Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) -Individual Consultant

FOR

The Consultancy to Undertake a Gender Analysis towards implementation of the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection

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BACKGROUND

1. Background and Context

In March 2017, IGAD convened a Special Summit on durable solutions for Somali refugees and reintegration of returnees in Somalia. The Summit recognized the regional nature of impacts and solutions for both displacement and mixed movements and underscored the need for a strengthened framework for regional integration and cooperation. To create a progressive policy framework on forced displacement, the IGAD Member States endorsed the regional refugee protection policy framework in September 2023.  The policy framework seeks to complement individual Member States’ efforts to effectively and sustainably respond to the displacement situation and outlines key areas for harmonization to enhance the management and protection of refugees in the region.

IGAD has entered into a grant agreement with the Government of Sweden represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to pursue a holistic implementation of the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection by promoting predictable, fair, and gender-responsive approaches to refugee management and asylum protection.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a gender analysis, which will inform the roll out and implementation of the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection. The consultant will undertake an in-depth analysis of the specific needs, vulnerabilities, and capacities of women, men, boys, girls, and marginalized groups provide recommendations for gender-sensitive approaches that ensure equitable access to services, protection, and opportunities for all displaced individuals. The consultant will also provide recommendations for mainstreaming gender into the Sweden funded project “Towards effective protection and comprehensive solutions for forcibly displaced persons in the IGAD Region.”

The specific objectives for the consultants are as below:

• Conduct a desk review of existing data and literature on gender issues in refugee protection within the IGAD region.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including IGAD member states, UN agencies, NGOs, women organizations, networks and CSOs and refugee communities including women and girls, to gather qualitative and quantitative data.
• Analyze the current implementation of the IGAD Policy Framework through a gender lens, identifying gaps, challenges, and best practices
• Conduct field visits to selected refugee camps and settlements in the IGAD region to gather first-hand information and insights.
• Hold focuses group discussions and interviews with refugees, particularly women, men, and gender-diverse individuals, to understand their specific needs and experiences.
• Define concrete measures aiming at reducing gender disparities and inequalities in refugee protection through technical consultations with the relevant stakeholders.

• METHODOLOGY

The selected consultant is expected to design and agree on the methodology and data collection tools, together with Project Coordinator and the IGAD Gender Team. The gender analysis should rely on qualitative approaches to ensure that the nuanced gendered experiences of women and men are properly captured.

The methodology should include a review of the available literature on the gendered realities of displacement, and particularly focusing on the experiences of refugee communities in IGAD region. It will also include a review of existing research and Monitoring and Evaluation reports produced by IGAD, and research studies on drivers and barriers to women’s economic participation and entrepreneurial activity.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is for 90 days starting from the date of signing a contract with IGAD.

1. Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Interested Individual Applicants should possess the following qualifications and experience. Please apply only to one of the three targeted countries. These are Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan. Applications for more than one country are not acceptable.

Required qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field relevant to the assignment, for example in gender studies, social sciences, or another relevant field.
• Extensive knowledge on gender analysis, gender action plan development and mainstreaming gender into projects and programs.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research, assessments and analyses related to gender equality in IGAD region;
• Proven qualitative research skills, in terms of design, analysis, and report-writing.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and French.
• Previous involvement in gender justice programming and/or in humanitarian.

The Selection shall be by IGAD Procurement Procedures. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) now invites interested and eligible consultants who are members of the IGAD member states to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the above assignment. Detailed Terms of Reference will be shared with shortlisted consultants.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from Sunday to Thursday 7:30 am to 2:30 pm local time, or by email from procuremnt@igad.int  with copies to salah.egueh@igad.int

• Please note that at this stage no Proposals whether Technical or Financial are requested.

HOW TO APPLY

The consultant should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) and Curriculum Vitae (s) to: procurement@igad.int Copy to  salah.egueh@igad.int not later than Tuesday 17, September 2024 at 23:59 Hrs. EAT (GMT+3).

Procurement Unit

Administration and Finance

IGAD Secretariat

E-mail: procurement@igad.int

P.O. Box 2653,

Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti

Download attached ToR document in PDF below.
TOR Gender Analysis on Forced Displacement Dynamics in IGAD Member States