Evidence-Based Research and Targeted Advocacy Trainer (extended)

To address deepening social divisions, Trócaire launched youth-led and community-driven social cohesion initiatives. Activities included cultural festivals, cleanup campaigns, peace dialogues, and leadership training. Post-2024, these programs were adapted to manage emerging inter-group tensions in returnee areas. Local initiatives helped foster solidarity among IDPs, returnees, and host communities, contributing to peacebuilding at the grassroots level.

The social cohesion component was integrated into the Syria program due to the high need and relevance for such intervention in Syria, and to advance a comprehensive triple nexus approach linking humanitarian, development, and peace efforts. Prior to ICSP, partners in Syria had limited experience in this area; the ICSP grant presented a timely opportunity to establish structured, conflict-sensitive programming in a context marked by deep social fragmentation. Following the fall of the regime in late 2024, the need for inclusive and high-quality social cohesion interventions became even more urgent.

Overall, the social cohesion component aims to promote peaceful coexistence, reduce local tensions, and foster inclusive community participation particularly in areas impacted by displacement and return. It is built on the conviction that long-term recovery requires trust-building, mutual understanding, and collective engagement at all levels of society. Two Syria-based partners are contributing to this component.

The consultant will provide technical support to two partners in assessing and strengthening the Social Cohesion component of the program, with a focus on improving the quality of the intervention and sustainability. Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Desk Review of grant documents including grant documents and review of partners’ curricula: Review and analyse the project documents, RF, curricula and related materials developed and implemented by the two partner organizations.
2. Conduct Field-Level Consultations in Syria: Organize and facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with community groups and partner staff. The purpose is to assess:
   • The scope and quality of results achieved.
   • The nature and relevance of activities in contributing to intended outcomes; and
   • The sustainability of completed interventions and community-level changes.

Remote consultations will be accepted if proven to be well planned and meeting the desired objectives.

1. Assess Indicator Relevance: Evaluate the relevance and appropriateness of the established indicators in relation to the actual work completed by two implementing partners and the changes observed within the targeted communities.

This will help ensuring technical alignment with the program’s results framework and donor reporting requirements.

2. Assess impact of immediate Indicator (activity 4.2.3.1): Support the review of the impact on participants in gaining awareness/knowledge on social cohesion concepts.
3. Provide Strategic Recommendations:

Develop practical and evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the Social Cohesion component moving forward—both in general program design and specifically for the next two years of implementation. The recommendations should aim to enhance effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with community needs and program objectives.

This consultancy shall use a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative insights to meet the scope of work of the Social Cohesion component.

1.  Document Review & Desk Analysis: To assess indicator relevance and review partner materials through:
   • Review the results framework, outcome indicators, and progress reports.
   • Analyse curricula and resources used by the two implementing partners, evaluating their alignment with outcomes and resource utilization.
2.  Indicator Relevance Assessment: To ensure indicators reflect actual community-level outcomes through:
   • Interview key stakeholders (project managers and technical staff, M&E staff, and Trócaire) to assess indicator relevance.
3.  Field-Level Consultations: Gather participants and partner feedback on program impact and sustainability through:
   • Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members (men, women, youth) to assess the effectiveness of activities and their impact on social cohesion and conflict resolution.
   • Hold Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with local partner staff and Trócaire to evaluate program implementation, challenges, and sustainability.
4.  Data Analysis: Analyse both qualitative and quantitative data to measure progress:
   • Analyse quantitative data from partner reports and surveys (if available).
   • Perform thematic analysis of FGDs and KIIs to identify key patterns and insights.

Mid November to Mid-December 2025. Consultancy should be closed by end of December 2025.

The Consultant is expected to produce a single comprehensive Social Cohesion Assessment and Recommendations Report that consolidates all findings, analyses, and proposed actions under this assignment. The report will include the following components:

1. Outcomes Technical Review: Evaluation of the relevance and appropriateness of the existing indicators in reflecting the actual work of the two implementing partners and the observed changes within target communities. And provide clear suggestions on recommended changes.
2. Field-Level Findings: Synthesis of evidence and qualitative insights gathered through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with community members, partner staff, and other stakeholders. This section will assess:
   • The scope and quality of results achieved.
   • The effectiveness of activities in contributing to intended outcomes; and
   • The sustainability of completed interventions and community-level changes.
3. Strategic Recommendations: Evidence-based and practical recommendations to strengthen the Social Cohesion component moving forward—both in overall program design and specifically for the next two years of implementation. Recommendations will focus on enhancing impact and relevance, sustainability, and alignment with community needs and program objectives.

Presentation of Findings: A concise presentation (PowerPoint or equivalent) summarizing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations to be delivered to the program management team and other HQ advisors during a dissemination session.

• In-depth knowledge of social cohesion/and peacebuilding programmes and their practical implications in different contexts.
• Understanding of programming in a partnership model and experience of providing technical advice and/or evaluations.
• Excellent report-writing, research, editing and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to think programmatically and work independently.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and either French or Arabic (strongly desirable)

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working on programming interventions in peacebuilding, social cohesion, including at least 3 years’ experience in a humanitarian/development context.
• Comprehensive experience of providing technical advice and/or conducting evaluation for field-based peacebuilding / social cohesion programmes,
• Relevant third level qualification in international development, humanitarian action, peacebuilding, international relations or related fields required.

The application package should entail a technical and financial proposal explaining clearly the proposed modality to complete the desired work as well as the expected support from Trócaire and its partners.