Background and context
Violent internal conflict broke out in the Republic of South Sudan in December 2013 when long-standing tensions within the country’s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), boiled over into armed conflict in the nation’s capital, Juba and spread out, ignited by ethno-political fractions to Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile States. Since then, more than 2 million people have been displaced by the violence. About a quarter of these people have fled to neighboring countries. Since December 2013, the number of South Sudanese refugees in the region has grown almost five times over, with over 639,000 now seeking refuge in the neighboring Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.[1] There have been several attempts to negotiate and implement cessation of hostilities, but these efforts have largely proved ineffectual as the cease fires agreed on have been broken by either party to the conflict. Reports suggest that the opposing sides are mobilizing for renewed fighting with the onset of the dry season, which started in December 2014.[2]
In a region that has been marred by recurrent and protracted displacement in the last decade, the quest for durable/transitional solutions for refugees and other displaced persons in the region is increasingly high on the agenda for donors, governments and key stakeholders. Displaced persons have often times found themselves depending entirely on emergency assistance and humanitarian aid that falls short of delivering long term solutions. Current studies and literature, supported by both humanitarian and development actors have argued that strategies for solutions should in principle start at the onset of displacement. While the focus and priority in the first stage of a displacement crisis is to uphold basic minimum standards for saving lives and ensuring protection, efforts should also be invested in identifying how the immediate response impacts on future prospects for durable solutions. This calls for the urgent need for evidence based strategies to manage displacement at the early stages and find durable solutions.
Scope of consultancy
Objective
The Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS)[3] seeks to commission a study that will explore how transitional and durable solutions can be taken into consideration while formulating response plans right from the onset of displacement by analyzing how operational and strategic decision making can impact future prospects for solutions based on the South Sudanese caseload in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.
The study will identify the gaps and challenges that stakeholders would potentially face while taking such an approach within the region, while identifying comprehensive and innovative approaches to displacement with a particular focus on self-reliance, livelihoods and socio economic opportunities for refugees’ right at the onset of displacement. This study will inform strategic interventions for targeted initiatives on the South Sudanese displacement with the goal of seeking firm engagement of development actors, including donors and hosting governments as early as practicable with the aim for durable solutions.
While the focus of this study is on the South Sudanese refugee population, it will also explore (from stakeholder perspective within South Sudan) on a broader front, the complexities of the South Sudanese IDP situations and solutions.
Specific Objectives
Identify, analyze and document how the immediate humanitarian strategies shape future prospects for durable solutions for the South Sudanese displaced in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
Identify, analyze and document possible strategic approaches for engaging stakeholders including governments and donors towards early durable solution interventions for the South Sudanese displacement.
Identify policy gaps and other challenges for key stakeholders in promoting early durable solutions in the response to South Sudanese displacement and formulate recommendations.
Examine the capacities, institutional/legal frameworks and attitudes within the hosting governments (Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia) that would support/ challenge early focus on durable solutions.
Explore how developments in attitudes towards the Somali caseload might impact on the treatment of the South Sudanese refugees
Analyze the extent to which self-reliance, livelihoods and socio economic opportunities at the onset of displacement can be achieved for South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.
Profile existing livelihood strategies and capacities of refugees including socio economic opportunities and document potential market analysis for South Sudanese refugees.
Identify and document the roles that South Sudanese refugees can play as active agents of development, contributing to the economy and society of the host states
Document operational recommendations to advance durable solutions in key stakeholders’ response and interventions to be supported by donors and governments to the South Sudanese refugees in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda
Methodology
Desk review
Stakeholder interviews
Expected Deliverables
Inception report outlining the methodology, preliminary findings, study report outline and assessment tool for the study;
1st draft of the report;
2nd draft of the report incorporating comments from ReDSS;
A professionally final edited report. The consultant shall write and produce a precise final report (maximum 40 pages excluding annexes). One of the annexes should be an advocacy strategy (maximum 2 pages). The report must be written in simple and clear English language. The draft report shall be shared with ReDSS for comments and inputs for inclusion in the final report by the consultant.
The report should have the following format:
Cover page
Table of contents, Executive Summary and main report including; proceedings and achievements of the study, conclusions and recommendations.
Annexes
Terms of Reference
List of persons interviewed/engaged
List of literature and documents reviewed
List of locations visited
List of abbreviations
Submit copies of the Final report to ReDSS
DRC’S responsibilities
DRC will:
Provide Information on the context and project, contact numbers for relevant people;
Provide transportation of the consultant as mutually agreed between ReDSS and the consultant;
Provide for accommodation of the consultant in the field;
Provide consolidated feedback/guidance on draft reports;
Organize for the launch of the final report.
Reporting arrangements
For day to day operations, the consultant will report to the ReDSS, Project Officer with technical oversight of the DRC Deputy Regional Director. DRC staff in the operation area will provide necessary support to the team.
The Consultant may provide updates on progress when requested by the Deputy Regional Director
Duration of assignment
The study will be conducted in a period of 34 consultancy days broken down as follows:
Development of the inception report methodology and approval by ReDSS: 1 day
Desk study: 7days
Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders: 20 days (Juba, Kakuma, Nairobi, Gambella, Addis Ababa, Arua, Adjumani and Kampala
Report writing: 6 days
Expected Profile of Consultant
An advanced degree in Law, Social Sciences, Forced Migration or any other related area of study;
Demonstrable experience on matters relating to forced migration locally and regionally;
Proven research skills and experience in the area of durable solutions for displaced and displacement affected communities, at least 3 years;
Knowledge and expertise in developing advocacy strategies
Experience working with civil society;
Good understanding of legal and policy frameworks in the region;
Good understanding of socio-economic dynamics in the region;
Excellent analytical and reporting skills;
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Terms and conditions
The Consultant must be available to commence the desk review immediately and provide the final report within 34 days from date of commencement.
The consultant should adhere to the UNHCR coordinated security guidelines. DRC does not guarantee security of the consultant and will therefore not be liable for any eventuality. Nevertheless, any relevant security updates will be shared with the consultant when necessary. The consultant must abide by DRC security rules and directives
The consultant must complete work within the stipulated time frame
The consultant must operate within the budget allocated.
The consultant must adhere to and sign DRC’s Code of ConductEvaluation and Award of consultancy
DRC will evaluate all proposals submitted and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
Further information
You are welcome to contact the Regional Durable Solutions Project Officer, Ms. Patience Gakii on email: p.kiara@drchoa.org for further information on the programme. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Patience, we only receive applications online.
General
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework.
[1] http://data.unhcr.org/SouthSudan/regional.php
[2] South Sudan: ”The Cost of War, An estimation of the economic and financial costs of ongoing conflict”
[3] ReDSS is a regional NGO coalition committed to the promotion of Durable Solutions. ReDSS is hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and managed by an Advisory Board including World Vision, ACTED, CARE, DRC, International Rescue Committee, Intersos, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Refugee Consortium of Kenya. ReDSS is a member of the Solutions Alliance Somalia.