Location: Mali
Contract Type: Private Consulting
Estimated start date: Upon signing of contract
Duration: 20-30 days
Reports directly to: Study Steering Committee within ActionAid.
Context :
ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. We want to see a world that is just, equitable and sustainable, in which everyone enjoys the right to a life of dignity, free from poverty and oppression. We therefore work to achieve social justice and gender equality, and to eradicate poverty.
Our strategy is to create international momentum for social, economic and environmental justice, driven by people living in poverty and exclusion, including women and youth. In concrete terms, this means working closely with people living in poverty and exclusion, civil society organisations, social movements and supporters. Together, we implement local programmes, provide emergency aid and campaign for causes such as women’s and youth rights and climate justice.
ActionAid International Mali (AAIM) currently has an ongoing project focused on youth mobilization for the promotion of human rights, access to justice, social cohesion, and climate justice. AAIM seeks to broaden its understanding and connections with the landscape of informal actors, groups, and social movements involved in peacebuilding efforts in the country. Mali has been plagued by multiple forms of conflict, war, and terrorism for decades. While many Malians live in terror and insecurity, they also coexist with individuals who are members of terrorist groups, who are also part of their communities. Local conflict resolution mechanisms have made documented contributions to peace at the community level. Yet, these groups do not propose a vision for systemic or political change, meaning that their scope of action does not include advocacy and major campaigns in this direction. The lack of connections between these groups across various regions or countries is also a weakness. Recently, government efforts to regulate local peacebuilding and social cohesion groups have introduced additional barriers for these informal actors. The subtle imposition of “Regional Reconciliation Support Teams” (ERAR) as the sole central mechanism for social cohesion in each region has further complicated their ability to operate effectively. This approach not only limits the diversity of voices in peacebuilding initiatives, but also marginalizes the contributions of grassroots organizations that have historically played critical roles in promoting community solidarity and resolving conflict. By centralizing authority and decision-making, these regulations risk stifling local initiatives that are essential to promoting genuine social cohesion and responding to the unique needs of each community. At the same time, the NGO-ization of civil society in Mali has rendered invisible the contributions of informal groups and actors such as social movements and local peacebuilding mechanisms.
On the national scene, the efforts of multilateral agencies such as MINUSMA to promote peace are widely perceived as ineffective or co-opted by some segments of society. The implementation mechanisms of the 2015 Algiers Agreement, officially known as the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, have been criticized as weak and insufficient by various actors. Moreover, for many Malians, the Agreement itself has failed to advocate for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to peace and reconciliation.
Objectives and expected results of the study:
The results of the study are expected to guide and inform AAIM’s strategy to engage with social movements in Mali in peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives. At the same time, the study is expected to bring learnings, reflections and experiences from Mali around peacebuilding, during the People Power Conference in Copenhagen 2025 organized by ActionAid Denmark.
There are five specific objectives of the study:
1. Strategic direction for engagement: Provide actionable insights that will inform AAIM’s strategy for engaging with social movements in Mali, particularly in the context of peacebuilding and social cohesion.
2. Knowledge sharing: Capture and disseminate lessons learned and best practices from peacebuilding experiences in Mali, contributing to broader discussions at the Copenhagen 2025 People Power Conference.
3. Dialogue facilitation: Explore and identify methods to maintain constructive dialogue with non-state armed actors, enabling civil society organizations (CSOs) to play an active role in these discussions.
4. Strengthening local conflict resolution mechanisms: Assess and propose ways to improve local conflict resolution mechanisms as well as facilitate the formation of a possible unified national peace movement.
5. Youth Empowerment: Investigate strategies for young people in Mali to hold government and institutional actors accountable for their commitments to reparation and reconciliation.
Based on these objectives, the key questions of the study are:
1. How to maintain and positively transform the peacebuilding dialogue with non-state armed actors, such as terrorist or criminal groups, to achieve peace? How can local groups and grassroots organizations be part of this dialogue with non-state armed actors? What is the space for consultation and discussion with these actors?
2. How can local conflict resolution mechanisms be supported? And how can local groups benefit from their connections and potentially join forces to create a national peace movement?
3. How can young people in Mali hold the government and other parties accountable for their commitments to reparation and reconciliation mechanisms?
Expected results:
Strategic Direction: A comprehensive report that presents effective recommendations and perspectives for developing new strategies for AAIM and other stakeholders to engage with social movements and non-state actors in Mali who work as peacebuilders locally and nationally.
This includes safe perspectives and recommendations:
1. How to support local peacebuilders and potentially expand local conflict resolution mechanisms, by highlighting successful case studies of local groups and the work they do as well as potential collaborations between local groups.
2. How to create safe spaces for dialogue with non-state armed actors, emphasizing the role of local groups and grassroots organizations.
3. How to include and empower youth in peacebuilding.
Methodology:
A mixed methodology combining quality and quantity is preferred, through desk research, key informant interviews or focus groups, without strict requirements regarding the representativeness factor of the study sample. The only requirement that prevails is the participation of young women and women, as well as the consideration of their specific points of view.
The targeted individuals or organizations are formal or informal youth organizations, young people who are or are not members of youth organizations, social organizations existing for 5 years or more, FONGIM (Federation of International NGOs of Mali), CAFO.
Relevant government targets include: the Ministry of Reconciliation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry for the Advancement of Women and the Family, state peacebuilding mechanisms such as ERAR (Regional Reconciliation Support Teams), EPR and COFO, the Children’s Parliament of Mali, the National Youth Council, representatives of the National Assembly (current members of the National Transitional Council or former deputies), the National Council of Civil Society, displaced persons.
This list of targets is not exhaustive or definitive; consultants may proceed according to a logic of relevance. The consultant will be asked to provide a list of targets and a methodology for interviews as part of the inception report.
The consultant will be supported to travel to the North (Gao) and Central (Mopti) regions depending on accessibility and security. The geographical focus may change during the structuring of the study based on discussions with the consultants.
Ethical considerations:
Consultants must ensure respect for the privacy, human dignity and desire for confidentiality of study participants. They must respect the principles of NE
DO NO HARM as well as the principles of non-participation in corruption and sexual harassment (SHEA). In doing so, an informed consent form must be presented to the respondents for reading and validation. Consultants are also required to ensure that the habits and customs of the target communities are respected. Inclusiveness is strictly required, so that each social stratum is concerned (persons with disabilities, displaced persons, refugees, women, girls, rural and urban areas, etc.) without exclusion.
Expected results:
– Inception documents: work plan, methodology and proposed structure for the report. The steering committee will validate the inception documents and hold a formal inception meeting with the consultant.
– Case studies: Consultants will be required to identify and highlight at least 5 case studies/stories of change or significant achievements of local social cohesion groups, as well as the process, actors, methods and key lessons learned from these stories. These should be included in the report in an easily communicable form, not exceeding 2 pages each.
– Final Report: The final study report should not exceed 15 pages, including case histories. The cover page, acronyms and abbreviations, and other appendices are not part of these 15 pages. The report should briefly describe the methodology, the main conclusions based on the study questions, and a list of recommendations. The appendices should list all organizations that were contacted and the resource persons interviewed, in addition to the key research on which the report is based, found in the literature search. The appendices should also list the relevant tools and documents consulted during the study. The study report should be submitted for feedback and review by the steering committee, before finalization by the consultant.
Remuneration and contract conditions:
ActionAid International has a maximum rate of 150,000 CFA per day, with a maximum of 35,000 CFA per day for per diems. Accommodation, transportation and communication expenses are reimbursable upon presentation of a field mission budget. All supporting documents must be submitted to AA after the service. Payment of fees will be made in 3 installments:
– 35% upon validation of a work plan including the methodology and structure of the study report by the steering committee, during the launch phase.
– 65% upon submission and final validation of the report by the steering committee.
Consultants must have the necessary approvals or administrative and tax documents in order to perform the service; if necessary, a tax withholding of up to 15% will be made on the consultants’ invoice.
Profile sought:
We are looking for a consultant with expertise in peacebuilding, particularly in the context of youth- and women-led social movements. The consultant will conduct research exploring the roles, challenges and contributions of these movements in promoting peace and social cohesion.
Key requirements:
1. Training:
At least 5 years of professional experience or advanced degree in peace and conflict studies, social sciences, gender studies, international relations or a related field in the context of Mali: social movements, work with youth organizations, participation of women and youth in governance, peacebuilding, social cohesion. The consultant(s) must demonstrate:
– Work experience on the themes of the study, in particular confirmed knowledge and understanding of peacebuilding and social cohesion in Mali.
– Extensive experience in research projects.
– Experience in carrying out similar studies.
– Good command of IT tools and data collection tools (Word, Excel, PP, Kobo, etc.).
– Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools.
– Field experiences, particularly in areas affected by conflict or insecurity.
2. Experience:
– Proven experience in carrying out qualitative and quantitative research, particularly in peacebuilding or social movements.
– Demonstrated expertise in engaging with youth and women’s organisations, including an understanding of their dynamics and challenges.
– Familiarity with grassroots peacebuilding initiatives and their impact on local communities.
3. Knowledge:
– Strong understanding of conflict dynamics and peace processes, particularly in contexts similar to Mali or the Sahel region.
– Awareness raising on gender issues and the role of young people in social movements and peacebuilding.
4**. Skills:**
– Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
– Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to clearly present results to varied audiences.
– Proficiency in research methodologies and tools, including data collection and analysis software.
5. Cultural competence:
– Sensitivity to cultural, social and political contexts, particularly within Mali and its communities.
– Experience working with diverse groups, ensuring inclusivity in research processes.
6. Networking:
– Ability to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including NGOs, community leaders and local organizations involved in peacebuilding efforts.
7. Availability:
– Flexibility to travel within the region if necessary and to work collaboratively with local partners and stakeholders.
8. Languages:
French (written and spoken) and local languages, spoken English would be an asset.
How to apply
Application process and timeline:
Interested candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter describing their relevant experience, a technical and financial proposal of up to 4 pages, including 3 pages to describe their proposed approach to the study, including methodology and timeline, and 1 page for a detailed budget. Candidates are also encouraged to attach links to examples of previous research related to peacebuilding, social movements, etc.
Applications should be sent to the following address:
soumissionaa@gmail.com
The deadline for submission of applications is: November 11, 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place online.
The launch report must be submitted no later than 5 days after the start of the contract.
