Consultancy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and Road Map for 2024 and beyond (Central and West Africa) At Norwegian Refugee Council

1. BACKGROUND

The NRC Global Strategy Ambition 2022 – 2025 places a particular emphasis on recognizing the intrinsic value of its people: NRC will work systematically to build a positive working culture in which all staff feel valued, supported, and have a sense of belonging.

In September 2020, NRC globally identified the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) project team. The project team worked with external consultants on a baseline study on diversity, equity, and inclusion for NRC. The purpose of the study was to design a framework to measure NRC’s performance with the aim of improving DEI standards for NRC employees and providing a roadmap for further action.

In response to the study’s recommendations, in 2023 NRC crafted a roadmap outlining the following Statement and global priorities: To best protect and empower people affected by displacement, we value, celebrate, and promote diversity, inclusion, and equity. We will build a positive working culture in which all staff feel valued, empowered, supported, safe and have a sense of belonging.

Ten guiding principles have been identified and four global thematic areas are recommended: Inclusive Leadership and Representation, People Managers, Career Progression and Development and Recruitment.

2. CONTEXT

To identify a regional DEI plan, NRC Central and West Africa (CWA) is looking for a DEI Consultant to conduct a baseline DEI assessment in the regional office (Dakar) and all countries of the region (Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad).

3. PURPOSE OF STUDY AND SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Study purpose

NRC CWA is seeking an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant with a proven track record of working extensively within the Central and West Africa Region. This consultant will play a crucial role in establishing a robust DEI framework that also aligns with the overall NRC Global DEI Strategies for addressing unique contextual challenges across all countries where NRC CWA (Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad).

This consultancy aims to pioneer DEI initiatives tailored to the unique socio-cultural, economic, and organizational contexts of the region, given the absence of prior DEI work.

The primary objectives of this DEI consultancy are as follows:

• Conduct an assessment and provide a report on the DEI needs specific to the region, taking into consideration the contextual challenges and intricacies involved.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the DEI landscape in each NRC country of operation within the Central and West Africa region.
• Identify and prioritize DEI goals and initiatives that are contextually relevant and feasible for
• each country.
• Recommend strategies and action plans tailored to the specific socio-cultural and organizational contexts of each country.
• Provide guidance on how to align DEI efforts across Global and Regional Objectives.
• Conduct all the above using a lens of intersectionality throughout this assessment project.

  3.2 Scope of work

The DEI consultant will perform the following tasks:

a. Research and Data Collection

• Conduct an in-depth review of DEI practices, if any, in each target country.
• Gather data on demographic trends, employment practices, and societal norms related to diversity and inclusion.
• Analyze relevant global DEI best practices and adapt them to the CWA context.

b. Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with key stakeholders, including employees, leadership teams, and external partners, to understand their perspectives on DEI.

KEY INTERLOCUTORS

• Senior Leadership Teams
• Regional Director and Country Directors
• Regional HR Team and Country HR Managers
• Global DEI Lead
• Conduct interviews, focus groups, and surveys to gather insights with different levels within NRC CWA, especially since DEI is a relatively new concept in NRC and particularly in the region.

c. Contextual Analysis

• Assess the cultural, legal, and regulatory factors that influence DEI efforts in each country/region.
• Analyse economic and social indicators that may impact DEI initiatives.

d. Recommendations

• Recommend a roadmap for establishing DEI frameworks in each country, considering the unique context.
• Prioritize DEI goals and initiatives based on the assessment.
• Provide actionable recommendations for each country, including specific strategies, policies, and practices aligned to the NRC Global DEI Priorities.

e. Regional Alignment

• Identify overarching DEI strategies that can be applied at a regional level.
• Recommend ways to coordinate DEI efforts across countries while respecting local nuances.

4. DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables under the consultancy are as follows:

1. Individual country reports outlining DEI needs and recommendations.
2. An overall regional DEI framework that includes recommendations and an action plan at both the regional level and country level.
3. Presentation materials for sharing findings with stakeholders through a workshop.

Overall methodology to be proposed by the consultant(s) which could include interviews, FGD’s, workshop(s), and surveys but with the likelihood of travel to the region. NRC CWA will facilitate travel to two of the countries in the region but it is likely that it won’t be feasible to travel to all countries so some work will need to be done remotely.

5. EXPECTED TIMELINE

The consultancy is expected to commence on 1st February 2024 and conclude by 30th April 2024 with periodic progress reports to be provided throughout the engagement.

6. CONSULTANT PROFILE

• DEI specialist with extensive expertise in the Central and West Africa Region.
• Proven experience working in regions where DEI initiatives are less established.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation abilities.
• Adaptability and cultural sensitivity.
• Established experience of working from an intersectional context/perspective on DEI matters
• Demonstrated experience in conducting DEI assessments and audits.

The consultant(s) will be guided by a Steering Committee.

7. SUBMISSION

Proposals must include complete and accurate information. The proposal must include, but is not limited to, the following items:

1. Profile/CV highlighting the consultant’s qualifications and relevant experience.
2. A letter of interest describing how the consultant will address each deliverable outlined above – noting for some or all the deliverables we are open to the consultant travelling to the region.
3. Detailed price quote for the services.
4. The required currency for all pricing information is USD.
5. All bids are to be submitted in English or French language.

Note:

• Economy flights and moderate accommodation will be booked and provided by NRC.
• NRC will not pay for travel time. The basic rule is that travel time is not to be invoiced.
• NRC may include the Consultant in NRCs travel insurance if the consultant (s) does not already have their own.
• NRC will cover only the bank fees charged by its bank. But any other fees such as the intermediary bank fees and the recipient bank fees, if any, should be covered by the consultant.

Technical criteria Weighting

• Quality of methodology presented by consultant (35%):
• A letter of interest describing how the consultant will address each deliverable outlined above – noting for some or all the deliverables we are open to the consultant travelling to the region. (in line with ToR requirements)
• Previous experience in fulfilment of similar assignments (20%): -Proven record of conducting exercises related to the required one, preferably in the Central and West Africa region -Quality level of at least two samples of reports from previous projects relevant to this exercise -Relevant feedback/reference from at least one previous client
• CV highlighting the consultant’s qualifications and relevant experience. (15%): -Academic/professional qualifications in areas relevant to the study

Financial offer (30%)