Consultancy to develop a Regional Mixed Migration Programme Framework

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council?
Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. Operating since 2003 in the Middle East region, DRC has addressed the needs and rights of vulnerable populations, working with both host and displaced communities, in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, Iraq and Yemen. DRC in the Middle East across its countries of operations is delivering programming in several sectors: Protection, Economic Recovery, WASH, Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding.

2. Purpose of the consultancy

DRC is seeking a consultant to develop a regional Mixed Migration (MM) Programming Framework for its operations in Yemen (the Eastern Red Sea route, from East and the Horn of Africa towards the Arabian Peninsula) and in Lebanon with a potential adaptation for Türkiye (the Eastern Mediterranean route from Türkiye and Lebanon towards Europe) in order to strengthen its Mixed Migration programming in the Middle East region. A Regional MM Programming Framework will provide a consistent approach to designing and implementing MM interventions, rooted in reliable evidence and analysis, informed by international, regional and local legal and policy frameworks, and based on the latest best practices in migration programming, appropriate for the specificities of the contexts along each of the two routes to adequately promote the rights and address the needs of diverse groups of people in mixed migration flows.

3. Background
Over the years DRC has taken a strong role in advocating for improved protection for people on the
move and delivering services in countries of origin, transit and destination. DRC implements Mixed
Migration programming across multiple regions, including East Africa, Europe, and the Middle East,
which facilitates cross-country coordination, learning, and information sharing with operations in the
countries of origin, transit and destination. The DRC-hosted Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) conducts
in-depth research on mixed migration flows, collects and analyses primary data on profiles, drivers,
journeys, and provides expert analysis on a range of mixed migration issues and compiles quarterly
updates of mixed migration movements, data, trends and issues in each of the regions.
DRC Middle East operations in Yemen, and in Lebanon and Türkiye, lie respectively along the Eastern
Red Sea route (from East and the Horn of Africa towards the Arabian Peninsula) primarily used by
nationals from Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti; and the Eastern Mediterranean route (from Türkiye and
Lebanon towards Europe) mostly used by nationals from Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Türkiye and
Lebanon. Circumstances that drive people to embark on their journeys along these routes range from
seeking safety from armed conflict and persecution to seeking better life opportunities for themselves
and supporting their families left behind. These routes are dominated by criminal networks of people
smugglers and human traffickers with complex ties to various actors in the countries along the routes.
Legal and policy frameworks in the region offer little protection to those in mixed migration, and
particularly those in irregular flows, including trafficking victims and asylum seekers. The risks faced by
people in mixed migration flows range from extortion, kidnapping, physical and sexual violence and
exploitation, denial of access to basic services including food, water and healthcare, detention and
forced returns, as well as deliberately inflicted injuries and targeted killing.
DRC has been implementing Mixed Migration interventions in Yemen since 2008, supporting people on
the move with a range of interventions that have varied in content and scale over the years depending
on the fluctuating funding and the capacities and expertise available in the operation. In Lebanon and
Türkiye, without dedicated MM programming, people in mixed migration flows have been able to access
DRC’s services provided as part of the humanitarian response to Syrian refugees and hosting
communities.

4. Objective of the consultancy
The objective of the consultancy is to develop a Regional Mixed Migration Programming Framework
that would enable DRC to strengthen and streamline its MM programming in the region, with a
particular focus on Yemen and Lebanon, and with a potential adaptation for Türkiye. The framework
shall include guidance on ethical considerations and red lines, a clear theory of change, context-tailored
programme models (cross-country and/or country-specific) and related resources, and requirements
for expertise and capacities to operationalise those models. Particular attention throughout the
consultancy will be given to the linkages between programming and advocacy to best raise the voices
of people on the move and to feed into global policy debate and route-based advocacy approaches, as
well as the linkages between MM and sector-specific interventions (Protection, Livelihoods/Economic
Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding, Shelter, WASH, CCCM) to ensure more holistic
approach to assistance.
The consultancy is expected to be carried out remotely over a period between July – September 2024,
for a maximum number of 40 working days.

5. Scope of work and Methodology
The consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how the
objectives of the consultancy will be achieved, and the support required from DRC. The scope of work
should be based on the following key tasks and deliverables:
1. Inception report outlining the methodological approach for the consultancy, including
potential secondary sources and key informant interviews.
a. Secondary sources must include regional and country-specific legal, policy and/or
strategy etc. documents adopted by relevant authorities and international agencies;
MMC research products, and other relevant internal and external documents.
b. Key informants must include relevant DRC staff in the country and/or regional
operations along the two routes, MMC focal points, and key staff in other relevant
organisations/agencies.
c. The review of programme models must include current DRC MM interventions, where
available in the Middle East and in the countries along the two migration routes, as
well as best global practices outside of DRC.
2. Mapping and review report detailing actions as part of the mapping and review process (incl.
list of reviewed documents, interviews with key staff, etc) and main outcomes of that process,
with recommendations for strengthening and streamlining DRC’s MM interventions in the
region.
3. Drafting Regional MM Programming Framework to be reviewed by the Middle East Regional
Office and then validated with key DRC staff from the region and country programmes.
a. The initial draft must include a detailed outline of the proposed structure for the
framework, a brief overview of the content of each section, a snapshot of recommended
programming models and resources (incl. SOPs/tools where possible), and other key
considerations such ethical dilemmas and proposed red lines, linkages between
programme and evidence-based advocacy.
b. The proposed draft framework must be informed by the practical realities in the focus
countries, including political context and funding landscape for INGOs.
4. Validation meeting with DRC regional and country level Heads of Programmes, Protection/MM
leads, and advocacy and operations focal points, presenting the outcomes of mapping & review
and a draft Regional MM Programming Framework for feedback.
5. Regional MM Programming Framework presenting a streamlined approach to designing and
implementing MM interventions, covering all aspects mentioned under the ‘Purpose of the
Consultancy’ and ‘Consultancy Objective’ above, appropriate for the different contexts across
DRC’s operations to adequately address the needs of diverse groups in mixed migration flows
(using an age, gender and diversity lens).
The final products will be reviewed for quality and final payment will be made upon submission of
satisfactory deliverables.

6. Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:
Phase
Expected
deliverables
Indicative description tasks
Maximum
expected
timeframe
Phase 1 –
Review
Inception report
A short report outlining the methodological
approach for the consultancy, including potential
secondary sources and key informant interviews
3 working days
(recommended)
Mapping and
review report
Detailed report of the mapping and review
process and main outcomes, with
recommendations for strengthening and
streamlining DRC’s MM interventions in the
region
10 working days
(recommended)
Phase 2 –
Drafting
Draft Regional MM
Programming
Framework
Draft Framework including a detailed outline of
the proposed structure, brief overview of the
content of each section, snapshot of
recommended programming models and
resources, and other key considerations
15 working days
(recommended)
Phase 3 –
Validation
Slide deck and
briefing
Preparation of a slide deck based on the feedback
on the draft Framework; delivery of a validation
meeting to present draft Regional MM
Programming Framework to key DRC staff

7 working days
(recommended)
Phase 4 –
Final
Framework
Final Regional MM
Programming
Framework
Finalising the Framework based on the feedback
from the validation meeting
5 working days
(recommended)

7. Duration, timeline, and payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 40 working days.
The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 30 September 2024.
Payment will be provided on completion of the deliverables.

8. Proposed Composition of Team
The consultant is expected to be an individual (or individuals) meeting the experience requirements
listed below.

9. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required
 Advanced degree in international law, public policy or another discipline relevant to the technical
focus of this consultancy.
 Minimum seven years previous experience in migration related work; both research and direct
implementation or technical advisory experience are required.
 Expert knowledge of international legal and policy frameworks related to migration and mixed
movements, including practical aspects of their implementation in low- and middle-income
countries.
 Expert knowledge of legal, policy and operational frameworks related to the efforts to counter
people smuggling and human trafficking.
 Strong knowledge of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
 Demonstrated experience designing and/or implementing successful mixed migration
programming involving (I)NGOs.
 Experience in protection-focused migration programming in conflict related humanitarian
contexts and familiarity with the Middle East context would be a distinct advantage.
 Strong analytical skills and systems thinking, ability to quickly process large volumes of information
and present it in a concise format.
 Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
 Strong commitment to humanitarian and protection principles, and to DRC’s values.
 Fluency in English, both written and spoken; working knowledge of Arabic is preferred.

10. Technical supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of, Regional Protection Coordinator, with an
oversight from Regional Head of Programmes at DRC Middle East Regional Office.

11. Location and support
This consultancy is expected to be carried out remotely.

12. Travel
N/A

13. Submission process
Refer to the RFP letter invitation.
14. Evaluation of bids
Refer to the RFP letter invitation.