Request for Proposal (RFP)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for Consultancy Firm to conduct an Assessment of disaster and displacement data collection and information management capacity of Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief as per below Terms of Reference (ToR):

1. Background/Context of the programme:

Every year, sudden and slow onset natural hazards lead to forced displacement across Bangladesh, in many cases evolving into situations of protracted displacement. It is the poorest and most marginalized who are at the highest risk of displacement and, once it occurs, their vulnerability often increases. Relief efforts are usually targeted at the immediate needs of affected populations, offering important short-term solutions, but making little effort to link in a coordinated manner with multi-faceted services and longer-term recovery programming. In Bangladesh, it is estimated that 4,086,000 displacements occurred and 88,000 individuals remain displaced in 2019 alone1.

Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief (MoDMR) & International Organization for Migration are leading a displacement management cluster which aims for ensuring access to coordinated and effective multi-sectoral assistance and protection for displaced populations in collective centers and other communal settings, and to make all efforts to support actualization of durable solutions. Though disaster related data is collected by both government and other humanitarian stakeholders, there is a lack of centralize displacement related data in the country. Displacement arising from disasters are not tracked frequently along with the needs and concern of the affected population which change over the period of their displacement. Without such data, an effective response cannot be crafted to aid the people requiring assistance. The data also needs to flow from field level to decision makers, humanitarian community and development partners in a timely fashion and in a form that is understandable by the stakeholders to inform resource allocation. Information management plays a crucial role in converting data to materials which is understandable by relevant stakeholders. IOM plans to assess the current data and information management eco-system revolving around displacement.  

Based the assessments, recommendations need to be made, which will form the basis of tools, methodologies and systems which will be piloted in a selected number of Upazilas or unions.

2. Objectives:

IOM, under the project “Enhancing preparedness levels and responding to disaster-related displacement in Bangladesh”, aims to contribute to in increased capacity of government and other stakeholders in managing displacement through improved data collection and information management systems.

3. Scope of work:

Under the guidance of IOM technical team and jointly with MoDMR:

  • Review what displacement related data is collected, how it is collected, by whom it is collected, when and how frequently it is collected.
  • Explore the functionality of DMIC (Disaster Management Information Center) and DMIC’s span of coverage for displacement related data.
  • Identify the gaps, including error margins, in data collection process in terms depth, coverage and timing.
  • Assess the capacity of stakeholders responsible for collection of data.
  • Examine how the data and information flows from field level to central level.
  • Provide concrete recommendations to improve data collection system.
  • Design a new data collection system utilizing technological advancements and best practices in the area of disaster related data.
  • Identifying the way of involvement of Union Digital Center (UDC), Project Implementation Office (PIO) & DMIC at upazila level and District Relief and Rehabilitation Office (DRRO) in data collection system
  • Review the existing information management system of MoDMR at both Dhaka (central level) and three selected districts (decentralized level), which will include field visits to the selected districts.
  • Examine data bases held by either social services or the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to identify complementarity between displacement data and existing data bases.
  • Explore options of new data sources like data residing with telecom operators.
  • Identify gaps of the existing system.  
  • Assess information management capacity of MoDMR in terms of infrastructure and human resources.
  • Provide concrete recommendations to improve information management, including human and technical capacities.
  • Design a new information management system and linking with National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC)
  • Apply data protection principles in all of the above-mentioned points.
  • Present findings/report in various workshops and seminars.

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 Focus Group Discussions/Key informants’ interviews (with representatives from the government at central and field level; other UN agencies engaged in humanitarian response, CSOs/I/NGOs, Academicians, disaster affected community) following the SOD 2019.
  2. Secondary information: Review of national policies/strategies, DMIC procedure of DDM, media monitoring, relevant publications, good practices of disaster related data collection.
  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
  • Draft study report
  • Conduct consultation and stock taking workshops in Dhaka (1) and selected district (1)
  • Conducting a national level validation workshop (on-line/offline) with DRR stakeholders as per SOD-2019
  • Final study report incorporating validation workshop and IOM’s feedback

6. Duration/ Timeline:

The total duration for this assignment is proposed to be approximately 4 months. Applicants are requested to provide a detailed workplan in their technical proposal.

7. Method of Application:

The completed proposals (separate files for technical and financial proposal) should be emailed to farkhan@iom.int ; CC: mruahmed@iom.int & faahmed@iom.int; with the subject line RFP:DR/CO/2020/011: “Assessment of disaster and displacement data collection and information management capacity of Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief” by 27th September 2020 . Please keep the attachment size under 9 MB.

For any clarification, please contact Mr. Ashfaqur Rahman Khan; Email: arkhan@iom.int ;

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; field visits

9. Professional and Related Experiences:

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

  • Must be an expert in disaster and displacement field 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.
  • Knowledge and experience of working with disaster and displacement related data are required.
  • Sound knowledge and demonstrated experiences on national and international tools related to the study
  • 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.

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.


1 Figure from Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, accessible at https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/bangladesh

IOM is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.
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