Conflict Sensitivity, Community Governance & Participatory Implementation Consultancy

Mercy Corps Europe; United States; Ibrido; USD 185.000 - 332.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Prosper Global, formerly Mercy Corps, is delivering a consultancy to strengthen governance and participatory engagement in conflict-affected communities. The assignment focuses on rapid conflict analysis, community stakeholder committees, and joint action planning to support agricultural recovery and essential services.

Hybrid remote/in-person delivery with field support and close collaboration with HI and local authorities to maximise impact and transparency of project interventions.

Competenze

• Advanced university degree in Peacebuilding, Conflict Studies, Governance, Development Studies, or related discipline.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in conflict sensitivity, community governance, participatory development or social cohesion programming.
• Demonstrated experience conducting conflict and stakeholder analyses.
• Proven experience facilitating community dialogue and participatory planning processes.
• Strong understanding of the Do No Harm framework and conflict-sensitive programming.
• Experience in fragile contexts; Syria experience highly desirable.
• Excellent facilitation, analytical and report-writing skills.
• Fluency in English; Arabic desirable.

Mansioni

• Provide technical guidance and facilitate rapid conflict and stakeholder analyses in target communities.
• Support establishment/strengthening of Community Stakeholder Committees for inclusive participation.
• Guide participatory prioritization and Joint Action Planning with communities and authorities.
• Strengthen capacity on conflict sensitivity, inclusive governance and EWER.
• Document lessons learned and provide practical recommendations for close-out.

Conoscenze

Conflict sensitivity

Community governance

Participatory development

Facilitation

Do No Harm

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Fluency in English

Arabic desirable

Formazione

Advanced university degree in Peacebuilding/Conflict Studies/Governance/Development Studies/Social Sciences

Descrizione del lavoro

Conflict Sensitivity, Community Governance & Participatory Implementation Consultancy

Description

About Prosper Global

Barely enough is not enough for anyone. Prosper Global is a humanitarian organization working alongside communities facing conflict, climate change, and economic hardship to meet urgent needs and create the conditions for lasting progress. Today's challenges demand new solutions, so we pair local knowledge with global resources to help communities build what's needed, test what's possible, and scale what's proven so that people everywhere can pursue a full life on their own terms. In 2026, we changed our name from Mercy Corps to Prosper Global, to reflect our belief that when every community can prosper, all of humanity moves forward.

The Program / Department / Team

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Prosper Global 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 Prosper Global field teams for data collection and facilitation where needed.

The Position

Prosper Global, 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. Prosper Global 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.

Essential Responsibilities

Consultant Objectives:

Activities will be delivered through a hybrid approach, with the consultant working remotely and relying on Prosper Global 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 Prosper Global 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, Prosper Global), 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 Prosper Global)

Objective 4

Capacity Strengthening

The consultant will design and facilitate practical field‑based learning sessions for Community Stakeholder Committees, Prosper Global 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.

Training should emphasize practical application using project examples, case discussions and field‑based exercises rather than classroom‑based lectures. Develop and facilitate an introductory orientation on Community‑Based Early Warning and Early Response (EWER), including community roles, reporting pathways and referral mechanisms relevant to the project context.

Deliverables

• Training Materials (PowerPoint presentations, facilitator guides, case studies, and handouts)

• Capacity Building Report (Summary of sessions, attendance, feedback, and recommendations for follow‑up)

Objective 5

Documentation and Close‑out Support

The consultant will:

• Document key process lessons learned from the participatory governance process, focusing on what worked, what didn’t and why.

• Compile committee documentation and Joint Action Plans.

• Identify good practices and implementation challenges linking them back to the conflict analysis.

• Provide practical, actionable recommendations to support project reporting and close‑out and for potential future programming.

Deliverables:

• Lessons Learned and Recommendations Brief (Max 10 pages).

• Final Consultancy Report (Compiles all key deliverables and provides an executive summary of the entire assignment).

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Prosper Global including respecting the dignity and well‑being of participants and fellow team members.

Supervisory Responsibility

Accountability

• Report directly to: The Consultant will report to: CDCS Program Manager/Syria Country Manager
• Works directly with: The Consultant will work closely with: MC CDCS Program Team, MC PaQ Team, and Humanity & Inclusion (HI), where relevant.

  MC will be responsible for Stakeholder meetings’ logistics like (venue, refreshment) , no travel, accommodation, or field transportation costs for the consultant are included under this assignment, as the consultancy will be implemented primarily remotely.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Prosper Global team members will be responsible for Stakeholder meetings’ logistics like (venue, refreshment) , no travel, accommodation, or field transportation costs for the consultant are included under this assignment, as the consultancy will be implemented primarily remotely.

Minimum Qualification and Transferable Skills

• The successful consultant should possess:

  • An advanced university degree in Peacebuilding, Conflict Studies, Governance, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related discipline.

  • At least 8 years of professional experience in conflict sensitivity, community governance, participatory development or social cohesion programming.

  • Demonstrated experience conducting conflict and stakeholder analyses.

  • Proven experience facilitating community dialogue and participatory planning processes.

  • Strong understanding of the Do No Harm framework and conflict-sensitive programming.

  • Experience in fragile and conflict‑affected contexts, including engagement in Food Security and Livelihoods, resilience, or recovery programming, or in related sectors with strong relevance to community dynamics and conflict sensitivity.Previous experience working in Syria or comparable humanitarian contexts is highly desirable.

  • Excellent facilitation, analytical and report‑writing skills.

  • Fluency in English is required; Arabic is highly desirable.

Success Factors

Deliverables:

• Lessons Learned and Recommendations Brief (Max 10 pages).

• Final Consultancy Report (Compiles all key deliverables and provides an executive summary of the entire assignment).

Consultancy Activity Mapping:

• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.1 Community Stakeholder Committees – Consultancy Contribution: Establish/strengthen committees and develop ToRs
• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.2 Stakeholder Mapping & Conflict Analysis – Consultancy Contribution: Rapid conflict and stakeholder analysis
• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.3 Mapping & Prioritization of Services – Consultancy Contribution: Participatory prioritization workshops
• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.4 Conflict Management Training – Consultancy Contribution: Design and deliver conflict management and group dynamics training
• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.5 EWER – Consultancy Contribution: Deliver introductory EWER orientation and guidance
• Result 3 Activity: 3.1.1.6 Joint Action Planning – Consultancy Contribution: Facilitate participatory Joint Action Plans

Consultant Deliverables:

• Inception Report and Detailed Workplan – End of Week 1
• Rapid Conflict and Stakeholder Analysis Report – End of Week 2 (approved by week 3)
• Community Stakeholder Committee Formation and Guidelines & Standard ToRs – Week 3
• Joint Action Planning Facilitation guide – Week 4
• Joint Action Plans for each target location – Week 5
• Training Materials – End of Week 5 (Developed in parallel with JAPs)
• Capacity Building Report – End of Week 7
• Lessons Learned and Recommendations Brief – Week 7
• Final Consultancy Report – End of Week 8

Timeframe / Schedule:

• Inception and document review – 2 days
• Conflict & stakeholder analysis – 6 days
• Community committee establishment/strengthening – 6 days
• Development of materials – 4 days (added to reflect the work required)
• Training Training Delivery (Conflict Mgmt, Group Dynamics, EWER) – 5 days / 6 days
• Participatory priorisation and joint action planning – 6 days
• Documentation & final reporting – 3 days / 3 days
• Total – 30 days / 30 days

The Consultant will report to: CDCS Program Manager/Syria Country Manager

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in LOCATION and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing Learning

Team