Background: The Mbomou Uele Border Region, which spans the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has endured decades of marginalization and cyclical conflict. The Community Resilience in Central Africa (CRCA) Activity is a five-year, USAID-funded project that aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Mbomou Uele Border Region in the face of threats to the security of both humans and wildlife. Launched in October 2017, CRCA is equipping target communities with training, tools, and information to: (1) prevent and adapt to threats of violent conflict, (2) participate in regional efforts to protect wildlife from armed group exploitation, (3) develop safe and sustainable livelihood opportunities, (4) recognize and recover from violence-induced trauma, and (5) peacefully transform intercommunal conflicts.  

CRCA is one of three Activities that currently operate under a joint results framework (JRF) through USAID/DRC’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) and Peace and Security Office (PSO). These three activities form the USAID/DRC Regional Conflict and Environment collaboration cluster: CRCA, Garamba Chinko Protected Areas (GCPA), and Community-Based Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CBCWT). The conceptual framework that underpins the CARPE-PSO joint results framework presents three interrelated elements: security, conservation, and development. Part of the implementation of the framework is to explore the relationship across these three elements and determine the extent to which community resilience and wildlife conservation can be simultaneously improved. The framework serves as a basis for (1) collaborating and coordinating across activities, (2) building a shared monitoring system, and (3) exploring learning questions.

Project Description: The objectives of this assignment are to (1) conduct a performance evaluation of USAID’s CRCA Activity and (2) conduct an assessment of the joint results framework for CRCA, GCPA, and CBCWT. Both activities are expected to generate conclusions and recommendations to inform management of CRCA, development of new activities, and the potential benefits of the JRF approach.

The CRCA midterm evaluation and JRF assessment are managed under the Integrated Natural Resource Management (IN RM) Task Order (TO). The INRM TO provides on-demand support services and technical assistance for USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices, and is managed by the Center for Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure (EEI) in the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI). INRM supports integrated analysis and programming across development sectors. By using a multi-sectoral lens, INRM seeks to strengthen the impacts of USAID’s core environmental programming by recognizing synergies, adopting best practices, and building broader constituencies for integrated programming. The activity is designed to help USAID operating units achieve higher impact environment programming and to support the uptake of principles and approaches outlined in the Agency’s Environmental and Natural Resource Management Framework .

Position Description: SI is seeking an individual to fulfill the role of the Peacebuilding and Security Evaluation Expert for the CRCA midterm evaluation and JRF assessment . The Peacebuilding Expert will provide subject matter expertise in security and peacekeeping in the Central Africa Region. The Peacebuilding Expert will work closely with the Team Leader and other research team members to contribute to the desk review, data collection and analysis, and provide technical inputs for the draft and final reports, one for the CRCA midterm evaluation and one for the JRF assessment, as requested. The project will begin as early as February 2021 and is projected to last through September 2021. The desk review will be performed remotely, and fieldwork will likely be required in late May or June depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

**Citizens and residents of the DRC are strongly encouraged to apply**

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise in peacekeeping and security in the Central Africa Region, ideally in DRC and CAR specifically, and if possible, the intersection with conservation and wildlife protection.
• Work closely with the other research team members, including a Team Leader, conservation and wildlife protection expert, and translator/logisticians, participating in interviews and focus group discussions with respondents
• In collaboration with the research team, contribute to the CRCA midterm evaluation and JRF assessment, including disseminating findings, conclusions, and recommendations to USAID.
• Maintain clear and regular communication with the research team and INRM support staff, and inform the INRM team of any risks, problems, or challenges in a timely manner.
• Contribute as requested to project deliverables, including the inception report with a detailed work plan, presentations including in and out briefs with the Mission, and draft and final performance evaluation and assessment reports.
• Travel to the DRC for fieldwork as needed, for approximately 4-5 weeks.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of ten years of experience with a master’s degree designing and executing similar projects, or six years of experience with a PhD.
• Extensive expertise in conducting research, evaluation, and related studies for security and peacekeeping in CAR and DRC including experience in environmental peacebuilding topics.
• Work experience in Central Africa, specifically DRC and/or CAR, and related regional or country USAID Missions.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and French required. Knowledge of other local languages in northern DRC preferred.
• Willing to travel and work in challenging environments.