Consultant for a study on “Optimising African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development”

Terms of Reference for a study

“Optimising African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development”

1. Context

ADEPT, the Africa-Europe Diaspora Development Platform, brings together Europe-based African diaspora organisations and individuals implementing development projects in Africa as well as diversity and integration-related actions in Europe. ADEPT’s mission is to amplify their influence and impact on both continents. Run as a project from 2011 to 2017 and registered under Belgian law as an AISBL – Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif– since 2017, ADEPT is 51-member strong and has a network of several hundred organisations and individuals. ADEPT’s members contribute to Africa’s development through their engagement in a wide array of sectors including entrepreneurship, gender equality, water and sanitation, and agriculture. This engagement is also characterized by interventions at multiple levels, notably at sub-nationalscale (local, state and regional) with local actors. Diaspora organisations can have a major impact at local scale through various types of contributions, be they financial or not. These range from remittances to knowledge or technology transfers through to socioeconomic projects such as the electrification of rural areas, the building of education and health facilities, and water supply among others. Sound collaborations and ideally partnerships with local authorities – in residence and origin countries – appear therefore to be conducive to boosting the relevance and effectiveness of diaspora organisations’ actions in local development. This is all the more relevant that the significant role played by local authorities in development in general and in the nexus between migration and development more specifically has been recognised and enshrined in European texts and international agreements. This is the case of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration4 and more recently of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument proposed by the European Commission. Being critical to enhancing local governance, implementing local democracy and ensuring proper delivery of public services, local authorities prove to be the cornerstones of Africa’s development at local level. This not only calls for continuous and structured dialogues between local authorities and diaspora organisations but also for the latter’s increased participation in multi-stakeholder endeavours involving multilateral organisations, bilateral agencies, local authorities and civil society organisations as well as the private sector where relevant.

2. Study’s objectives and Research questions

- General objective

ADEPT is seeking the assistance of an experienced consultant(s) to research African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development. This study aims to inform policies, programmes and practices with a view to optimising African Diaspora Development Organisations (ADDOs) engagement in local development in Africa and thereby their impact. It is intended for African diaspora organisations conducting development activities in Africa, local authorities and civil society organisations, policymakers, implementing agencies and other relevant development actors (e.g. private sector and foundations). 

Specific objectives

This study aims to

▪ Improve the understanding of African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development in Africa, in particular its specificities.

▪ Explore modalities for more effective, efficient and sustainable ADDOs engagement in local development on the African continent.

▪ Ascertain the role ADDOs can play to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable local development.

Research questions

In order to support the above objectives, the study will set out to answer the following research questions:

▪ What are the various types/modalities of African diaspora’s contributions to local development and of collaborations with local authorities? How do African diaspora organisations mobilize financial resources dedicated to local development?

▪ How can local and national authorities better harness African diaspora’s social, human and financial capital for local socioeconomic development? ▪ What are African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development constraining and enabling factors? ▪ What is the added value of African diaspora organisation’s engagement in local development as compared to other development actors (including local NGOs)?

▪ How to ensure proper mainstreaming of migration in local development?

▪ How can ADDOs help mainstream gender (gender equality/women empowerment) and youth in local development?

▪ Have ADDOs a role to play as decentralized cooperation enablers (by facilitating twinning between towns of residence and origin for instance)? Can a triangular cooperation involving African and European local authorities and ADDOs be considered? If yes, what would be the benefits?

▪ How can ADDOs contribute to the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or to the attainment of localised SDGs? For all the questions, differentiation between ADDOs with a local representation or branch and ADDOs without one will be necessary. 

3. Scope of the Consultancy/Major responsibilities

The main tasks will include:

▪ Gathering information and review relevant documents and literature about migration and development as well as diaspora engagement in local development.

▪ Drafting questions for the survey and the interviews and identifying key respondents and contributors to the study.

▪ Conducting surveys and interviews (individual and/or focus groups) of relevant stakeholders: o ADEPT members and networkers o International and bilateral donors’ representatives (e.g. GIZ, IOM, SDC, AFD, European Commission) o Local authorities in residence and origin countries, including representatives of United Cities and Local governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). o Local and national civil society organisations from developing countries (e.g. NEAR)

▪ Producing 8 case studies on African diaspora organisations’ engagement in local development. While the case studies must primarily cover ADEPT members and networkers interventions, a minority of cases can examine actions/projects of other African diaspora organisations (e.g. Sunugal). The cases will have to be as diverse as possible in terms of geographic areas, sectors and modalities of intervention.

▪ Defining the profiles of the ADDOs engaged in local development

▪ Formulating conclusions and a set of targeted recommendations for the ADDOs, local and national authorities and other development actors (international organisations, bilateral donors, local NGOs) as well as cross-cutting recommendations. Good practices and improvement measures will have to be identified.

▪ Writing up reports (draft and final documents).

4. Deliverables

The following deliverables will have to be submitted:

▪ A draft report in English with key findings from the literature review, survey, interviews and case studies. A validation meeting will be organised by ADEPT in order to discuss the draft report with ADEPT representatives.

▪ Final report in English and French including the case studies, findings and recommendations, as well as a bibliography and reflecting the comments and suggestions made on the draft report. The study’s results will be presented during a restitution meeting or a webinar organised by ADEPT.

5. Timeline

Indicative start date: Early June 2021 Indicative end date: End-September 2021

6. Supervision and Guidance

The Consultant(s) is/are expected to be self-motivated and able to work independently. S/he/They will be supervised and supported by a “study taskforce” that will provide a general induction to ADEPT’s work (e.g. relevant background documents) and facilitate contacts with key stakeholders such as the ADDOs.

7. Terms and conditions

The maximum budget is 15.000 euros VAT included. This amount includes expert fees, equipment and communication costs necessary to carry out the assignment. Three separate instalments will be paid on the following schedule:

▪ Upon signature of the contract (30%)

▪ Upon approval of the draft report (35%)

▪ Upon approval of the final report (35%)

8. Qualifications & Experience

Essential

▪ An advanced degree in International development, International relations, Migration studies or any related fields.

▪ At least 5 years of experience in development cooperation and migration.

▪ Specific knowledge of the nexus migration and development is a strong asset.

▪ Advanced knowledge and competencies in development cooperation and migration research

▪ Professional proficiency in English and French

▪ Very good writing skills

9. How to Apply

The application should include:

▪ A CV

▪ A letter of interest of no more than 1000 words indicating why the interested candidate is suitable for the assignment in terms of background and experience.

▪ A description of the planned methodology, work plan and timetable to conduct the assignment

▪ A link to at least two online reports or soft copies of at least two reports produced. 

10. Deadline for applications

All applications and any questions must be sent to director@adept-platform.org by 18 May 2021