Consultancy: Drafting Africa Report on Internal Displacement

BACKGROUND

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is the global leader in the provision of data, information and analysis on internal displacement. IDMC monitors all situations of internal displacement, provides quantitative estimates of the numbers of internally displaced people worldwide, and develops research and analysis, which seeks to better inform policy and operational decisions that improve the lives of internally displaced people.

The last 15 years have seen a substantial increase in the number of persons displaced within their own country both by conflict and disasters, and in the complexity of internal displacement crises across the world. A substantial portion of this displacement is taking place in African countries, which often face a complex mix of political, economic, climate and security issues that can drive or trigger displacement and make it protracted. African countries have demonstrated leadership on internal displacement by adopting a number of legal and policy instruments for humanitarian action and protection of displaced persons. Yet internal displacement continues to increase on the continent. The 2019 Global Report on Internal Displacement shows that over 36 per cent of the total new displacements recorded worldwide in 2018 took place in Africa. Many countries in the region are also affected by protracted displacement crises.

The Norwegian Refugee Council African Union Liaison Office (NRC-AULO), jointly with the African Union Department of Political Affairs has established the annual High-Level Dialogue on Internal Displacement, a valuable policy space for debate and engagement on displacement. In 2016 and 2017, NRC-AULO, in partnership with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) produced an Africa Report on Internal Displacement (ARID), and launched the report during commemoration of the adoption of the 2009 AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of the Kampala Convention, and the AU has declared it the AU’s ‘Year of Refugees, IDPs and Returnees in Africa: Toward Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement’.

This presents a timely opportunity for the publication of an Africa Report on Internal Displacement for 2019. The Report will focus on new developments on the continent, highlighting multi-causal drivers and different risks and impacts, and looking at the interaction between conflict and slow-onset disasters as well as the wide spectrum of internal and cross-border displacement. It will also highlight the security, stability and political implications of not finding durable solutions to protracted displacement crises, and address the need for better evidence and data on the issue. The findings of the report will feed into and inform high-level policy deliberations, and serve as a valuable advocacy tool to mobilize renewed commitments by governments.

CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVE

This consultancy will be spread out between June-August 2019. The consultant will be expected to undertake research and pull together additional contributions to form a coherent and compelling narrative in the Report.

Working under the supervision of the Head of the Policy and Research department, the consultant will:

• Undertake desk-based research (including through consultations with relevant stakeholders) to identify internal displacement trends, challenges and opportunities in Africa;
• Analyse effective government responses since the Kampala Convention was adopted, and help assess progress by surveying IDMC reporting on the issue;
• Lead drafting of the final report, drawing on substantive contributions from IDMC and NRC

The consultant will also be expected to work in close cooperation with other IDMC colleagues from the Data and Analysis and Policy and Research departments.

CONSULTANCY TIME AND IMPLEMENTATION TIMEFRAME

This is a consultancy of approximately 30/40 days to be undertaken over the period from June-August 2019.

Key Deliverables:

I. Desk-based research on major demographic, political and economic trends in Africa, identifying key challenges and opportunities that may impact efforts to address, prevent and reduce internal displacement and displacement risk

II. Survey of previous IDMC reporting on displacement in Africa with a comparison of ten years of action on Kampala Convention

III. Three case studies analysing institutional approaches to displacement at national, sub-national or regional level (for example through national development planning)

IV. Drafting of final report, integrating substantive case-studies, data and other contributions from IDMC and NRC which will focus on specific thematic issues

Skills/areas of expertise and qualifications:

·

• Experience writing substantive thematic reports and the ability to pull together different material into a coherent narrative
• Excellent research, analysis and writing skills
• Previous experience conducting analysis on the Africa region or working with regional institutions a plus
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative data for research and analysis
• Master’s degree or above in international relations, development, political science, social science, economy, migration or a related field
• Perfect command of the English language, both written and oral. Working French language fluency desirable but not required.

Pre-requisites for application:

• Applications can be accepted only from named individuals
• Registration as a “sole trader” or consultant in country of residence or as employee within a consultancy company is required
• The consultant must be available as of 15 July 2019

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 here.