Call for Research Consultancy Border Externalization and Militarization: A Global Analysis

Background & Rationale

American Friends Services Committee (AFSC) was founded in 1917 during 1st World War. In accordance with Quaker Values, AFSC promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action.

AFSC works with communities and partners worldwide to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting peace. AFSC Strategic Plan 2020-2030 lays the ground for this research in which AFSC aspires to a world in which violence and war are replaced by systems that advance sustainable peace and thriving communities, in addition to working to improve conditions at community level and mitigate harm for those currently affected by violent systems, linking our learnings from this locally led work to policy and narrative change. AFSC’s program on “Just Approaches to Forced Displacement and Migration” to which this research will be anchored seeks to challenge forced displacement while championing the dignity and rights of all people on the move.

Border externalization policies and practices are negatively impacting the people on the move running away from conflicts, climate related displacements and other global shocks, looking for protection and stability. The inference of Global North countries into other states has reshaped socio political and economic landscapes creating a crisis of immobility rather than a migration crisis, where people are prevented from making choices on the freedom to move and the freedom chose where to stay. Even though this phenomenon shaped the lives of millions of people, attracting the interests of private companies and state investments in some instances, fueling securitization and militarization industries around the globe, the information about its impacts on affected communities and groups is little, and mobilization is fragmented.
To enhance our organizational grasp of border externalization and militarization, we aim to conduct research informed by impacted communities’ experiences, their voice, leadership, and expertise, shedding light on the global impact of border externalization at local, national, regional and global levels. This is further geared towards exposing the methods in which borders function and the interests involved in this industry, as well as the actors and financing of border externalization, the impacts on the rights and freedoms of communities, and the opportunities for addressing those issues.

By gaining a deeper understanding of the complex systems established by Global North countries to address migration, this research project aims to provide recommendations that can guide structured systems change actions generally and more specifically the development of regional and global advocacy campaign on addressing issues related to border externalization on a local, regional level, or global level in line with AFSC Strategic Plan commitment to center its program goals in communities.

Migration is increasingly criminalized, with states adopting a security-focused approach to develop migration governance policies, perpetuating fear and negative narratives around perceived threats from migrants. This narrative has been used to justify militarized approaches, inaction, or the delegation of migration governance to the Global South. The impact of these externalization policies is detrimental to individuals seeking refuge from conflicts, climate-related displacements, and global shocks, exacerbating their vulnerability and hindering access to protection and stability. The research will therefore seek to understand the phenomenon of Border Externalization in Global South regions, specifically Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where AFSC operates. Through literature review and interviews with key staff, the research will also learn from good practices and actions across AFSC (US and IP regions) in addressing border migration issues.

The Research Objectives

AFSC is seeking a team of researchers (to include a lead researcher and 4 junior researchers) to develop research exploring the impact of border externalization and militarization in relation to migration in LAC, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. The lead researcher can be domiciled in any of the AFSC operation regions while it is expected that the junior researchers may be positioned at least in each of the four AFSC operation locations and must be familiar with the specific context.

The research project will seek to achieve the following key objectives:

• To investigate how externalization of migration policies and practices has negatively impacted migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, using a community centered research approach.
• To contribute to broader understanding of border externalization policies and practices towards community centered advocacy efforts at regional and global level while increasing AFSC’s internal capacity on border externalization.
• To develop recommendations/ proposals that can help AFSC, and other actors influence systems change around negative border narratives, policy, and practice at the regional and global and regional level through key actors.
• To assess and identify opportunities for global action on humane, rights and people centered border governance and policy.

As a guideline, among others, the research will seek to answer the following key questions:

• How are migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, host or border communities impacted by this externalized or militarized approach? What would they want to see or hear from
  stakeholders such as AFSC?
• What narratives about migrants and forcibly displaced communities would you change?
• What messages about migration and borders don’t find space in the public discourse that you would like to hear more as impacted communities, AFSC staff, Partners? Why do you think these messages are important?
• How is militarization fueling trafficking in persons and smuggling of humans? What is the impact?
• What are the alternatives to externalization and militarization approaches to addressing migration challenges?
• Which Countries are supporting and or financing externalization of borders? What forms of externalization are we seeing?
• How is development aid to Countries in the South crafted to increase externalization and or militarization of migration?
• Who is benefiting from this support? How can governments receiving such assistance be called to account?
• Are NGOs/ human rights organizations doing enough to address the challenges faced by migrants, refugees etc? What else should they do? What would be more impactful?
• What are the alternatives to externalization and militarization approaches to addressing migration and forced displacement challenges?

The research must take into consideration existing work and theories with a critical lens. The AFSC global Strategic Plan ‘s programmatic focus on Just Approaches to Forced Displacement and Migration provides clarity on the focus of the research which is aligned with the objectives of the migration theme. In addition to existing literature on border externalization and militarization, the research will be guided by AFSC global Pestle analysis report and other AFSC internal documents /reports and stories from impacted communities. It is expected that the stories will be done in a decolonized lens.

Methodology and Ethics:
The team of researchers will focus on analyzing LAC, Middle East, Africa and Asia and global trends.The exact methodology is to be determined by the research team/consultant; however, the objective of this research is to place the voices of impacted communities at the center using a decolonial approach. This means that the methodology should be rooted on the voices, experiences, and power of impacted communities (refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, trafficked persons etc). The research must therefore be deliberate about how to retain power with the people, ensure trustful relations and be rooted in the respect for their culture, heritage, knowledge, and practices. It must aim to legitimize and recognize their worth and dignity. The research is expected to be finalized within the specified timelines but also flexible enough to allow strategic input of the community through a transformative perspective, including communities’ self-determination. Ultimately the voices and experiences of communities must be collected and documented with a decolonial lens. The research should among other principles promote the Quaker Values; promote the principle of “leave no one behind” and “do no harm” to the communities while reinforcing indigenous knowledge, community ownership and support. The researcher will therefore be expected to develop strong ethics in line with AFSC’s principles and responding to the different contexts.
Additional to a literature review, of primary and secondary sources, the researchers should conduct some structured and/or semi-structured interviews with impacted and host communities, relevant stakeholders or/and conduct focus groups discussions with the targeted groups (including women, youth, faith and indigenous groups and other excluded groups).

The researchers will work closely with assigned AFSC member(s) of staff throughout the research work for co-ordination and support. It is imperative that this work is conducted with utmost sensitivity and confidentiality, given the context and risk to participants involved in the research. Risk mitigation will be central to carrying out this work, guaranteeing a strict ‘do no harm’ approach. The consultants must be familiar with Quaker values, central to all AFSC’s work; for example, never calling out names or individuals, victims, enemies or perpetrators, and never advocating for violence. These values must be reflected in research methods and reporting. Finally, the consultant must produce original work and any attempts of plagiarism will result in contract termination.

AFSC is envisioning a main researcher leading this process, and four junior researchers from the different regions to manage the data collection process and work with dedicated AFSC staff on the ground. AFSC Staff in the international programs (AFSC IP) will guide the consultant and will be part of a committee responsible for ensuring that Quaker values, methodology and ethics are in line with AFSC principles and local needs. AFSC IP staff will be also responsible for connecting the Junior Researchers with communities and provide the space for physical events, if needed. The team of researchers will be also supported by an AFSC Fellow, as main focal point from AFSC.

Deliverables and Responsibilities
For successful completion of all deliverables, AFSC is seeking one lead researcher who will be stationed in any of the research sites and 4 junior researchers who may be stationed in each of the four AFSC operation regions for this research. The researchers must be familiar with the regional context in which they will be focusing on, and must be willing to travel, if needed. The selected researchers will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of global and regional trends and variation related to Border externalization and militarization (1); document key findings as articulated by impacted communities, key stakeholders and through literature review (2) develop actionable recommendations for different stakeholders that will serve as a guide for future local, national, regional or glob action, including convenings, advocacy and or campaign planning (3); map relevant stakeholders per region, and the role they can play in addressing the negative impact of externalization of migration (4); Suggest some policy directions/ actions that AFSC and or other stakeholders can pick up through policy briefs (5).

The selected researchers are expected to effectively deliver the following main
tasks/products/activities:

1. Kick off meeting with AFSC team and delivery of the revised research proposal with workplan and
   other specifications.
2. Delivery of the Inception report with literature review, methodology, workplan, ethics, data sources.
3. Feedback from AFSC Committee guiding the research, incorporation of views andfeedback meeting.
4. Data collection and analysis.
5. Trend identification and mapping of key actors.
6. Stakeholder/community interviews and engagement (in a decolonized framework).
7. Clear and actionable recommendations for advocacy and or campaigns based on research findings
   proposing targeted strategies for national, regional and global outreach efforts and include
   innovative and culturally sensitive approaches to maximize effectiveness.
8. A detailed report summarizing research methodologies, findings, and recommendations, with visual representations such as charts or graphs to enhance understanding. Ensure that the report is accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
9. Clear strategy for community feedback mechanism
10. Presentation and stakeholder briefing
11. Provide the archive of the raw data such as interviews, notes, and recordings.

Timeframe for deliverables:
Please take into consideration the following dates for the submission and preparation of your technical proposal, feel free to adjust based on the research needs.

Task/Product Description Deadline for deliverables
Kick off meeting with AFSC team and delivery of the revised End of January 2024 research proposal with workplan and other specifications

Delivery of the Inception report with literature review, End of January 2024 methodology, ethics, data sources. To develop this part the researchers will have to engage with AFSC IP staff.

Feedback from AFSC Committee and eventual meeting February 2024
Data collection and analysis February 2024
Trend identification and mapping March 2024
Stakeholder/community interviews and engagement April 2024
Clear and actionable recommendations for campaigns based on May 2024 research findings proposing targeted strategies for global and regional outreach efforts and include innovative and culturally sensitive approaches to maximize campaign effectiveness.

A detailed report summarizing research methodologies, findings, June 2024 and recommendations, with visual representations such as charts or graphs to enhance understanding. Ensure that the report is
accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Presentation and stakeholder briefing, with a clear community June 2024 feedback mechanisms strategy

Provide the archive of the raw data such as interview, notes, and June 2024 recordings

Teams and/or consulting firms should indicate the location of each candidate and include a detailed proposal describing the distribution of tasks.

The research proposal should include:

• A technical plan and financial plan including the methodology which will be adopted by the team of researchers in conducting the research and achieving the objectives of the assignment.
• Brief about the firm/team of researchers highlighting the relevant experience to the purpose of the assignment.
• The researchers CVs showing their capacities and experiences in leading similar research work.
• Sample of previous research produced by the researchers, including, where relevant, research with impacted communities and groups.

Applications that don’t contain all the documents will be disqualified.

The selected researchers should possess the following qualifications (the researchers’ skills can complement each other):

1. Demonstrated experience in previous research (experience in research in the area of border studies, border externalization, border militarization, transnational movement, participatory research, community action research, decolonial methodologies). The ideal candidate has a background in academic research as well as a grassroots profile with involvement in social issues. Prior experience working in the field with impacted communities will be an added advantage.
2. Deep understanding and knowledge of the theories and practices for decolonized/participatory advocacy.
3. Understanding and knowledge of the social, political, and economic contexts in the different regions.
4. The ability to read and communicate in English and other language relevant for the study (Spanish, Arabic). The junior researchers will be communicating with local staff and communities.
5. Adequacy of the proposed methodology and work plan in responding to this TOR.
6. Junior Researchers must be familiar with the regional context in which they will be working in.

AFSC is currently in search of a research team, but we also welcome individual applicants to apply for both the Lead Researcher position and the four Junior Researcher positions. When applying, indicate the research position (lead or Junior Researcher), For Junior Researchers do indicate which region you wish to focus on (Asia, LAC, Middle East or Africa) please ensure that your application includes your CV, a motivation letter, and a sample of your previous work.

Budget for the research

1. The budget available for the research will be determined based on the proposals and remain valid for 30 days starting from the offer’s submission closing date.
2. The quotation must be detailed and based on the work mechanism proposed by the consultant.
3. Price offers must be exclusive of value added tax (zero tax invoices) for establishments officially registered with the Ministry of Finance; while for individuals and non-profit institutions, the offered prices will be subject to law deduction of income tax.
4. AFSC is not obligated to accept the lowest price.
5. AFSC have the right to extend the deadline and/or re-advertise in the event of receiving a small number of offers and/or in case technical and financial committees do not select any candidate.