Endline Assessment: Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nigeria” (PP-FORB Nigeria)

Search for Common Ground (Search) seeks a consultant to conduct an Endline Assessment of the PP-FORB Nigeria project. This project, implemented across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, aims to empower actors to prevent and address conflicts along religious lines and advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).

The endline assessment will measure the relevance, effectiveness, impact, sustainability, and coherence of project interventions, following the Search for Common Ground evaluation criteria. The findings will help assess the project’s overall impact and inform recommendations for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

Context

Search is an international conflict transformation NGO dedicated to shifting conflict resolution approaches from adversarial tactics to collaborative solutions. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USA, and Brussels, Belgium, Search operates through 52 field offices across 35 countries. The organization designs and implements multifaceted, culturally relevant, and conflict-sensitive programs. Leveraging a diverse array of tools, including media and training, Search aims to promote dialogue, enhance understanding, and foster positive behavioral change.  With funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Abuja, Search is implementing a 36 month project titled “Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion or Beliefs. Implemented across the 6 geopolitical regions, the project seeks to empower stakeholders to prevent and address conflicts rooted in religious differences, promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and enhance public awareness of interfaith issues in Nigeria. It takes a comprehensive approach that includes early warning and early response (EWER) systems, support for individuals at risk, and improved public communication through strategic media engagement. By fostering collaboration among community members, religious leaders, security agencies, civil society, and media practitioners, the project aims to create a more peaceful and inclusive society.

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has a population of approximately 231 million people. Around 46% identify as Christian, while another 46% are Muslim. About 8% of the population practices African traditional religions. Smaller religious communities, such as Baha’is, Buddhists, Hindus, and atheists, collectively account for less than 1% of the population (USCIRF, Annual Report, 2024). In Nigeria, religion is profoundly ingrained in every aspect of citizens life, influencing not only the moral values of its people but also their broader understanding of the world, particularly during periods of crisis.  Also, religious affiliation is an important identity in the lives of most Nigerians, this is because it plays a big role in the society, going beyond just personal beliefs. It shapes values, builds communities, and encourages ethical behaviour. Religious and cultural pluralism is the daily experience of millions of Nigerians. Notwithstanding the existence of religious tensions, the reality is that most Nigerians want to live in harmony with their neighbors of different faiths. 

The project is now in its final year of implementation. As a result, Search is recruiting a consultant or team of consultants to conduct a comprehensive endline assessment. This assessment aims to draw lessons learned from the project and provide actionable recommendations for future religious interventions. Additionally, it will evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the project strategy, noting the alignment or otherwise of the approaches and interventions implemented with the needs and realities of the people targeted. The findings will serve to refine future initiatives, enhancing their impact and sustainability in fostering peace and coexistence.

The Project Search is executing a 36-month project aimed at empowering stakeholders to prevent and address conflicts along religious lines while promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. The project is now in its final year of implementation

The overall goal is reinforced by three specific objectives, accompanied by six intermediate results and three expected outcomes, which steers the project's activities which are:

Objective 1: To establish effective Early Warning/Early Response (EWER) and referral mechanisms for addressing FoRB violations and violence along religious lines in Nigeria.

Intermediate Result 1.1: EWER mechanisms for detecting and responding to emerging cases of FoRB violations and violence along religious lines (including blasphemy-related violent incidents) are improved

Intermediate Result 1.2: Collaborative action between local, national, and regional actors to respond to FoRB violations and violence along religious lines is improved.

Expected Result 1: Implementation of FoRB norms and principles are improved, contributing to a decrease in religious-based persecution and discrimination.

Objective 2: To strengthen support mechanisms for individuals at risk of FoRB violations.

Intermediate Result 2.1: Legal practitioners and other actors have enhanced capacities to support persons whose rights to FoRB have been violated. 

Intermediate Result 2.2: Survivors of FoRB violations have increased knowledge of and access to support services.

Expected Result 2: Security agencies, human rights defenders, civil society, and faith-based actors (FBOs) provide more inclusive support to victims of FoRB violations and violence along religious lines

Objective 3: To enhance public understanding of interfaith conflict and the importance of FoRB.

Intermediate Result 3.1: Journalists and social media influencers have improved capacities to produce conflict sensitive reporting on inter faith and FoRB related issues 

Intermediate Result 3.2: Target communities have greater access to neutral and conflict-sensitive information related to inter-faith harmony and cohesion 

Expected Result 3: Citizens have increased access to information on the importance of FoRB and a more diversified, pluriform media landscape.

Theory of Change: The proposed project is premised on the following Theory of Change (ToC): IF Religious Leaders, Security Agencies, civil society actors and other key stakeholders leverage new and existing platforms to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and address religious-based conflicts and their root drivers AND IF citizens have access to effective and trustworthy FoRB support mechanisms, AND IF capable and conflict-sensitive media practitioners enhance public understanding of FoRB THEN there will be a decrease in religious-based divisions, tensions, and violence BECAUSE citizens will be equipped to implement a holistic series of prevention, response, and support mechanisms,  addressing every aspect of the ‘violence cycle’, including both long- and short-term drivers of religiously-motivated violence.

Goal and Objectives of Study

As the project enters its final year of implementation, we are seeking a consultant to conduct an endline assessment alongside a comprehensive evaluation of the project's impact. The consultant will document the perspectives of key stakeholders, including the National Human Rights Commission and legal professionals, analyze lessons learned over the years of religious conflicts in Nigeria, and evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the project strategy. Additionally, the consultant will measure key project indicators and provide actionable recommendations to further enhance the project's outcomes. The objectives of the endline assessment are as follows:

Assess whether the project has achieved the outcomes envisaged in the theory of change, as well as evaluating the project's relevance, coherence, effectiveness and sustainability according to the evaluation criteria of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Analysis of these criteria should pay particular attention to the participation of young people and women in all phases of project implementation.

Assess the overall impact of the project on the basis of evidence of results, whether intended (in line with the project's log frame) or unintended (positive or negative), and determine Search's contribution to the changes identified.

Identify and document successes, good practices, shortcomings and lessons learned, as well as constraints and opportunities related to project implementation.  

The final results of this evaluation should also help Search to guide the design of its future programs. The results should also contribute to Search's communication efforts to support religious engagement efforts in promoting peace and religious tolerance in Nigeria, with the intention of continuing to advocate the importance of peacebuilding and stabilization in situations of crisis and conflict. 

• Goal: Number of conflict-related deaths associated with religion in targeted states

• Expected Result 1.1: Number of EWER mechanisms that are functional.

• Expected Result 1.2: % of target actors who report collaborative efforts on addressing blasphemy cases and FoRB violations.

• Expected Result 2.2: % of target participants who report satisfaction with existing support services.

• Expected Result 3.1: % of journalists and social media influencers who believe they can make a positive contribution to promoting interfaith harmony and FoRB through their reporting practices.

• Expected Result 3.2: % of community members who state that they have access to conflict sensitive information related to interfaith harmony and FoRB.

• %Reduction in the number of conflict-related deaths associated with religion in targeted states ((PIF: Pillar 1 Violence #1)) Target=3%, Endline= TBD

• % of interviewed direct and indirect participants who cite at least one reason how the project contributed to a reduction in FoRB-related violence in their community. Target=35%, Endline= TBD.

• # of EWER mechanisms that are functional (detects and responds to FoRB violations). Target=1, Endline= TBD.

• % of target participants (i.e. EWER platform members, community members engaging with EWER mechanisms, etc.) who report that EWER mechanisms are effective in detecting and/or responding to FoRB violations. Target=45%, Endline= TBD.

• % increase of target actors who report collaborative efforts on addressing blasphemy cases and FoRB violations. Target =20%, Endline= TBD.

• 2.1.1 % of lawyers and actors who report improved capacity to support persons whose rights to FoRB have been violated. Target =30%, Endline= TBD.

• 2.2.1 % of target participants who report improved satisfaction with relevant support services. Target =10%, Endline= TBD.

• 2.1.2.3 % of participants who report increase in knowledge on human rights laws in relation to blasphemy. Target =15%, Endline= TBD.

• 3.1.1 % of journalists and social media influencers who believe they can make a positive contribution to promoting interfaith harmony and FoRB through their reporting practices. Target =30%, Endline= TBD.

• 3.2.1 % increase of community members who state that they have access to conflict- sensitive information related to interfaith harmony and FoRB. Target =10%, Endline= TBD.

• 3.2.2.3 % of participants who report increased understanding on promotion of FoRB in Nigeria. Target =20%, Endline= TBD.

• % of participants who feel their voices and opinions are valued in the project. Target =90%, Endline= TBD.

• % of participants who feel safe participating (in the project/activities). Target =100%, Endline= TBD.

• % participants aware of reporting mechanisms. Target = 90%, Endline= TBD.

• Relevance
• To what extent did the project respond to the needs and priorities of communities affected by religious-based conflicts?
• How well did the project align with national policies, frameworks, and other peacebuilding initiatives?

• How well did the project complement and integrate with similar initiatives from government, civil society, and international partners?
• Were there any unintended negative effects or conflicts with other programs?

• To what degree were the project’s objectives achieved, particularly in strengthening early warning mechanisms and stakeholder collaboration?
• What key factors contributed to or hindered the achievement of project results?

• What measurable changes (expected and or unexpected) in attitudes, behaviors, and conflict prevention efforts have resulted from the project?
• How has the project influenced government, religious institutions, and civil society’s approach to promoting FoRB?

• Are the project’s results likely to be sustained beyond the funding period?
• What mechanisms or strategies should be strengthened to ensure long-term impact?

• What lessons were learned while implementing the project?

• This assessment will be conducted at the national level, covering at least one state from each geopolitical zone: Bauchi, Enugu, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Relevant stakeholders for this study will be identified and discussed during the engagement process.

• When submitting proposal, the consultant must detail the research approach and data collection methodology, providing a clear justification for the chosen methods in relation to the study's objectives. The proposal should explicitly explain why the proposed methodology is the most suitable for achieving the study's goals. Additionally, it should outline the tools to be used, their specific purposes, and how each tool contributes to addressing the research questions.
• The consultant will be tasked with finalizing the literature review, designing the research methodology, developing data collection tools, training enumerators, conducting data analysis, and preparing a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations. The proposal should provide a clear explanation of data triangulation techniques and key data collection methodologies. It must also include sampling strategies aligned with the proposed methods, detailed approaches to data analysis with appropriate justifications, 'Do No Harm' considerations, and strategies for disseminating the study's findings.
• In addition, to ensure a thorough and impactful evaluation, the Consultant(s) should ensure that the final report must explicitly integrate gender perspectives across all aspects of the project. The evaluation should assess whether women, men, and individuals of diverse gender identities were afforded equitable opportunities to participate, shape decision-making, and benefit from the initiative. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and address gender-specific challenges, such as disparities in resource access, structural or cultural barriers, and varying impacts across gender groups. Research questions should be carefully framed to uncover potential gaps in representation, participation, and outcome distribution, ensuring that gender dynamics are not only acknowledged but meaningfully analyzed. By applying a gender-responsive lens throughout the evaluation, the report will provide a more precise and insightful assessment of the project's effectiveness in advancing inclusive development. This approach will strengthen accountability and inform future initiatives, fostering more equitable and sustainable practices. All final methodologies and tools will require review from Search’s Institutional Learning Team (ILT) and DMEL team and approval by the DMEL Manager prior to the commencement of data collection.

• The consultants will be responsible for arranging their own logistics for data collection such as vehicles, fuel, and drivers which must be included in the study's budget.
• Additionally, Search will provide the external consultant with the following resources: background materials, including the project proposal and log frame, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, conflict analysis, Baseline Report and other relevant contextual reports.

• This study will take place from July 2025 – August 30, 2025, with the final deliverables due by 30th September at the latest. The final deadlines will be mutually agreed upon by Search and the consultant once the contract is finalized

• Search requires the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) in alignment with the agreed timeline and budget:
• An inception report outlining the methodology, data collection tools, and timeline.
• Any necessary training for data collectors or the establishment of systems for data collection.
• Supervision and active participation in the data collection process.
• Oversight of data coding and analysis.
• A debrief session upon completion of data collection, including the presentation of initial trends, preliminary findings, and a discussion on the report structure.
• Submission of all original data to Search.
• A draft evaluation report in English for review by Search staff and partners.
• A final report in English (maximum 30 pages, excluding appendices) adhering to Search's branding and evaluation standards. The report must:
• Utilize the Search evaluation template unless otherwise specified in the contract.
• Clearly articulate the study's objectives and research questions, along with its limitations and chosen methods of analysis.
• Present findings in line with Search’s evaluation standards, structured around the main objectives of the study, and in relation to the intended target groups. The findings should connect the project’s outcomes to its Theory of Change and contribution to Search's strategy. It should also explain any adaptations made during the project and their effects on results.
• Include actionable, specific, and accessible recommendations with a clearly defined audience.
• Provide an indicator table summarizing all measured indicators.
• Contain appendices with detailed research instruments, a list of interviewees, terms of reference, and a brief biography of the evaluator(s).
• Incorporate a two-page summary of key findings.
• Conclude with a restitution session, including a PowerPoint presentation (PPT).

• A detailed budget should be provided, including daily rates for personnel, and costs related to data collection (per total number of people sampled, sites for collection, etc.), analysis, and production of deliverables.
• This budget should include all the planned costs for the study as no additional costs will be borne by Search.

• Proficiency in English and local languages, both written and spoken.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in conducting conflict assessments and project evaluations, with expertise in applying mixed-methods research for data collection.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict analysis and collaboration with religious groups, human rights activists, and civil society sectors.
• A proven track record of working with international organizations.
• Proficiency in conducting quantitative surveys and analyses.
• Expertise in evaluation methodologies and data collection techniques.
• Strong analytical abilities and exceptional report-writing skills.
• Familiarity with the contextual challenges of the geographic location(s) where the study will be conducted
• 
  
• In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles:
• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: The consultant should fully utilize available information and engage with a broad range of stakeholders during the review. They must conduct systematic, data-driven inquiries and clearly communicate their methods and approaches in sufficient detail to enable understanding, interpretation, and critique. Limitations of the review and its results should be transparently outlined.
• Competence: The consultant should possess the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications to execute the proposed tasks effectively and operate within the boundaries of their professional expertise.
• Honesty and integrity: The consultant must maintain transparency with the contractor or constituent, disclosing any conflicts of interest, explaining any changes made to the negotiated project plan (along with reasons for those changes), and addressing any risks of procedures or activities that could yield misleading information.
• Respect for people: The consultant must uphold the security, dignity, and self-worth of respondents and program participants. Sensitivity and respect must be shown towards cultural, religious, gender-based, disability-related, age-related, and ethnic differences among participants.

• Consultant proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Alignment of the proposed methodology with the project's goal, objectives, and research questions.
• The quality of the proposed evaluation methodologies and the robustness of quality control measures.
• Qualifications and expertise of the candidate(s).
• The proposed budget, ensuring its feasibility in relation to the methodology, deliverables, and team.
• The timeline and feasibility of the proposed activities.

To apply, interested candidates (individuals or teams) must submit the following two documents:

A curriculum vitae along with an example of a previous baseline study or evaluation conducted.

A combined technical and financial proposal, including a methodology for the evaluation, along with a short cover letter.

Note: Only two documents can be submitted, so the technical and financial proposals must be merged into a single file, alongside the cover letter.

Deadline: July 18, 2025