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Tenders are invited for Lead Consultant, Supported by a Multidisciplinary Team from a Consortium/Firm for the Completion of Two Learning Studies. Closing Date: 10 Oct 2026 Type: Consultancy 1. Context and justification The Liptako region in Burkina Faso and the Tillabéri region in Niger continue to face a protracted humanitarian crisis, marked by insecurity, population displacement, access constraints, and the weakening of essential services. Needs remain multidimensional and include protection, health, nutrition, water, hygiene and sanitation, food security, and livelihoods. The RISE project, Strengthening Resilience and Integrated Emergency Support in Burkina Faso and Niger, is funded by the Sahel Regional Fund (SRF) and implemented by a consortium comprising the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), the Well-being of Women and Children in Niger (BEFEN), the Local Development Support Committee (CADEL), the Regional Council of Sahel Unions (CRUS), and SOS Médecins Burkina Faso. The project combines a multisectoral response in hard-to-reach areas with a partnership model based on co-leadership, co-management, the gradual transfer of responsibilities, and capacity building for national organizations. As part of its learning framework, the consortium wishes to conduct two complementary studies to document the mechanisms of change, the results observed and the lessons learned useful to the consortium, the SRF, the communities, the authorities and the humanitarian actors. 2. Purpose of the consultation The RISE consortium wishes to recruit a service provider responsible for the methodological design, scientific supervision, quality assurance, data analysis, and production of deliverables for the two studies. Candidates must submit a single proposal including two methodological approaches and two separate budgets, while demonstrating the overall coherence of the learning framework. The two studies will be conducted in the two countries: Burkina Faso (Liptako) and Niger (Tillabéry). 2.1 Study 1: Multisectoral integration in hard-to-reach (H2R) areas Continuity of services, perceived quality and satisfaction This study will analyze the extent to which, through which mechanisms, and under what conditions the predictability, multi-year nature, flexibility, and adaptability of SRF funding contributed to the implementation of an integrated, multi-sectoral response in hard-to-reach areas. It will examine inter-sectoral coordination, referral pathways, continuity of services, perceived quality, satisfaction, trust, and accountability to affected populations. 2.2 Study 2: Operational location in RISE: Initial effects of co-piloting and co-management on the decision-making power of national NGOs, the quality of implementation and observable changes at the community level (2026 2027) This study will analyze the contribution of co-steering and co-management to the evolution of decision-making power and autonomy of national organizations, as well as to the changes observed in the quality and adaptation of implementation. It will cover two case studies: NRC-CRUS in Burkina Faso, and ALIMA-BEFEN in Niger. 3. Geographical scope and units of analysis The studies will be conducted in the RISE project intervention areas in Burkina Faso, primarily in the Liptako region, and in Niger, primarily in the Tillabéri region. Final site selection will be proposed in the inception reports based on criteria of relevance, diversity of interventions, data availability, access, and security. For Study 1, the units of analysis will include sites, multi-sector service packages, coordination and referral mechanisms, and service pathways. For Study 2, the primary unit will be each partnership relationship. Governance bodies, teams, decisions made within the consortium, sites, and communities will constitute integrated subunits. Site selection will not reduce the number of partnerships covered by Study 2. 4. PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT OR FIRM The RISE consortium wishes to recruit an individual consultant or a research firm to conduct the two studies planned within the framework of the Sahel Regional Fund (SRF) learning program. The consultant will be responsible for the methodological design, scientific guidance, quality control, data analysis, and production of deliverables for both studies. Data collection will be carried out by teams from the consortium member organizations, under the methodological support and supervision of the consultant. Qualification of the lead consultant and the team University degree at Masters level (Bac+5) or higher in social sciences, public health, international development, evaluation, statistics, applied research or in a relevant field. Additional training in research methods, monitoring and evaluation (MEAL) or program evaluation is an asset. Be registered as a business or self-employed worker or, where applicable, sign a declaration confirming that they comply with the applicable regulations of the country. Experience The consultant or firm will need to justify: At least 05 years of experience in conducting studies, evaluations or applied research in the humanitarian and/or development sector; Proven experience in designing and implementing studies using mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) case studies and triangulation. Expertise in location, partnership governance, organizational analysis, transfer of responsibility or power sharing Proven experience in analyzing multi-sectoral programs and in formulating strategic recommendations for humanitarian organizations and donors; A good understanding of the humanitarian contexts of Burkina Faso and Niger, particularly the Liptako and Tillabéri regions. Data collection methods The methods of data collection differ between the two studies. For Study 1 relating to Quality Funding and multi-sectoral integration, the collection of primary data will be carried out mainly by the teams of the member organizations of the RISE consortium, under the methodological guidance, training, supervision and quality assurance of the consultant. For Study 2 relating to operational location, the consultant will be responsible for the planning and organization of the collection system, including the definition of the sampling, the recruitment or mobilization of the necessary enumerators, their training, their supervision, quality control, as well as the cleaning and consolidation of the data. The RISE consortium will facilitate access to documents, intervention areas, and relevant stakeholders. These differences in approach must be clearly reflected in the methodological proposals and the separate budgets for the two studies. Key personnel and proposed team The bidder must clearly identify the lead consultant and any other experts considered key personnel for the completion of the assignment. For each expert, the bid must specify their role, responsibilities, estimated level of effort, availability during the planned periods, and the studies to which they will contribute. Following contract award, any replacement of a key staff member must be subject to prior notification and written approval by NRC. The proposed replacement staff must possess a level of qualification, experience, and competence at least equivalent to that of the originally proposed individual. The service provider remains fully responsible for the supervision, remuneration, and contractual obligations of its staff, associated consultants, and any subcontractors. Any use of a subcontractor or technical partner for the project must be clearly stated in the proposal, along with a description of their role. No substantial transfer of contractual responsibilities may be made without the prior written consent of NRC. 5. CONTRACT TERMS The consultant will be recruited under a Deliverable-Based Contract. Payments will be made based on validated deliverables, not on the duration of the assignment or the implementation schedule. Each study will be subject to a separate validation process. Payments will be triggered after satisfactory validation of deliverables by the Study Steering Committee, in accordance with the procedures in force. Deliverables Payment Stage Inception report validated for each study in accordance with the expectations mentioned in the terms of reference and in accordance with the defined schedule 20% Managing data collection in both (Training, data quality assurance) 15% Receipt of initial analyses, including raw data and other documents mentioned in the terms of reference: 20% Facilitating the collective interpretation workshop of the results and sending the first draft of the report and the documents mentioned in the terms of reference of each study (20%) Final report, executive summary, presentation, methodological annexes, final presentation 25% Payments will only be made after formal validation of each deliverable by the consortium. In the event of comments or requests for revisions, the consultant must incorporate the observations made before final approval of the deliverable in question. Duration of the mission and articulation of the two studies The consultation comprises two study components with distinct implementation timelines. As an indication, Study 1 is expected to be conducted between October 2026 and March 2027, while Study 2 is expected to be primarily implemented between January and June 2027. The final start dates, deliverable deadlines, and any interdependencies between the two studies will be confirmed in the contract and its appendices. The schedules may be adjusted by mutual agreement between NRC and the service provider, particularly in light of administrative authorizations, access and security constraints, and the progress of Study 1. Legal status, tax obligations, insurance and permits Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4232188/consultante-principale-appuyee-par-une-equipe-multidisciplinaire-dun-groupement-cabinet-pour-la-realisation-de-deux-etudes-dapprentissage
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