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CONSULTANCY - Dadaab ICLA Programming

Kenya

  • Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
  • Location: Kenya
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • Information, Counselling & Legal Assistance
  • Closing Date: Closed

 

Terms of Reference

Consultancy to support the development of ICLA programming in Dadaab (April/May 2017)

  1. Background

The Dadaab camps in Garissa County, Kenya, are one of the largest formal refugee camp complexes in the world consisting of five camps – Dagahaley, Hagadera, Ifo I, Ifo II and Kambioos (officially closing in March 2017). Dadaab was first opened in 1992 to provide temporary shelter to asylum seekers fleeing war in Somalia and Sudan and at its height in 2012 the camps were estimated to house 460,000 registered refugees.  At the end of February there were 260,000 registered refugees in the camps according to UNHCR.

In November 2013, the Governments of Somalia, Kenya and UNHCR signed a Tripartite Agreement for the repatriation of Somali refugees from Kenya.  The Agreement outlined the respective responsibilities of the parties and recognised the voluntary nature of the gradual and phased approach to repatriation of Somali refugees. In 2016 there were potentially significant changes in the protection space for refugees in Kenya following the May 2016 announcement by the government of the closure of Dadaab camps by the end of the year (later extended till May 2017), the disbanding of the Department of Refugee Affairs (DRA) previously tasked with refugee registration and coordination and the revocation of the prima facie refugee status of asylum seekers from Somalia effective April 2016.   

Following the announcement, a National Task Force on Repatriation of Refugees from Dadaab Refugee Complex was created, which would be responsible for planning the closure of the camps. At a June 2016 meeting of the Tripartite Commission the parties agreed to a reduction of the overall Dadaab population by 150,000 by the end of 2016, as a result of voluntary returns to Somalia, relocation of non-Somali refugees, the de-registration of Kenyan citizens who registered as refugees and the population verification exercise.  At the end of December 2016 close to 40,000 refugees from Somali refugees had returned through the voluntary repatriation process, the vast majority from Dadaab (98.6%) and in 2016 (more than 33,000 refugees). In addition, NRC’s protection, return and monitoring network (PRMN) operated on behalf of UNHCR in Somalia recorded a further 28,355 spontaneous returnees outside the repatriation scheme.  However, the vast majority of registered refugees from Somalia in Dadaab (74%) indicated in July 2016 that did not want to return to Somalia citing insecurity as their main reason.

As deteriorating drought conditions prevail in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, the potential for increased displacement into Kenya across the porous border with southern Somalia is high. This potential, alongside challenges that prevent previously unregistered refugees, refugees who had their registration de-activated and new arrivals to access refugee registration procedures in the camps, heightens protection concerns related to cross-border movement.

NRC is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organisation providing assistance, protection and durable solutions to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. NRC has been operational in Kenya since 2007 and in 2017 continues to provide education, water and sanitation and information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA) programmes in Dadaab.

In 2017 NRC’s ICLA programmes in Dadaab are focusing on: (1) continued support to the voluntary repatriation process to ensure that Somali refugees contemplating return are provided with information on the process and areas of return to make an informed decision: (2) increasing our provision of ICLA services to current Dadaab refugees with a focus on refugee registration, legal identity including access to civil documentation and housing, land and property rights; and (3) supporting enhanced cross-border movement tracking to understand movements to and from Dadaab and in particular assist unregistered refugees in the camp through counselling and referrals in coordination with UNHCR, humanitarian actors  and other protection partners. 

2.            Objectives

The consultant will conduct research to support the development of ICLA programming and responses around access to refugee registration and legal stay to vulnerable refugees in the camp including direct programming and developing evidence-based advocacy on access to refugee registration and documentation challenges.

Key consultancy (research) questions include: 

  • Refugee registration framework:  What was the previous refugee registration procedures in the camp and how have these changed over time as well as mapping of the current refugee registration procedures by the GoK and UNHCR proof of registration:.
  • Access to refugee registration:
  • Are there opportunities for registration of new asylum seekers and what about re-registration of deactivated refugees.
  • Are there any obstacles for asylum seekers to access registration/documentation and are there particular groups more affected i.e. new arrivals, deactivated refugees, previous refugees returning from Somalia.
  • What are the consequences for unregistered refugees in the camps in terms of access to services and what protection risks are they exposed to. Is there a link between registration and legal identity?
  • What is the current response to unregistered refugees in the camp from humanitarian actors and what are the existing referral pathways.  Where can ICLA programmes support the response.

3.            Methodology

The information for this study will be gathered through a combination of a desk study and field work in Dadaab including:

  • Desk study:  Review of overall situation in Dadaab in relation to refugee protection including what are the current refugee registration frameworks and the role of GoK and UNCR.  Review of current ICLA beneficiary caseload in relation to documentation challenges.
  • Key informant interviews (KIIs): Series of KIIs in Dadaab camp with key camp management to understand the current refugee registration procedures, responses from protection, shelter, food security and WASH actors and existing protection referral pathways.  KII interviews with refugee community leaders and staff outreach staff from partner organisations including RCK and other humanitarian national and international NGOs.
  • Focus group discussions (FGDs): Structured FGDs held with refugees to understand challenges in relation to accessing, updating and/or renewing refugee registration and consequences. Number, composition and structure of FGDs to be determined by consultant with ICLA team.
  • Semi-structured interviews with NRC and NRC’s legal aid partner beneficiaries:  Series of semi-structured interviews to gather case studies.   Number and profile of case studies to be determined by the consultant with the ICLA team.

4.            Outputs and deliverables

The following specific outputs are envisaged under the consultancy:

  • Design of survey tools i.e. KIIs, FGDs and semi-structured interview guides and training of ICLA staff supporting research.
  • Internal report to inform ICLA programming documenting findings and recommending programme interventions.  including an overview of current refugee registration procedures, barriers, referral pathways and recommendations for ICLA programming in this area.
  • A briefing note  (maximum 10 pages) analysing: (1) the current refugee registration procedures in the camp and any challenges that persons without refugee status face to access registration; (2) the consequences lack of documentation on access to services and protection in the camps; and (3) Key recommendations to improve the legal protection of refugees in Dadaab camps.  

5.            Skills and experience

NRC is looking for a qualified consultant with a strong technical background and skills in refugee protection. In addition, the consultant must demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

  •    Proven experience working in the humanitarian sector and conducting project assessments, studies and/or evaluations.
  • Significant field experience in refugee protection in humanitarian contexts.
  • Excellent research skills, including quantitative and qualitative research methodology at the field level, and an understanding of ethical research principles.
  • Strong command of written and spoken English.
  • Previous experience and knowledge of NRC and the ICLA programme is an advantage.
  • Previous experience and knowledge of Kenya context including international and  domestic legal and policy frameworks applicable in the country is an advantage.

6.            Additional information, application deadline and procedures

An international or national consultant is envisaged to be hired for a total of 20 working days of which 10 days the consultant would be based in Dadaab and the rest of the time working remotely and/or from Nairobi depending on country of residence.  NRC will provide the consultant with accommodation while in Dadaab. The consultancy must be concluded by 26 May 2016 when the final internal documents and final draft briefing should be delivered.  A detailed workplan will be agreed with the consultant at the start of the consultancy.

All applications must include the following:

  • Detailed CV of the consultant;
  • Cover letter detailing the consultant’s qualifications and experience in undertaking similar assignments;
  • Proposed budget for the consultancy, covering all consultancy fees for 20 days including travel (except accommodation costs in Dadaab to be covered by NRC), per diem, insurances and communication.
Interested consultants should submit their application through our website: www.nrc.no
This vacancy is now closed.
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