TERM OF REFERENCE
LONGITIDUNAL STUDY: FINDING DURABLE SOLUTIONS IN WEST DARFUR?
NRC is looking for a researcher (or a team of researchers) to develop the methodology and pilot the first round of a longitudinal research, dedicated to durable solutions in West Darfur. Deadline for application is January 13th 2022. 2. BACKGOUND**
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent rights-based humanitarian organization working to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable persons during crisis. NRC is currently establishing operations in Sudan in line with the humanitarian response plan with strategic programming priorities focusing on Education, Livelihoods and Food Security and Information, Counselling and Legal assistance (ICLA).
West Darfur has experienced decades of atrocities, human rights violations and displacement. With a population of 2.3 million people, it hosts more than 300 000 IDPs, 85 000 returnees and a small number of refugees. Nearly all IDPs are considered in need in West Darfur and 85% are facing severe needs, some of whom have lived in camps for over ten years and have been displaced many times. Peaks of violence and intercommunal clashes, the withdrawal of UNAMID and the unaddressed issue of land occupation has plunged communities into cycles of displacement, and undermined their chance to durable solutions.
Because of the resurgence of conflict and its records of humanitarian needs, West Darfur is a challenging environment for durable solutions. However spontaneous returns have been witnessed and continue to occur in the State. According to IDP-returnee mapping data undertaken by UNHCR in 2020, West Darfur had about 78,829 IDP returnees, with the majority located in Jebel Moon and Ag Geneina localities. According to an NRC intention survey (August 2021) in the gathering sites, almost all IDPs are eager to return to their place of origin or previous location, but for 99%, concerns over security remain, while a recent Durable Solutions research highlighted that the majority of IDPs in Darfur preferred integration (PBF, 2021)
In 2021 in Al Geneina alone, two consecutive attacks in Krinding camps and Al Geneina left 298 people dead and more than 115,000 displaced into Al Geneina’s public buildings and urban lands, also known as gathering sites. These sites have proved to be unbearable and unsustainable ‘solutions’ for IDPs, with largely substandard living conditions and low humanitarian services. They have also increased pressure on host communities’ scarce resources and forced the repurpose of many essential public buildings (like schools) into settlements. Beyond Al Geneina, the unaddressed conflicts over land and issue of land occupation are a major deterrent to durable and safe returns.
3. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH
The purpose of the research is two-fold:
a) to understand dynamics and drivers of spontaneous IDP and refugee returns within the region's fragility and conflict, as well as the sustainability of spontaneous return movements, and
b) to understand how displaced people's priorities and intentions change over time. From this, the research intends to identify ways in which such solutions can be practically supported and relevant assistance can be provided.
The research will offer an in-depth look into displacement-affected communities of West Darfur, who have exercised or are in the process of exercising one of the durable solutions (I.e.: return, locally integrate or resettle to a third location within Sudan). Using a longitudinal approach with regular monitoring intervals, the research will analyse the changes in IDPs’ lives over time, their plans and intentions, whether they locally integrate, return or resettle.
4. EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE RESEARCH
A detailed look at displaced communities is needed to ensure that policies are informed by their realities and aspirations. The research seeks to build that evidence and understanding.
The research will allow NRC and other humanitarian actors in West Darfur to understand how IDPs navigate their displacement and to provide an empirical basis from which to better address their self-identified needs towards building lasting durable solutions.
5. KEY QUESTIONS AND CORE FOCUS AREAS
Below are a set of core questions to be answered, however, this is meant as a guide and there is flexibility depending on how the research evolves.
· How do IPDs formulate Durable Solutions “intentions” and what are the factors influencing and triggering decision making?
What mechanisms do IDP deploy to deal with their protracted displacement and work towards durable solutions?
Resilience: Document what mechanisms they put in place in order to gain more self-reliance, especially in terms of livelihood. Investigate their usage of land/farmlands even if not fully returned**.**
Extremely Vulnerable Groups: Document IDPs experience, whether they remain in area of displacement, return or resettle, with due focus on the particular situation of women and female-headed households
In-between pathways: explore the ‘semi-solutions’ chosen by IDPs or onto which IDPs have had to resort to. Identify and evaluate the most significant obstacles to long term solutions, as well as the potential opportunities identified by the communities themselves
How is IDPs environment changing, being impacted and having an impact on IDPs ability to seek durable solutions?
Enabling environment: Document attitudes, actions and practices from the authorities, aid community that influences displacement and path to durable solutions over time (both positively or negatively as well as intended or unintended outcomes). This includes any policy to return/facilitate return of IDPs, shift in assistance, the relationship between security forces and the community and an understanding of the impact of state efforts to mediate conflicts.
Impact on host community: Explore how host communities have been impacted by the displacement populations and whether there has been efforts to integrate IDPs, reintegrate returnees.
6. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The selected candidate(s) will be expected to deliver:
1) A comprehensive methodology and research tool for the research, including **
· A methodologic note
o That details the sampling method over time. It will detail the participants targets (taking into account the field limitations, and the attrition rate pertaining to longitudinal studies). It will also explain the methodological adjustments that NRC will have to implement over time/throughout the different rounds of data collection. The sampling method should demonstrate conflict sensitive, including over time.
o It will include a data analysis tool/methodology that will allow NRC to process (code, store, analyze) the collected data over time. The data analysis tool/methodology should therefore be tailored to longitudinal studies, especially the quantitative aspect
o It will include a calendar for the different rounds of the study.
o It will include the theoretical framework, informed by key reference / established guidance documents, for example, the IDP guiding principles, IASC durable solutions guidance, the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) and national initiative such as Sudan’ s Data and evidence working group.
· Quantitative research tools (including guidance on how to administer the tools)
· Qualitative research tools (including guidance on how to administer the tools)
· Guidance on research ethics, including on how to seek consent and ensure the confidentiality of the respondent, as well as on how to compensate their participation in the research
· Brief factsheets on the sites/ locations selected for the research (4 max, 3 pages max).
o The factsheets should include basic information on the selected location (# of people, history of displacement, tribal makeup, trigger of displacement and major humanitarian and security events). It will be informed by secondary sources and KIIs.
o The selection of the sites will be handled by NRC, with advise from the researcher, and considering existing data on the sites (i.e. key geographic and demographic information on each site), guidance from the West Darfur Site Management Working Group and the Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG), and guidance from local authorities
To create the above, the researcher(s) are expected to consult relevant NRC staff, research institutes and relevant national working groups (or chairs) in Sudan.
2) Launch the first round of data collection in West Darfur, including
· Train enumerators on implementing the research, and on research ethics. (Enumerators will be subcontracted by NRC, based on a pool of existing enumerators)
· Mentor enumerators for the implementation of the research
· Clean the first round of data collection
· Adapt the methodology based on trial and error
· Document and present lessons learned on the research process in a short report (5 pages max) and an internal workshop highlighting key recommendations for the next phases
· Train relevant NRC staff on using data analysis tools
The findings of the research will be analysed, and combined by NRC teams.
NRC is looking for a qualified researcher/ team of researcher with a strong academic background in social science, and previous experience in longitudinal study. The researchers can be a team of international and Sudanese researchers. In addition, the consultant must demonstrate expertise in the following areas:
· Proven experience working in hard to reach/ conflict-affected contexts. Experience/ specialization in the field of forced displacement and the humanitarian sector is a strong
· Excellent research skills, mandatory experience in longitudinal research at the field level, and an understanding of ethical research principles. PhD is an advantage.
· Strong quantitative profile and experience is a distinct advantage
· Strong command of written and spoken English and Arabic
· Previous experience and knowledge in the field of Durable Solutions is a distinct advantage.
· Strong knowledge and research experience in Darfur is an advantage
· Previous experience in training/ capacity building is a plus.
OTHER QUALITIES
· Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
· Highest standards of ethics and integrity
· Ability to work in insecure environments
· Communicating with impact and respect
· All employees/contractor of the Norwegian Refugee Council should be able to adhere to our Codes of Conduct and the four organizational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable
The researcher(s) is/are envisaged to be hired for 2 months including spending at least three weeks of this period in West Darfur. The period for the consultancy is February 7th to April 7th 2022, home based including field missions to Darfur in March 2022.
This vacancy is archived.