A research consultancy on Women's Meaningful Participation in the return and resettlement process in Kachin state- Myanmar

Trocaire Myanmar – Terms of Reference for Research Consultancy

A Research Study on Women's Meaningful Participation in the

Return and Resettlement Process in Kachin, Myanmar

ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND

Trócaire was established in 1973 as the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Our vision is of “a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; where basic needs are met and resources shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.” Trócaire Myanmar works in the areas of Resource Rights and Use (land rights), Durable Peace Programme, Women’s Empowerment including the prevention and response to Gender-Based-Violence and Humanitarian Preparedness and Response. Governance and human rights are integrated across all programmes.

CONTEXT:

Since the breakdown of the ceasefire in Kachin, Myanmar in 2011, there has been prolonged displacement of IDPs in Kachin and northern Shan States (NSS). There are over 100,000 IDPs across 172 IDP sites, 37% of which are in non-government-controlled areas. As of 31 January 2020, there were 138 internally displaced people (IDP) sites in Kachin State alone, with a total of 97,322 IDPs.[1] Years of protracted displacement, in crowded camps and limited access to secure and productive livelihoods have fuelled desires of IDPs to move out of the camps into some place they can call their home – whether in their places of origin or elsewhere.

There have been facilitated attempts to return, resettle, and locally integrate IDPs in Kachin since 2016. Without a sustained ceasefire and a functioning peace process, this creates high levels of risk for IDPs and increases their vulnerability. Frequent experiences of violence and death, especially of Gender-based Violence (GBV), were reported in relation to women attempting to return from the IDP camps to their villages to collect belongings or check on property they had left behind.[2] IDPs, particularly displaced women, must have the ability to return or relocate voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, and the chosen solutions should be feasible and sustainable with a view to sustaining long-term peace and development.

The impacts of return or resettlement can disproportionately affect women, as they are faced with more difficulties while coping with disruption to their families. This is particularly a concern if there is no mechanism or deliberate effort made to enable women’s meaningful participation and consultation throughout the return and resettlement (R&R) process. While Camp Management Committees (CMCs), heads of household, security actors, or authorities make the final decisions on R&R, each of these decision-making bodies are male-dominated[3] which may constraint women’s meaningful participation, decision-making and choices in the R&R process. In addition, traditional gender norms and biases that ascribe authority and space to men over women and a lack of acceptance of female leadership, as illustrated in the DPP 2019 Baseline Survey, further prevent women from participating meaningfully in R&R-related decisions. For example, in the go-and-see visits in return or new relocation sites or design of compensation and restoration packages, housing and construction, water and sanitation, etc., with potential negative implications for the overall success and sustainability of R&R programs.[4] Furthermore, an R&R process that ignores the specific needs and limitations that women, female youth[5] and elderly women face can increase gender inequalities, for example, by reducing women’s access to property or assets, or limiting their capacity to restore their livelihoods.

In recent years, the pace of the formal R&R process has increased. In 2019, the Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (a coalition of Kachin based civil society and religious groups) announced that it would begin to formally support the return and resettlement of more than 500 families either to their communities of origin or to new resettlement sites, in early 2020. In October 2019, the Government of Myanmar released a National Strategy on Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons and Closure of IDP Camps (NSRCC), with the objective of ‘closing IDP camps and creating conditions that enable former residents in IDP camps to resume their normal lives in safety and dignity and without further dependency’. The UN Core Team has also developed a concept note on “Durable solutions for internally displaced persons in Kachin State, possible areas of cooperation between the UN and the Government of Myanmar,” which was submitted to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in September 2019.

RESEARCH PURPOSE:

2020 marks the 20^th anniversary of the ground breaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) — the first resolution to link women’s experiences of conflict to the international peace and security agenda. It focuses on the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and calls for their meaningful participation and engagement in conflict transformation, peacebuilding as well as during the resettlement, rehabilitation, recovery and reintegration processes.

Trócaire, with support of the European Union (EU), has been implementing the Durable Peace Programme (DPP) that aims to contribute to lasting peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the conflict-affected states of Kachin and northern Shan. Under DPP, Trócaire works toward operationalizing and implementing WPS-focused programming that centres on building a network of WPS focal points across Kachin and northern Shan States and raises diverse women’s voices at different levels and within different processes such as Return and Resettlement. While women’s participation and engagement are central to the DPP, cutting across the entire programme, supporting women’s meaningful participation in critical leadership and decision-making bodies, for example in Return and Resettlement Committees, is specifically articulated in Specific Outcome (SO) One on Durable Solutions and Community Resilience and SO Four on Gender Equity and Prevention of Gender-based Violence (GBV).

Throughout the history of Myanmar’s protracted conflicts and prolonged peace process, women and women rights organizations (WROs) have always been at the centre of conflict transformation and played an important role in peace and recovery processes such as R&R and COVID-19 pandemic, as illustrated in the recent DPP Policy Paper, entitled ‘Listening to Women Peacebuilders’. At the same time, however, it is concerning that these efforts often remain under-acknowledged and women face barriers to participating in decision-making processes and leadership structures.[6] It is all the more stark in the R&R process where women face extremely limited opportunities to influence decision-making as the R&R leadership structures, such as government, security actors, camp management committees (CMC) and faith-based organisations, are male-dominated.[7] Hence, women’s gender-specific needs and priorities often get overlooked.

As the R&R process is currently gathering positive momentum in Kachin, understanding the nature and extent of women, female youth and elderly women's meaningful participation[8] in the R&R process is essential and timely, coinciding with the 20^th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. An initial desk review of the literature available online illustrate that little is known about this critical topic. Aside from a few assessments and reports that have primarily or exclusively focused on gendered perspectives on R&R, there has hitherto been very little published work on women's meaningful participation in the R&R process. Based on this literature gap, Trócaire plans to commission a study that will shed light on women, female youth and elderly women’s meaningful participation and contribution to the R&R process in Kachin. Towards this end, the study aims to specifically look into the hopes, aspirations and expectations of women, female youth and elderly women from the R&R process in Kachin and how they define ‘meaningful participation’, identify the barriers and enabling factors and look at how conflict or displacement changed gender dynamics and gender norms, which may in itself be a barrier or enabler to women’s participation.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS:

The proposed research study will build on the existing briefs and papers[9] in an attempt to answer the following research questions:

· What are the hopes, aspirations and expectations of women, female youth and elderly women from the R&R process? How do they express social cohesion/peacebuilding elements of R&R?

· Are women, female youth and elderly women represented in the R&R process and its related structures and decision-making?

· What role do women, female youth and elderly women play in the R&R process, what role do they want to play and whether and/or how do they participate in the R&R decision-making?

· How do women, female youth and elderly women define “meaningful participation,” and how they want/wish to participate in the R&R process? What spaces/resources, confidence-building, gender norm-changing, time commitments, etc. do they need for meaningful participation?

· What are the barriers and enabling factors for the participation of women, female youth and elderly women in the R&R process? Are they able to overcome these barriers? If so, how?

· How has conflict/displacement changed gender dynamics and gender norms, which may in itself be a barrier/enabler to women’s participation? How to enhance meaningful participation of women, female youth and elderly women in the R&R process? Who are the key influencers/ “champions” who can be leveraged to encourage women’s participation?

The research will examine the impact of R&R process on women and the extent to which women are involved in formal and informal levels of the R&R process. Further, it will respond to the research question on how to enhance women, female youth and elderly women’s meaningful participation in the R&R process and offer key recommendations to bridge any gap, as per the findings, from the viewpoint of women’s direct and meaningful participation. More specifically, the qualitative and quantitative study should allow for (but not limited to) improved understanding of:

· Sex- and age-disaggregated information about the participation of women, female youth and elderly women in decision making related to the R&R process;

· Access and participation of women, female youth and elderly women to/in formal and informal R&R structures and barriers and enablers to their direct and meaningful participation;

· The structures that women, female youth and elderly women are using to make decisions and who participates in decision-making spaces;

· The level of influence of women, female youth and elderly women on the decision-making bodies;

· Opportunities to foster the linkages of direct and meaningful participation of women, female youth and elderly women in the R&R process in Kachin, for the benefit of a gender-responsive R&R process.

The research will be carried out in selected areas and IDP camps based in both government and non-government-controlled areas (GCA and NGCA) in Kachin, prioritizing the returned, resettled or relocated camps as well as the ones that are underway or planned in the future. While Kachin state is one of the geographical focus areas under DPP, choosing the state for this research is primarily driven by the fact that the government and local humanitarian groups are currently focusing on helping IDPs in the State return to their villages, as outlined in the context above.

The research will entail primary data collection in the target areas selected by the research team in collaboration with Trócaire teams. The focus of the qualitative analysis will be on gender as a variable that interacts with other factors to determine the participation, role and influence of women in the R&R process. The research will rely on qualitative methodologies adapted to look into gender power relations, as well as on quantitative data whenever available. The research should also include 3 – 5 brief case studies to provide important data and illustrative examples of good practices or challenges/factors hindering women’s participation and decision-making in the R&R process (for e.g., in Nam San Yang or Chippwi Township, etc.). Based on clear rationale and transparent criteria, case studies should be drafted to leverage contextual knowledge, lessons learnt and practical realities on the ground. Furthermore, it will be imperative to engage key stakeholders in the process (but not limited to) such as, the Government line ministries, the National Reconciliation Peace Center (NRPC), Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (KHCC), Kachin Women’s Association (KWA), Joint Strategy Team (JST), Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG), Trócaire’s implementing partners especially women’s rights partners, DPP Consortium members, etc.

Trócaire believes that the full, equal and meaningful participation of diverse women in the R&R decision-making is critical and the momentum is apt for this study as the government and non-government stakeholders have identified villages for R&R, with consultations and assessments being underway, and some initial returns have already taken place in Kachin. Further reflection and analysis in this regard can help contribute to the development of a fresh and more nuanced understanding of internally displaced women’s experiences, role and participation in the R&R process, which is “crucial to advocate for substantive gender equality and create a gender-transformative process,” as recommended in the Life on Hold study.

RESEARCH PLAN AND SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY:

The research will include the following phases:

A. INCEPTION: Based on literature review, preparatory meetings, discussion with stakeholders etc., the research team will prepare a methodological proposal inclusive of:

1. Introduction

Research background

Brief literature review

Conceptual framework of gender in relation with R&R process

Research themes and questions

1. Research design and methodology

Selection of target areas in GCA and NGCA in Kachin

Qualitative approaches and methods

Questions for focus groups or informants

Informant selection

Quantitative data collection and methods

Questionnaires and guidelines

1. Data gathering processing and analysis (Consultant to propose the methodology/ tools for data analysis)

2. Risks and limitations, ethical approach and informed consent

3. Detailed work plan and Research Team composition and responsibilities

B. FIELDWORK*:* will be carried out in the different areas selected by the research team in collaboration with Trócaire’s Research Steering Group (RSG) and Research Programme Manager (PM). Trócaire’s country team in Myanmar will provide logistic support whenever possible. The research team will communicate preliminary results to Trócaire’s RSG and PM.

**Given the current movement restrictions, Trócaire will leverage its existing networks and partners in Kachin to collect and synthesize data. The Consultant may prioritize remote (phone-based or mobile) data collection wherever possible to limit the frequency, proximity, and quantity of person-to-person contact in order to protect everyone's health given COVID-19.

C. REPORT DRAFTING: A first draft should be sent for peer review to Trócaire’s RSG and PM as per the approved timeline. The final report based on the recommendations and inputs will be sent for final review and approval before the final document is produced.

A comprehensive 4-page summary of key-findings will be then produced.

Suggested methodologies:

· Desk review, literature analysis, secondary data collection

· Primary data collection based on quantitative and qualitative research methodologies adapted to the stakeholders (group discussions, KIIs, life stories, testimonies,) in selected target areas, with an intersectional focus on ethnicity, religion, cultural or other factors relevant for the analysis.

· Data should include as much as possible direct testimonies and stories collection as well as other participative research methodologies, including Trócaire’s ‘Listening through Story’ approach, which will be of particular relevance for drafting the case studies.

· Analysis of experiences and good practices, including testimonies and stories collection involving internally displaced women, humanitarian staff or other actors and stakeholders, from the earlier R&R processes.

AUDIENCE AND USE OF REPORT:

· This research will constitute the standpoint for specific response practices that draw on gender informed perspectives and will provide Trócaire with elements for improving short-term interventions as well as long-term response approaches both for programming and advocacy purposes. It will respond to the recommendations expressed in the ‘Life on Hold’ research and the recent Policy Paper ‘Listening to Women Peacebuilders’ that have underlined the necessity to involve internally displaced women in decision-making and planning for resettlement, return and rehabilitation and engender the R&R process.

· This research will inform initiatives of DPP Consortium and sub-grantees, specifically those who are working towards achieving DPP Specific Outcome One on Durable Solutions and Community Resilience and Specific Outcome Four on Gender Equality, by identifying and addressing gender issues and women’s direct participation in R&R decision-making, implementation, and monitoring, and in designing gender-inclusive R&R plans. Further, this research will contribute to Specific Outcome Three on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion as it will also delve into social cohesion/ peacebuilding elements of R&R from the perspective of women, female youth and elderly women.

· This research will broadly contribute to the public knowledge base on gender-informed Durable Solutions and stand as a reference to promote discussion on this issue among the government, civil society, political parties, ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), donors, UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners working in Kachin.

DELIVERABLES:

The overall objective of the research team will be to deliver a high quality and publishable report, but this project includes various deliverables:

· The inception plan to include desk study, literature review, research hypothesis draft, first stakeholders contacts, identification of target areas, methodology outline, matrix and questions drafting, timetable and work plan.

· Produce the first draft of the report and present them to Trócaire’s Research Steering Group.

· The final Research Report, which should include an executive summary and 3 – 5 case studies.

· A comprehensive 4-page Summary of key-findings.

· A clear and attractive Power Point Presentation (PPT) to present the main findings, conclusions and recommendations of the research report that can be used in different public arenas

· The main researcher (project lead) will be asked to make a comprehensive Public Presentation of the final report based on the PPT presentation to development and humanitarian stakeholders. Trócaire will be responsible to organise this event.

ETHICS AND RISKS:

· Conflict of interest should be disclosed.

· Interviews should be conducted with respect to gender and cultural sensitivity of the interviewees and based on a clear consent.

· Interviewees should be informed about the nature of the research, who is conducting it and for whom.

· Ethics and safety precautions should be taken to safeguard participants and enumerators from COVID-19 (i.e., social distancing measures, limiting the size of FGDs, mandatory mask wearing, sanitization of meeting spaces prior and after interviews/FGDs, etc.).

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT, TIMEFRAME AND BUDGET: **

The consultant(s) contracted to conduct this study will report to Trócaire’s Women and Peace Programme Manager on all aspects relating to the implementation of this study, except for those relating to the administration and payment of the contract. Besides, a research steering group, composed by Trócaire in-country, HQ experts and partners, will monitor and facilitate the research.

The duration of this assignment will not exceed four months (40-50 working days) allocated to the delivery of the TOR. The consultancy/consultancy firm will commence in January 2021 and expected to be finalised by April/May 2021.

The total budget for the research study should not exceed EURO 25,000.

The budget presented should cover all costs for the consultancy including transport, food and accommodation costs, fees, taxes or any other deductions made by the consultant and others who may be required in order to provide secretarial services.

The consultants contracted to conduct this assignment will be issued a short-term contract with Trócaire, according to Trócaire’s guidelines and rules regarding contracting.

The contract for this work will be paid in three instalments, as follows:

1. A first payment, equivalent to 20 percent of each of the consultants’ contract. Payment will be made upon presentation of the Inception Plan including research methodology and tools, and its approval by Trócaire Programme Manager and Research Steering Group (RSG).

2. A second payment, equivalent to another 30 percent of the consultants’ contract, to be made after the submission of a first draft of the report and its approval by Trócaire Programme Manager and RSG.

3. A third and final payment, equivalent to 50 percent of each consultant’s contract, to be made after the completion of the final report, 4-page summary, PPT and public presentation, and their approval by the Trocaire Programme Manager and RSG.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

· Master degree in political science or social science;

· At least 7-8 years of professional experience conducting similar research in developing or fragile contexts;

· Proven experience in designing and leading research studies, with strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies;

· Proven expertise in conducting gender analysis of processes in developing or fragile contexts;

· Specific expertise in women’s empowerment, women’s participation, durable solutions or return and resettlement process, etc.;

· Strong contextual knowledge of gender inequality and displacement issues in Kachin in Myanmar is preferred;

· Publications on topics relevant for this study would be highly desirable;

· Proven ability to write clear, jargon-free English;

· Proven ability to produce and communicate clear research reports, policy briefs and slide presentations;

· Experience in facilitating groups’ discussion in rural communities;

· Ability for fieldwork or remote management in hard-to-reach areas.

[1] IDP sites in Kachin and northern Shan states, As of 31 January 2020, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster, OCHA, MIMU

[2] Life on Hold - Experiences of women displaced by conflict in Kachin State, Myanmar, Trocaire & Oxfam, June 2017

[3] Displaced Women’s Experiences, Opportunities and Priorities in Kachin State, DPP Discussion Paper, April 2020

[4] Chipwi Township IDPs Leave Resettlement Site, Return to Camp, Kachin News Group (KNG), 27 Nov 2020

[5] This research will use United Nations’ definition of ‘youth’ as persons aged between 15 and 24 https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/youth-0/

[6] Listening to Women Peacebuilders – Perspectives on Women, Peace and Security from Kachin and northern Shan States, Myanmar, DPP Policy Paper, Oct 2020

[7]*Displaced Women’s Experiences, Opportunities and Priorities in Kachin State*, DPP Discussion Paper, April 2020

[8] UN Women defines ‘meaningful’ participation as “women not only be present, but that their concerns are heard and taken on board, they have the opportunity to articulate their contributions and expertise, to ensure that gender perspective and analyses inform and shape processes, and that outcomes benefit the whole of society.” However, this research study will ask internally displaced women, female youth and elderly women what ‘meaningful participation’ means to them and how they want/wish to participate.

[9] Such as, Return and Resettlement from a gender perspective in Myanmar, Alliance for Gender Inclusion in the Peace Process (AGIPP), Dec 2019.

APPLICATIONS:

Interested applicants are invited to apply for this consultancy by submitting:

• A cover letter, outlining interest and qualifications;
• A proposal and financial proposal answering to these terms of reference;
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae/Profile;
• A sample of written tools from similar assignments produced by the applicant;
• Two verifiable/ traceable referees.

The Consultant(s)/consultancy firm should specify in the technical proposal what methods they will use based on the guidelines provided in the scope of the assignment. This should ensure contextual knowledge and cultural sensitivity in the adaptation/development of the methodology over the remainder of the programme life cycle.

Applications can be submitted to the Human Resources electronically on hrmyanmar@trocaire.org, no later than 5 PM on 25 January 2020.

Only applications from shortlisted consultants will be acknowledged. Applications received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.

SAFEGUARDING:

Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding people within our programmes from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. All consultants working with Trócaire are required to complete a Self-Declaration Form and sign up to the Code of Behaviour contained in Trócaire’s Safeguarding Children