Senior Research Consultant

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Description

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UNHCR is seeking to hire two individual consultants – one senior researcher and one researcher – to conduct Joint AfDB-UNHCR Flagship Study on Development Responses to Forced Displacement in Africa to inform MDB and DFI approaches and investments on preventing and addressing displacement crises (refugees, IDPs, returnees and hosting communities) in Africa. It will make recommendations concerning prevention and mitigation of forced displacement, emphasizing leveraging existing financing instruments and underscoring the economic benefits of refugees-inclusive development policies. 

Role and Responsibilities: Building on the comprehensive desk-based literature review undertaken by an individual consultant in 2024 (will be made available to the selected individual consultants), the Senior Research Consultant will lead the team, including supervising the research consultant, to produce the Flagship Study by:

• Conducting a review and analysis of the AfDB, MDB and UNHCR portfolios (on the African continent) and datasets on engagement in forced displacement contexts.
• Prepare business cases which demonstrate the socio-economic benefits of including refugees in national operations, leveraging evidence and studies that highlight the positive return on investment (ROI) from integrating non-national communities into host countries’ economies, i.e. showcasing value for money of investments in self-reliance of refugees
• Mapping out best practices on specific areas of interventions in and approaches to forced displacement contexts. 
• Identify lessons learned in previous and current engagement of MDBs and identify areas for increased and/or more effective engagement, enhanced coordination, sharpened selectivity and boosted integrated solutions (e.g. via complementarities and synergies). 
• Outlining specific policy and operational recommendations on enhancing MDB strategic engagement in forced displacement contexts in Africa and systematic UNHCR-AfDB and other MDB collaboration in Africa , including but beyond coordination, on policy reforms, operational and programmatic responses over the next four years until the third GRF in December 2027.
• Proposing a set of recommendations on how MDBs can jointly advance and expand their portfolios on the forced displacement agenda on the continent and how the MDB platform can play a coordination role in the implementation. 
• Propose any other, practical and implementable, innovative solutions based on international development finance best practices and latest knowledge that could help respond at scale and speed to the magnitude of the forced displacement crisis in Africa. This will include specific references on innovative financing and mobilization of climate finance to prevent and address forced displacements at scale and speed required considering current trends and dynamics. Chapters and Supplementary Annexes shall be suitable to become sector ‘Guidance Notes” for AfDB and MDB Practitioners. 

Approach: The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining the secondary analysis and synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative analytics. This will be complemented by virtual interviews with strategically selected management and experts with AfDB and UNHCR staff working on these partnerships, the MDB Platform, government representatives, the Office of the Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement, the development and peace building UN agencies and UN bodies, particularly BPSO, UNDP, ILO, UNHABIAT, IOM, etc., on EMFD and other core HDP Nexus actors. The research will also consult with and seek perspectives from refugees, IDPs, returnees and hosting communities directly as suitable and deemed feasible (hybrid and/or writing). The following methods will be used:

• Literature Review and Stakeholder Consultations: Building on the literature review that the individual consultant is undertaking, conduct further desk review, including but not limited to those carried out by AfDB, MDBs, UNHCR, other UN agencies and UN bodies and other ongoing research reports, publications and documents as well as others as deemed suitable as starting point of this work. 
• Review of existing portfolios and datasets: A comprehensive review of AfDB, MDB and UNHCR portfolios and datasets in Africa.
• Data Analysis: The results from the data review will be analyzed and synthesized using appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. The findings will identify themes and/or patterns, and also provide context specific recommendations.

Key topics to be covered in the report may include. The scope and specific topics/sectors to be covered will be fine-tuned at the start of the consultancy:

• Overall strategic relevance and frameworks guiding MDB and HDP Nexus Partner engagement in Africa. Highlight African and global frameworks applicable to African contexts, their evolution and latest status, gaps etc.
• Building on GRF II: Knowledge, Analytics and Pledges
• Innovative approaches and methodologies to engagement in FD contexts
• The role of dedicated and tailored financing windows in MDB engagement in FD contexts
• Private sector engagement and development in FD contexts, incl. non-sovereign operations, lines of credits, access to finance for MSMEs, venture capital etc.
• Innovative financing, including but not limited to blended finance initiatives and funds
• Co-financing initiatives and new operational modalities: what worked and what is missing?
• Infrastructure and Human Capital investments, incl. health, education and entrepreneurship, in FD settings
• Power, energy, climate interventions and unlocking climate finance in FD contexts
• Food Security, access to WASH in FD contexts
• Women, Peace and Security as well as Youth, Peace and Security in FD contexts
• Rural vs. Urban Displacements: data, challenges and solutions
• Policy reforms for refugees and IDPs in Africa, role of policy-based lending
• Partnerships 
• Engagement of MDBs in regional processes and support platforms
• Advocacy initiatives: existing, forthcoming, additional? Advocacy with M&E and results reporting
• Actionable Recommendations for AfDB, MDBs, UNHCR, UN system and HDP Nexus Partners

A virtual kick-off workshop to endorse the inception report and a virtual validation workshop to review and present the report prior to its finalisation will take place towards the start and end of the project. 

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience of the Senior Research Consultant:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in International Development, Economics, Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• 9 years of professional experience
• Extensive experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research in an MDB setting.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality research reports and publications for MDBs.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects financed by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in Africa.
• Familiarity with MDBs’ operational frameworks, financing instruments, and strategic priorities.
• Experience in managing or contributing to projects addressing forced displacement, including refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and data.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Familiarity with forced displacement issues in Africa, including the socio-economic and political contexts.
• Familiarity with MDB financing modalities, climate finance, and private sector engagement in development contexts.
• Capacity to handle discussions with diplomacy and tact is critical

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Geneva-Switzerland/Senior-Research-Consultant–Joint-AfDB-UNHCR-Flagship-Study-_JR2553463

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