Diaspora Research Specialist for DEMAC

• Who is 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 for rights 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.

• Background

Danish Refugee Council’s Diaspora Programme facilitates, supports, and enhances the role of diasporas as effective agents of humanitarian assistance, recovery and development. The work of the Diaspora Programme supports Danish Refugee Council’s conviction that displaced people are a resource for both countries of origin and destination and responds to a growing body of evidence calling for a more inclusive humanitarian system that integrates ‘non-traditional actors’ to enhance the effectiveness of the humanitarian response.

DEMAC (Diaspora Emergency Action and Coordination) is an initiative under DRC’s Civil Society Engagement Unit and currently funded by IOM/USAID, that aims for a deeper understanding of diasporas as humanitarian actors and strives for better coordination between diaspora organizations, local networks and the institutional humanitarian system. Please visit: www.demac.org

• Purpose of the consultancy

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) seeks 5 months dedicated, full-time technical support on diaspora qualitative and quantitative research and mapping from a consultant with minimum 7 years’ experience within the humanitarian or NGO field with a focus on diaspora and/or local civil society actors, including demonstrable experience delivering timely, high-quality technical support to teams implementing complex multisector initiatives.

The consultant will conduct qualitative and quantitative mapping, real-time reviews and provide technical MEAL guidance, advice for DEMAC teams. The consultant will work under the supervision of DRC’s head of diaspora unit, collaborating closely with the DEMAC and Civil Society Engagement Unit teams.

• Geographical focus, duration & outputs

The purpose of this consultancy is to support DEMAC MEAL and strategic development as well as conducting or reviewing diaspora qualitative and quantitative research, and mapping. The technical services are to be provided for a duration of 5 months from 10 January 2024 to 10 June 2024, on a 100% dedicated, full-time basis (37,5 work hours per week). The consultant may be home based but will be required to travel to DRC HQ in Copenhagen, the options for which can be discussed.

The specific deliverables include the following:

Strategy and M&E Support

1. Support DEMAC strategy review in line with IOM framework for diaspora engagement in Humanitarian Assistance
2. Build M&E processes and checklists (blueprints) for each activity following the strategy update.
3. Adapt M&E methodology and tools to the updated DEMAC strategy and objectives.
4. Assist in monitoring and evaluation for donor reporting

Research

1. Build DEMAC RTRs and mapping methodologies and SOPs.
2. Review and consolidate existing DEMAC and IOM research products into catalogues for easy access and visualization of existing findings and recommendations.
3. Identify future research needs in consultation with DEMAC and IOM coordinators.
4. Draft case studies, articles for dissemination.
5. Attend and present DEMAC research at relevant online or in-person events.

IMS and data visualisation

• Build an integrated tool for data collection, visualization, and updating of DOs mapping that synchronizes with DEMAC website.
• Create a system for visualizing mappings (potentially collaborating with external partners such as CartONG or Tech to the Rescue).

Fundraising

• Support fundraising efforts (concept note, proposals, etc.)

• Scope of work

Over the course of 5 months from January 2024 to June 2024, the consultant will as a minimum undertake the following:

1. Conduct and produce one DEMAC revised strategy document and 2 M&E methodology tools in line with IOM framework for diaspora engagement in Humanitarian Assistance
2. Conduct and produce one M&E process and one M&E tool in line with the revised DEMAC strategy. Assist in M&E for donor reporting.
3. Build DEMAC RTRs & mapping methodologies and 2 SOPs.
4. Review and consolidate existing DEMAC and IOM research products into one or two catalogues for easy access and visualization of existing findings and recommendations.
5. Identify future research needs in consultation with DEMAC and IOM coordinators.
6. Draft case two studies, two articles for dissemination.
7. Present DEMAC research at 2 relevant online or in-person events.
8. Build one integrated tool for data collection, visualization, and updating of DOs mapping that synchronizes with DEMAC website.
9. Create one system for visualizing mappings (potentially collaborating with external partners such as CartONG or Tech to the Rescue).
10. Support at least two fundraising proposals (concept note, proposals, M&E documents, etc.)

• Deliverables & Timeline

The Consultant will submit the below listed deliverables over the course of consultancy:

• 1 revised strategy document and 4 M&E tools
  • Description: Conduct and produce the DEMAC revised strategy document and two M&E methodology tools in line with framework for diaspora engagement in Humanitarian Assistance, one M&E process and one document in line with the new DEMAC strategy and donor reporting.
    • Associated payment: 20%
• 2 methodologies, 2 SOPs, 1 research catalogue
  • Description: Build DEMAC RTRs and mapping methodologies and 2 SOPs. Review and consolidate existing DEMAC and IOM research products into one or two catalogues for easy access and visualization of existing findings and recommendations.
    • Associated payment: 20%
• 2 studies, 2 articles, 2 presentations during events
  • Description: Identify future research needs in consultation with DEMAC and IOM coordinators. Draft case two studies, two articles for dissemination. Present DEMAC research at 2 relevant online or in-person events.
    • Associated payment: 20%
• 2 Information management tools
  • Description: Build one integrated tool for data collection, visualization, and updating of DOs mapping that synchronizes with DEMAC website. Create one system for visualizing mappings.
    • Associated payment: 20%
• Fundraising support
  • Input & advice provided on min. 2 concept notes/proposals/M&E documents. Timing and focus based on target country & funding cycles.
    • Associated payment: 20%

• Duration and payment

The total duration is five months, from 10 January, 2024 to 10 June, 2024.

The consultant may be home based but will be required to travel to DRC HQ in Copenhagen, the options for which can be discussed.

• Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years’ experience in progressively more senior roles within the humanitarian and civil society sector. This should include a minimum of 2 years delivering qualitative and quantitative research within the humanitarian or NGO field with a focus on diaspora organizations and/or local civil society actors.

Required

• A minimum of 7 years of Research and/or MEAL experience within the humanitarian or NGO field with a focus on diaspora and/or local civil society actors.
• Master’s or doctorate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in data collection, analysis using different software e.g. Excel, SPSS.
• Proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative research or M&E methods and analyses in organizational planning and to write research reports for publication.
• Experience conducting participatory assessments and research with a variety of civil society actors in a range of contexts.
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities, and concurrently manage a variety of activities effectively to meet short deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Good collaboration and communication skills and ability to build good working relations with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience with USAID, IOM and DANIDA grants is an added value.
• Experience with participatory project design with communities
• Experience with diaspora projects or initiatives
• Professional competencies in an additional relevant language such as Arabic, Somali, Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, French or Spanish is an added value.

• Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of Diaspora Unit, Raphaël Capony: [email protected] and technical supervision of the DEMAC Coordinator, Béatrice Mauconduit: [email protected].

• Location and support

The consultant may be home based but will be required to travel to DRC HQ in Copenhagen, the options for which can be discussed.

For travel to DRC HQ in Copenhagen, the Consultant is expected to arrange transportation, accommodation, insurance, food and to make adequate provision in the Financial Proposal.