International organization plans to conduct a comprehensive study in the project based Urban/semi urban areas of selected districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan in KP province.

The study aims to generate a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to better reach urban refugees, focusing on their current organization, access to public services, and gaps in service delivery. The study will explore communication and cooperation mechanisms, challenges, and existing support structures to improve Organization efforts and coordination with key stakeholders. 

Scope of Work: 

The consultant will be responsible for: 

1. Conducting Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and workshops with Afghan refugees, host communities, CAR officials, and other relevant stakeholders, including Health and Education Project (EHS) to reach urban refugees, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, GIZ and relevant civil society organizations. Questions will also be asked about the knowledge of Urban Refugee Management Units (URSUs) or any other services available with CAR.
2. Assessing existing cooperation and communication mechanisms used to reach urban refugees.
3. Identifying challenges from the refugees’ perspective regarding access to services and coordination with public service providers.
4. Evaluating the role of Urban Refugee Management Units (URSUs) and other services available through CAR.
5. Providing recommendations on how to improve Organization communication and cooperation with urban refugees and key stakeholders for enhanced service delivery.
6. Offer presentation on key findings and recommendations of the study in a workshop with CAR officials, GIZ, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO and other relevant stakeholders, including Health and Education Project (EHS) to reach urban refugees. 

Objectives and proposed Research Questions: 

The objective of the study is to generate a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to better reach urban refugees, focusing on their current organization, access to public services, and gaps in service delivery. The study will explore communication and cooperation mechanisms, challenges, and existing support structures to improve Organization efforts and coordination with key stakeholders. The proposed study looks at conducting a comprehensive analysis of socio-economic challenges of urban refugees in KP. The research will seek to explore the social, cultural, economic, and institutional dimensions of interaction, assessing both challenges and opportunities. By understanding these dynamics, the objective is to provide insights that can inform policies and interventions to strengthen social cohesion, promote inclusivity, and foster positive relationships between Afghan refugees and their Pakistani hosts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, contributing to peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development. 

The study will focus on the following key questions on specific issues to be addressed through the study. 

• What are the current opportunities and barriers for Afghan refugees in terms of access to public services? How can those barriers be removed/minimized?
• What are the key challenges, Afghan refugees are currently facing and how best those can be addressed?
• What are the primary factors influencing mutual understanding between Afghan refugees and their Pakistani host communities in the context of social cohesion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
• How do Afghan cultural and gender norms affect the integration of Afghan women into Pakistani society, including their mobility, social participation, and decision-making roles? How do Afghan women perceive their safety within refugee camps or urban areas, and what are their most pressing security concerns?
• What educational opportunities are available to Afghan refugee youth, including young boys, girls, elders, and persons with disabilities, and what barriers prevent these groups from accessing education?
• What economic factors play a role in shaping the relationship between Afghan refugees and their host communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and how do these factors impact social cohesion?
• How do employment regulations and restrictions impact the livelihood opportunities of Afghan refugees?
• Given that gender-based violence is a sensitive and often less openly discussed topic in the KP province of Pakistan, what approaches can be adopted to promote awareness about GBV among both Afghan refugee and host communities? How can this be done in a culturally appropriate manner that respects familial and community dynamics, while fostering understanding and minimizing potential sensitivities or resistance?
• How can inclusive practices be promoted to create a more cohesive social environment between Afghan refugees and their Pakistani hosts?
• How do Afghans especially youth & women refugees view their options for returning to Afghanistan or resettling in third countries, and what factors influence these decisions?
• How do local communities engage with Afghan refugees, and what factors contribute to positive or negative interactions?
• How empowered are Afghan refugee communities to advocate for their own needs and rights, and what support do they receive from external stakeholders in these effort?
• What are the key barriers by both INGOs and Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) face in coordination during the implementation of projects especially in urban settings? What are key suggestions to further improve this coordination for effective implementation of project?

• How has the Illegal Foreign Repartition Plan (IFRP) increased protections concerns of Afghan refugees in Pakistan? Did Afghan face any challenges in access to healthcare, education, social services and maintaining employment after the IFRP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
• Has the IFRP affected the relationship between Afghan refugees and local Pakistani communities? What challenges do Afghan refugees face in obtaining the necessary documentation and registration?
• What are the key obstacles Afghan refugees face in obtaining or renewing legal documentation (e.g. PoR cards)? And which organization or institutions can support Afghan in the process?
• What are the educational opportunities available to Afghan refugee girls and women, and what barriers prevent them from accessing education?
• What vocational training or skill development programs exist for Afghan women, and how do these programs impact their economic independence?
• What are the existing structures that supporting/facilitating Afghan refugees to access micro credits/small loans for businesses and their conditions?
• How is the private sector involved in supporting Afghan refugees, particularly in providing employment, skills training, or resources?
• How do Afghan refugee youth perceive their future in Pakistan or abroad?
• How can Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) challenges, and absence of MHPSS services, impact access to livelihoods, income generation opportunities and empowerment?
• What traumatic experiences have the refugees felt during displacement, and how do these experiences impact their mental health?
• Are refugees aware of the MHPSS services available to them, and how willing are they to access these services?

 During the inception phase, the external consultant is expected to further refine the research questions in order to effectively reflect the overall objective of the study.

 Responsibilities of the Consultant/Resource Person:

• Conduct a desk review relevant to the research study. The consultant will be urged to prioritize the review and analysis of available data and information.
• Submit inception report before starting training/data collection. Contents of the inception report provided in the deliverables section.
• Provide a suitable methodology, methods, and sampling, and other fine-tuning of content in this scope of work.
• Develop appropriate data collection tools, instruments and data analysis frameworks.
• Train and orient all enumerators, facilitators and field supervisors.
• Oversee data collection in the field and ensure quality control of information collected by enumerators.
• Process data entry, cleaning, and analyse of available and collected data.
• Draft the study report and based on the organization internal technical feedback, submit a final report.
• Offer a presentation on key findings at the time of submission of draft study report to company.
• Throughout the study, communicate, update and discuss decisions with the organiation side of the investigation team.
• Offer a presentation on key findings and recommendations after completion of report to CAR and other stakeholders in a workshop. 

Qualifications

• At least University degree holder in business management, social sciences or relevant disciplines;
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in conducting research studies, needs assessments, baseline, mid-line and end-line project evaluations.
• Knowledge of, and experience in applying, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Experience in conducting research and training in the field of MHPSS, livelihoods, small and medium enterprises development, trades and market assessments, skills development program.
• Excellent analytical skills and communication skills, proficiency in Pashto language will be an asset.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, technical report writing skills in English.
• Knowledge of data collection methods and practical experience.
• Good understanding of human rights issues, particularly relating to vulnerable groups including Afghan refugees, inclusivity, diversity. 
• Ability to travel through the identified districts of the project, where required.
• Previous experience - at least two assignments - comparable in content, time, scope and money;
• Experience in facilitating online, offline, hybrid co-creation and validation workshops and sessions;
• Team members and/or network of experts/specialists/consultants based in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province.
• Experience in working with Afghan refugees, local people and community organizations

Application Process

All interested candidates should submit their detailed CVs along with cover letter (justifying their suitability for the assignment).