Request for Proposal No. RFP-RO01-002201
Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy on MMC Qualitative Research on stranded Ethiopian children and youth in Metema (Ethiopia)
Who is the Danish Refugee Council
Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.
The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC), as part of DRC, aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. MMC focuses on 7 core regions, with regional teams in each of these: East and Southern Africa, North Africa, West Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe.
Purpose of the consultancy
For this research with children and youth in Metema, MMC shall hire a consultant to conduct 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) and between 20-24 in-depth interviews with Ethiopian children and youth (including those on return journeys) and key informants. Final deliverable is a research report based on the collected data following MMC style and guidelines. The consultant should be able to independently carry out data collection in Ethiopia.
Background
In 2022 and 2023, MMC is partnering with Save the Children International (SCI) through the East African Migration Routes project (EAMR) to generate data and research on the protection experiences of children and youth on the move to and through Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. The core part of MMC’s work within EAMR is guided by its pursuit of Objective 3: Migration policies and strategies are inclusive and needs focused, addressing the vulnerabilities of children and youth through holistic protection protocols and treating support for self-reliance in order to achieve Outcome 1: Children and youth in vulnerable situations have their rights respected and possess sound self-reliance capacities that allow them to improve their life perspectives.
Based on the data and research needs expressed by the SCI Ethiopia Country Office, in addition to providing 4Mi data on the protection concerns, needs, experiences and movement decision-making of refugee and migrant youth journeying through Ethiopia, MMC shall also collect in-depth qualitative data on Ethiopian children and youth who have become stranded in Metema and are particularly vulnerable to protection violations.
Objective of the consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to collect 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) and between 20-24 in-depth interviews with Ethiopian children and youth (including those on return journeys) and key informants.
The consultant will be required:
- To develop interview and FGD guides (for children, youth, returnees and key informants) in coordination with MMC;
- To identify around 20 respondents of various nationalities and profiles aged between 13-17 years old (children) and 18 and 24 years old (youth) in Metema. The FGDs may be conducted with children also taking part in individual interviews, and therefore do not require identification of additional respondents;
- To identify around 4-5 key informants to be interviewed on the context of Ethiopian children and youth stranded in Metema;
- To conduct 4 FGDs and around 20 in-depth interviews with children and youth in a safe environment and following the MMC interview guidelines;
- To conduct around 4 in-depth interviews with key informants to corroborate findings;
- To provide 4 FGD reports and around 20-24 verbatim transcripts of those interviews, in English.
- To provide 4 verbatim transcripts of key informant interviews, in English.
- To provide a final report synthetizing key findings, following MMC’s writing and style guidelines.
Scope of work and Methodology
The consultant is expected to use qualitative data collection methods and to adhere to DRC/MMC’s code of conduct as well as methodological guidance.
In particular, the consultant is expected to:
- To design interview and FGD guides and present in coordination with MMC
- Adhere to the respondent targeting criteria set out by MMC
- To present a recruitment approach for respondents
- To identify appropriate and safe interview locations
- To conduct 4 FGDs and around 20 interviews with children and youth in Metema, with proof of informed consent
- To deliver 4 FGD reports and around 20 verbatim transcripts of interviews, translated to English
- To deliver 4 verbatim transcripts of key informant interviews, translated to English
- To analyze collected data
- To deliver a final report on key findings, following MMC’s writing and style guidelines.
The consultant is expected to present to the MMC team a workplan in the form of an inception and research design report (including interview and FGD guides), at the outset of the consultancy including a detailed timeframe, a narrative explanation of the recruitment approach, informed consent templates and the transcript template for validation.
Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:
Inception and research design report
Brief inception and research design report (5 pages max excluding annexes with interview and FGD guides): including the recruitment approach, detailed timeframe for interviews and delivery, transcript template and informed consent template.
Data collection and transcription
4 FGD and 20 verbatim child and youth interview transcripts translated into English; 4 key informant interview transcripts translated into English.
Analysis and report
Final report on key findings, following MMC’s writing and style guidelines.
Duration, timeline, and payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 35 days for the hired consultant.
The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 30th July,2023.
Payment:
40% at the validation of the inception and research design report
60% at the submission of the validated final report.
Proposed Composition of Team
- Principle researcher
- Assistant researcher(s) / data collectors
Eligibility, qualification, and experience required
Essential:
- The consultancy is open to both firms and individuals. Individuals or research team managers should have an advanced degree (Master or PhD) in migration studies or the social sciences, with expertise in qualitative research methods.
- At least five years of experience conducting primary data collection and managing research projects, with at least three years of these being within the migration field.
- A proven knowledge and understanding (e.g. through prior publications or data collection) of mixed migration dynamics in Ethiopia.
- Familiarity with the Ethiopian context and proven access to relevant stakeholders for data collection permits.
- Excellent command of spoken and written English
Desirable:
- Fluency in English and Amharic; working knowledge in any other languages spoken (Tigrinya, Oromo, etc.) in Ethiopia desirable
- Previous experience with MMC
- Proven experience in Ethiopia, migration, and working / conducting research with children
- Ethiopia-based consultant with authorization(s) to work in-country strongly preferred
- A solid understanding of Ethiopia’s cultural and socio-economic context
Technical supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:
- MMC Research Specialist
- MMC 4Mi Project Manager
Location and support
Location: Metema, Ethiopia.
The Consultant will provide her/his own computer, mobile telephone and any other required electronic equipment.
Travel
The Consultant will be expected to make arrangements for transportation, accommodation, insurance and meals during the assignment, and to make adequate provisions in the Financial Proposal.
Submission process
Interested candidates who meet the required experience and qualifications are invited to submit the following documents to: [email protected] no later than 9th April 2023 at 5:00PM EAT and specify the subject: RFP-RO01-002195 Consultancy: MMC Stranded Ethiopian Children and Youth in Metema. Submissions shall include:
- Updated CV(s) (4 pages maximum per individual) of consultant or consultant team – if bidding as a company, a company profile should also be included
- A brief document (2 pages max) outlining a basic strategy and technical approach to the TOR, team composition and timeline, clearly indicating the level of effort required
- A brief document (2 pages max) showing portfolio of previous relevant assignments or work. Where possible, this should include links to published work and/or references from the organizations that contracted the work. Include sample reports and 3 contracts on previous similar assignment.
- A separate financing proposal in USD with a breakdown of budget covering consultancy fees and all related expenses to implement the activities of the consultancy, including travel and transportation, accommodation and all logistical requirements.
Evaluation of bids
For the award of this project, MMC/DRC has established evaluation criteria which govern the selection of offers received.
The financial offer will then be weighed against the technical proposal (cost/ quality)
DRC will conduct reference checks from at least 2 previous works as an additional mandatory requirement.
Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address: [email protected] When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with: Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid. DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails. Bids will be submitted electronically. DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process. Please find attached complete bid documents in the link.
