Consultancy_ Evaluation on Durable Solutions in Nigeria: Building Tools for Better Advocacy and Programming at Norwegian Refugee Council

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) invites qualified firms/ Consultants to tender for the following consultancy service:

1. Context and problem

The conflict in Northeast Nigeria has been ongoing for over a decade and has led to 2.9 million IDPs within the country as well as around 118,195 Nigerian refugees across the border in Cameroon (UNHCR 2021). While a reduction in hostilities in 2017 led to the signature of a Tripartite agreement between the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria and UNHCR, a study commissioned by NRC in 2019 found that capacities to safely return refugees remained low in practice. In addition, the study uncovered emerging dynamics of cross border returns along three key lines: preparedness for return, support to return movements (and protection challenges thereof), and possibilities for durable solutions and reintegration. One gap found in the NRC study was in the understanding of living conditions – for both IDPs and former IDPs – and to what capacity durable solutions were implemented and/or met.

In 2021, the Tripartite commission laid out a plan for the resumption of activities, with a new objective of 5,000 refugees to be voluntarily repatriated. This resumption of activities kicked off in early March 2021, with a first group of Nigerian refugees being repatriated from Minawao Camp, marking the beginning of a new phase for return and reintegration of Nigerian refugees. Gaps in knowledge on living conditions and service availability for refugees, IDPs and former IDPs remain in place; therefore, as the Tripartite commission resumes repatriation plans in 2021, the timing is right for an assessment of durable solutions for IDPs and former IDPs / refugees, tailored to improving advocacy, programming and capacity when it comes to return and reintegration in the long term.

2. Objectives

The evaluation will:

• Contribute to the body of evidence on durable solutions among refugee returnees, IDPs and Former IDPs in Nigeria
• Provide specific recommendations on steps to be taken
• Build a strong knowledge and evidence base for strategic advocacy and programming **

3. Scope of the Assessment

The study will cover the three following locations: Bama, Banki and Maiduguri. For these three locations, the study will address the following questions, and sub questions:

• How are durable solutions currently being met for refugees and IDPs that have returned to their areas of origin in Nigeria?

o To which extent the returnee populations have access to durable solutions (security, access to social basic services, livelihoods, land and shelter, etc.)?

o What are the existing access constraints? (for populations’ access to social basic services)

o What are the returnee populations’ needs, intentions and aspirations?

o Which factors were instrumental in contributing to progress towards durable solutions?

• What actions are needed to ensure more effective and consistent durable solutions processes in these locations? Which practices can enable effective pathways towards durable solutions in targeted locations?

4. Methodology

The research will be based on

• Secondary data / desk review of the existing literature and data related to durable solutions in North East Nigeria.
• Primary data / qualitative work: focus group discussions, key informant interviews, case studies / semi structured interviews, etc.

5. Deliverables

· An inception report

Within the first week after the start of the contract, the Consultant(s) is expected to submit a high quality and detailed inception report that will include:

• Working plan, which includes the various activities foreseen, detailed timeline for the deliverables and person in charge of each activity.
• Methodology, which will include a detailed method of research, types and location of interviews, method of data analysis, etc.

· A Database

· A draft of the report

Once the data is collected (interviews, focus groups etc) and integrated, the Consultant(s) has to organize a presentation of the initial findings. Upon this presentation and collection of NRC’s feedbacks, the consultant will have to deliver a comprehensive first draft report

· A final version of the report

The Consultant(s) will have to produce a final version of the report within the timeline of the project, integrating NRC’s feedback. The final report will include an Executive Summary. The consultant(s) will also be asked to present the findings of the study.

6. NRC’s Roles and Responsibilities

• Offer the Consultant(s) relevant sources of data from within NRC.

• Provide timely feedback at every stage of the consultancy

• Provide support in liaising with potential data sources and actors across the region and broadening buy in for the project

• Organise brainstorming with NRCs relevant staff to gather input and feedback to facilitate the Consultant(s) understanding of substantive matters

• Make payment to the Consultant(s) in line with the contract and upon receipt of the agreed, high quality, deliverables

• NRC will not provide logistical support.

7. Responsibilities of the Consultant(s)

• Respect NRC’s policies and fully adhere to the NRC code of Conduct and consultancy service procurement guidelines

• Make available both soft and hard copy documents and datasets related to the study as well as the list of interviews (and their transcription), sources, and partners consulted or used for the research

• Finalise the research based on the agreed time frame

• Respect reporting requirements and provide high-quality deliverables in a timely manner

8. Terms and conditions

NRC ROCWA will manage the contract. The consultancy can be carried out from the home / duty station of the Consultant(s). The Consultant(s) must have their own equipment necessary for the assignment (computer, phone, etc.) and software required to perform the activities. NRC will not cover travel expenses, insurances and other expense allowances.

9. Duration of assignment

The Consultant(s) is requested to propose an estimated timeframe in their proposal for consideration. This will be considered as estimation and will be revised based on the finalization of the deliverables.

10. Reporting

In all matters relating to consultancy, the Consultant(s) will communicate with the Steering Committee that will be internally set up to follow this consultancy and to discuss the progress made at every stage as well as challenges, if any. Both parties must communicate any changes to this consultancy in writing.

11. Required skills and experience

• Advanced University degree in social studies, political science, international relations or relevant field of study

• Minimum 10 years’ proven experience in conducting similar assignments, including on Nigeria and the LCB (Lake Chad Basin) context.

• Extensive knowledge of the context and displacement trends across the LCB

• Proven track record of research conducted with and for international organizations, including in the humanitarian and development sector

• Strong analytical and writing skills with proven experience in producing high quality research with ability to present complex information in a simple and accessible manner

• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to work independently in order to meet deadlines

• Ability to travel across northeastern Nigeria for research purposes

12. Application and Required Documents

This is an international bid open to qualified applicants. Requirements for application are:

A) Narrative proposal

· A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy experience and explaining your suitability for the work, including previous pertinent projects and how they are linked to this project;

· An in-depth methodology on how you will undertake work and achieve outputs set out in the terms of reference;

· Proposed timeline and expected delivery for each deliverable;

· Team composition and quality assurance approach.

B) Financial Proposal

· Detailed cost breakdown to be included in financial proposal

C) Previous work examples

· Applicant should share three previous examples of final work products from recent completed consultancies.

D) Resume

· The resume of key staffs must be annexed to the application documents in French or English.

E) Submission of BID documents and Deadline for submission

· Documents must be submitted based on the deadline set on the bid advert.