Terms of Reference (ToR): Project Review and Documentation Consultant.

Location: Kenya/Ethiopia

Organization: Life & Peace Institute (LPI)

Deadline: February 16, 2026

Job Description

• Consultancy: Project Review and Documentation
• Contracting Organisation: Life & Peace Institute (LPI)
• Location: Kenya/Ethiopia (Moyale Cluster)
• Project: Mobility and Movement: Cross- Border Resilience in Moyale
• Duration: 25 February to 15 April 2026

Introduction

Life & Peace Institute in partnership with Mercy Corp Kenya, and Pastoralist Concern, is implementing a 3-year European Union funded cross-border project: ‘Mobility and Movement: Cross-Border Resilience in Moyale’ (M&M). The overall objective is to enhance effectiveness of conflict prevention and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and resilience building in cross-border communities in select border areas in the Horn of Africa. The project is grounded in the belief that the empowerment of local actors and communities, through systematic, participatory and inclusive processes, are the most sustainable, impactful and effective means of strengthening cross-border resilience.

Purpose and Justification

As the project enters its final year, there is a need to systematically assess and document what has changed including: successes, challenges, adaptations, lessons learned, promising practices — to inform future programming, policy engagement, and possibly scale-up or replication. This consultancy aims to produce a set of “change stories,” analytical reflections, and documented learning products summarising the last two years of implementation (2024–2025), covering process, methodology, results (expected and unexpected), adaptations, and recommendations.

Objective of the Consultancy Overall Objective To analyse and document the changes, adaptations, outcomes, and lessons from the project over the past two years – producing knowledge products that reflect real-life change stories, methodological reflections, and strategic recommendations for future programming and policy engagement.

Specific Objectives

• Assess to what extent the project’s interventions over the last two years have achieved intended outcomes, and whether they remain relevant and effective in a changing context.

• Evaluate the quality and appropriateness of project processes — including stakeholder engagement, gender and conflict-sensitivity, participatory decision-making, adaptation mechanisms, and monitoring & learning systems.

• Document both successful outcomes and unintended consequences (positive or negative), including adaptations made during implementation, to understand risks, trade-offs, and contextual constraints.

• Assess lessons learned regarding sustainability, scalability and replicability: what aspects of the project might be scaled up, replicated elsewhere, or need modification for future interventions.

• Provide evidence-based recommendations for future programming, policy engagement, and improved design/implementation – to enhance resilience, social cohesion, livelihoods, and cross-border cooperation in similar contexts.

Scope of Work / Tasks Inception Phase

• Review all relevant project documentation (project proposals and design documents, logframe / results framework, progress/monitoring reports, MEAL data if available, internal memos, partner and donor reports, etc.).

• Convene an inception meeting with consortium partners to clarify requirements, define stakeholder groups, validate scope, collaboratively develop methodology, ethical protocols, timeline, deliverables, and dissemination expectations.

• Prepare and submit an Inception Report including detailed work plan and timeline (e.g. Gantt chart); proposed methodology and data collection tools/instruments; sampling / stakeholder selection; ethical and conflict-sensitivity protocol (e.g. informed consent, confidentiality, data protection); dissemination and publication strategy (see below); resource / logistic needs; and risk mitigation plan.

Data Collection & Field Work

• Review baseline and other project monitoring data – both quantitative and qualitative – for purposes of analysing verifiable changes as assessed against primary data collected during the project review.

• Undertake field visits to a representative sample of project locations / sub-sites (cross-border corridors, border towns, plus relevant reference locations) to gather primary data.

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection via: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), community-level meetings, stakeholder consultations (CSOs, CBOs, informal traders, pastoralists/farmers, local authorities, women/youth groups, cross-border actors, business community).

• Collect “change stories” / case-studies / narratives from individuals, households, and community groups capturing perceived changes, impacts, challenges, adaptations over the past two years.

• Perform direct observation where relevant (e.g. cross-border trade corridors, resource-management practices, livelihood activities, mobility and migration patterns, conflict-sensitive interventions).

Data Analysis & Synthesis

• Analyse collected qualitative and quantitative data in a systematic manner. Identify patterns, trends, key results, unintended consequences, contextual factors, factors influencing success or failure, adaptation pathways, challenges.

• Develop a set of change stories / case studies (real-life narratives) illustrating impact — both positive and negative — across different beneficiary groups (women, youth, traders, pastoralists/farmers, cross-border, sedentary, mobile, etc.).

• Reflect critically on project implementation processes, methodologies (conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive, participatory, cross-border coordination), stakeholder engagement, adaptation processes, and contextual dynamics that influenced outcomes.

• Identify and articulate lessons learned, promising practices, challenges, risks, and enablers relevant for future programming, replication, scaling up, and policy engagement.

Reporting & Knowledge Products Produce the following deliverables:

• A Draft Comprehensive Project Review Report, with executive summary; background and context; project overview; methodology; findings (narrative and analysis); change stories / case studies; lessons learned; challenges; adaptations; conclusions; recommendations.

• A Learning Brief (2–5 pages): Concise, accessible summary of key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations — designed for stakeholders including consortium partners, donors, CSOs/CBOs, local government, community-level actors.

• A Change-Stories Compendium: a collection of selected narratives / case studies (6–15 or as agreed) that illustrate transformations and impacts among different beneficiary groups and contexts.

• An Optional Policy Brief: A short (e.g. 4–6 pages) targeted document summarising findings and policy-relevant recommendations — designed for decision-makers at county, national, or regional levels, reflecting community perspectives and contextual realities.

• Annexes: List of stakeholders consulted, consent forms (or summary of informed consent process), data-collection tools (interview guides, FGD guides), field visit schedule / itinerary, project documents reviewed, and (where appropriate) anonymised data summaries.

Publication & Dissemination of Findings

• Drafting Report / Publication: Prepare at least 3 draft publications that includes: executive summary; context and background; methodology; findings (achievements, progress, changes, challenges); lessons learned; case studies / success stories; recommendations; conclusions; annexes.

• Design & Layout: Design the publications in a user-friendly, accessible format – both print-ready (PDF / brochure / booklet) and digital/web-ready. Include visual elements: charts/graphs, maps (project areas / border corridors), photos, infographics where necessary.

• As part of the inception (4.1), develop a Dissemination Plan – identifying target audiences (e.g. community stakeholders, implementing partners, local government, donors, regional policy-makers, broader sector actors), appropriate channels / media, timing, roles & responsibilities, and resources required.

• Use multiple dissemination formats and channels tailored to different audiences: full technical report (for partners, donors), learning brief and change-stories compendium (for community stakeholders / non-technical audiences), policy brief (for decision-makers), plus presentation (e.g. slide deck) for workshops, stakeholder meetings, validation forums.

• Facilitate a Validation / Stakeholder Workshop after draft findings: present draft results and recommendations to consortium partners, project stakeholders (community representatives, CSOs/CBOs, local authorities, cross-border traders/pastoralists), invite feedback, and incorporate their input into final documents – building ownership and ensuring contextual relevance.

• Disseminate findings broadly where relevant: internal stakeholders, partner organisations, donor community, local and regional government, civil society sector, and – if relevant – public / media (through newsletters, web-publication, reports on websites, or other media), in order to maximise learning, transparency, accountability and potential for replication.

Consultant Profile / Required Qualifications The consultant (or lead consultant) should meet the following:

• Hold at least a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Anthropology / Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Climate-Resilience / Livelihood Studies, or related disciplines.

• Minimum of 15 years’ professional experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, cross-border programming, resilience and livelihoods interventions, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation in conflict-sensitive contexts – ideally in the Horn of Africa or other cross-border/pastoralist settings.

• Demonstrated experience in evaluation, documentation, learning / knowledge management, production of evaluation / analysis reports, case studies, learning briefs.

• Strong methodological skills – both qualitative (KIIs, FGDs, participatory approaches, case studies, narrative collection) and quantitative with capacity to design data collection tools, sampling strategies, and analysis plans.

• Familiarity with conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive, and participatory approaches; experience working with communities, CSOs, informal traders, pastoralists/farmers, cross-border actors.

• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills in English (knowledge of local languages in project area is an advantage).

• Ability and willingness to travel to remote / cross-border field sites; strong interpersonal skills; ethical awareness; capacity to manage sensitive data and ensure confidentiality.

Working Arrangements & Support

• The consultant will report to the MEL process lead with matrix reporting to the Project Manager and in consultation with the MEL Community of Practice (CoP)

• Consortium will provide access to all relevant project documentation, monitoring data, donor reports, partner reports, and contact details of stakeholders.

• Consortium will assist in facilitating access to communities, local authorities, project sites, and stakeholders for interviews and FGDs.

• Consultant to ensure all fieldwork is conducted in a conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive, and ethically sound manner — including protocols for informed consent, confidentiality, data protection/safeguarding.

• Outputs to be delivered in English. For data collected in local languages, consultant may use translation/interpretation; final documentation must be in English.

HOW TO APPLY

Submission Requirements (for Applicants) Interested consultants should submit the following:

• Cover letter / motivation letter outlining understanding of context, relevance of background, and approach to the assignment.

• Detailed CV (max 5 pages) showing academic credentials, relevant past assignments, publications, previous evaluation/documentation work.

• At least two (2) samples of previous evaluation, research, documentation, or learning products (reports, case studies, briefs) relevant to peacebuilding, resilience, or similar contexts.

• Technical Proposal (max 5 pages) describing proposed methodology, sampling strategy, data collection & analysis approach, ethical considerations, and a preliminary work plan (timeline / Gantt chart).

• Financial Proposal / Budget indicating consultancy/professional fees

• At least three (3) professional references (names, affiliations, contact information) who can attest to the consultant’s past work and performance.

For proposals submitted by a team or consortium, clearly define the specific roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each team member.

Evaluation/Selection Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Academic qualifications (Masters in relevant field) and relevance of discipline.

• Professional experience (≥ 15 years) in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, resilience, cross-border / pastoralist / livelihood programming, evaluation/documentation.

• Quality and relevance of previous work — references and past reports.

• Strength and appropriateness of proposed methodology (qualitative, participatory, conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive), data collection and analysis approach.

• Feasibility and clarity of workplan / timeline.

• Demonstrated ability to travel to project locations and engage diverse stakeholders.

• Clarity on deliverables, ethical approach, and capacity to produce high-quality learning products.

Budget The maximum budget for this consultancy is capped at 14,000 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 – Project Progress Review and Documentation” by 16 February 2026.