Dominican Republic - Consultancy (small research firm/company)

Terms of Reference 

 

Position Title:  Consultancy (small research firm/company) 

Duty Station:  Dominican Republic

Type of Appointment: Consultancy, 1 month

Estimated start and end date:  February-March 2021

 

IOM seeks to recruit a qualified research company to lead data collection in the Dominican Republic for two studies: one focused on planned relocation in the Caribbean; and the second focused on evacuation policy and practice in the Caribbean. This activity is to be carried out under the management of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and is funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) via the Western Hemisphere Program. 

 

The objectives of the consultancy are as follows:  

  • Conduct interviews with communities that have experienced planned relocations and evacuations in the Dominican Republic, with a focus on the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
  • Conduct interviews with government officials in the Dominican Republic who have responsibility for disaster risk reduction, planning, environmental issues, or other related topics. The consultant may also arrange interviews to be conducted by or with the IOM Research Officer if deemed appropriate.
  • Document each interview through notes and, if permitted by the participants, audio recordings. All notes and materials should be translated into English before being delivered to the Research Unit.
  • Develop a brief report on the main findings of the fieldwork and interviews.

Background 

In 2019, with the support of the PRM through the Western Hemisphere Program, IOM produced a comprehensive regional report, Free Movement of Persons in the Caribbean: Security and Economic Dimensions, which identified the need for additional information on the topics of planned relocation and evacuations in the Caribbean.

IOM is conducting two studies related to human mobility and disaster risk reduction in the Caribbean, including in the Dominican Republic. The objectives of the two studies are below.

​This main purposes and objectives of the study on planned relocation to be carried out in 2021 are: 

  • Assess current State policies and procedures in place regarding planned relocation, with a focus on how they address the needs of vulnerable populations, such as individuals with disabilities, women, elderly people, migrant workers, and children; 
  • Identify instances in which planned relocations have been implemented in the Caribbean and analyse the successes and challenges for both government policy related to relocation and for communities that experienced relocation; 
  • Identify how States are preparing for relocating communities as needed in the future, including issues of resources, data and evidence, planning, decision-making processes and institutional arrangements; 
  • In coordination with government officials and NGOs, assess the capacities of individuals and communities to relocate, and the resources needed to ensure safe and orderly migration; 
  • Identify how regional agreements on movement of people and the influence of the Caribbean diaspora affect the way States and communities prepare for and carry out relocation processes; 
  • Identify gaps in existing disaster risk reduction policies and provide recommendations for managing future planned relocations to prevent disaster displacement and ensure community stability. 

 

​The main purposes and objectives of the study on evacuations to be carried out in 2021 are:  

  • Collection of the necessary evidence to identify strengths and challenges in evacuation policy and practice in the Caribbean. This analysis will include the extent to which migrants are included in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction considerations, and data collection capacity in order to improve current knowledge, intelligence, and analysis on policies and practices in the region.  
  • Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations, including women, children, elderly people, disabled people, LGBTIQ+ people, and migrant workers. 
  • Evacuations are a single step in a broader cycle of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, including risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and longer-term recovery. However, this study will focus specifically on evacuations. 
  • Assessment of the views of government, non-governmental, and civil society stakeholders as well as individuals personally affected by evacuations regarding successes and challenges, implementation of policy, and coordination among key stakeholders.  
  • This assessment will include a specific discussion of cross-border evacuation frameworks and practice. 

The findings and recommendations from the study will aim to provide relevant and current situational data that informs government officials in their formation of emergency response, social protection, health, and education policies, among others. This information may also be relevant for regional stakeholders and international organizations. 

 

General Functions 

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Regional Program Coordinator of the Western Hemisphere Program and the Program Support Officers for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean, and the direct supervision of the Research Officer, the incumbent consultant will take responsibility for the quality of the assessment and report and should include the following tasks:  

Tasks 

Deliverables 

February-March 2021

  • Arrange and conduct interviews with at least 8-10 government officials and any others deemed appropriate who have responsibility for disaster risk reduction, planning;
  • Arrange and conduct interviews with at least 20 members, ideally from a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, of affected communities, with a focus on marginalized groups;
  • Arrange and conduct interviews with relevant civil society organizations or academics;
  • Translate all interview notes and other materials into English.

 

  • Interview schedule and participant details
  • Interview notes and recordings in the original language
  • Interview notes in English
  • Brief document with key findings of the field work (3-5 pages)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment: 100%

 

All deliverables are subject to the approval of the Senior Regional Programme Officer of the Western Hemisphere Programme, the Program Support Officers for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean, and the Research Officer. If revisions are requested, the consultant must make the appropriate changes before the deliverables can be approved.

It is envisioned that the entire consultancy will last no longer than one month, that all data collection will take place in the first three weeks, and the fourth week will be spent translating interview notes and other materials into English. The Research Unit will provide the interview protocols to be used and will give guidance on the tone and structure of the interviews to be conducted. The consultant is responsible only for data collection and translation; the consultant is not responsible for data analysis or writing the final report.

Fieldwork is envisioned to take place in Nueva Boca de Cachón and San Juan. The consultant is encouraged to provide feedback on specific locations and communities in which to conduct interviews.

This contract is considered all-inclusive, and the consultant is expected to arrange for their own travel and health-related safety precautions during the fieldwork, in accordance with IOM protocol. Field teams of two or more persons are preferred.

 

Main Tasks of the Consultant Related to the Assignment: 

  • Communicate regularly with the IOM Research Officer and the Program Support Officers for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean.
  • Thoroughly review documents provided by IOM.
  • Deliver documents and other deliverables in a timely manner as stated in the work plan, or as amended in conjunction with consultant(s).
  • Maintain a neutral and professional approach throughout the consultancy.
  • Ensure that all and any relevant data and findings are documented throughout the consultancy, appropriately archived, and shared, whether or not used in the final report, with IOM.
  • Collaborate with Research Officer in leading tasks to completion to ensure a quality final product.

 

Desirable Qualifications  

Education and Experience

  • Advanced university degree from an accredited academic institution preferably in statistics/data management, public policy, international affairs, law, international development, or related technical field.
  • At least 2-4 years’ experience, preferably in data collection and research.
  • Capacity to collate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in a comprehensible manner.
  • Knowledge of migration, remittances and development.
  • Knowledge of relevant policies and international standards on migration.
  • Experience and understanding of Dominican populations or working in similar environments.

 

Competencies

  • Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
  • Experience in conducting research and leading interviews, including on sensitive topics.
  • Experience in working in complex institutional environments.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Knowledge of the Dominican Republic context and global migration or migration management.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines.

 

Language(s): Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

Candidates (only companies) must submit a CV including a minimum of three references to three separate documents to iomsanjoseprocurement@iom.int with the legend "Dominican Republic- Consultancy" by February 12, 2021.

Duty Station: 
Dominican Republic
Grade: 
Consultancy
Closing Date:: 
Friday, February 12, 2021