Request for Proposal (RFP)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for Consultancy Firm to conduct a Scoping study on potential international labour migration and livelihood opportunities for small ethnic communities in Bangladesh as per below Terms of Reference (ToR):

1. Background/Context of the programme:

Low economic opportunities, specific geographic locations, exclusion, deprivation and dispossession of lands are the main drivers of poverty among the small ethnic groups in Bangladesh. The largest concentration of ethnic groups in Bangladesh is in the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region namely, Khagrachari Hill District, Rangamati Hill District, and Bandaraban Hill District. The other districts where small ethnic communities can be found are Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattogram and Sylhet.

The three districts of CHT are amongst the most undeveloped districts of Bangladesh. In rural CHT poverty is about 1.6 times higher than other parts of rural Bangladesh and is the most socially deprived region in Bangladesh. Among ten plain land small ethnic communities in Sylhet and Mymensingh, 60% of the small ethnic communities were extremely poor compared to only 39.5% of rural Bengalis.  

As per the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the highest source of income of mountainous people around the world is through remittances (Kiran Hunzai, 2010, Labour Migration and Remittances in the Mountains of Pakistan). However, in case of CHT, the rate of overseas employment of men and women from the CHT districts was merely 0.19% in 2018 (BMET database 2018). The main reason is thought to be lack of information regarding labour migration to foreign countries (such as availability of employment opportunities in destination countries, documentation processes and recruitment processes) and lack of social network which work as one of the drivers of migration in Bangladesh.

IOM intends to conduct a comprehensive scoping study in the CHT and other small ethnic community pockets in Bangladesh to support GoB to explore the migration opportunities for the small ethnic communities. The study will be participatory in nature and will result in a comprehensive evidence-based strategy for labour migration and social cohesion for small ethnic communities in Bangladesh . At every stage of the project key stakeholders such as GoB officials, representatives of small ethnic communities, CHT council members and CSOs representative working on small ethnic communities will be consulted so that the strategy remains grounded to the actual needs of the small ethnic communities.

2. Objectives:

IOM, under the project “Migration, Livelihood and Social Cohesion Strategy for Small Ethnic Groups in Bangladesh”, aims to contribute to diversification of livelihood opportunities and social cohesion efforts of GoB for men and women in the selected district of ethnic minority groups in Bangladesh. The specific objective of the assignment is to conduct a study to address the existing knowledge gap.

3. Scope of work:

  • Conduct a scoping study on potential international labour migration and livelihood opportunities for small ethnic groups in Bangladesh through FDGs, interviews and consultations.  
  • The study will need to contain a detailed occupational and skill profile of the ethnic communities, particularly women in the working age group, their aspirations and existing capital base (economic, social and political).
  • The study will need to capture the choice of overseas employment opportunities in terms of trade and sectors along with the social enablers or disablers that affect the livelihood options home and abroad of the small ethnic communities living in CHT and other pockets in Bangladesh.
  • Map existing supply of skill development initiatives, types of skill development interventions, institutions providing such training and other livelihood interventions in CHT and geographical pockets where ethnic groups are present.
  • Develop concrete recommendations for migration, livelihood and social cohesion opportunities.
  • In coordination with IOM and local advocacy partner, provide logistical and technical support to organize validation workshops and present study findings in four selected districts, including Dhaka, CHT and selected ethnic community pocket.
  • Assist in forming a technical working group comprising of technical experts from the UN, CSOs, and academia including the GOB representative to formulate a strategy.
  • In coordination with IOM and local advocacy partner, provide logistical and technical support to organize to hold consultation workshops in four selected districts to draft the strategy.
  • In coordination with IOM and local advocacy partner, provide logistical and technical support to organize validation workshops (in four districts) on the strategy.
  • Support and present findings/report in organizing national migration and livelihood strategy dissemination workshop with relevant stakeholders.

4. Methodology:

The consultancy firm needs to detail out methodology for the proposed activities however, the following can be considered: 

  1. Primary Information: Information collected through survey having a representative sample spanning over CHT and other pockets, Focus Group Discussions/Key informants’ interviews (with representatives from the government; private recruitment agencies, CSOs/NGOs, migrant’s association)
  2. Secondary information: Review of national policies/strategies, media monitoring, relevant publications, good practices of ethnic communities from mountainous areas in the region.
  3. All work submitted must be in line with IOM spelling list: 2019 and IOM House Style Manual 2019.

5. Deliverables:

  • Inception Report with final methodology, workplan
  • Tools for data collection
  • Brief workshop report
  • Draft study report
  • Final study report incorporating IOM’s feedback
  • Policy Brief
  • Draft Strategy
  • Final strategy incorporating IOM’s feedback

6. Duration/ Timeline:

The total duration for this assignment is proposed to be approximately 12 months. Applicants are requested to provide a detailed workplan in their technical proposal.

7. Method of Application:

Interested Organizations are invited to submit Technical and Financial Proposal separately in pdf format; email to faahmed@iom.int by January 27, 2019. The attachment size should be less than 10 MB. Please mention the reference code LM/CO-883/2019/001: RFP: Scoping study on potential international labour migration and livelihood opportunities for small ethnic communities in Bangladesh in the subject line of the email.

8. Required Documents:

Consultancy Firm need to submit technical and financial proposal.

Each Submission Must Include the Following:

  • Consultancy Firm: 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 or USD currency per day;
    2. Variable costs inclusive of transportation costs, printing of study tools; research team (if applicable); meeting/FGDs/KIIs/consultation costs

9. Professional and Related Experiences:

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

  • Must be 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;
  • Sound knowledge and demonstrated capacity in designing the tools and methodology and conducting research.
  • Experience of working in CHT will be an added advantage.
  • Understanding about migration and trafficking sector of Bangladesh.
  • 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.

The Proposal should be written in English.

 

If you have any query, please contact with Mr. Syed Shahrear Shabab; email: ssshabab@iom.int

 

Any attempt for persuasion will be considered as a disqualification

ONLY SHORT LISTED 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.