Request for proposals for Consultancy on MMC Qualitative Research on Mixed Movements along the Western Indian Ocean Route in Madagascar Closing Date: 18 Aug 2025 Type: Consultancy Themes: Protection and Human Rights/Shelter and Non-Food Items 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. MMC is a global network engaged in data collection, research, analysis, and policy and programmatic development on mixed migration, with regional hubs hosted in DRC regional offices in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and a global team based across Geneva and Brussels. MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise. MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. MMCs overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. 2. Purpose of the consultancy The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) Eastern and Southern Africa, Egypt, and Yemen hub, based in Nairobi, seeks to hire a consultant for its research on the Western Indian Ocean Route towards Mayotte, funded by UNHCR. This research involves conducting a set of qualitative in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and people on the move in Madagascars northwest coastal regions (Diana, Boeny and Sofia). Key locations of focus are Mahajanga, Nosy Be and Ambanja. The consultants responsibilities include obtaining authorization for data collection from the respective authorities, conduct between 20-25 interviews, and deliver the recordings and transcriptions of these interviews. Additionally, the consultant will work closely with the MMC team to ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during data collection and that all data meets MMCs minimum quality standards. The selected consultant should have the legal right to operate in Madagascar. 3. Background The Western Indian Ocean Route is a relatively under-researched route with people on the move moving from various regions of origin towards Mayotte, a French overseas department geographically a part of the Comorian archipelago. A considerable number of both Malagasy as well as other nationalities depart from Madagascars northwest coast with the aim to reach Mayotte in small, unsafe smuggler-facilitated vessels. The protection risks of engaging in such journeys are very high. At the end of 2024, at least 24 Somalis drowned after two boats capsized off Madagascars coast. Reported countries of origin of individuals who have been intercepted in Madagascar while moving along the Western Indian Ocean Route are as varied as Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, DR Congo, and Djibouti. Individuals arrive primarily at one of Madagascars international airports (Antananarivo and Nosy Be) and obtain a visa on arrival. However, like many other mixed movement routes worldwide, people taking the Western Indian Ocean Route from/through Madagascar to Mayotte often end up using various modes of transport including road, sea, air, or a combination. Their choice often depends on access to finances, documentation and information, which in turn influences their exposure to protection risks on the journey. To strengthen policymaking and service provision, it is vital to have up-to-date information on the profiles, routes, decision-making processes, protection risks, and assistance gaps affecting people on the move. However, this information remains limited and fragmented, creating challenges for evidence-based planning and response efforts. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure that policies and services are both effective and responsive to the needs of these populations. 4. Objective of the consultancy The hired consultant will conduct qualitative data collection in Madagascars northwest coastal regions. The consultant will be required to: Be authorised to work as a researcher and collect data in Madagascar. Work with MMC to understand how best to conduct data collection in-country Work independently to access relevant respondents including people on the move and stakeholders (local authorities, humanitarian organisations, NGOs, civil society and others) Conduct high-quality in-depth qualitative interviews with people on the move and stakeholders Work independently on achieving high-quality transcriptions from the interviews Deliver the interview transcriptions and recordings to MMC 5. Scope of work and Methodology The consultancy will take place from 1 September to 30 September 2025. This will involve direct interviews with stakeholders, and people on the move aged 18 and above, who have or have had the intention to move to Mayotte along the Western Indian Ocean Route. People on the move may include Malagasy and foreign nationals. The interviews are expected to take place in key locations along Madagascars northwest coast, including Mahajanga, Nosy Be, and/or Ambanja (at least two). 6. Deliverables The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below: Assignment: Qualitative research on mixed movements along the Southern Route Expected deliverables: Interview transcripts and recordings Indicative description tasks: Work with MMC to understand how best to conduct qualitative data in an effective and ethical way. Recruit/source interpreters (if required). Gain access to key stakeholders and people on the move in key locations (Mahajanga, Nosy Be and/or Ambanja at least two locations). Conduct 20-25 in-depth interviews with stakeholders and people on the move with questionnaires provided by MMC. Record the interviews (and take notes, where recording is not possible). Work on high-quality transcriptions on a template provided by MMC. Deliver recordings and transcriptions to MMC by the given deadline. Maximum expected timeframe: 1 month (1 September 30 September 2025) The Consultant will provide the documentation by email on a Word, PDF document and link format. 7. Duration, timeline, and payment The total time period for the assignment will be no more than 30 days, within which the consultant will work on data collection in Madagascar. The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 30th September 2025. DRC will make an initial payment of 30% of the total costs upon submission of an inception report and the remaining amount upon completion of the work. 8. Proposed Composition of Team Principle researcher Assistant researcher(s)/interpreters (if required) 9. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required Essential: The consultancy is open to both firms and academic institutions. Individuals or research team managers should have an advanced degree (Master or PhD) in migration studies or the social sciences, with expertise in quantitative research methods. At least five years of experience conducting primary data collection and managing research projects, with at least three years of these being within the migration field. Proven experience in designing and implementing research on migration and similar relevant topics. A proven knowledge and understanding (e.g. through prior publications or data collection) of the context in Madagascar. Familiarity with the context and proven access to relevant stakeholders for data collection permits. Registration to work in Madagascar is required. Proven experience working in Madagascar. Ability to independently carry out data collection with people on the move specifically using qualitative methods. Excellent command of spoken and written English and French. Desirable: Working knowledge in Malagasy, Arabic, Swahili or Somali is desirable (or demonstrate that you have a roster of translators to work with). 10. Technical supervision The selected consultant will work under the supervision of: MMC Research Coordinator, Jim van Moorsel 11. Location and support Most coordination with MMC will take place virtually through bi-weekly calls and weekly update emails. The Consultant will provide her/his own computer, mobile telephone and any other required electronic equipment. 12. Travel Travel will be required. The Consultant will be expected to make arrangements for transportation, accommodation, insurance and meals during the assignment, and to make adequate provisions in the Financial Proposal. 13. Submission guideline Submissions shall include: Documents as listed in the Administrative Criteria. Updated CV(s) (4 pages maximum per individual) of consultant or consultant team if bidding as a company, a company profile should also be included. A brief statement on capacity/relevant experience, including examples of previous relevant publications or assignments. A brief document outlining a basic strategy and technical approach to the ToR, proposed workplan of activities with timeline and deliverable deadlines (4 pages max) A financial proposal in USD with a breakdown budget of both administrative & professional fees Please refer to the RFP Invitation Letter Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4168741/consultancy-mmc-qualitative-research-mixed-movements-along-western-indian-ocean-route-madagascar-rfp-ro01-003891
