Job description

1. Background 

West and Central Africa are currently grappling with some of the most intricate and enduring displacement crises in the world, with over 12.7 million people forcibly displaced as of 2025, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. The ongoing conflicts in the Central Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and Sudan have led to a "crisis within a crisis," where displacement severely undermines health systems and social safety nets. Furthermore, natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are forcing communities to abandon their homes. In 2025 alone, more than 1.5 million individuals were displaced due to flooding in the WCA region. 

Understanding forced displacement patterns and their impact on inclusive sustainable development is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as displacement acts as a significant "development distorter," reversing decades of progress. For the 12.7 million displaced individuals in the region, being uprooted severely limits access to systems necessary for meeting SDG targets. This includes SDG 4 (Education), with increased school dropouts and diminished education quality; SDG 3 (Health), through the loss of maternal care; and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), as women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriage. The consultant will conduct a rigorous and structured analysis of how gender-related social norms shift in contexts of forced displacement in West and Central Africa, and how these changes heighten risks, restrict access to services, and undermine the safety and dignity of women and girls. The assessment will also examine the long-term implications for national protection systems and State stability. When considering access to services, 35.6% of GBV survivors that received assistance across seven humanitarian contexts in the region (January–September 2025) were displaced women and girls (IDPs, refugees, returnees, and asylum seekers), underscoring the scale and urgency of the protection crisis. During 2025, in the Sahel region 44% of survivors accessed services more than one month after the incident, largely due to distance and limited-service coverage. 
Intimate partner violence (IPV) accounts for 63% of reported cases, while harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) represent 13% of GBV cases managed in 2025. The survivor’s home and the perpetrator’s home are the most common locations where violence occurs, although incidents are also reported in the bush, at water points, in the fields, and along the routes to the market or school. 
According to data from HNRPs analyses for seven humanitarian countries in West and Central Africa, 9.8 million people will require GBV protection and assistance in 2026. While needs have increased by 14% compared to 2025, required funding has decreased by 10%, with only 41% of GBV response funding received in 2025.

When displacement is not properly mapped and analyzed, vulnerable populations become "statistically invisible," resulting in national development plans that overlook the specific needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. This omission contradicts the 2030 Agenda’s pledge to "Leave No One Behind." Moreover, displacement places significant pressure on host communities, straining local infrastructure (SDG 11) and risking social cohesion (SDG 16). Without a detailed understanding of how, where, and why people move, governments and development partners struggle to transition from short-term humanitarian responses to sustainable solutions. Additionally, while the three transformative results (3TRs) underpin the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2022–2025), the West and Central Africa region remains the most affected globally, with 80% of displaced persons being women and children, who face disproportionate risks to their reproductive health and safety. 

Integrating forced displacement data into national strategies is not just a humanitarian necessity; it is a strategic requirement for stabilizing the economic and social indicators necessary for regional prosperity and the successful realization of not only the SDGs but also the 3 TRs and the ICPD PoA. To address the significant challenges posed by forced displacement in West and Central Africa (WCA), UNFPA WCARO is seeking to partner with an experienced research expert on forced displacement. The primary goal of this consultancy is to gain a deeper understanding of displacement patterns and their implications for achieving sustainable development outcomes in the region. Specifically, UNFPA WCARO requires multi-disciplinary research to analyze how the "demographic shock" caused by displacement is reshaping the region's progress toward the 2030 Agenda and beyond. 

2. Objectives of the Analysis 

The overarching objective is to provide a diagnostic of the "displacement-development gap" to inform high-level policy engagement for UNFPA, regional communities such as ECOWAS, CEMAC and other key development partners in the region. Specifically, the consultancy work aims to: 

  • Provide a comprehensive overview of displacement patterns in West and Central Africa, from 2015 to 2026 
  • Provide a comprehensive overview of regional displacement preparedness and response approaches, actors involved (including CSO/WLOs), roles and contributions. 
  • Evaluate the degree to which forced displacement acts as a barrier to the sustainable development outcomes (SDGs, ICPD PoA, 3 Transformative Results and SDG 4 education) and identify the specific "tipping points" where displacement causes a permanent reversal of SDG progress including how it affects the potential for a demographic dividend in region. 
  • Review national Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) from WCA countries to determine the extent to which forced displacement is currently integrated into SDG reporting. 
  • Provide recommendations for "Displacement-Sensitive data systems " to make forcibly displaced populations visible in national data collection systems across the region. 
  • Develop policy and investment recommendations for promoting sustainable and inclusive development in light of protracted forced displacement in the region. 

3. Scope of Work 

The consultant will conduct the following activities: 

  1. Desk review: Conduct a desk review of relevant literature, data, and reports. 
  2. Data Analysis : Utilize existing quantitative data sources on forcibly displaced persons, UNHCR's regional trends, and DHS/MICS survey data where available, in combination with satellite imagery and geospatial analysis techniques. This may be completed with qualitative data through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders in high-burden countries (e.g., Chad, Burkina Faso, Nigeria). 
  3. Report: Develop a report and a policy brief that presents the analyses (trends, patterns, future scenarios), the findings of the analyses, and provides actionable recommendations along with a policy brief and slide deck.
  4. Dissemination: Present the findings and recommendations to stakeholders through a workshop. 

4. Deliverables and Timeline 

5. Required Qualifications

  • PhD in social science, economics, demography, public policy, or a related field. Alternatively, a master’s degree with a substantial research experience and publication record. 
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in the WCA region, specifically in humanitarian or displacement contexts. 
  • Strong understanding of forced displacement and their implications including challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in developing countries.
  • Experience in conducting interviews and facilitating consultations with stakeholders. 
  • Deep knowledge of the SDGs, UNFPA 3 Transformative Results and the ICPD PoA.
  • Excellent communication skills, with experience in report writing and public presentations. 
  • Previous professional experience with the United Nations is considered an asset
  • Fluency in French and English (essential for the WCA regional context). 

6. Timeline and reporting 

The consultancy is expected to run for a 3-month period from the date of signing of the contract with specific deliverables due as outlined in the section on deliverables. 

The consultant will report to the Regional Population Dynamics and Policy Advisor and will work closely with the Population Dynamics, Data and Policy Team, providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and any necessary adjustments to the work plan. 

7. Payment Terms 

Payment will be based on the quality completion of deliverables accepted by UNFPA, as per the schedule outlined in section 4. The consultancy will be paid at the daily rate of 550$ USD per working day. The consultancy is 45 working days for a total remuneration of 24570 USD to be paid in 4 installments upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables outlined in Section 4. The payment schedule is as follows:

8. Application Process 

Interested candidates should submit the following at madiouf@unfpa.org: 

  • A cover letter detailing relevant experience and methodology. 
  • Current CV of the consultant highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Examples of previous work that demonstrate capability in similar projects. 
  • Proposed fee structure and availability. 

The application will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

  • Technical expertise and experience (e.g., qualifications, experience in conducting similar studies). 
  • Methodology and approach. 
  • Work plan, timeline and budget.
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