Consultancy for a study on Mixed Migration Trends and dynamics in the Western Balkans At Danish Refugee Council

Consultancy for a study on Mixed Migration Trends and dynamics in the Western Balkans

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

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.

The Mixed Migration Centre

Part of DRC, the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are:

• To contribute to a better, more nuanced and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge)
• To contribute to evidence-based and better-informed migration policies and debates (policy)
• To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming)

The MMC is a global network, with regional hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America hosted in DRC regional offices, and a small central team in Geneva. The MMC is part of, and governed by, DRC. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. For more information on MMC visit our website here: www.mixedmigration.org

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The Danish Refugee Council based in Geneva seeks proposals from a consultant for a study on Mixed Migration Trends and dynamics in the Western Balkans.

1. Background

The 4Mi data collection initiative

One of MMC’s flagship project is the (4Mi). 4Mi collects data through in-depth structured interviews, focusing on protection risks and the conditions and experiences faced by people on the move, as well as their motivation for migration. 4Mi fills information gaps around protection and vulnerabilities with a view to informing policy and humanitarian programmatic response as well as enhancing sector understanding and knowledge on migration dynamics.

Regional context

In Europe, MMC has carried out 4Mi data collection in Italy and Greece from 2019 to 2021 and has engaged in a number of other research initiatives and projects, all available here. MMC is now starting several new initiatives, focusing on data collection and research on the vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation of people displaced from Ukraine, on experience and access to Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) services for undocumented migrants in Europe, and on urban migration. Other research themes MMC is planning to focus on in the near future include the impact of irregularity, migration decision-making processes and intra-EU mobility, and the shifting nature of mixed migration through the Balkans. In addition, MMC is committed to respond to changing dynamics and pressing needs for evidence-based programming and policy development in the region.

1. Objective of the consultancy

Purpose of the study

The primary objectives of the consultant will be to produce 1) a state-of-the-art study into the mixed migration drivers and dynamics to and through the Western Balkans as well as 2) an assessment of the feasibility of implementing the 4Mi project in the region.

Key research questions

General mixed migration dynamics

• Who is undertaking mixed migration journeys? What are their socio-demographic profiles?
• What are the main factors influencing the decision to migrate to or through the Western Balkans?
• How is migration through the Western Balkans organized/facilitated? To what extent are refugees and migrants using smugglers for movement though the Western Balkans?
• What are the main routes, migration hubs, border-crossing points and modes of transportation into and through the region?
• What are the main protection risks for refugees and migrants while on the move to and through the Western Balkans?
• What are the living conditions and access to basic services like for refugees and migrants in the Western Balkans?
• What are people’s movement intentions? Do they intend to stay in the region, or do they wish to migrate onwards to Western Europe? For what reasons? What’s the impact of migration policies on their choice of final destination? Are there any other factors influencing their decisions?
• How has migration to and through the Western Balkans evolved in the last year?

4Mi feasibility study

• Where should data collection be conducted in the region? (country/ies, locations)
• What are the main demographic characteristics of refugees and migrants in the targeted locations (country of origin, ethnicity, language, gender balance, age, specific neighbourhoods of residence, well known places of gathering…)?
• Which community leaders, NGOs, social media groups/platform could facilitate access to migrants’ communities in targeted locations (the study does not require a comprehensive mapping)?

1. Scope of work and Methodology

The consultant is expected to use a combination of desk research, compiling secondary (data) sources, in-country key-informant / stakeholder interviews and interviews with refugees and migrants moving to and through the Western Balkans. Ideally, the consultant will identify several (4- 5) relevant migration hubs and will conduct, for each chosen location, 5 stakeholder interviews and 10 interviews with refugees and migrants. The pool of interviewed stakeholders ideally will be a mix of local administrative bodies / representations, representatives of local CSOs, and programming humanitarians working with (I)NGOs and UN agencies. In writing up the study, the consultant is expected to follow MMC’s editorial guidelines.

Time frame

From the signature of the contract:

• 1 weeks for the inception report (more detailed description of the research approach and methodology; literature review and data sources; key interview locations; proposed key informants to be interviewed and interview tools; indicative guidelines for interviews with KIIs; draft table of content of final report) including the integration of comments/inputs by MMC;
• 1 week for validation of the inception report and integration of comments by MMC;
• 3 weeks for interviews with stakeholders as well as refugees and migrants moving to and through the Western Balkans;
• 1 weeks for data analysis, report drafting and submission of the first draft of the report;
• 1 week for submission of the final draft, integration comments/inputs by MMC;
• The transcript of qualitative stakeholder and refugee and migrant interviews should be submitted within two weeks after the submission of the final report.

Number of working days: approx. 30 days

Estimated start date of consultancy: 15th January 2023

Date of submission of the final report: 15th March 2023

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-MMC.

1. Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:

Phase

Expected deliverables

Indicative description tasks

Maximum expected timeframe

Phase 1

Inception

Inception report

Inception report including a literature review, a clarification of the methodology and a workplan, a mapping of potential actors to meet, a plan of field trip.

5 working days

Phase 2

Data collection and analysis

Transcripts and weekly updates

Transcripts of qualitative interviews with stakeholders, refugee and migrants as per the workplan and field visit, weekly updates to the MMC team.

13 working days

Phase 3

Reporting

Final report

Final report divided into two main sections: 1) analysis of the mixed migration situation to and through the Western Balkans, 2) a plan for 4Mi deployment including concrete actions to be taken and recommendations for partnerships.

5 working days

Phase 4

Presentation

PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentation highlighting key findings

2 working days

The Consultant will provide the documentation by email in Word format.

1. Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 30 working days.

The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 15th March 2023.

Payment schedule:

20% at the signature of the contract

20% at the submission of the inception report

60% at the submission of the final report and PowerPoint presentation.

1. Proposed Composition of Team

Not applicable.

1. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Essential:

• Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in migration studies or the social sciences, with expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• A minimum of five years of experience in designing and leading research on migration and similar relevant topics.
• A proven knowledge and understanding (e.g. through prior publications) of mixed migration dynamics in Europe and the Balkans.
• Familiarity with the Western Balkans context and proven access to relevant stakeholders in the region.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the MMC 4Mi Methodology.
• Previous experience with MMC or DRC.

1. Technical supervision

The assessment shall be completed in close cooperation with MMC Europe. The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

Acting Head of MMC Europe, Roberto Forin, roberto.forin@mixedmigration.org

1. Location and support

The assignment will be entirely home-based with a field mission to be conducted by the consultant in the target country of research. MMC and DRC will not provide any support in terms of accommodation, furniture of an office space or logistical support for the duration of the assignment. The consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone.

Although MMC will support the consultant in the identification of potential respondents throughout its network, the consultant is responsible for the identification of relevant respondents to fulfil the objectives of the research project.

1. Travel

The assignment will require the consultant to conduct a field mission in the target country of research, in order to conduct the appropriate data collection tasks. Details of the travel (duration, exact locations, specific objectives to meet the mission’s goals) will be discussed based on the technical proposal submitted by the selected consultant, and after a security assessment of the travel plan.

MMC and DRC will not provide any support in terms of accommodation, furniture of an office space or logistical support for the duration of the travel. The Consultant will therefore be expected to arrange transportation, accommodation, insurance, food and to make adequate provision in the Financial Proposal.

1. Submission process

Please see Request for Proposal (RFP) letter of invitation section III, clause A

1. Evaluation of bids

The evaluation process consists of three stages: 1) Administrative, 2) Technical and 3) Financial. This process is explained in the Request for Proposal (RFP) invitation letter, section III.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.