Consultancy on Promoting Durable Solutions for Urban Refugees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - RFP-RO01-002411

Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: RFP-RO01-002411 - Consultancy on Promoting Durable Solutions for Urban Refugees

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Promoting durable solutions for Urban Refugees in Addis Ababa, 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.

Objective and Purpose of the consultancy

On behalf of ReDSS, Danish Refugee Council based in Ethiopia seeks proposals from a consultant to undertake a strategic review of the durable solutions environment for urban refugees in Addis Ababa, with a particular focus on livelihood and early childhood development. Hence, DRC seeks to commission a consultant to:

• • Assess the state of knowledge about the situation of urban refugees in Addis Ababa and the wider urban context, including relationships between refugees and Ethiopian citizens, through a literature review of both academic and grey literature (including project-related documentation) - Examine the current policy frameworks governing the situation of urban refugees, identifying key issues needing resolution - Undertake a rapid mapping of existing programmatic interventions focused on the situation of urban refugees, whether led by local, national and international partners, and potential resources available for further interventions, identifying gaps and overlaps - Develop recommendations around the key knowledge gaps in identifying the barriers to durable solutions for urban refugees, the extent to which existing policy and programmatic arrangements are fit for purpose in tackling these barriers, and identify areas for further focus, including where further research is required.

Across all these areas, emphasis should be given to the economic situation of urban refugees and livelihood interventions, and the developmental needs of urban refugee children and the potential role of early childhood development.

Background

Ethiopia hosts close to one million refugees in the different parts of the country despite the fact that the country is already subject to conflict and climate-induced crises which regularly displaces internal populations. Over the last decade, Ethiopia has witnessed significant influxes of refugees predominantly from neighbouring countries of South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. The majority lives in 24 refugee camps established across five regional states and over 74,000 others also reside in the capital Addis Ababa as urban refugees. Women make up more over half (55%) of the urban population, while children make up 30%. The number of Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa has recently increased dramatically because of the recent conflict in Tigray. Refugees come to Addis Ababa to seek better services, economic opportunities and self-reliance, better safety and protection that cannot be met in camps. This was also enabled by an out of camp (OCP) policy implemented by the Ethiopian government since 2010, although never formally codified in law.

In 2019 Ethiopia adopted a new refugee act (Proclamation No. 1110/2019), which was regarded at the time as one of the most progressive in Africa. It provides refugees with much greater access to rights, albeit caveated in various ways, including access to education, the right to work and reside out of camps, access social and financial services, and register vital events. Refugee protection in the country is provided by this proclamation, complemented by international and regional laws ratified by Ethiopia. When the law was adopted It was strongly believed that the new law will enhance the lives of refugees and host communities by increasing chances of livelihoods opportunities and work permits. However, progress on implementation of the law has been slow and refugees’ precise legal status and protections remains a major source of concern. Access to work permits is still limited and the procedure is unclear. The implications of the law for the OCP have also never been fully worked through.

So urban refugees in Addis Ababa still face numerous challenges in accessing livelihoods, basic services and protection. In addition, because resources allocated to refugee response have been focused on camps, resources and attention for the urban refugee response has been limited. And the urban poor – whom the refugees are economically, politically and culturally connected to – have had to cope with the fallout of a major economic crisis. Urban refugees therefore face challenges including rising unemployment in the country. Furthermore, one of the first services requested by refugees in the urban context are for economic opportunities and for children and youth to have the opportunity to continue their education. Therefore, DRC is currently implementing a project that aims to promote durable solutions in amongst urban refugees in Addis Ababa by influencing policymakers and implementers in Ethiopia to develop or undertake new initiatives or approaches that can better promote durable solutions amongst urban refugees, Ethiopia. DRC will also commission a study on the urban refugee context to provide a better understanding of urban refugee programming dynamics and provide evidence and data on what is being done.

Scope of work and Methodology

The Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how the objectives of the project will be achieved, and the support required from DRC.

The Consultant will undertake a gap assessment to provide: a better understanding of urban refugee programming dynamics; evidence and data on what is being done; key gaps, lessons and challenges; and recommendations on how to address these gaps. The first validation workshop was already conducted with urban refugee implementing agencies, urban refugees and government bodies to inform about the study and identify key stakeholders and organizations that are best to provide inputs for the study.

The study should employ a combination of secondary data analysis (i.e. literature review), as well as a mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative primary data collection.

Qualitative data collection should include:

• • Key informant interviews (KII) with key urban refugee programme implementing stakeholders including senior management, programme area leads and their teams; local stakeholders including both government and non-government actors. - In-depth interviews (IDI) or focus group discussions (FGD) with urban refugees in Addis Ababa.

Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:

• • Within two weeks of the contract being signed, a workplan should be agreed to guide delivery of the work. - Regular engagement with urban refugee stakeholders to provide the space and platform for learning and reflection. - Research Synthesis Paper, drawing on literature review and focusing on key themes agreed with DRC and identifying key knowledge gaps. - Participation in, and leadership of as appropriate, dissemination meetings and workshops focused on key elements of research agenda in Addis Ababa. - Participation in wider dissemination events being run by DRC in the region, as requested

The following core deliverables are expected:

1. Inception report (maximum 10 pages) including data collection tools and workplan

2. Draft report of the study

3. Validation workshop, including a presentation of key findings and recommendations

4. Final Study

DRC will provide the following to the lead consultant:

• • Organize the consultants’ travel to and from agreed upon locations in Addis Ababa; - Provide relevant background information, and contact numbers for relevant people; - Arrange for accommodation and transportation of the consultant(s) in the locations

Expected Deliverables

Inception report

A 10-page document setting out a detailed workplan and methodology based on initial conversations with key stakeholders.

Final report

The final report will be a comprehensive study report highlighting the findings and recommendations for the study.

Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than November 30th, 2023. The consultancy firm shall be paid the agreed consultancy fee upon completion of the deliverables listed above. The consultancy fee will be paid in instalments that will be detailed in the contract. The amounts will include reimbursement for other agreed expenses related to the delivery of the consultancy upon submission of the receipts.

Proposed Composition of Team

The applicant is expected to demonstrate team qualification to carry out the study by providing the CVs of the team that will carry out the study.

• Senior Researchers
• Research quality control
• Others as needed for the work.

Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Essential:

• Strong knowledge of the Ethiopian political, social, and displacement context; more specifically the urban refugee context and the socio-economic and political dynamics affecting it.

• Advanced University degree in social studies, political science, international relations or relevant field of study

• A minimum of 10 years’ proven experience in conducting similar assignments in the humanitarian sector, in particular the ability to write fluently in English.

• Demonstrable technical knowledge and experience related to forced migration and durable solutions as well as experience undertaking related studies in the urban settings.

• Eligibility:

  • The consultant has the authorisation to work in Ethiopia

• Skills and knowledge:

  • Strong analytical and writing skills with proven experience in producing high quality research with ability to present complex information in a simple and accessible manner
  • A solid understanding of country’s cultural/economic context

• Language requirements:

  • Excellent proficiency in and ability to write in acceptable English of an international standard

Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Ethiopia Durable Solutions Manager and the Ethiopia Durable solutions Policy and Learning Coordinator.

Location and support

The geographical coverage of study will be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The consultant(s) should be willing to conduct visits within agreed upon locations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The consultant may have his/her own team to work with who will entirely be under the jurisdiction of the consultant and at no time will DRC be held responsible for them. The Consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone and may be required to get access authorisation as needed to displacement affected persons.

Travel

The consultant will have visits to different organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia including areas where urban refugees reside. The travel will be facilitated by DRC with prior planning or by the consultant for reimbursement after approval by DRC.

Submission process

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit their proposal and other required documents including:

1) Technical proposal: (not exceeding 6 pages, excluding annexes) that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology, and proposed budget which includes

• Understanding of the assignment;
• Proposed approach/methodology;
• Proposed workplan;
• Proposed team structure and team profiles; and
• The following annexes are required:

1. CV of participating consultant(s) with details of qualifications and experience
2. A minimum of three (3) relevant recommendation letters from three organizations that have recently contracted the applicant to carry out similar assignment within the last five years.
3. Valid legal documents from the country in which the consultant is registered (business license, PIN certificate, and or VAT certificate)

2) Financial proposal: with budget providing costs (including both administrative & professional fees)

3) Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted the applicant to carry out similar assignment.

Evaluation of bids

Administration Evaluation

A bid shall pass the administrative evaluation stage before being considered for technical and financial evaluation. Bids that are deemed administratively non-compliant may be rejected.

The financial offer will then be weighed against the technical offer. The total cost of the financial offer including tax should be mentioned in the DRC Bid Form Annex A.2, within the budget breakdown.

Financial Evaluation

Requirements

1. The financial proposal should be 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, incidentals and all logistical requirements. The quoted price will be subjected to 20% withholding tax for Kenya non-residents and 5% withholding tax for Kenyan residents, consider this in your quote.

All bids that pass the Technical Evaluation will proceed to the Financial Evaluation. Bids that are deemed technically non-compliant will not be financially evaluated

Proposals failing to meet the above minimum requirements will not be considered further.

DRC will conduct reference checks from at least 1 previous work as an additional mandatory requirement.

Data protection and confidentiality

While executing this assignment, the consultant and all the parties involved shall ensure effective protection of confidential and sensitive data and information in conformity with the humanitarian and protection principles and to applicable legal data protection standards[1]. All data collection and processing activities shall be executed in accordance with the following principles:

• Safeguarding individuals’ personal data is a crucial part of humanitarian mission to protect the lives, integrity and dignity of beneficiaries and participants and is fundamental in the provision of protection response and humanitarian aid.
• People-centered and inclusive: Evaluation activities will respect the interests and well-being of the population and stakeholders, in all relevant phases of the evaluation and which activities must be sensitive to age, gender, and other issues of diversity.
• Do No Harm: Evaluation activities must include a risk assessment and take steps, if necessary, to mitigate identified risks. The risk assessment must look at negative consequences that may result from data collection and subsequent actions.
• Defined purpose and proportionality: The purpose must be clearly defined and explained to the participants in the data collection process.
• Informed consent and confidentiality: Personal information may be collected only after informed consent has been provided by the individual in question and that individual must be aware of the purpose of the collection. Further, confidentiality must be clearly explained to the individual before the information may be collected. Consent must be genuine, based on the data subject’s voluntary and informed decision.
• Data protection and security: The evaluation process must adhere to international standards of data protection and data security.

Additional information

For additional information regarding these terms of reference, please send your questions to Regional Supply Chain Manager EAGL RO: Procurement.ro01@drc.ngo

Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: RFP-RO01-002411 - Consultancy on Promoting Durable Solutions for Urban Refugees

How to apply

Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address: tender.ro01@drc.ngo

When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:

• The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email
• Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email contains
  • The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A.2
  • The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender, but excluding all pricing information
• Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
• Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.

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.