Request for Proposal (RFP) for the provision of Consultancy Services re. “Development of Case Studies on Effective Durable Solutions Programming”

1. 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, 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.
The Durable Solutions Platform was established in 2016 to improve policy and programming
approaches in support of durable solutions for people displaced in and from Syria. In 2022 and beyond,
DSP is focused both on displacement in and from Syria and other forcibly displaced populations in the
Middle East.

2. Purpose of the consultancy
The Danish Refugee Council Middle East Regional Office based in Jordan seeks proposals from a
consultant to develop six case studies on effective durable solutions programming, targeting member
needs.

3. Background
The Durable Solutions Platform(DSP) was established in 2016 to improve policy and programming
approaches in support of durable solutions for people displaced in and from Syria. In 2022 and
beyond, DSP is focused both on displacement in and from Syria and other forcibly displaced
populations in the Middle East. DSP is not an implementing agency but a joint initiative of six nongovernmental
organization (NGO) members: Action Against Hunger (AAH), Danish Refugee Council
(DRC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Save the
Children. DSPs regional secretariat is based in Amman, Jordan and currently works on Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq.
The DSP acts across three pillars: research, policy and advocacy and capacity building; it also systematically engages with local civil society. As such, it intends to close a loop and ensure close engagement between research best practices, policy development and on the ground activities.
DSP members have worked over years to better understand the interactions between short-term programming and the establishment of durable solutions. Programmes have been developed which substantively contribute to durable solutions, but it can be challenging to fully understand these programmes, replicate them and adapt them to different contexts. DSP aims to bring together its policy, research and capacity building arms to develop six case studies of effective durable solutions programming, and disseminate these case studies across its membership.

4. Objective of the consultancy
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop six case studies on effective durable solutions programming. These case studies will be identified by the DSP secretariat in consultation with members, and integrating various themes. The specific objectives of the research are:
 To gain a deeper understanding of the barriers facing durable solutions programmes, and ways of mitigating and resolving these barriers
 To better understand how different actors can interact and engage to overcome challenges in implementing durable solutions programming
 To produce case studies whose learnings and best practices can be disseminated across different contexts
The consultant will be required to develop the case studies, using primarily desk review and key informant interview methodologies.

5. Scope of work and Methodology
It is anticipated that a methodology for this evaluation will consist of, at a minimum, the following elements:
 Desk review of selected programme interventions
 Key informant interviews for each intervention
 Analysis involving extraction of best practices and lessons learned, as well as comparison of such best practices and lessons learned across contexts.
Qualitative data collection is expected. DSP would be open to consider more innovative methodologies.
The consultancy should cover all the geographic areas in which DSP operates, notably Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Yemen. It should also cover all members – DRC, NRC, IRC, Oxfam, ACF and SCI. The results are expected to target: DSP staff, staff from DSP member agencies, international agencies, implementing partners who have used DSP’s research and capacity building materials, and donor and policy agencies.
The Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how
the objectives of the project will be achieved, and the support required from DRC.

6. Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below: Phase Expected deliverables Indicative description tasks Maximum expected timeframe Phase 1 Inception Inception Report
Refining scope of work
Firm methodology
Data collection tools
5 working days Phase 2 Data Collection Anonymised Transcripts
Key informant interviews
Focus Group Discussions
15 days Phase 2 Analysis Draft Report Final Report
Analysis and production of 5-page case studies
Incorporation of DRC comments
15 working days Phase 3 Reporting Validation Workshop Slide Deck
Small-scale validation workshop
Development of independent slide decks
5 working days The Consultant will provide the documentation by email, using Word, PowerPoint and PDF.

7. Duration, timeline, and payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 40 working days.
The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 20 December 2022.

8. Proposed Composition of Team
 Lead Researcher
 Assistant Researcher

9. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required
 Post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Development, Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution or other related subject
 At least 5 years of experience in conducting research
 At least 3 years of experience in implementing field level programming (research or service provision activities)
 Significant expertise in policy and advocacy
 Strong and proven participatory research skills and experience.
 Strong knowledge of the Middle East context including the policy and research frameworks
 Strong teamwork skills
 Demonstrated publication record
 Ability to produce high quality materials in English
 Ability to present to a range of stakeholders.

10. Technical supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of Ruta Nimkar, DSP Manager, [email protected]

11. Location and support
The consultancy can be home based. The Consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone.

12. Travel
No travel will be required

13. Submission process
Refer to the RFP document name of the document.

14. Evaluation of bids
 Please refer to the RFP letter invitation.
 Only the winner will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure its understanding of the consultancy services.