The overall objective of the project of which this contract will be a part of is as follows:
Under the overall authority of the Support to Peace and Security in the SADC Region (SPSS) Programme Coordinator and the Senior Officer of the SADC Politics and Diplomacy Sector, the individual consultant will undertake an assessment on the progress and challenges in building and consolidating gender sensitive social cohesion at regional and national levels.
Result 1: Assess SADC Member States’ resilience and social cohesion of local populations in conflict-affected communities and post-conflict situations at regional and national levels.
Result 2: Identify specific challenges and lessons–learned by SADC Member States regarding the promotion of resilience and social cohesion and make recommendations on addressing the challenges.
Result 3: Submit a report (both soft and hard copy) on Member States’ progress on the building and consolidation of social cohesion in conflict-affected communities, with guidelines, including the development of Regional Social Cohesion Strategy by SADC Member States.
The scope of the study is to:
 Conduct an analysis of Resilience and Social Cohesion in Conflict–affected communities in the SADC region;
 Provide effective and meaningful recommendations to SADC Member States regarding the building and consolidation of social cohesion;
 Consult with SADC Member States and SADC Secretariat staff from relevant directorates and units to secure their inputs;
 Present the draft and/or final report at technical meetings for validation.
The study will focus on all Member States. A specific focus will be adopted on 16 Member States that are affected by sexual and gender–based violence (SGBV) and conflict-affected communities who are not socially cohesive