Terms of Reference for the local consultant

1. Background

The Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L), a local organization in Bong County, in partnership with the Rights and Rice Foundation (RRF) and the JSGB, two other local organizations in Monsererado, has signed a grant award of 500,000 Euros with the European Union to implement the grant described above for the period of three years beginning January 1, 2026.

The Overall Goal (Impact) of the project is “Strengthened capacity and resilience of CSOs and CBOs to ensure informed and inclusive access, use, and ownership of land and equal land-related economic opportunities in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties”. It includes three Specific Objectives-SP (Outcomes): SP1– Increased awareness and knowledge of CSOs/CBOs/PWDs/women and local stakeholders on the 2018 Land Rights Act, land rights, secure land tenure, land use management, and climate change in target counties; SP2: Increased coordination, collaboration, networking, and dialogue amongst civil society and existing land related structures, stakeholders and authorities to implement the land rights laws and regulations; SP3: Strengthened ongoing Community Land Formalization (CLF) processes and enhanced economic empowerment of deeded communities through implementation of land-use plan, Legal Aid and ADR mechanisms,

The project has four expected outputs as follows: Output (Op) 1: Thirty (30) CSOs and six (6) rural CSO networks and their members have increased skills and knowledge on the Land Rights Laws, and Climate Change; Op2: At least five (5) multi-stakeholder dialogue events held at national and subnational levels on land, natural resources, and governance issues; Op3: Three (3) agriculture groups and six (6) VSLA groups established in three deeded communities received technical training, inputs and financial resources, and are undertaking economic initiatives; and three (3) CLF activities completed in three communities; and Op4: Thirty (30) indigent women, youth, and PWDs empowered financially and legally to access and use their land and other inheritance rights; and 30 CSOs/CBOs have increased knowledge in Legal Aid and ADR mechanisms.

The first major activity that informs the implementation of the project is the Baseline Assessment. Accordingly, DEN-L and partners are to hire an external consultant to conduct a baseline study to do as follows:

1. Key tasks/responsibilities of the Baseline Consultant:
   • Identify and understand existing skills and knowledge of the Land Rights Act of 2018, the Liberia Land Authority Act, ADR Bill/Law, CLF Processes, Climate Change Advocacy, Coordination, and Networking, and women’s land ownership, access, and use.
   • Assess the impact of climate change on community land use and livelihoods to support community resilience.
   • Identify community ADR mechanisms, the status of customary deeded lands, and CSOs’ coordination, networking, and collaboration in the targeted counties.
   • Assess the knowledge level of target community residents about the Liberia Land Rights and identify the gaps
   • Clarify key factors that justify the ignorance of target groups of their rights, the knowledge gap, and the solutions to help the project respond to specific and topical needs of the target groups;
   • Clearly document the existing knowledge, practice, and attitudes of target stakeholders in relation to the land rights laws and other relevant laws to help the program partners establish clear baseline to measure progress throughout the project.
   • Highlight the potential of economic livelihood activities of the target group, including VSLAs, and other schemes that promote community economic advancement.

Additionally, the consultant will assess women’s access to legal aid and financial support in for land and property rights in the target counties.

• The study will further identify existing partners, networks, and stakeholders with whom DEN-L and its partners will collaborate within the counties.
• Key deliverables and timelines for the consultant
  • Inception report with consultant work plan, including assessment tools with clear methodologies (one week after signing of contract)
  • Draft assessment report (three weeks after signing of contract)
  • Final report with detailed information consistent with the project log frame (four weeks after signing of contract)

1. Target groups for consultations and interviews
   • Local authorities (county administration, county land administrators, traditional leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, EPA county representatives, Land Rights Working Groups
   • Civil Society Organizations in target counties and at the national level
   • Community-based organizations in target counties
   • Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs)
   • Women’s Rights Organizations
   • Community members
   • Other NGOs/INGOs working on land rights projects
   • NGO working on EU-funded projects

1. Target location for the consultations
   • The consultant shall conduct the assessment in six (6) administrative districts within the three counties (two districts in each county). The targeted districts are listed below:

• Bong County: Panta and Zoeta Districts
• Lofa County: Salayea and Zorzor Districts
• Nimba County: Leewehpea and Mehnpea Mah Districts

5.2 The consultant shall be required to also do consultations with key national stakeholders (including district lawmakers, national civil society organizations, the Liberia Land Authority, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs) about key land governance issues in the target counties/districts

1. Methodology for the assessment

The consultant will be expected to use a more participatory process in collecting the data. As part of the process, the consultant will do a desk study to include the 2018 LRA and any other relevant (policy) documents as well as other legislations concerning access to natural resources, the Inheritance Law, customary laws and practices related to ongoing and concluded grants and programs affecting CSOs, women, and youth in the project communities (and nationwide, if relevant), particularly in relation to land rights and access to land and economic opportunities. The consultant will also conduct stakeholder consultations with the target groups in selected communities within the counties to highlight issues concerning key governance, development, or policy topics that will inform the intervention in this action. In addition, the consultant will conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) with local authorities, women leaders, youth leaders, leaders of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, the CLDMCs, and leaders of CSOs working groups focused on land rights in Liberia. Finally, the consultant will do Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members to understand the current context of good governance and development. In the counties. The consultant will propose a realistic sample size for respondents for the data collection, both for the KIIs and the FGDs.

• Tentative Start date/date of contract: January 28, 2026
• Specifications/Qualification of Consultant
  • Applicants must have a Master’s degree or its equivalent in any of the Social Sciences
  • Must be an experienced researcher for at least three years (with a documented proof) and have control over qualitative research reports with a blend of quantitative data, and must have conducted at least two such research
  • Must be able to independently use relevant computer applications (Microsoft Power Point, MS Word, and MS Excel) effectively,
  • Must have control over both written and oral communication in English
  • Must be able to relate to respondents in rural communities in their local languages or in simple English for a reliable finding

1. Cost for consultancy

The cost for the baseline assessment shall depend on the evaluation of the offer. The offer providing the best value for money will receive a higher score. However, the total cost for the consultancy shall not exceed 8,620.69 Euros (eight thousand, six hundred twenty Euros and sixty-nine cents. This amount shall be paid to the consultant in United States Dollars in accordance with the exchange rate at which the money was transferred to DEN-L. The amount shall constitute all costs, including professional fees and DSA, transportation, stationery, and communication for the assessment. The consultant is encouraged to use the most cost-effective method and timing for engaging respondents to avoid unnecessary expense outside the allocated amount. The payment schedules shall be as follows:

1. Key Policies: When successful, selected candidates will be required to sign up DEN-L policies for the code of conduct and the conflict of interest, consistent with the EU guidelines.
2. Submission of Application

Interested applicants can submit a detailed CV, a cover letter, and two sample reports of similar work done in the address:

Hard copy:

Subject: Baseline Consultant (SCALES PROJECT: NDICI/CSO/ 2025/488610-PC-32588)

Office of the Human Resource Director

Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L)

Dementa Road, Gbarnga

Or email:

dev_edunet@justemail.net

varbah1@gmail.com

Email subject line should read: Baseline Consultant (SCALES PROJECT: NDICI/CSO/ 2025/488610-PC-32588)

Date of publication: January 16, 2026

Deadline for submission of application is January 23, 2026, a 16 hours