Translating evidence to practice: ReDSS Dadaab solutions analysis

 In 2021, the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) conducted a solutions analysis in Dadaab to provide a snap shot of both challenges and opportunities for self-reliance and integration for residents in the Dadaab camps. The analysis employed a political sociology and political economy lens in an attempt to shed new light on the societal terrain upon which refugee households manage risk, access protection and resources, seek livelihoods, cope with social barriers, and make decisions about their future. It also provided some practical recommendations for addressing the challenges identified, with the aim of supporting discussions with authorities and stakeholders on developing self-reliance strategies that take into account the socio-economic and political realities that refugees face in Dadaab, Garissa County.

A key conclusion of the analysis was a need for the thinking around supporting durable solutions to be more informed by detailed understanding of both the social and human capital available to displacement-affected communities. While human capital (in particular levels of education and training in various skills) is better understood by aid actors, social capital has long been relatively absent from aid thinking despite its critical role in shaping the life choices available to vulnerable people. Particularly for highly networked communities such as the Somali populations, the extent, reach and disposition of one’s family and kin network (and its relationship with your area of residence) is perhaps the most important driver of vulnerability and resilience, and yet hardly features in standard assessment frameworks.

The rationale for the Consultancy

Based on the findings and recommendations from this analysis, ReDSS wishes to work with its partners to develop these ideas further, recognising that it is not enough just to make analytical recommendations. We want to explore how they can be put into practice within the current operating environment that aid agencies are facing and, by learning lessons from this process, that tools and approaches can be developed that can be picked up by other aid actors in the region. ReDSS will therefore lead a collaborative process of learning by doing, with the objective of developing practical guidelines and/or tools that can be used to inform future aid programming focussed on the promotion of durable solutions for displacement-affected Somali communities.

The detail of this process is still being designed, but will involve assembling a team of experts and implementers to work collectively on putting this research into practice over the next six months. ReDSS is looking to commission a consultant(s) to be the lead facilitator for this process, with responsibilities as set out below.

Consultancy Objective

Based on the proposed methodology, the consultant will be responsible to support a collaborative learning process and to lead on the development of key outputs.

Expected deliverables

Facilitation of kick-off and reflection workshops, including:

Developing workshop agendas, in consultation with ReDSS and other partners

Preparing key inputs to guide the discussions (although it is expected that there will be a range of stakeholders providing inputs during the workshops)

Drafting the summaries of the discussions, which after the kick-off workshop will include a plan for taking forwards this process.

These responsibilities will require the consultant to be present in Kenya in person.

Supporting the initial implementation period, including:

Leading regular check-in calls with the key partners to enable updates and reflection on progress

Potentially participating in field-based activities over this period, although it is expected that the partners to the process and the ReDSS team will be in a position to lead these.

These responsibilities can be supported remotely, although with potential for participation in person.

Leading on development of the initial learning paper, including:

Drafting a paper based on the findings of the process and the outcomes of the reflection workshop, potentially to include draft guidance/tools

Consulting on this draft with ReDSS and the partners to the process to develop a final version

Participating in wider dissemination of the findings of the process.

These responsibilities can be carried out remotely.

Management and timeframe

This work is expected to take a maximum of 30 working days over the course of a 9-month period starting September 2022. A work-plan will be jointly discussed with the selected consultant(s) after the signing of the contracts. The consultant(s) will report to and work closely with the ReDSS regional manager and ReDSS Kenya team.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION

The selection and award criteria are unique to all tenders. The evaluation process consists of three stages:

1) Administrative,

2) Technical / Interview and,

3) Financial.

Each stage requires information and documents from the bidder that will determine whether the bidder will progress to next stage or not. Some examples of the documentation requirements are indicated below. However, the exact criteria for the different stages of evaluation will depend on the nature/type of tender.

The criteria for awarding contracts resulting from this Tender is based on ‘best value for money’. For the purpose of all tenders DRC defines best value for money as:

Best value for money should not be equated with the lowest initial bid option. It requires an integrated assessment of technical, organizational and pricing factors in light of their relative importance (i.e., reliability, quality, experiences, and reputation, past performance, cost/fee realism, delivery time, reasonableness, need for standardization, and other criteria depending on the item to be procured).

For all bids deemed technically compliant as per the specification stipulated in Annex F– Terms of Reference (TOR), DRC will give a weighted combined technical and financial score. The weighted score will determine the contract award.

Proposals failing to meet the minimum requirements stated above will not be considered further.

Confidentiality

All information presented, obtained, and produced is to be treated as DRC’s property and is considered confidential for all other purposes than what is outlined in the ToR. Upon signing the contract, the selected translator will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. The material prepared by the translator cannot be sold, used, or reproduced in any manner (partially or in full) by the translator without prior permission from DRC.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest including:

· CV of participating consultant(s) with details of qualifications, and experience.

· Technical proposal (not exceeding 4 pages) that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology, and proposed budget

· Financial proposal with budget, providing cost estimates (including both administrative professional fees)

· Portfolio with at least three examples of past assignments with similar organizations to ReDSS, DRC and its members.

· Previous contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted the applicant to carry out similar assignment

Failure to provide any of the above will automatically disqualify the consultant(s) or firm from the call for proposal.

Application documents can be downloaded from the link below

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16pZSmL3_nu45H_J5NDkv-vAog8d7UKpU?usp=sharing