We are currently recruiting for a Consultant to undertake part two a Research study for the Migration and Displacement Initiative looking to understand better the often-overlooked fact that far more people, including children, stay in their communities of origin rather than migrate.
The research aims to answer the following central questions:
1 How do children view where they live/their current life and whether their circumstances fit/meet their aspirations for the future? To what extent do they feel they have control over the factors in their external environment that inspire migration?
2 How have changes in their lives affected such views, how does the aspiration to leave home change over time as the child grows, and how (and what) might changing conditions impact their likelihood to stay?
3 What is the decision-making process, and the role of children in making any decision as individuals/groups/families about staying or leaving? How, and to what extent, are these processes the result of collective negotiation with other influencing actors in the child’s life - including family and household members, peers, and migration brokers?
4 Are there any factors encouraging them to leave/migrate (peer or family pressure/ access to education, jobs/protection issues, influence of existing formal/informal child protection systems in the community and country of origin)
5 To what extent do programme interventions by SC and/or partners provide anchoring incentives for children to remain locally? How effective are they at preventing unsafe journeys? What role does a sense of agency play in the child’s decision to stay or go, and how could it be harnessed to strengthen programming?
6 What do returning children need in order to stay/ not undertake another journey?
The approach in Phase 2 will replicate and further refine the methodology successfully implemented in Phase 1 of the study, with a greater focus on understanding the processes of collective, negotiated decision-making that children engage in with other household members and peers in reaching their decision to stay.
You will undertake direct consultation with children (in-person interviews and focus groups), both with those that stay as well as a comparative analysis of children who returned. Where relevant, you will incorporate a top line analysis of the relevance of available services and access to prevention programming as possible ‘anchors’ for children.
The research is a cross-country comparison that will be carried out in two phases.
In the first phase, work concentrated on Africa, focusing on three selected countries: Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Zambia (See ‘Why Children Stay’ original ToR for characteristics about migration in each country).
In the second phase, we propose concentrating on the three sites within the Northern Triangle region of LAC (TBD):
The consultant (research lead) will be responsible for producing:
1 An inception report setting out the planned research design and methods
2 An analytical report explaining why most children stay compared with those who have migrated or have been displaced (and have returned)
3 A programme inventory identifying current programme interventions by SC and/or partners and their role in children’s decision making around staying and/or leaving
4 Top line presentation slides highlighting and comparing research findings and recommendations across countries and target groups examined
5 Recommendations for future programming, policy and research responses and next steps
6 Thorough documentation and handover of relevant research processes, materials, and data.
Research Lead Consultant Profile:
* Excellent research skills, including instrument design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
* Familiarity with current migration research and recognised migration theories
* Demonstrable experience leading a team, preferably on a field-based, research-led project
* Demonstrable experience working on migration and/or displacement-related issues
* Excellent oral and written analytical and reporting skills
* Fluency in spoken and written English
* Fluent in spoken and written Spanish highly desired.
* Experience with children and youth migration and/or displacement issues is an advantage.
* Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project) and budgeting is an advantage.
* Good understanding of legal and policy frameworks relating to migration in at least one of study countries is an advantage.
Timeline
The total project for phase 2 will be 65 full working days. The consultant may be expected to start work on Phase 2 as early as November 2019.
The Organization
Save the Children in a federated Membership based organization employing approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in 117 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the rights of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
Application Information:
Please attach your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your salary expectations.
A copy of the full ToR can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
Location(s): England - London - London
Save the Children in a federated Membership based organization employing approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in 117 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the rights of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.