Organizational Context, and Overview
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia supports thirty-eight (38) National Societies in Asia Pacific. The Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) Bangkok covers four countries namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam and reports to the Asia Pacific Regional Office. The CCD Bangkok also provides secretariat support to the Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Networks and represents IFRC with the United Nations ESCAP and other regional organizations based in Bangkok.
Overview
Migration and displacement within, from and to Cambodia is linked to a diverse range of complex drivers, and in many cases results in critical humanitarian needs.
The Cambodia Red Cross (CRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (“the Movement”), are committed to protect and assist individuals and communities affected by migration and displacement. The IFRC Global Strategy on Migration 2018-2022 commits the IFRC and all 192 National Societies to achieve the collective target of “75% of National Societies undertaking assessments of need and integrate migration into their strategic planning.” In line with this target, CRC will undertake an assessment to better understand and respond to humanitarian needs related to Migration and Displacement in the context of Cambodia.
Background, Cambodia Red Cross’ initiatives on Migration, and Displacement
Background
CRC was established in 1955 and aims to contribute to poverty reduction, promote human dignity, and protect the humanitarian values of vulnerable people. As a National Society and a leading humanitarian organisation in Cambodia, CRC assists vulnerable people through the provision of disaster management and health care interventions in the community. CRC is officially recognised as an independent voluntary aid society by the Royal Government and serves as an auxiliary to the public authorities.
CRC is currently implementing its Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2025 through sectoral programmes covering Disaster Management, Livelihoods, Health, WASH and Shelter. CRC is also committed to strengthening its internal capacity to respond to humanitarian needs in the context of Migration and Displacement. As such, CRC has requested technical support from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to undertake a national-level assessment on Migration and Displacement, and the IFRC has made funding and technical resources available to undertake this work.
Cambodia Red Cross’ initiatives on Migration and Displacement
CRC started its migration-related activities in March 1989 when it supported ICRC with tracing family members separated due to past conflicts, and today CRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters and/or migration. CRC has a network of volunteers and staff throughout the country, operating at the local level. CRC disseminates information about “safe migration” to prospective migrants and their families through community outreach activities. Through branches located along the border with Thailand, CRC provides humanitarian services to returning migrants including food, water, first aid and phone calls. At times, CRC volunteers accompany returning migrant workers back to their home village or place of origin. As part of a wider programme of collecting and delivering Red Cross Messages, CRC works with the ICRC to facilitate communication between detainees (including migrants) and their families.
In partnership with sister Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, CRC has undertaken other migration-related initiatives for example the project on ‘Cross-border Cooperation for Migrants Living with HIV/AIDS’ implemented by CRC, Lao Red Cross and Thai Red Cross Society (with support from the Italian Red Cross and IFRC) from 2018 to 2020. A similar initiative will be jointly implemented by CRC and the Lao Red Cross starting in May 2023, still with support from the Italian Red Cross.
Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy, and Project objectives
Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy
(IFRC’s Strategy 2030)
The IFRC Global Strategy on Migration 2018-2022 commits the IFRC and all 192 National Societies to achieve the collective target of “75% of National Societies undertaking assessments of need and integrate migration into their strategic planning.” In line with this target, CRC will undertake an assessment to better understand and respond to humanitarian needs related to Migration and Displacement in the context of Cambodia.
IFRC wishes to engage a consultant to lead a research project to explore the humanitarian consequences of migration and displacement in, from and to Cambodia, including the longstanding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Cambodian migrants. The consultant should be physically present in Cambodia during the consultancy period.
Project objectives
The main objectives are to:
- Understand the consequences of and humanitarian needs related to migration and displacement to, in and from Cambodia
- Understand who the key stakeholders are in Cambodia, and what their respective roles and responsibilities are, including any gaps
- Reflect on previous and current CRC activities related to Migration and Displacement
- Identify opportunities for CRC to further strengthen its role as an auxiliary to their public authorities in the humanitarian field, related to Migration and Displacement
- Identify how Movement partners can support CRC to strengthen internal capacity to assist, protect and advocate for everyone impacted by migration e.g. migrants, displaced people and host communities.
Desired outcomes, Consultancy outputs
Desired outcomes
The Assessment findings will enable CRC to better understand the dynamics, stakeholders and humanitarian needs related to migration and displacement in Cambodia. It will also enable CRC to make informed decisions about operations and programming that could be undertaken to support migrants and displaced people, aligned with the strategy and capacity of CRC.
Consultancy outputs
The research should provide:
- A summary of the main Migration and Displacement trends and dynamics related to Cambodia, and associated humanitarian consequences, with a focus on significant places of origin for Cambodian migrants
- An analysis of the relevant national and international legal and policy frameworks in relation to Cambodia.
- Analysis of key stakeholders related to migration and displacement
- An analysis of the structure and role of CRC at different levels (national, provincial, district, commune and village), and review of activities related to Migration and Displacement at each level.
- Recommendations for action by CRC and Movement partners, including opportunities for humanitarian diplomacy in favour of migrants and displaced people.
Method of delivery and reasons for selecting that method
Methodology
The Assessment will be led by a consultant in close coordination with the CRC Migration focal point and other key colleagues and will be conducted through desk-based research using secondary sources of data. Some focused group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders will be necessary at both the provincial and national levels.
The final research plan will be agreed with CRC through a Consultative workshop to agree on the scope and methodology for the assessment, and based on the following proposal:
- In-country interviews with Movement partners, including CRC staff from provincial branches, IFRC country cluster delegation (CCD) in Bangkok, ICRC, and other National Societies as relevant e.g. current and previous in-country Partner National Societies as well as those with an interest in Cambodia.
- In-country interviews with identified external partners, Government focal points, NGOs, UN agencies, academia and others
- Primary data collection through focus group discussions as needed
- Analysis of information collected
- Key findings to be discussed and validated in a meeting with CRC leadership, heads of key departments, Movement partners and other invited participants as appropriate, to develop recommendations for further action, prior to finalisation of the Assessment report.
Support to be provided to the consultant
Support to be provided to the consultant
Technical support will be provided by the IFRC Regional Migration and Displacement team in APRO.
Administrative and logistical support will be provided by the IFRC Bangkok CCD in coordination with CRC.
The CRC Migration focal point and other key colleagues will be regularly consulted for technical review and inputs to the project deliverables.
Schedule for payment of fees, Deliverables, Time Allocation, for budget purposes, and Management of consultancy
Schedule for payment of fees
(Indicate deliverables and timeframe, e.g. milestones, reporting deadlines, etc.)
Deliverables
- Inception plan (5 pages): A brief inception plan outlining methodology and key timings to complete ‘deliverable’ 2 & 3 below. It will describe key stakeholder groups and include an indicative list of key informants to provide relevant context and inputs to Assessment. The Plan will be presented to IFRC and CRC for feedback during an inception meeting to agree on the scope and methodology of the Assessment.
- Final Report (30-40 pages): A finalised reader-friendly written report in the form of a practical action paper (in English), integrating information on the roles and activities of key stakeholders, and recommendations for potential action by CRC based on capacity, and including a full bibliography of references. Matrices, charts or diagrams may be used.
- Executive Summary of the Assessment report (3-5 pages): Highlighting key findings and recommendations for immediate, mid-term and longer-term action.
The final report and Executive Summary will be submitted to CRC leadership, Head of IFRC country cluster delegation (CCD) in Bangkok, and IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office, no later than 4 months following the initiation of the contract.
This project will be undertaken over a timeframe of 30 days within a 4-month period, and to commence as soon as possible.
Milestones and reporting deadlines: to be discussed and agreed with the consultant during the inception workshop.
Schedule for payment of fees: 20% of the fee will be paid upon inception plan, 60% on submission of a draft, and 20% at the end of contract and completion of all deliverables.
Time Allocation, for budget purposes
This project will be undertaken over a timeframe of 30 days within a 4-month period, and to commence as soon as possible.
Management of consultancy
An Assessment Supervisory Group will be established comprising the CRC Migration focal point, IFRC CCD Programme Coordinator, and the IFRC Regional Migration and Displacement Senior Officer.
The consultant will report directly to the IFRC Bangkok CCD Programme Coordinator, with technical support provided by the IFRC Regional Migration and Displacement team.
Administrative and logistical support will be provided by the IFRC Bangkok CCD in coordination with CRC.
The CRC Migration focal point and other key colleagues will be regularly consulted for technical review and inputs to the project deliverables
Management of consultancy, Ethical Considerations, Desired Qualifications and Expertise, Expressions of Interest
Ethical Considerations
The Consultant shall adhere to ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects, including obtaining free, prior and informed consent, protecting the confidentiality and anonymity of participants, and ensuring that the safety, security and wellbeing of participants are not jeopardised by their involvement in the assessment
Desired Qualifications and Expertise
- Demonstrated professional experience in migration, displacement, human rights and protection issues, with familiarity with migration and displacement trends and dynamics in Cambodia and the wider Asia Pacific region
- Experience working within the Movement and direct experience working with migrants and refugees
- Demonstrated experience in research and analysis, preferably related to migration and displacement
- Linguistic capability in both English and Khmer
- Experience conducting interviews
- Strong oral presentation skills and facilitation skills
Expressions of Interest
To apply for this consultancy, please submit the following:
- CV (2 pages)
- Brief letter of motivation (1 page) detailing your suitability for this role
- A technical and financial proposal detailing the methodology and time-bound workplan and professional fee (i.e. daily rate)
Notes
- The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC and the standard contractual terms will apply.
- Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the IFRC’s relevant regulations.
- The consultant is required to possess the capability to work remotely from Cambodia.
How to apply
Please follow the provided link to submit your application.