Consultant(s) or a consulting team – Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC)

Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) is seeking qualified consultant(s) or a consulting team to undertake two comprehensive studies including (1)A conflict mapping exercise of the ongoing national and local peace processes in Cameroon (2) Case Studies and Stories of Positive Youth Particularly Female Youth Contributions to Peacebuilding. These studies will be done simultaneously for 6 months. The consultant(s) will carry out this assignment as part of LOYOC’s broader project, Promoting Youth Participation in the Peace Process in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.

About LOYOC
Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) is a national, non-profit, youth-led organization established in 2002 and formally registered in 2004. LOYOC’s mission is to empower young people, particularly those aged 15-35, to actively contribute to peacebuilding, preventing violent extremism, and sustainable development. The organization was founded in response to the socio-political and economic challenges that disproportionately affect young people in Cameroon, including high unemployment rates, inadequate governance, gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making processes. Over the years, LOYOC has significantly impacted both within Cameroon and internationally, fostering youth engagement in peace processes and advocating for youth-centric policies.

About the Project
The Promoting Youth Participation in the Peace Process in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon project is a 24-month initiative that is being implemented by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security in collaboration with LOYOC. The project seeks to mitigate the impact of the ongoing Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon while also empowering youth to actively engage in peacebuilding at various levels. The project aligns with the objectives of the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs), which supports peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and stabilization efforts in fragile states. Additionally, the project complements the Government of Canada’s efforts to facilitate peace processes in the region.

Research Specifications
In the context of the above-mentioned project and under the overall supervision of LOYOC’s National Programs Manager, the selected consultant(s) will be responsible for conducting the following activities:

Comprehensive Conflict Mapping Exercise
The core objective of this task is to map the current peace processes in Cameroon, both at the national and local levels, identifying gaps, barriers, and challenges that hinder youth participation, and suggesting practical solutions to overcome these obstacles. This exercise will include, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

Stakeholder Identification
Objective: Identify and document key stakeholders involved in the ongoing peace processes at both national and local levels. This will include:
Government officials and representatives from national, regional, and local authorities.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth groups involved in peacebuilding.
Community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and elders.
International actors and partners engaged in mediation or peacebuilding efforts, such as the United Nations, international NGOs, and diplomatic missions.
Expected Outcome: A comprehensive list of stakeholders with their roles, responsibilities, and involvement in peace processes, as well as an analysis of their contributions and influence.
2. Documentation of Current Peace Processes

Objective: Document the existing peace processes, including:
Frameworks and mechanisms established for peacebuilding and conflict resolution (e.g., formal peace agreements, dialogue platforms, and mediation efforts).
Local, national, and regional peace initiatives that are operational or have been proposed.
Any relevant initiatives by non-state actors, including grassroots peacebuilding programs, local dialogues, and inter-community reconciliation efforts.
Expected Outcome: A detailed description of the current peace processes in Cameroon, outlining the goals, structures, participants, and challenges faced by each initiative.
3. Representation of Youth in Peace Processes

Objective: Assess the level of representation and participation of youth in peace processes at both national and local levels. This will involve:
Mapping the roles that youth have played (or are playing) in the peace processes.
Identifying any underrepresentation of youth voices in key decision-making bodies or initiatives.
Exploring the roles of female youth specifically, in light of gender dynamics and inclusivity in peacebuilding.
Expected Outcome: A thorough assessment of youth involvement in the peace processes and identification of areas where youth voices, particularly female youth, are lacking or underrepresented.
4. Barriers to Youth Participation

Objective: Identify the barriers and challenges that hinder the active participation of youth in peace processes. These could include:
Socio-Cultural Barriers: Societal attitudes toward youth participation, cultural norms, and gender roles that limit youth involvement, particularly among female youth.
Political and Economic Barriers: Political instability, lack of access to decision-making platforms, and limited economic opportunities prevent youth from engaging in peacebuilding activities.
Structural Barriers: Institutional limitations, lack of youth-friendly policies, and exclusion from formal peace dialogues and peace negotiations.
Expected Outcome: A clear identification of the key barriers to youth participation in peace processes, with a focus on the specific challenges faced by youth in conflict-affected regions like the Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon.
Expected Outcome: A well-structured, insightful, and actionable report that will be shared with key stakeholders, including LOYOC, project partners, and relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Case Studies and Stories of Positive Youth Contributions to Peacebuilding
The core objective of this study is to Develop case studies and success stories that showcase youth-led efforts and positive contributions to peacebuilding. This exercise will include, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

Documenting successful youth-led peace initiatives and projects, particularly those that have been facilitated through LOYOC’s activities. This will include;
Documentation of the impact of LOYOC and the Dallaire Institute’s initiatives on project participants’ individual and organization capacities to implement peace initiatives.
Documentation of any success stories/ impactful youth initiatives implemented by youths in the conflict-affected Far North, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the country.
Highlighting the role of female youth in these initiatives, illustrating their leadership, resilience, and impact on the peace process.
In-person review meeting with LOYOC’s project staff to collect data on completed, ongoing, and upcoming project activities and participant feedback so far.
Attend certain project activities to document the impact of project activities, case studies and success stories of participants.
Collect relevant data from project participants to document the impact of project activities, case studies, and success stories of participants.
Expected Outcome: Engaging and inspiring case studies that can serve as a tool for advocacy, and sharing knowledge about effective youth-driven peacebuilding models.
Key Deliverables
The selected consultant(s) will be required to submit the following deliverables:

Inception Report (detailed Work Plan)
After meeting with the project team, the consultant(s) will produce a detailed work plan that outlines the timeline for the entire research process, including milestones, deadlines, and the persons responsible for each phase of the project.

Final Comprehensive Report of the mapping exercise
The final report should include:

Executive Summary: A concise overview of the findings and recommendations.
Findings of the Study: A detailed analysis of the peace processes, youth participation, and barriers to involvement.
Recommendations: Practical solutions and recommendations for enhancing youth participation in peace processes.
Complete case studies/ success stories
The final case studies and success stories will showcase the impact Dallaire/ LOYOC implemented projects on youths and youth-led peace initiatives. They will also highlight the impact of these initiatives on participant communities and the overall peace process.

Qualifications
The consultant(s) should possess the following qualifications:

Educational Requirements: A master’s degree in political science, International Development, Conflict Studies, or a closely related field
Experience:
5 years of proven experience in coordinating and conducting international research projects in the field of peace and security.
Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research, particularly related to youth, peace, and security.
Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accessible reports tailored to NGOs, governmental agencies, and international organizations.
Extensive network and entry points for data collection at the national level, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other local languages (e.g., Pidgin, French, etc.) spoken in the Northwest and Southwest regions will be an advantage.

Research Duration/ timeline
The research assignment is expected to be completed within six (6) months from the date of contract signing.

February 21st: Recruitment of consultant.

February 28th: Submission of Inception report.

May 30th: Submission of the first draft report of the mapping exercise

June 27th: Submission of the final draft of the mapping exercise report

July 25th: Submission of draft success stories/ case studies

August 15th: Submission of final success stories/ case studies

Payment Terms
Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables. LOYOC reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

How to Apply
Interested consultants or consulting teams are invited to submit their expressions of interest via email to recruitment@loyocameroon.org and copy jude.a@loyocameroon.org  and ingrid.v@loyocameroon.org  with the following documents:

Technical and Financial Proposal: A maximum of six pages outlining the methodology and associated costs.
Submit proposals for each of the offers.
CV(s): A detailed curriculum vitae of the consultant(s), highlighting relevant experience.
Work Samples: Samples of previous work, with a maximum of two examples, showcasing similar research or reports in the field of youth and peacebuilding.

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