South Sudan: Research Consultant on Host community-Refugee Relations in Maban County

We are looking for a highly qualified, self-motivated researcher able to conduct an analysis of host community and refugee relations and ways of local integration for refugees in Maban County (Doro, Yusuf Batil, Kaya and Gendrassa camps and hosting communities) in Maban County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan (follow up research 3 years into displacement). The consultancy is for a period of four weeks, between 1^st February, 2016 and 01^st March, 2016.

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council fulfils its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities in conflict areas of the world.

The Danish Refugee Council has been in South Sudan since 2004, mainly working with refugees and internally displaced persons and, in 2012, DRC opened its operations in Upper Nile State (Maban County) to respond to the large influx of refugees coming from Blue Nile State in Sudan. DRC is the camp manager of Doro and Yusuf Batil camp where over 90,000 refugees are currently living and also carries out protection activities in four camps in Maban, a total population of approximately 130,000 refugees.

About the Consultancy

In 2012, an initial assessment on hosting community- refugee relations was conducted jointly with DDG – with the research report: “Displacement, Disharmony and Disillusion – Understanding Host-Refugee Tensions in Maban County, South Sudan”. This study looked into some of the main issues relating to the potential tensions between host communities and refugees in Maban County – with the main points being: high cost of hosting the refugees, focusing on livelihood issues, high numbers of refugees in small areas which deplete natural resources and a lack of emphasis on conflict management and dialogue initiatives. Issues between host communities and refugees are also recurrent and they surface periodically – sometimes in more peaceful ways and sometimes with outbursts of violence. As the initial study was conducted on the first year of displacement for the refugees it also focused on notions and understanding of displacement. This needs to be re-evaluated considering the longer term protracted displacement the refugees are entering into, but also in regards to future relations with the hosting communities, recommendations for violence reduction between refugees and hosting communities and potential ways of local integration for refugees in Maban. Moreover, new research into this topic will allow humanitarian actors to better understand the context they are operating in and allow for programming to be best directed at efforts that assist both communities in the future.

Purposes of the assignment

1. DRC South Sudan contracts the consultant to conduct a study on host-community and refugee relations in Maban County. The main objectives of the study are:
2. Updated situation/ conflict analysis – understanding whether tensions have changed, remain the same and what are potential sources of tensions
3. Contextual analysis – protracted displacement and future of hosting communities and refugees
4. Recommendations for violence reduction between the two communities
5. Recommendations for humanitarian partners on ways to mitigate issues but also realistic programming considering both communities
6. Analysis of potential ways of local integration for refugees in Maban

Scope of the assignment

1. Carry out an independent and objective in depth detailed assessment to identify the extent and types of conflicts or issues between host communities and refugees.
2. The assessment should be able to provide background information on host-refugee tensions, changes in incident typology and provide analytical insights into these incidents or challenges
3. Analysis of recommendations and potential ways forward with programming to ensure enhanced protective environment and reduction of incidents as well as potential ways of local integration for refugees in Maban.
4. Validation of data with participants to ensure that the data collected is reflective of the information given
5. Presentation of findings at both field and Juba levels – both externally and internally within DRC South Sudan.

Time Frame

The consultant will be hired for a period of 30 days (20 days field research and 10 days report drafting) which include travel, briefing, field research, meetings with refugee communities, key informants, relevant stakeholders, mapping exercise in the camps and hosting communities, compilation and writing of the debriefing report (presentation of key findings) to the protection working group and DRC debriefings. This period includes the period for drafting the report.

Reporting

While in the field, the consultant reports to the DRC Protection Manager.

Drafting and submission of a report analysing the findings of the research is required no later than one month after the data collection period.

Additionally, a preliminary presentation of key findings and recommendations after the data collection should be conducted for the protection cluster in Maban before the end of the consultancy. An additional session in Juba (might only be DRC internal) is required prior to the departure of the consultant.

The consultant must immediately inform DRC if difficulties arise in terms of fulfilling the assignment.

Methodology

The assessment among refugees in Maban will include the use of quantitative or qualitative data collection tools. The consultant is expected to submit a detailed methodology mentioning the types of data collection tools to be utilized. Emphasis is placed on having adequate number of interviews with all the relevant stakeholders.

Expected Outputs

A written report, in English, which encompasses the following:

• Collection and analysis of age and sex disaggregated data;
• Identification of needs and gaps in prevention, protection and response;
• Recommendations with regard to the needs and gaps in prevention, protection and response;
• Analysis of respondents’ opinions and recommendations for humanitarian actors;
• The field research will be conducted in no less than 20 days and the final draft of the report should be submitted one month after field data collection and a final report after getting feedback from DRC
• The final report, in English language, should preferably be around 20-25 pages, excluding appendices. The report format and text should be presented in Microsoft word using New Roman 10, or Arial 11.

Key Deliverables

• Detailed work plan;
• Detailed methodology for the assessment;
• Comprehensive baseline report with recommendations for a strategy and timeframe for data collection

Qualifications and Experience

The successful consultant must have:

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree in social sciences or related field
• A minimum of FIVE years of experience working on mitigation of conflicts in the African context.
• Proven experience in qualitative and quantitative research with at least one publication on a similar topic- conflict analysis or peace building preferred.
• Excellent written and oral English.

Key competencies

• Knowledge of humanitarian policies;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent drafting skills;
• Excellent presentation skills;

Code of Conduct

Prior to the signing of the contract, the Consultant will have to sign the DRC Code of Conduct and the DRC general conditions for the procurement of services.

The work of the consultant will be guided by the following principles:

• Confidentiality: ensuring that information provided by all respondents is kept confidential unless they have agreed (informed consent) for their identifying information to be used.
• Neutrality:
• Impartiality: non-discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, religious belief, political views, sexual orientation, social or other status;
• Safety and security: the safety of the survivor and family will be prioritized;
• Participatory approach: ensuring, to the extent possible, consultation with all members of the community (women, girls and boys and men);
• Independence: working without influence of States, government bodies, parties to a conflict or other political entities;
• Respect: actions and responses will be guided by respect for the choices, wishes, rights and the dignity of the survivor. Consultancy fee and costs

The consultancy fee amounts to a total of DKK 37,000. DRC will cover the research related fees (refreshments, translation, etc.) as necessary.

Payment

Payment shall be transferred from DRC to the consultant's bank account as per the following instalments:

First instalment: 50% of the budgeted consultancy fee at the beginning of the consultancy;

Second instalment: the remaining fee (50%) is to be paid upon satisfactory completion of assignment and approval of the final report and will be paid not more than 1 month after the receipt and approval of the final report.

Travel and Insurance

DRC will organize the return ticket from the country of origin of the consultant to South Sudan as well as travel and transport within South Sudan. DRC will also provide accommodation (room of modest conditions) in Juba and in Maban. The calculated costs for travel and visa expenditures are not included in the above budget, and based on the following conditions:

• All travel should be done on economy class.
• Accommodation should be of an adequate standard for undertaking the assignment.
• Visa expenses will be reimbursed to the consultant by DRC at the end of his/her assignment prior to returning to his/her home of origin.
• DRC financial and procurement procedures shall be applied.

Upon completion of assignment, all documentation pertaining to travel and accommodation such as the air ticket and hotel invoices (except when arranged by DRC) should be submitted to DRC for final balancing of accounts.

DRC will provide medical and evacuation insurance for the consultant during the time covered by the consultancy contract.

Duration of the Consultancy

The assignment must be completed within the time frame of a total of 30 days during the period of 1^st of February 2016 and 1^st of March 2015. The Consultant can request an extension of the duration, if the assignment is delayed due to any of the following circumstances:

• Changes in the assignment, at the request of DRC
• Changes in the security situation in South Sudan, which necessitates changes to travel plans.

pplication process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the Apply button.

All applicants must send:

• A CV (including contact information, affiliated university or research institution, institutional credentials and capacities including: Executive Summary, Experience and Qualifications, technical resources (eg. data processing), annex listing relevant publications, reports, documents)
• A short Letter of Interest (not more than 900 words) outlining how the skills and competencies described above will be met.
• A description of approach, work plan and methodology for carrying out the research and training activities and obtaining expected outputs (3-5 pages).

All documents must be in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask Jean-Claude Bashirahishize, DRC Protection Manager at prot.man.em@drc-ssudan.org.

If you are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk .

Applications close on 28^th December, 2015.

Need further information?

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk.

To apply click below link:
https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&departmentId=19064&ProjectId=145964&uiculture=eng&MediaId=5