Tender Description

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW

CARE is seeking a provider to submit proposals intended for the [provide requirement description]

Independent Baseline Evaluation & GESI analysis services for Joint Peace Initiative Project

Terms of Reference

Independent Baseline Evaluation & GESI analysis services for Joint Peace Initiative Project

1. Background and context

CARE, in partnership with Centre for Peace and Democracy (CPD) and Puntland Youth and Social Development Association (PSA), is implementing the SSF III Joint Puntland and Galmudug Peace Initiative Project in the Mudug region of Somalia. The project builds on previous phases that contributed to ceasefire agreements and strengthened community-based peace mechanisms, and seeks to consolidate and expand these gains through inclusive peacebuilding, strengthened governance, and enhanced community resilience.

Mudug represents a complex and fragile context, situated along the administrative boundary between Puntland and Galmudug, where interdependence over shared resources such as water, rangeland, and markets coexists with recurrent tensions and localized conflict. Conflict dynamics are shaped by a combination of factors including clan relations, competition over natural resources, weak and fragmented governance systems, population movements, and the proliferation of small arms. While local peace agreements and dialogue platforms have reduced large-scale violence, the situation remains fragile, with persistent risks linked to unresolved grievances, misinformation, and limited institutional capacity to manage disputes.

Climate variability further compounds these challenges, as recurrent droughts, water scarcity, and environmental stress intensify competition over resources and place additional pressure on already strained community relations and governance systems. The interaction between climate risks and conflict drivers presents a critical dimension that requires integrated analysis to inform sustainable peacebuilding interventions.

At the same time, deeply rooted gender inequalities continue to shape access to resources, participation in decision-making, and exposure to risks. Women and youth remain largely excluded from formal and informal governance and peacebuilding structures due to entrenched patriarchal norms and clan-based systems. Their limited participation reduces the inclusiveness and effectiveness of peace processes and local governance mechanisms. Additionally, women and girls face heightened protection risks, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices, which are often underreported due to stigma, lack of services, and social barriers.

Despite these challenges, there are important opportunities to build on existing peace structures, community dialogue platforms, and the active role of women and youth groups in promoting reconciliation and social cohesion. Strengthening these systems while addressing underlying gender inequalities and climate–conflict dynamics is essential for achieving sustainable peace.

In this context, CARE seeks to commission an integrated baseline evaluation combined with a climate–conflict sensitive gender analysis to generate robust evidence that will inform project implementation, strengthen inclusive programming, and provide a foundation for measuring progress and impact over time.

1. Project overview

The SSF III Joint Peace Initiative Project is a peacebuilding program implemented across Puntland and Galmudug, building on results from earlier pilot phases that strengthened peace structures and facilitated reconciliation processes. The project focuses on consolidating and scaling peace gains by supporting existing peace agreements, strengthening joint peace and security mechanisms, and enhancing collaboration between communities and government authorities. Through structured engagement with stakeholders, including traditional elders, government institutions, and community groups, the project promotes inclusive peace processes, social cohesion, and coordinated responses to conflict. Phase Two emphasizes sustainability by reinforcing community–government trust, expanding interventions into new conflict-affected locations, and integrating climate and conflict approaches to address underlying drivers of instability. 

Project Objectives

The project aims to achieve the following:

1. Strengthen peace agreements and conflict response mechanisms in identified conflict hotspots, enhance joint peace structures with inclusive participation, and deepen community engagement to sustain peace. 
2. Strengthen social cohesion among communities through conciliation processes, trauma healing initiatives, and inclusive community-based activities that promote trust and interaction. 
3. Promote coordinated community-led approaches that integrate conflict management with climate adaptation and mitigation for sustainable peace. 
4. Increase awareness and ownership of peace agreements in peripheral areas and strengthen government–community engagement to build trust and accountability.

The project is being implemented in several regions including Mudug, Galgaduud and Bari regions, covering both existing (pilot/continuation) and new expansion areas. In the existing locations include Goldogob, Banderadley, Dhabad, Galinsoor and Caabduwaaq, Galkacyo. The project builds on established peace agreements, functional peace structures, and ongoing implementation processes, with continued support focused on consolidation, including final peace conferences and strengthened monitoring mechanisms. In the new expansion areas include Afbarwaqo, Balibusle, Tawfiiq, Afbarwaaq and Cadaado. the aim for new locations is to initiate and strengthen peacebuilding interventions. Implementation across all locations is carried out in close coordination with state, district, and local government authorities, as well as traditional leaders and joint peace committees to ensure inclusive and locally grounded processes.

1. Purpose and Objectives of the Evaluation

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to establish credible baseline values for all indicators in the project results framework while generating an in-depth, integrated understanding of conflict dynamics, governance systems, climate–conflict interactions, and gendered power relations in the target areas. The findings will inform evidence-based, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive program implementation and provide a robust reference point for measuring progress, outcomes, and impact over the project lifecycle.

Objectives

The baseline evaluation and integrated analysis will pursue the following objectives:

1. Establish baseline values for all indicators in the project results framework, with appropriate disaggregation to enable future measurement of change. 
2. Analyze the current conflict context, including key drivers, triggers, actors, and existing peace mechanisms, as well as levels of social cohesion and community resilience. 
3. Examine the climate–conflict nexus by assessing how climate variability, resource scarcity, and environmental stress interact with conflict dynamics, and how communities and institutions currently anticipate, respond to, and manage these risks. 
4. Assess the functionality, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of governance and decision-making structures (formal and informal), including peace committees, dialogue platforms, early warning systems, and natural resource management mechanisms.
5. Analyze gender and social inclusion dynamics, including power relations, participation, leadership, and barriers affecting women, youth, and marginalized groups in peacebuilding, governance, and climate-related decision-making processes.

Skills Required

Attachment

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