mechanisms in place to sustain the project’s benefits?

Were local capacities and systems strengthened to maintain activities?

Did the project integrate environmental, financial, and social sustainability considerations?

Lessons Learned:

Was the project consistent with national policies and donor interventions?

Did it complement or duplicate the efforts of other stakeholders?

Were synergies achieved through collaboration with other programs?

What worked well, what did not work well, and what needs to be improved in the project implementation?

Further Key questions of interest of the assessment include:

Understand the changes in the FoRB context in both Kaduna and Plateau states

What are the recent FoRB and related conflict issues in Kaduna and Plateau states that have changed?

Who are the key actors involved negatively or positively in religious-based conflicts

What are the challenges/gaps faced at the community and state levels in advancing FoRBs in Kaduna and Plateau states, and how have these gaps been closed?

Identify changes in in dynamics of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities for women's and youths' participation in promoting FoRBs in Kaduna and Plateau states

What are the changes in the dynamic of challenges that actors (women religious leaders, youth activists) face at the community and state levels in advancing FoRBs?

What has changed in the potential risks for these actors’ engagements at the community and state levels?

What are the coping mechanisms for mitigating the risks, and how have the actors supported/ engaged and presented with opportunities to further advance FoRBs at the community and state levels?

Geographic Locations

This assessment will be conducted in Kaduna and Plateau states while using desk research to capture data from states of interest and neighbouring states that are relevant to this study. The stakeholders of interest relevant to this study will be discussed upon engagement.

Methodology and Data Collection Tools

The consultant(s) in submitting the proposal should outline the research approach and methodology for data collection to be used, including justification for these methods related to the research objectives. The applications submitted must clearly explain why the proposed methodology is the most appropriate to achieve the study objectives. The consultant(s) must also clarify the different tools that will be used and how each of these tools will contribute to meeting the established lines of inquiry.

The consultant(s) will be responsible for finalising the literature review, designing the final methodology, developing tools, training of enumerators, conducting data analysis, and drafting the report and actionable recommendations. Proposals should include clarity on data triangulation and key methodologies for data collection. The proposal will also include sampling strategies associated with the proposed methods, methodologies for data analysis outlined with justifications and reasoning for any key methods mentioned, Do No Harm strategies, and any proposed strategies for sharing the findings of the study.

The final methodology and tools will be approved by Search’s Head of DMEL before data collection begins. The Search DMEL unit will participate in the training of enumerators and intermittently visit to supervise data collection in the field.

Logistical Support

The consultant(s) will be responsible for organising their logistics for data collection (vehicles, fuel, and drivers), and this must be budgeted into the study.

In addition, Search will share the following elements with the external consultant: background materials including the project proposal and logframe, M&E plan, background materials including the project proposal, conflict and Youth Gender analysis and relevant reports on the context, etc.

Timeline and Key Deliverables

Timeline:

This study will take place from 6th June 2025 to 30th June 2025, with the final deliverables due by 15th July 2025 at the latest. The final deadlines will be agreed upon by Search and the consultant upon finalisation of the contract.

Deliverables:

Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:

Inception report detailing the methodology, data collection tools, Analysis plan, and timeline.

Setting up and sharing the systems for data collection with Search.

Oversight of data coding and training data collectors.

Supervise and participate in field data collection, submit raw and cleaned data used for analysis to Search.

Debrief after data collection is completed (presentation of first trends and preliminary findings).

Use the evaluation template for reporting.

Provides a clear connection between the conflict or context assessment and the intended and unintended results that have changed as a result of the project.

Fully explains the objectives and research questions of the study, limitations, and methods chosen for analysis.

Findings should respect Search’s evaluation standards, be structured around the main objectives of the study, and be presented concerning the intended target groups. The findings should speak to the link between the project, its Theory of Change, and its contribution to the project strategy. It should explain adaptations that occurred during the project and their impact on results.

An updated version of the project Outcome indicators Table showing the project baseline, Target and the evaluation values.

Strategic Recommendations should have a clear audience and be specific, accessible, and actionable.

Appendices should include detailed research instruments, a list of interviewees, terms of reference, and evaluator(s) brief biography.

2-page summary of key findings.

PowerPoint slides (12 slides max)

Budget

The proposal must also include a budget offer in line with the technical offer. A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables. Also, the cost of holding data validation sessions should be included in the proposal. Note that the Budget should include all planned costs for the study, as no additional costs will be borne by Search.

Requirements of the Consultant

The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the selected evaluator for this evaluation:

Proficiency in English and local languages (written and spoken).

More than 7 years of experience in conducting conflict assessment, project evaluation, mapping, including collecting data in interviews, surveys and focus group discussions.

Experience in conflict analysis and working with religious, human rights activists, and civil society sectors.

Experience working with international organisations.

Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative surveys and analysis.

Evaluation methods and data collection skills.

Strong analytical and report writing skills.

Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place.

In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles:

Comprehensive and Systematic Inquiry: The consultant should make the most of the existing information and the full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultants should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. She or he should communicate her or his methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret, and critique her or his work. She or he should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.

Competence: The consultant should possess the abilities, skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of her or his professional training and competence.

Honesty and Integrity: The consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.

Respect for People: The consultant respects the security, dignity, and self-worth of respondents and program participants. The consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.

In addition, the consultant will respect Search’s evaluation standards, to be found in Search’s evaluation guidelines:

Selection Criteria

Technical offers will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Criteria

Understanding the ToR

Respecting the calendar 2 points

Respecting geographical areas 3 points

Respecting objectives and the research key question 5 points

B. Technical Offer

Relevance of the proposed methodology to the aim, objectives, and research questions defined in the ToR 15 points

Quality of proposed methods, conflict sensitivity approaches, and quality control measurements. 5 Points.

Planning of enumerator training and supervision of field data collection 5 points

Equipped for the Evaluation

Knowledge of the context of the project's target areas, Plateau, and Kaduna State 10 Points

Demonstrated experience in conducting End-line studies and research for FoRB and conflict transformation projects 10 points

Demonstrated experience in the field of Freedom of Religion or Belief, as well as working with women and Youth. 10 points

Demonstrated experience working with international organisations (experience with Search is an added advantage) 10 Points

Financial Offer

Consistency of costs with the proposed calendar and methodology 15 points

Cost consistency with reality/practice in Nigeria in general and in the project areas in particular 25 points

Total technical & financial offers 100 Points

Method of Selection for the Offer

The selection will be based on the cost-performance ratio and clarity in the developed proposal.

The weighting coefficients fixed to calculate the final score for each supplier are: 75% or 0.75 for the technical bid score. The proposal for awarding the contract will be determined by adding the technical and financial scores: TO (Technical Offer) + FO (Financial Offer) = successful candidate.

Applications

To apply, interested candidates (individuals or teams) are requested to submit the following two documents:

Curriculum vitae and a sample of a previous similar End-line research work in Northern Nigeria conducted.

A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the evaluation, together with a financial proposal for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables and a short cover letter.

Full Time - Local

Applications must be submitted on or before 16th May, 2025. Note that consideration of applications will be on a rolling basis.