Country: Senegal
Closing date: 15 Jan 2017
Who are we?
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. The primary beneficiaries of DRC’s work are IDPs, refugees and other communities affected by the conflict. DRC operates within three main assistance platforms – emergency relief, durable solutions and addressing root causes of conflict. For further details, please click the following link: http://www.drc.dk/home/ DRC in CAR.
Context of the Consultancy
Migratory movements are an important part of West African history and most countries in the region today are countries of both origin and destination. Although West Africa is increasingly seen by policy makers as a region of transit for migrants and refugees heading to Europe, the majority of contemporary migration takes place within the region, with intra-regional migration representing over 80% of all movements. These movements are widely distributed among the countries in the region and are increasingly volatile and circular. While the intra-regional movement of people is mainly linked to employment and urbanization, it is also influenced by factors such as long-distance trade, agriculture including pastoralism, armed conflict, insurgency, and slow and rapid onset environmental change and hazards. In terms of volume, in 2015 there was an estimated 6.618.514 migrants in West Africa, mainly originating from within the region . Figures shows that Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali have the largest emigrant population. In terms of immigration, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Burkina Faso are the main countries of destination for ECOWAS migrants, hosting 2,350,024 (CI), 823,742 (Nig) and 111,834 (BF) West African migrants respectively . Despite the free movement protocols adopted by ECOWAS countries, the registration of migrants has not been fully developed, leading to patchy and inconsistent data. The smuggling of persons is widespread along certain routes (even within the region) and migrants’ profiles and vulnerabilities are not well documented and assessed.
While migration in West Africa is predominantly intra-regional, extra-regional movements to the north are increasingly important and have been the focus of much recent policy discussion in Europe. A number of factors, such as political instability, demography and resource pressure, as well as lack of employment opportunities and strong diaspora networks, influence peoples’ decisions to leave the region, mainly to North Africa and, in some cases, onward to Europe. Over the past several years the number of West Africans arriving in Europe via the central Mediterranean route has been increasing, and, in 2016 between January and September, West Africans have made up 23% of the total arrivals to Europe by sea. West Africans also account for a large percentage of those arriving by sea in Italy, between January and September 2016, 71,140 West Africans arrived in Italy, accounting for 53% of the total arrivals. West African migrants also seek employment opportunities in North African countries. This has become visible in the migrant return operations that have been conducted by IOM since the outbreak of the Libyan crisis.
Individuals within both intra- and extra-regional movements have different characteristics and needs (including unaccompanied minors, displaced people, including asylum seekers, refugees and IDPs, economic migrants, stateless persons, returnees and victims of trafficking) while moving along similar routes. People often move in an irregular and clandestine manner, which exposes them to numerous rights violations and protection risks. The intra- and extra-regional mixed migration dynamics, policy responses and protection issues are not well documented and no region-wide study on mixed migration flows, including exhaustive data and updated analysis, exists to date.
About the Consultancy
The Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat West Africa (RMMS WA), hosted by DRC West Africa Regional Office, is looking for a research consultant to undertake research into mixed migration movements in West Africa. The objective of the proposed research is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of the existing literature on mixed migration movements within and from West Africa, as well as related protection concerns and policy and programming responses to migration and displacement issues. The study should contribute to the identification of the main knowledge gaps with a view to inform further research on the issue. More specifically, the research will:
- Provide an overview of extra- and intra-regional mixed migration flows and trends (routes, means, migrant profiles and motivations) as well as related protection challenges for people on the move
- Provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on the issue of migration and displacement in West Africa (e.g. publications from IOs, NGOs, think tanks, academic papers, “grey literature”, etc).
- Highlight the main gaps in terms of analysis and knowledge of the protection aspects related to migration and displacement in the region to inform future research priorities.
- Carry out a mapping of national, regional and international stakeholders producing context-specific analysis on migration and displacement issues in/from West Africa
- Professional travels: Will involve one-off travel to Dakar, Senegal, and, if needed, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of RMMS WA the consultant will:
- Develop a research methodology and report structure for the study
- Carry out a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, highlighting the knowledge gaps and suggesting areas for further research
- Create and consolidate a comprehensive bibliography on issues related to migration and displacement in/from West Africa
- Undertake a comprehensive mapping of stakeholders (IOs, NGOs, think tank, academic institutions) carrying out research and regional projects in relation to migration and displacement in West Africa
Proposed Methodology
The study will include the following activities in three phases.
PHASE I
- Development of the study outline based on preliminary readings
- Prepare a first draft of the introduction presenting the main mixed migration trends in the West African region and highlighting the protection needs of people in mixed movements
- Prepare a first draft of the bibliography on the issue of mixed migration in and from West Africa
- Propose a structure for the envisaged study
PHASE II
- Discussion with relevant stakeholders in Dakar, Senegal
- Field trip to Dakar, Senegal, to meet with RMMS WA and other stakeholders for briefings on regional mixed migration trends and protection aspects related to mixed migration in West Africa
- Consolidation of the report, bibliography and stakeholders mapping
PHASE III
- Incorporate the comments/feedbacks received by RMMS and finalise
Format of the final report
The report will give a full and comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on mixed migration within and from the West African region. It should also include a list of acronyms; a glossary; a summary of key findings, an exhaustive and complete bibliography, a mapping of the main stakeholders undertaking research and regional projects on mixed migration issues in/from West Africa, a list of specific research topics to be addressed through future research.
The consultant will produce a final report written in plain and clear English that will be publishable upon completion. In drafting the report, the consultant will adhere to the RMMS WA editorial policy for written products and presentations. A first draft of the report will be commented and edited by RMMS WA to ensure adherence to the editing policy and due form. The report should comprise between 80 and 100 pages (including annexes).
The consultant should develop recommendations for more specific research reports to be pursued in the future (including key findings on the related topic, gaps and main stakeholders involved).
Timetable
Stage - Time - Responsible Person
Desk analysis of existing literature (English, French) - 5 weeks (home based) - Consultant
Meetings and briefings in Dakar, Senegal - 1 week - Consultant/
RMMS WA
Finalization of first draft - 1 week - Consultant
Finalization of the report - 1 week (once comments/feedbacks have been received from RMMS) - Consultant
Key Requirements
- Advanced degree (at a Masters or PhD level) in political science, international relations or social sciences relevant to the topic of the study
- At least five years of relevant professional experience on migration and displacement
- Advanced knowledge of qualitative research methods, and data analysis techniques
- At least three years’ professional experience conducting research on similar, related topics (post-graduate)
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent command of spoken and written French and English. The ability to review literature as well as conduct in-depth conversations and interviews in both languages is essential
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to address difficult topics with vulnerable populations in the context of conducting qualitative research with vulnerable group
- Desirable: Experience conducting research on migration or related issues in West Africa
We offer
Start Date: ASAP
Contract type: Individual Consultant (IC) Contract according to DRC’s guidelines
Contract Length: 8 weeks (40 days)
Duty Station: Home-based with one-off travel to Dakar, Senegal and, if needed, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Payment: EUR 285 gross per day will be paid for the period of 40 days (8 weeks, weekends not included) of the consultancy
Accommodation and Travels: International flights, travel costs, administrative support (visa, registration) and accommodation will be provided by RMMS WA and DRC
How to apply:
Application Process
Interested consultants should submit, in English or French, three references, an expression of interest and a CV, detailing:
How they meet the profile description and their relevant to the exercise and a draft outline of their proposed approach in line with the proposed methodology.
Closing date for Applications: ASAP - January 15th 2017 - Recruitment is ongoing, please note this consultancy is subject to the availability of funding
Other comments: Applications to be sent in French or English and include details of, or links to, published academic/research writing, preferably on migration/displacement related issues
Please note that only applications received via DRC's webpage will be considered. Please apply directly on DRC's webpage at the following link: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=147868&uiculture=eng&MediaId=5
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world. We are the largest humanitarian NGO in Denmark and consistently ranked as one of the world’s best NGOs according to Global_Geneva.
We fulfil our mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people and host communities in the conflict areas of the world. We also advocate on behalf of conflict-affected populations globally on the basis of humanitarian principles and the Human Rights Declaration. Our work and long-term strategies are guided by our five core values: Humanitarian approach - Respect - Independence & neutrality - Inclusion - Honesty & transparency.
You can read more about our vision and work on drc.ngo.