Terms of Reference (ToR): Consultancy for Data Analysis Review, Stakeholder Validation, and Systems Mapping

Location: Kenya/Ethiopia

Organization: Life & Peace Institute (LPI)

Deadline: February 16, 2026

Job Description

Background The Mobility and Movement: Cross-Border Resilience in Moyale programme operates in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderlands, where pastoralist livelihoods, cross-border trade, natural resource use, climate shocks, and conflict are deeply interconnected. Communities rely on mobility and shared resources, yet face mounting pressures from drought, environmental degradation, governance misalignment across the border, and recurrent violence. In 2024, the programme conducted a comprehensive systems analysis and produced an initial systems map covering conflict dynamics, climate vulnerability, climate–conflict linkages, market systems, and mobility patterns across eight cross-border sub-sites.

The analysis established a shared understanding of the complex drivers shaping resilience and informed programme design and early implementation. In line with the programme’s commitment to continuous learning and adaptive management, the 2024 systems analysis will be revisited as a dynamic baseline – testing how the Moyale borderlands system has evolved and behaved since 2024 and translating those shifts into a refreshed understanding of current system dynamics. This update will draw on data gathered by programme staff in the last quarter of 2025, alongside quarterly reviews, field assessments, and partner-generated insights, to:

• assess how key relationships, feedback loops, incentives, and risk factors have shifted since 2024, and what these shifts suggest about the system’s trajectory;

• surface and interpret new or intensified dynamics (including shocks, adaptations, and unintended effects) with key stakeholders, validating what is changing and why; and

• produce an updated systems map that captures the current structure and behaviour of the Moyale borderlands system—reflecting not only what is known, but how the system is presently functioning.

This consultancy will support the sense-making of post-2024 system behaviour, facilitate participatory reflection and validation processes, and generate a revised systems map to guide strategic decision-making and adaptive programming across the programme’s work packages. Objective of the Assignment The overall objective is to ensure that the collected data is accurately analysed, validated with stakeholders, and synthesised into a clear systems map that illustrates key actors, processes, relationships, feedback loops, drivers, barriers, and opportunities within the system.

Specific objectives are to:

a) Interrogate and refine the analysis of collected data to explain system behaviour since 2024. b) Facilitate stakeholder sense-making engagement sessions to validate and enrich the findings. c) Develop an updated systems map (or set of maps) that captures the validated, current system dynamics and behaviour.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1: Review of Data Analysis

• Review all datasets, analysis outputs, and documentation produced by the project team.

• Assess the methodological rigor and identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas requiring clarification.

• Produce a refined analysis and summary of key themes, patterns, system drivers, and bottlenecks.

Task 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Validation

• Develop a stakeholder engagement and validation plan.

• Design and conduct participatory validation workshops, focus group discussions, or key informant sessions as required.

• Facilitate collaborative interpretation of data and capture additional insights from stakeholders.

• Document stakeholders input and integrate them into the refined analysis.

Task 3: Systems Mapping

• Review systems behaviour and dynamics since the inception of M&M.

• Based on validated insights, engage the M&M stakeholders to develop an updated systems map that highlights:

  • Key actors and their roles

  • System components and boundaries

  • Causal relationships

  • Feedback loops

  • Leverage points for intervention

  • Constraints and opportunities

• Provide a narrative explanation accompanying the updated systems map.

• Develop recommendations for strategic action informed by the systems map.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

i. Inception Report

• Detailed methodology

• Workplan and timeline

• Stakeholder engagement plan

ii. Refined Data Analysis Report

• Review findings

• Revised analysis

• Summary of key insights

iii. Stakeholder Validation Report

• Workshop agendas and materials

• Documentation of feedback received

• Incorporation of validated insights

iv. Systems Map Package

• Final updated systems map(s) in editable and visual formats.

• Narrative description of system dynamics (current dynamics as well as those since 2024).

• Summary of leverage points and strategic entry points.

v. Presentation of Findings

• Final presentation to the project team and partners in a workshop.

Duration and Level of Effort The assignment is expected to take six weeks between 25 February 2026 to 7 April 2026. A detailed schedule will be agreed upon during the inception phase. Consultant Qualifications The consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in systems thinking, public policy, social sciences, data analytics, or a related field.

• Proven experience in systems mapping (e.g., causal loop diagrams, system dynamics, qualitative systems mapping).

• Strong analytical, quantitative and qualitative research skills.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate participatory workshops with diverse stakeholders.

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

• Prior experience in the relevant sector is an advantage.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the Project Manager with matrix reporting to the MEL Officer and work closely with the project’s data and stakeholder engagement teams. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to monitor progress and address emerging issues. Ethical Considerations The consultant must ensure confidentiality of all data, adhere to ethical standards in stakeholder engagement, and comply with the organisation’s safeguarding, data protection, and research ethics policies.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Requirements Applicants should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology, approach, timeline)

• Financial proposal

• CV(s) of consultant/team members

• At least one example of similar assignments

• References

Budget The maximum budget for this consultancy is capped at 4,500 Euros. However, proposals will be evaluated based on value for money, and financial competitiveness will be a key selection criterion.

Please send applications to: applications@life-peace.org with subject: “Consultancy for Data Analysis Review, Stakeholder Validation, and Systems Mapping” by 16 February 2026.