Consultant to Develop Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) Migration and Displacement Policy and Strategy

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

Overview Migration and displacement within, from and to Myanmar is linked to a diverse range of complex drivers, and in many cases results in critical humanitarian needs. The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), 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. Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is committed to strengthening its capacity to address humanitarian needs in the context of migration and displacement. In order to realise this commitment, in 2018 the leadership of MRCS endorsed a 10-point Action Plan on Migration and Displacement, to be achieved within two years (2019-2021) with support from the British Red Cross. Building on this, the MRCS Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 identifies Migration and Displacement as key humanitarian challenges in Myanmar. Specific reference is made to the need for i) increased MRCS capacity to support migration and displacement issues, ii) continued humanitarian support to target migratory and displaced affected communities, iii) Clear strategy, policy and guidelines that outline our support for migratory and displaced affected communities in accordance with the MRCS mandate. Several pillars of the 10-Point Action Plan have been completed, including the foundational national assessment on ‘Understanding Migration and Displacement in the context of Myanmar’ published in 2020. Two of the outstanding pillars of the Action Plan are for MRCS to: Develop and Implement MRCS Policy on Migration and Displacement Develop and Implement MRCS Strategy on Migration and Displacement Aligned with the MRCS Strategy 2025, IFRC Strategy 2030 and building upon a national assessment report and other foundational documents, MRCS is requesting technical support from the Movement to develop i) MRCS Migration and Displacement Policy, and ii) MRCS Migration and Displacement Strategy. Technical engagement would be undertaken in close coordination with the MRCS Migration and Displacement Taskforce, and in consultation with the MRCS Partner Working Group on Migration and Displacement as needed.

Job Purpose

Background: MRCS Initiatives to Strengthen Capacity in Migration and Displacement

In 2017, MRCS requested support from the Movement to strengthen its capacity on migration and displacement. A Surge delegate, supported by New Zealand Red Cross and seconded to the IFRC, supported MRCS to produce several foundational assessments and guidance documents, including:

• Baseline Mapping of MRCS programming linked to migration and displacement
• A Concept Paper on engagement in resettlement in Kachin State
• A Concept Paper on engagement in refugee returns in the southeastern states of the country.

In 2017, MRCS also hosted a National Red Cross Movement Workshop on Durable Solutions in Kachin state. Subsequently, the Red Cross Movement in Myanmar has developed internal Position Papers on repatriation from Bangladesh to Rakhine state, and on camp closures across Myanmar.

In 2018, MRCS requested further support from the Movement to strengthen its capacity to address humanitarian needs in the context of migration and displacement. MRCS convened a workshop on Strategic Approaches to Addressing Humanitarian Needs in the Context of Migration and Displacement in Myanmar which resulted in the MRCS 10-point Action Plan on Migration and Displacement, to be achieved within two years. The Action Plan combines context-based analysis, staff and volunteer training initiatives, and the development of policies and frameworks to guide MRCS’s work on migration and displacement.

In 2019, a study on Understanding the humanitarian consequences of Migration and Displacement in the context of Myanmar was carried out through desk-based and in-person discussions and interviews with stakeholders from components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Government of Myanmar, and non-governmental and civil society entities. The analysis examined trends and dynamics related to migration and displacement, humanitarian needs at different stages of migration and displacement, the role and activities of different stakeholders, the law and policy framework in Myanmar, and the existing programmes and activities of MRCS. Key findings from the report were presented and discussed during a 2-day workshop in Yangon in May 2019, and the report was finalized and released in September 2020.

Purpose

The purpose of this technical advisory input is to support MRCS to firstly develop a Migration and Displacement Policy as a framework to guide MRCS staff and volunteers to engage in programming, principled partnerships and humanitarian diplomacy on migration and displacement, aligned with the IFRC Policy on Migration (2009), the Movement Policy on Internal Displacement (2009) and other relevant Movement policies and commitments.

The MRCS Migration and Displacement Policy would provide the basis for the development of the MRCS Migration and Displacement Strategy, which in turn will generate Operational Guidance (Standard Operating Procedures or SOPs) for particular migration- and displacement-related contexts in Myanmar.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Assignment Outcomes

1. Inception report/plan An inception plan outlining methodology and key timings to complete outcomes 2-6 below. (5 pages). It will also detail key stakeholder groups and indicative list of key informants to provide relevant research and context to the development of the policy and strategy documentation. The Inception Plan be will presented for review and feedback by IFRC and MRCS before commencement of the outcomes below.
2. MRCS Policy on Migration and Displacement (5-10 pages) including:
3. Clearly defined migration and displacement policy principles in the Myanmar and National Society context
4. Guidance on how to develop strategic (COVID-19-safe) interventions aligned with the policy principles
5. MRCS Strategy on Migration and Displacement (5-10 pages) informed by:
   1. Cross-sectoral consultations amongst MRCS NHQ and key branches
   2. A Migration and Displacement Strategy Development Workshop
   3. Consideration for COVID-19-safe programming
6. A Roundtable with MRCS (and other components of the Movement as appropriate) to validate the draft Policy and Strategy
7. A workshop to sensitise the Policy and Strategy with MRCS staff and volunteers in NHQ and key branches
8. A plan for adopting and disseminating the Migration and Displacement Policy and Strategy within MRCS

Proposed Work Plan

IFRC or a sister National Society will provide technical assistance for the development of clearly defined MRCS policy principles and accompanying strategy on migration and displacement in the context of Myanmar.

The policy principles and strategy will align with the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, the IFRC Policy on Migration (2009), the Movement Policy on Internal Displacement (2009), the IFRC Global Migration Strategy 2018-2022, and the IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Framework for Action (2017-2022).

The technical assistance will include:

• Inception Plan
  • Summarising methodology, key timings and stakeholders and key informants

• Literature Review

  • Review and synthesis of existing IFRC and Movement policies, strategies, guidance, Workshop materials and case studies in the context of migration and displacement, particularly in Myanmar
  • Review of external documents, assessment tools, analysis and guidance on migration and displacement in the context of Myanmar.

• In-person/remote consultations with key stakeholders from within and external to the Red Cross Movement

• Production of first drafts of the MRCS Migration and Displacement Policy and MRCS Migration and Displacement Strategy, presented to MRCS, IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Delegation (APRD) and IFRC Myanmar Country Delegation for review (at a virtual or in-person Roundtable)

• Based on feedback, production of the final MRCS Migration and Displacement Policy and MRCS Migration and Displacement Strategy accompanied by guidance for operationalization of the Policy and Strategy, for presentation and further discussion at a dedicated workshop with MRCS staff and volunteers.

• Adoption of the MRCS Migration and Displacement Policy and MRCS Migration and Displacement Strategy by the MRCS Task Force and leadership.

Duration

This project will be undertaken over a timeframe of 30 days (within 3 months), and to commence as soon as possible.

Project Management

The project will be supervised and guided by the IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Migration and Displacement Coordinator in collaboration with a representative of the IFRC Myanmar Country Delegation.

The MRCS Task Force on Migration and Displacement will be regularly consulted for technical review and inputs to the project deliverables.

Education

• Demonstrated professional experience in migration, displacement, human rights and protection issues, and familiarity with migration and displacement trends and dynamics in Myanmar and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Experience

• Experience working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and direct experience working with migrants and refugees.
• Demonstrated experience in policy and strategy development, preferably related to migration and displacement.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit their applications at below link:

Submission for Consultant to Develop Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) Migration and Displacement Policy and Strategy - Welcome (recruitmentplatform.com)