PROTOCOL P-14 | Conflict Assessment & Mapping

Conflict Assessment Protocol

TRIGGER When a grievance escalates, recurs, or involves multiple parties in active dispute; when a signal or grievance indicates that a situation has moved beyond routine GRM response.

STEPS

1. Identify the trigger for the conflict assessment

   A conflict assessment is triggered when: (a) a grievance recurs three or more times without resolution; (b) a dispute involves multiple parties or organized groups; (c) a concern has escalated beyond Tier 1; (d) signals suggest community mobilization, media interest, or legal preparation; or (e) the response team lacks a clear picture of what is actually driving the situation.

2. Assign the assessment to a person with conflict analysis skills

   The conflict assessment should not be conducted by the person whose decisions may have contributed to the conflict. Assign to the most experienced ComRel staff member, or engage an external consultant. Conflict analysis capability (SK-18) is required.

3. Conduct the assessment using the Conflict Mapping Tool

   Identify all parties and their interests. Map the trigger issue and the core issues beneath it. Document the conflict history. Assess the current dynamics. Identify potential entry points for resolution.

4. Complete the Root Cause Analysis Worksheet

   For each dimension of the conflict, identify the root cause. Is this about land? Information asymmetry? A breach of a prior commitment? An unresolved prior grievance? Coordination failure? Identifying root causes is what makes structural resolution possible.

5. Complete a Do No Harm Assessment for any proposed response

   Before implementing a response strategy, assess whether it could inadvertently worsen dynamics for any party.

6. Prepare a conflict assessment report

   The report should include: conflict map summary, root cause analysis, proposed response strategy, recommended escalation tier, and any requests for additional authority or resources.

7. Share the report with the Project Manager and relevant LGU

   The assessment is the basis for response planning. Ensure that those with authority to act on its recommendations have received and reviewed it.

PURPOSE

To define when and how a conflict assessment is triggered, who conducts it, and how findings inform the response strategy. A conflict assessment converts a 'we have a problem' situation into a structured understanding of what the problem is, who is involved, why it exists, and what can be done about it. Without this, responses are guesswork.

Roles and Responsibilities

Triggers:

Actor: ComRel Officer / PCO
Responsibility: Identifies when a conflict assessment is warranted and initiates the process.

Conducts:

Actor: Senior ComRel Staff / External Consultant
Responsibility: Conducts the assessment using conflict analysis tools and skills; prepares the report.

Receives:

Actor: Project Manager
Responsibility: Reviews the report; approves response strategy; provides authority and resources needed.

Informed:

Actor: LGU Focal Person
Responsibility: Receives the report where relevant; coordinates on response strategy for concerns within LGU mandate.

Field Notes and Adaptation Guidance

• Field Note — The conflict is not usually what it appears to be

  The presenting issue in a conflict ('community opposition to the project,' 'residents blocking site access,' 'organized protests about noise') is rarely the root issue. The root issue is almost always about something deeper: security of livelihood, prior broken commitments, exclusion from a process, or a structural injustice that the project has surfaced or activated. The conflict assessment is what makes the root issue visible.

• Field Note — Speed matters, but accuracy matters more

  When a conflict escalates, there is pressure to respond quickly. This pressure sometimes leads to responses designed to address the visible symptom before the underlying condition is understood. A conflict assessment takes time, but a response that addresses the wrong problem makes the situation worse and costs far more time in the end. The 48-72 hours spent on a proper assessment is always a worthwhile investment.

• Adaptation Guidance

  In communities with significant historical tension or where the conflict involves indigenous rights, land, or cultural heritage, the conflict assessment should include a community-facilitated component, a structured listening session where community members can describe the conflict from their own perspective, in their own terms. Third-party facilitation for this session reduces the risk that community members will frame their perspective to please or avoid antagonizing the project team.

Required Output / Documentation

• Conflict Assessment Report (conflict map, root cause analysis, proposed response strategy)

• Do No Harm Assessment attached to proposed response

• Response strategy approved by Project Manager