Data collection services in different regions of Italy related to migration

Data collection services in Italy for the PACES research project on decision-making related to migration (MMC)

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council? 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. The Mixed Migration Centre Part of DRC, the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidencebased protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are: • To contribute to a better, more nuanced and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge) • To contribute to evidence-based and better-informed migration policies and debates (policy) • To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming) MMC is a global network, with regional hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America hosted in DRC regional offices, and a small central team in Geneva. MMC is part of, and governed by, DRC. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. For more information on MMC visit our website here: www.mixedmigration.org

2. Purpose of the consultancy The Danish Refugee Council based in Geneva seeks proposals from consultants to conduct quantitative data collection (survey administration) in Italy.

4. Objective of the consultancy
Research objectives
Within the framework of the PACES project, MMC will collect data on migration-related decisionmaking, including the factors that influence migrants’ decision to leave the country of departure, the
decision to stay in the country of interview, the decision to move onward to another destination and
the decision to return to the country of departure, and how those factors change during the migration
journey.
The research design will focus on quantitative data collection, set to take place in Italy. The
methodology foresees the implementation of three rounds of surveys, including baseline data
collection and two rounds of follow-up interviews with the same respondents. All interviews will be
conducted using a survey questionnaire provided by MMC.
Target population
Potential survey respondents will be approached by enumerators based on the following criteria:
• Migrants of an African nationality (300 of them Nigerian), regardless of their legal status in
the country of interview.
• 18+ years old.
• Who travelled on the Central Mediterranean route from West/East Africa through North
Africa.
• Who arrived in the country of interview since a minimum of three months and a maximum of
two years.
Sample size
The target for baseline data collection will be 600 surveys. The target for longitudinal data collection
will be as follows:
• 150 follow-up quantitative interviews with respondents from baseline data collection, six
months after the first interview.
• 60 additional follow-up quantitative interviews with respondents from baseline data
collection, one year after the first interview.
Interview questions
The questionnaire will cover the following topics:
• Profile: age, nationality, religion, sex, socio-economic status, etc.
• Route and journey conditions: country of departure, transit countries, number of people
travelling together, etc.
• Drivers and decision-making: reasons for leaving the country of departure, decision-making
during the migration journey, determination to reach destination, etc.
• Protection risks: perceived risks and dangerous locations, perpetrators, etc.
• Assistance: type of assistance needed, assistance providers, locations where assistance is most
needed, etc.
• Smugglers: services provided by smugglers, contacts with smugglers, payment arrangements,
refugees’ and migrants’ perceptions of smugglers, etc.
• Financing the journey: sums paid, access to money while travelling, bribes paid, etc.
• Access to information: sources of information used before and during the journey, phone and
internet access, social media use, etc.
• Onward movements and destination intentions: intentions for onward movements in EU.
We estimate that the baseline interviews will last 45-60 minutes.
Follow-up interviews will cover some of the same topics, but with a shorter questionnaire (20-30
minutes) aimed at exploring if and how the respondents’ situation changed over time.
Data collection
Surveys for baseline data collection are planned to be conducted face-to-face through electronic data
collection (text-based survey solution on phones/tablets). Follow-up interviews, on the contrary, will
be collected remotely, over the phone.
The survey will be administered in English, as well as a limited number of additional languages that
might be relevant. Enumerators shall all have a good command of English to receive training in this
language.
MMC Europe is looking for consultants or consultancy firms to conduct quantitative data collection
(administration of surveys) in three locations in Italy. Prioritized cities include Oulx, Turin, Padua and
Naples, but the final data collection locations will be decided jointly with the selected consultant.

5. Scope of work and Methodology Specifically, the consultant is expected to: 1. Recruit, contract and supervise a network of enumerators in line with the project’s SOPs; 2. Organize a training for enumerators (that will be facilitated by MMC) in each country, providing an adequate room for this; 3. Collect 600 baseline surveys in each country in electronic format (ODK), according to the workplan agreed upon in advance with MMC; 4. Collect two rounds of follow-up, phone-based interviews (150 six months after the first interview, and 60 after one year) in each country, also in electronic format (ODK) and according to the workplan agreed upon in advance with MMC; 5. Cover potential phone credit and transportation prices for the enumerators; 6. Provide phones or tablet (hardware) to the enumerators for electronic data collection; 7. Support in identifying respondents; 8. Ensure methodological guidelines are applied for the survey; 9. Designate a focal point and set up regular reporting and discussion with MMC, especially during the data collection phase to ensure efficient data collection and high-quality standards. MMC will provide: 10. Methodology and research tools for quantitative data collection, already coded in ODK format and translated in the relevant languages; 11. Training for enumerators on relevant concepts, methodology, the questionnaire, principles and ethics of research in the field, Code of Conduct; 12. The backend infrastructure (server, ONA administration) for electronic data collection on the phones provided by the consultant; 13. Guidelines for data validation and cleaning. General requirements: • The consultant is responsible for all aspects of data security and data protection for the duration of the contract. • The consultant is responsible for frequently reporting to MMC on progress and any issues regarding deliverables, the timeline, and data quality. When designating a focal point for this project, the consultant should: o Ensure that the focal point has direct supervision over the enumerators in order to secure a direct line of communication and reactivity between both parties; o Ensure that, if the consultant decides to subcontract a part of the tasks to a local partner, such approach will not contradict the former point, and direct line of communication between the consultant’s enumerators team and MMC will be respected. • The consultant is responsible for adhering to ethical guidelines detailed in the research protocol. • The consultant is responsible for providing insurance and ensuring compliance regarding human resources.

8. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required • Research organizations, universities, think-tanks, NGOs, CSOs, or consultancy companies with a track record in conducting surveys in Italy; • Legal and operational ability to independently carry out data collection in Italy and expertise with data collection specifically using an electronic survey tool and respecting the highest research standards; • Proven expertise in researching / implementing projects on migration, human rights, and/or social justice, ideally in the above-mentioned prioritized locations; • A proven experience in engaging with migrants; • Languages: English is essential, other relevant languages would be a plus; • The selected organization will have to sign and comply with DRC’s Code of Conduct.

9. Technical supervision The assessment shall be completed in close cooperation with MMC Europe. The selected consultant will work under the supervision of Giulia Testa, 4Mi Project Coordinator for Southern Europe, email address: [email protected].

10. Location and support The assignment will take place in Italy. All baseline interviews are to be conducted face-to-face. The Consultant will be expected to arrange transportation, accommodation (when relevant, for instance for the initial enumerators training), adequate equipment (including data collection devices such as tablets or phones), phone credit, and insurance for its team, and to make adequate provision in the Financial Proposal.

11. Travel If the consultant expects team members to travel between research locations in Italy, it is responsible for all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements, and should make adequate provision in the Financial proposal.

12. Submission process Please see Request for Proposal (RFP) section III, clause A. Candidates should submit an application including: – Documents requested in the Request for Proposal (RFP), section III, clause A – Cover Letter – CV including references of previous relevant publications (max. 4 pages) – Example of written work – Technical proposal (max 10 pages) including: proposed approach and workplan, proposed profiles for the team (team leader, enumerators…) – Financial proposal: budget (in CHF), which shall cover all costs over the course of the consultancy. The budget should be broken down as described below: A. Consultancy fees – daily and total B. Technical costs – phones, etc. C. Travel costs, if applicable D. Miscellaneous (e.g. insurance, printing, etc. – please specify in the financial proposal)

13. Evaluation of bids The evaluation process consists of three stages: 1) Administrative, 2) Technical and 3) Financial. This process is explained in the Request for Proposal (RFP), section III. Only those shortlisted will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.

14. Terms and Conditions • The consultant will report directly to Giulia Testa, 4Mi Project Coordinator for Southern Europe, with regular updates and sharing of partial data and feedback and observations at intervals before the final deadlines for deliverables. They are also likely to interact with other MMC Europe staff, and partners to the project. • Payment for the consultancy will be made as follows: o 20% upon signature of the contract; o 20% upon submission of the inception report; o 20% upon satisfactory receipt of the first round of 600 surveys; o 20% upon receipt of the second round of 150 surveys; and o 20% upon receipt of the third and last round of 60 surveys and final data collection documentation. • DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html) • All information presented, obtained and produced is to be treated as the client’s property and is considered as confidential for all purposes other than what is outlined in these ToR. Upon signing the consultancy contract, the selected consultant will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. The material prepared by the consultant cannot be sold, used or reproduced in any manner (partially or in full) by the consultant without prior permission from PRIME consortium.