Research consultancy in South Sudan

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is the world’s authoritative source of data and analysis on internal displacement. Since our establishment in 1998 as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), we offer a rigorous, transparent and independent service to the international community, and inform policy and operational decisions to improve the lives of people living in, or at risk of, internal displacement.

With a team of 23 people in Geneva and an annual budget of 5 million USD, we monitor more than 130 countries in the world for which we provide verified, consolidated and multi-sourced estimates of the number of people internally displaced or at risk of becoming displaced by conflict, violence, disasters and development projects. We complement this global data with interdisciplinary research into the drivers, patterns and impacts of internal displacement. Using this evidence, we provide tailor-made advice and support to inform global, regional and national policy-making. Our data and evidence are published on our website and via our Global Internal Displacement Database (http://www.internal-displacement.org/database/displacement-data). Our flagship report, the Global Report on Internal Displacement (http://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2018/), published every year in May, is the world reference on IDP statistics, featuring trends and thematic analyses, country and regional spotlights.

Introduction

By the end of 2018, there were 41 million people living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence.[1] These IDPs flee the same violence and root causes of displacement as refugees, and face similar obstacles to durable solutions. Yet they remain the Invisible Majority of the world’s displaced people.

The relationship between internal displacement and cross-border movements is not well understood. However, it is clear that many if not most refugees start their journeys as internally displaced people (IDPs), and that many returning refugees face the risk of internal displacement.

Since becoming the world’s youngest country in 2011 following decades of conflict with Khartoum, South Sudan has experienced multiple waves of displacement. Conflict first erupted in December 2013 following a political disagreement between president Salva Kiir and former prime minister Riek Machar. Over 1.3 million new displacements were recorded due to conflict throughout 2014.[2] A peace deal was signed in August 2015, only to break down again the following July. The fighting between 8-11 July 2016 displaced around 36,000 people in Juba alone.[3]

A new peace agreement was reached in September 2018. While this revitalized agreement has lessened the fighting, there is widespread concern the peace deal could collapse once again over outstanding disputes.[4] The formation of a government of national unity, scheduled for May 2019, has been postponed for a further six months to enable critical pending issues to be resolved.

The revitalised agreement highlights the need to “expedite the relief, protection, voluntary and dignified repatriation, rehabilitation, resettlement and reintegration of IDPs and returnees”, and recognises displaced people’s right to return.[5] Despite the language of the agreement, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) maintains that conditions are in fact not yet ripe for displaced people to return, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation and continued displacement both within and across borders.[6]

Even though displacement continues, spontaneous returns are taking place. In addition to occasional IDP returns, over 142,000 South Sudanese refugees are thought to have returned from abroad. These returns appear to be inherently unsustainable. According to UNHCR, 85% of returning refugees are living in IDP-like situations. [7] The country’s humanitarian response plan flags that the sustainability of return is likely to be undermined by “insecurity and unmet assistance and protection needs, particularly related to housing, land and property”. [8]

As of December 2018, over 1.86 million people remain internally displaced in South Sudan, alongside a further 2.3 million South Sudanese who have sought refuge abroad. [9] Many of these displaced people have suffered multiple displacements, returning in times of peace only to flee once more in the face of renewed fighting. To a certain extent, the future of displacement in the region will be determined by the outcome of the revitalized agreement: the regional refugee response plan foresees “increased spontaneous returns should the peace agreement hold, or a renewed influx should it collapse”.[10]

In light of this uncertainty, this project proposes to analyse the relationship between internal displacement, cross-border movements, and durable solutions in South Sudan. The objectives of this project are as follows:

• Examine drivers of displacement, including onward and circular movement within and across borders;
• Provide better understanding of priorities and preconditions for voluntary return of IDPs and refugees;
• Examine obstacles to and opportunities for durable solutions for returning refugees and IDPs.

Main Tasks

IDMC is seeking a team of researchers to conduct primary data collection in South Sudan. Using tools provided by IDMC, the research team will conduct survey interviews with IDPs, returning IDPs, and returning refugees. At least 150 survey interviews will be conducted. This will be complemented by additional key informant interviews with members of each population group.

Fieldwork locations will be selected in cooperation with IDMC based on relevance, accessibility, and potential risks to researchers or research participants. Diverse locations will be included (e.g. rural vs urban, camp vs non-camp) to enhance the diversity of the sample. Due to the challenge of conducting research with hard-to-reach populations in different settings, a representative sample is not required. Efforts will be made to maximise the heterogeneity of the sample by purposively diversifying the age, gender, and socio-economic background of participants.

Qualifications

The research team should, at a minimum, be composed of one lead researcher and three local enumerators. Members of the research team will have proven experience conducting high-quality research in the region, and possess a keen understanding of the specific migration-related issues affecting South Sudan.

The lead researcher is expected to have:

· Master’s degree in international development, migration, humanitarian affairs, or related field;

· Proven relevant research experience and publications;

· Excellent communication and drafting skills;

· Excellent team management skills and collaborative working style;

· Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

The whole research team should be able to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and experience:

· Knowledge of ethical issues in primary data collection;

· Experience conducting survey interviews using mobile phones;

· Experience conducting qualitative interviews and writing quality notes;

· Ability to clearly communicate research findings both verbally and in writing;

· Ability to problem-solve effectively in challenging environments requiring flexibility

Timeline

Data collection is expected to start in late June/early July 2019. The primary data collection component of the project is expected to take approximately three weeks. All data collected is expected to be delivered before end of July 2019.

[1]http://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2019/

[2]http://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/south-sudan

[3]https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-unhcr-operational-update-132016-1-20-july-2016 ; https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ss_humanitariandashboard_201607.pdf

[4]https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/south-sudan/270-salvaging-south-sudans-fragile-peace-deal

[5]https://igad.int/programs/115-south-sudan-office/1950-signed-revitalized-agreement-on-the-resolution-of-the-conflict-in-south-sudan

[6]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/69068.pdf

[7]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/69068.pdf

[8]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/south_sudan_humanitarian_response_plan_2019_final.pdf

[9]http://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/south-sudan; https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/southsudan

[10]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/67312.pdf

The consultant should complete an NRC WebCruiter application with personal details (CV) and upload the following information as part of the application:

• Cover letter / Expression of Interest
• Writing sample of previous work
• List of references that can be contacted to verify the quality of services
• Rates: daily consultancy rate in CHF or USD only, inclusive VAT and all charges

NB. This daily rate and currency will be fixed for the duration of the contract. Any payment for additional costs, third-party services or travel expenses will be discussed and decided on for each consultancy contract and thus these costs should not be listed in the application.

Link to NRC vacancies for WebCruiter application can be found here.