Terms of Reference (TOR): Ghana Upper East Region Field Researcher for RECLAIMS project

(Field-based Consultancy)

 

Job Title: Field Researcher, Upper East Region

Location: Ghana

Reports To: Programs Manager

Type: Field-based Consultancy, Fixed Price

 

Overview:

The Fund for Peace is seeking a short-term, Ghana-based consultant for the role of field researcher for a one-month contract in support of the United States State Department (DoS) Responsive Engagement and Collective Learning Approaches to Inform Mercury Substitution in ASGM Ghana (RECLAIMS) project.

Background:

The RECLAIMS project aims to reduce mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) by focusing on operational and policy-level approaches to the ASGM reform agenda. In the short-term, this will be achieved by incentivizing less-harmful alternatives for gold processing and addressing the technical and methodological gaps in the adoption of these alternatives. In the medium- to long-term, this will lead to improved licensing, regulation, and oversight of the ASGM sector and address current policy challenges to reduce environmental, health, and other vulnerabilities and risks.

The RECLAIMS implementing team consists of The Fund for Peace (FFP), the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding – Ghana (WANEP-Ghana) and the University of Mines and Technology Ghana (UMaT). The program is being implemented over four years, beginning in late 2018, and is supported by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES).

Mounting tensions in the Upper East, together with the history of mining related conflicts in the area and throughout the country are driven by a set of complex and interrelated factors ranging from competing land-use functions between communities, overlapping roles and responsibilities on ASGM items, to the perceived empowerment and prioritization of LSM interests in policy and legislation.  Due to the cascading and compounding effects of drivers of conflict risk specifically, and national and local vulnerabilities more broadly, to the ASGM sector, it is critical that capacities be built to understand, anticipate, and mitigate these factors where possible.

To this end, FFP seeks a Field Researcher to conduct a baseline assessment of contextual risks and vulnerabilities in areas of the Upper East, including underlying causes and drivers as well as national and regional factors where appropriate. The scope of the assessment will encompass the full range of contextual and structural factors affecting conflict risk around ASGM in the Upper East region, including but not limited to environmental impacts, the relationship between LSM and ASGM, the investment framework and climate, sociopolitical factors, economic patterns and trends, and legal/judicial institutions and processes. Furthermore, the assessment will also look at how the context has changed over time and any sustained trends in underlying drivers.

This baseline assessment will then inform the establishment of an early warning and early response (EWER) system in the Upper East region. The EWER system aims to empower individuals and institutions to identify and respond in an appropriate and timely manner to threats to the human security of the region’s inhabitants – including, but not limited to, violent conflict – to reduce the possibility of injury, loss of life, and damage to property. The RECLAIMS project also aims to link the EWER system with existing national and regional EWER systems, including those from the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the newly launched National Center for the Coordination of the Response Mechanism (NCCRM).

Scope of Work & Expected Outputs

  • Field-based preparation and logistical support for a contextual risk and vulnerability assessment
  • Identify, arrange, and conduct in-person key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with traditional authorities, ASGM practitioners, LSM stakeholders, security personnel, women, men and youth
  • Compile results of interviews into supplied templates
  • Produce a contextual risk and vulnerability assessment report
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in conflict resolution, international development, or a related field.
  • At least three years of international development experience in conflict early warning, conflict resolution, democracy, and governance, and/or a related field.
  • Proven track record of conducting and facilitating key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
  • Ability to work individually and collaboratively to undertake tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel programs.
  • Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing in English.
  • Fluency in speaking in Talni

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
  • This position does not authorize/require the consultant to directly communicate with FFP clients.
  • This position does not authorize/require the consultant to have decision-making authority on final work product.

Travel: No international travel is anticipated.

Application Instructions: Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter to [email protected]

Closing Date: 3 December 2021