Background and context

Ethiopia has previously been an area of significant focus related to the advancement of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). However, since 2020 the policy and programming space around the CRRF in Ethiopia was severely affected by a series of internal and external shocks, including increasing instability and conflict, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, desert locust invasion, and drought in various areas of the country. These shocks served to significantly reduce momentum related to the CRRF, with focus shifting to emergency responses and away from long-term and protracted displacement issues.

Nonetheless, the Government of Ethiopia issued a series of directives related to the implementation of the revised Refugee Proclamation. There was also progress on CRR coordination and local planning through the government-led CRR structures in Somali Regional State. These developments helped to enable space, albeit minimal, for continued multi-stakeholder discussions at various levels.

Throughout this period, ReDSS has continued to promote a common research agenda, informed by the development of a refugee research synthesis report followed by a series of thematic seminars to share key research findings and stimulate discussion on their implications for policy and programing. ReDSS has also created space for informal coordination between refugee research actors in Ethiopia, so as to encourage greater synergies and complementarities in research works being planned and undertaken. Significant efforts have also been invested in engaging with relevant government actors, to determine what and how research can be used to help inform the development and implementation of refugee policy. To this end, ReDSS developed an Ethiopia refugee research database to support more evidence-based policymaking and programming in relation to working with refugees and hosting populations in Ethiopia.

It is with this as a background that ReDSS seeks to continue to advance a common research agenda in Ethiopia. In 2022, ReDSS intends to engage key groups of forced displacement stakeholders within Ethiopia to ensure that research continues to have the maximum impact on both policy and programming.

Consultancy purpose and objectives

ReDSS seeks to commission a consultant to:

ü Create and contribute to platforms for ReDSS members, UNHCR, government authorities, donors, and other key stakeholders within the Ethiopia refugee response to discuss and work towards a common understanding and collective approaches, including ways in which research can help provide lessons learned from past attempts to address forced displacement

ü Translate evidence from existing research into informing programing approaches and local planning processes related to priority thematic issues

ü Engage a wide range of research and academic actors to contribute towards a collaborative learning environment and research focused on addressing existing knowledge gaps

ü Document and share best practices to inform policy and programme operationalisation

ü Facilitate discussions and document learning targeting local actors, including displacement-affected communities, by providing fora for them to influence the research agenda and interact with research findings directly

Expected deliverables

· Within two weeks of the contract being signed, a work plan should be agreed with ReDSS and informed by discussions with key actors to guide delivery of the work.

· Engage with key stakeholders to support them in determining appropriate courses of actions within the refugee response, informed by past lessons and best practices.

· Develop and deliver a series of opportunities to share relevant key learning in both Addis Ababa and refugee-hosting regions in Ethiopia, over the course of the year. These opportunities may be in the form of in-person learning events and/or online webinars, depending on the context and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

· Produce several short written products to be developed over the course of the year on key thematic issues informed by ReDSS-facilitated events and wider discussions.

· Support the maintenance, update and promotion of the Ethiopia refugee research database, including opportunities to support government and key actors in ensuring the database is in alignment with broader priorities.

· Strengthen coordination among the Ethiopian refugee research practitioner community, identifying, creating and supporting efforts for joint dissemination of learning to inform programing and policy.

· Support UNHCR Ethiopia to reinitiate the establishment or/and convening of the Refugee Academic Network.

· Participation in wider dissemination events being run by ReDSS in the region to ensure that learning from Ethiopia contributes and informs regional learning, as well as to explore regional implications of the current situation in Ethiopia.

· Support ReDSS in writing performance reports on relevant tasks.

ReDSS Responsibilities

ReDSS will provide the following to the consultant:

· Provide relevant background information and contact numbers for relevant stakeholders;

· Arrange for accommodation and transportation of the consultant in field locations;

· Arrange other logistics such as venues for planned research seminars and discussions;

· Actively support and contribute to the work of the consultant throughout the period of assignment

The consultant will receive full reimbursement for monies spent on meals and communication while in the field, upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission of original receipts. The terms and conditions of service will follow DRC terms of consultancies. Payment will be made in instalments according to the finance procedures of DRC.

Reporting Arrangements

The consultant will report to the ReDSS Ethiopia Manager and be guided by a core group of key actors made up of representatives from ReDSS member organizations, UNHCR, ARRA, World Bank and other technical experts.

Duration of Assignment

The consultancy will be conducted between January and July 2022 with a minimum of 80 days.

Expected Profile of Consultant

· Advanced University degree in social studies, political science, international relations or relevant field of study

· Minimum 10 years’ proven experience in conducting similar assignments

· Demonstrable experience related to forced displacement and durable solutions, with research and programming experience an added advantage

· Strong knowledge of Ethiopia and the region and the socio-economic and political dynamics affecting it; more specifically on displacement trends within Ethiopia and the Horn

· Strong analytical and writing skills with proven experience in producing high quality research with ability to present complex information in a simple and accessible manner

· Proven ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder discussions on complex and sensitive issues to promote a common approach

· Fluency in written and spoken English

Terms & Conditions

The consultant should be willing to conduct field visits within agreed upon locations, including refugee-hosting regions within Ethiopia. The consultant may have his/her own team to work with who will entirely be under the jurisdiction of the consultant and at no time will DRC be held responsible for them.