Request for Proposal (RFP)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for a qualified Consultant or a Consultancy Firm to “Strengthen Mechanism for Crisis Response” as per below Terms of Reference (ToR):

1. Background:

Crises whether it is natural or man-made, are a growing challenge for States and the international community. The human mobility dimension of humanitarian crises are becoming more relevant, as crises produce increasingly complex and often large-scale migration flows and mobility patterns, which typically expose affected populations to significant vulnerabilities and generate serious and longer-term migration management challenges. Too often, however, the human mobility dimensions of a crisis are overlooked in the response strategies.

When conflicts or natural disasters erupt, they can disproportionately affect migrants living, working, or transiting in the country experiencing the crisis. The earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan (2011), the floods in Thailand (2011), hurricane Sandy in the United States (2012), and the outbreak of conflicts in the Central African Republic and in Yemen in recent years are but a few examples of crises in which migrants were among those seriously affected. Language barriers, restrictions on mobility, irregular immigration status, confiscated or lost identity or travel documents, limited social networks, isolation, and increased vulnerabilities are some of the factors that hinder the ability of migrants to access protection or otherwise ensure their own safety and wellbeing. Past experiences show that migrants often fall through the cracks of emergency preparedness, relief and recovery systems. Host-State actors do not always readily identify or understand migrants’ unique needs. Traditional humanitarian responses have not consistently provided migrants with effective access to help. Little guidance exists to clearly identify specific roles and responsibilities of States and other key actors to protect migrants in countries experiencing conflicts or natural disasters.

To respond to this situation, IOM globally has rolled up two tools: Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF) and Migrants in Countries in Crisis initiative (MICIC). The MCOF is a practical, operational and institution-wide tool to improve and systematize the way in which IOM supports its Member States and partners to better prepare for and respond to migration crises. The scope of the MICIC Initiative is limited to migrants caught in countries experiencing specific types of crises such as conflicts/civil unrest and natural disasters. The initiative encompasses all migrants/non-citizens, with or without legal status, who are present in a country temporarily or permanently at the time a crisis ensues.

IOM Bangladesh aims to adopt and apply these global level tools into national context. This activity will produce a set of guidelines and principles which define the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders vis-à-vis migrants facing emergencies in their host countries abroad. In addition, it will compile good practices and action in preparing for, responding to, and addressing longer-term consequences of such situations.

Bangladesh has experienced several crisis situations which have directly affected migrant population: Persian Gulf Crisis in 1990 which led to 63,000 Bangladeshis repatriated, Libya crisis in 2011 leading to 36,000 Bangladeshis repatriated. Government of Bangladesh has established structure – i.e. the Migration Crisis Observational Committee (MCOC)¹ – to respond to the needs of Bangladeshi migrants during emergencies. However, the structure has scope to be further institutionalized to function more effectively in times of crisis. Needless to say, support and assistance by foreign services and other relevant institutions is essential to guaranteeing the protection and safety of nationals in crises areas. Improving these institutions’ preparedness to crises is essential to ensure that they can cope with the intense demand of assistance by their nationals abroad. Thus, a coherent and well laid out framework is very critical to adequately guide Bangladesh government interventions during crisis.  .  

The Bangladesh Crisis Operational Framework needs to take into consideration Bangladeshi citizens working abroad including their families, international students, business travelers, tourists and so irrespective of their status in host countries. The framework and the plans need to consider different phases of crisis (pre-crisis, during crisis and post crisis), sectors of assistance (shelter, food, protection, health, transportation, transition, recovery and so on, linkage to existing mechanism and plans, partnership and coordination among relevant stakeholders and practices/actions to achieve the objectives while adhering to MICIC principles and guidelines.

2. IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing:

Bangladesh: Sustainable Reintegration and Improved Migration Governance, (Prottasha), implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union (EU). The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable reintegration of returnees and the Progressive achievement of Goal 10.7 to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed policies.

The specific objectives (SO)of the project are to ensure that;

• SO 1: Irregular migrants returning to Bangladesh are sustainably reintegrated (Reintegration component)
• SO2: The capacities of the Government of Bangladesh and other migration actors are strengthened to manage migration at central and local levels and to ensure reintegration of irregular migrants (Migration Governance component)

3. Objectives:

The framework should aim to reduce migrant-specific vulnerabilities to different emergency situations in their country of destination through improved capacities of authorities in home and host countries, improved coordination and awareness of relevant stakeholders at all levels

4. Key Tasks of the Consultancy:

• Assess the crisis response measures both in Bangladesh, and in key five destination countries where Bangladeshi workers are present in large numbers. The assessment should touch upon the existing crisis response institutional structures, coordination mechanisms, legal and policy framework, plans for relevance, appropriateness including implementation of the same; coordination mechanism, capacities to respond and support migrants, crisis preparedness, among others.
• Based on the assessment above, suggest concrete recommendations to address crisis through a comprehensive Bangladesh Crisis Operational Framework and plans selected 5 countries where Bangladeshi migrants are present in large number.
• Conduct National Stakeholder sharing and validation workshop to present the findings in a high level national consultation.
• Finalize and submit all the documents and reports based on comments/ feedback from stakeholders and the implementing agencies.
• Based on the 5 crisis response plans and Bangladesh Crisis Operational Framework, and IOM MICIC global training tools, develop training module and participants handouts for training relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct an orientation session to share and test the training materials.
• Finalize the training material and handout for the participants based on the feedback from the consultations and IOM. The consultant would need to facilitate one training for the labour welfare officials during the training organized by Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE).

5. Deliverables:

The following are the expected deliverables;

1. Inception Report containing final methodology and workplan.
2. Bangladesh Crisis Operational Framework and 5 crisis response plans.
3. Training Module and handout for participants finalized based on the testing
4. One session conducted for the participants based on the module and materials

6. Methodology:

The consultant need to detail out methodology for the proposed activities however, the following can be considered: 

• The task should then entail comprehensive review of relevant literature, primary and secondary data collection including consultations with relevant stakeholders and have scope to visit selected countries out of the 5 prioritized ones

2. All work submitted must be in line with the programme communication guidelines including IOM spelling list: 2013, IOM House Style Manual and IOM Brand Guidelines 2018.

7. Duration/ Timeline:

The total duration for this assignment is proposed to be approximately 8 months.

8. Method of Application:

Interested Consultants are invited to submit documents stated in section 9  by 5 July, 2018 through e-mail to: faahmed@iom.int;  mentioning the RT/CO-306/010 in subject line.  Please keep the attachment size under 5 MB.
For any queries please write to: DhakaProttasha@iom.int and DhakaPL@iom.int.

9. Required Documents:

Consultancy Firm/Individual consultant need to submit technical and financial proposal.

Each Submission Must Include the Following:

• Consultancy Firm/Consultant Profile: A brief summary of the organization and CV of the expert including records on past experience in similar assignments and name of the references.
• Technical Proposal with detailed methodology, tools and work plan along with samples of previous work;
• Financial Proposal listing all costs associated with the assignment. In particular, the financial proposal should itemize the following:

1. Consultancy fees in local currency per day;
2. Variable costs inclusive of transportation costs, printing of study tools; research team (if applicable); meetings/FGDs/KIIs costs
3. Costs associated with visit in selected countries and ation event (venue, food and others) held in Dhaka will be borne by IOM.

10. Professional and Related Experiences:

The proposed team from the consultancy firms or the consultants should have following competence.

• Must be led by an expert who has completed minimum Master’s degree in Social Sciences or related field with at least five years of relevant professional experience. PhD is an added advantage;
• Solid understanding about human mobility issues and migration sector of Bangladesh.
• Understanding of process, procedures, actors involved during crisis situation in destination country. 
• Experience of working in crisis situation and familiarity with MICIC initiative is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to draw lessons from relevant international, regional and national practices and processes;
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in English and good analytical, drafting skills.
• Ability to deliver according to specified timeline while maintain quality of the output.
• Former labour attaches and foreign service officials are encouraged to apply.

The Proposal should be written in English.

Any attempt for persuasion will be considered as a disqualification

ONLY SHORT LISTED CONSULTANTS/CONSULTANCY FIRMS WILL BE ASSESSED

ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TAX OR VAT ISSUES IF APPLICABLE.

IOM is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.
IOM Offices and vehicles have smoke-free work environment.